Newton County Death Records

Newton County death index records are kept at the county health department in Kentland, Indiana. This small county in northwestern Indiana holds death certificates from 1882 to the present. Newton County is one of the least populated counties in the state, but the health department still maintains the same types of vital records as any larger county. If you need a death certificate for someone who passed away in Newton County, the Kentland office is the place to start.

Newton County Death Records Office

The Newton County Health Department sits at 110 E. Lake St., Kentland, IN 47951. Phone the office at (219) 474-6080 to ask about death records or to check if a certain record is on file. Kentland is the county seat and the only place in Newton County where you can get a certified death certificate from the local registrar. Walk-in visits during business hours are the fastest way to get a copy.

Newton County has a small population compared to most Indiana counties. The office handles fewer requests, which can work in your favor. You may find shorter wait times and more one-on-one help from the staff than you would get at a larger county health department. Bring your photo ID and any details you have about the death when you visit. The more information you provide, the easier the search will be.

Death Index Search in Newton County

Newton County death records date back to 1882. That is 18 years before Indiana began recording deaths at the state level. For any death that took place in Newton County between 1882 and 1899, the Kentland office is the only source. The state did not start its death index until 1900, so those early records exist nowhere else.

When you request a record, the staff searches the Newton County death index for a match. The search fee is built into the cost of the certified copy. Under IC 16-37-1-11, this fee is not refundable. You pay for the search even if no record turns up. This is state law and applies in all 92 Indiana counties. If the record is found, one certified copy comes with the search fee.

Newton County Death Certificate Eligibility

Not everyone can request a certified death certificate in Indiana. State law under IC 16-37-1-10 requires a direct relationship to the person on the record. The Newton County Health Department follows the same eligibility rules as every other county office in the state.

People who qualify include the surviving spouse, parents named on the record, siblings who are at least 18, adult children and grandchildren, grandparents, aunts, uncles, attorneys, and court-appointed legal guardians. State and federal government agencies also have the right to request copies. You must present valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID works as primary identification. Two secondary documents are required as well, such as a Social Security card or voter registration card.

Ordering Newton County Death Records by Mail

If you cannot drive to Kentland, you can send a mail request. Write a letter with the full name of the deceased, the date of death, your name and mailing address, your relationship to the person, and a copy of your photo ID. Include a check or money order for the certificate fee payable to the Newton County Health Department. Mail it to 110 E. Lake St., Kentland, IN 47951.

Allow the office time to process your request. Small county offices may not handle mail orders every day, so be patient. If timing matters, call ahead at (219) 474-6080 and ask about the current turnaround. You also have the option of ordering through the state or through VitalChek if you want to skip the mail entirely. VitalChek is available by phone at (866) 601-0891 around the clock.

State Resources for Newton County

The Indiana Department of Health holds Newton County death records from 1900 to the present. The state charges $8.00 per search. Online orders go through VitalChek. Mail orders use State Form 49606 and should be sent to P.O. Box 7125, Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125. The death information page covers what you need to know about ordering through the state.

The IDOH order page walks you through the full process for mail, phone, and online requests. Processing times for mail orders are about two weeks for delivery plus 10 to 15 business days.

The state order page shown above explains the different ways to request death records from any Indiana county, including Newton. Check the site for current fees and requirements before you place your order.

Newton County Genealogy Death Records

Family history researchers tracing lines through northwestern Indiana will find value in the Newton County death index. Records from 1882 cover a period the state does not have in its own files. Early death certificates may include the person's birthplace, parents' names, and cause of death. These details help fill in gaps on a family tree.

For genealogy requests, the person must have been dead for at least 75 years. You also need proof they are deceased. The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis has a genealogy collection with over 40,000 items, including death indexes and cemetery records. Call their reference desk at 317-232-3689 to ask about Newton County holdings. Indiana's electronic death registration system under IC 16-37-1-3.1 has made newer records faster to process. Older records are still in paper form at the Kentland office.

The local health department map can help you locate the right county office if you are not sure where a death was recorded. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act under IC 5-14-3 backs the public's right to access government records, though death certificates still have eligibility limits.

Nearby Counties

Newton County borders only a few other counties in northwestern Indiana. If the death did not take place in Newton County, check these neighbors.