Adams County Genealogy Records

Adams County genealogy records are held at the county health department and the clerk's office in Decatur, Indiana. Birth and death records go back to 1882, and marriage records at the clerk's office date from 1836. If you are tracing family history in Adams County, this guide covers where to search, what each office holds, and how to get copies of the records you need.

Adams County Health Department Vital Records

The Adams County Health Department in Decatur is the primary source for birth and death genealogy records. The office at 313 W. Jefferson Street maintains certified copies of birth and death records for events that took place in Adams County from 1882 to the present. You need an appointment for genealogy searches. Walk-in service is not available for that type of request.

The health department's vital records division is charged with the registration, maintenance, and issuance of birth and death records for Adams County. This office provides certified copies of birth and death records for events occurring in Adams County and these records are available from 1882 to present. A certified birth certificate is the legal registration of a birth and is only issued by county or state government. Other services provided by the vital records office include genealogy searches, paternity affidavits, and registering home births.

Contact details for the Adams County Health Department vital records office:

Note: Genealogy searches require an appointment and cannot be done as a walk-in visit at the Adams County Health Department.

Adams County Clerk and Recorder Offices

The Adams County Clerk's Office in Decatur holds marriage records from 1836 to present. This is a long run of records that can help you trace ancestors who married in Adams County well before the state began keeping statewide records. The clerk's office also has court records, including probate filings that can be useful for genealogy research.

Marriage records from 1836 to the present are at the Adams County Clerk's Office in the Court House at 112 S 2nd St, Decatur. Indexes to marriage records covering 1845 through 1920 are also held at the Adams Public Library System, which can be a helpful first stop before you visit the clerk. The recorder's office handles property-related documents and can be found at 313 W Jefferson Street Suite 240, Decatur.

State Vital Records for Adams County Genealogy

The Indiana Department of Health Vital Records Division in Indianapolis also holds records that apply to Adams County residents. State-level birth records begin in 1907 and death records from 1900. If you need a record from before those dates or want a second source, the Adams County Health Department is the right office to contact. Under Indiana Code 5-14-3, vital records are public documents subject to access rules that balance openness with privacy protections.

The state office is at 2 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. You can reach them at (317) 233-2700 or toll-free at (866) 601-0891, which runs 24/7 for orders. For genealogy requests at the state level, the person named on the certificate must be over 75 years old and deceased. Online orders go through VitalChek, which adds a processing fee on top of the standard cost. The local health department map can help you find the right county office if you are unsure where a birth or death event occurred.

The Indiana State Library genealogy page at in.gov/library/genealogy.htm is a strong starting point for Adams County family history. The library is at 315 W Ohio St, Indianapolis and can be reached at 317-232-3689. They keep one of the largest collections of family history materials in the Midwest. Their Indiana County Research Guides include specific guides for Adams County that list which records exist and where to find them.

The state library screenshot below shows what their genealogy portal looks like:

The Indiana State Library Genealogy Division maintains county-specific research guides and family history collections dating back to Indiana's earliest settlements.

The library holds more than 40,000 print items including family histories, indexes, cemetery transcriptions, and military pension information that can help with Adams County genealogy research.

Adams County Historical Society and Museum

The Adams County Historical Society and Museum in Decatur is a key local resource for family history research. The society holds local records, photographs, and documents that go beyond what government offices keep. They are especially useful for records from the 1800s that predate official state registration.

The Adams County Historical Society can be found at 420 W. Monroe St, PO Box 262, Decatur, IN 46733-0262. Their phone number is 260-724-3493, and you can reach them by email at info@adamscountymuseum.org. Their website at adamscountymuseum.org has details about their holdings and visiting hours. For deep genealogy searches in Adams County, combining a visit to the historical society with a request to the health department gives you the most complete picture of family records.

The Adams Public Library System also maintains marriage record indexes covering 1845 through 1920. These indexes can help you identify which specific records to request from the clerk's office, saving time on your Adams County genealogy search.

Indiana Archives and Genealogy Resources

The Indiana Archives and Records Administration (IARA) in Indianapolis holds court records, naturalization papers, and state-level documents that can fill gaps in Adams County family research. IARA is at 6440 E 30th St, Indianapolis, and their phone is (317) 591-5220. Many older Adams County court records, including early probate filings and civil cases, may have been transferred to IARA over the years.

The screenshot below shows the Indiana Archives and Records portal, which allows searching for historical state records:

Visit the Indiana Archives and Records Administration to search for Adams County historical documents and transferred court records.

IARA maintains permanent records transferred from Indiana's counties, making it a secondary but important stop for Adams County family history researchers.

The Indiana Historical Society at (317) 232-1882 is another resource. They hold photographs, manuscripts, maps, and diaries from across Indiana. Their collections include material specific to northeast Indiana counties like Adams. The Indiana Genealogical Society and FamilySearch's Indiana Genealogy wiki are free starting points that can point you to digitized records and indexes without leaving home.

Under IC 5-14-3-4, certain records are closed to the public for a set period to protect privacy. Vital records for living individuals are restricted, but older genealogy records generally become available as those time limits pass. Knowing which records are open helps you plan your Adams County research efficiently.

VitalChek and Online Access Options

For Adams County residents who cannot visit the health department in person, online ordering is available through VitalChek. The state accepts orders at vitalchek.com, and you can also call the 24/7 line at (866) 601-0891 to place an order by phone. VitalChek charges a processing fee on top of the state's base fees, but it can save a trip to Decatur for people who live outside the area.

Mail orders are also accepted at the state vital records office. To apply for a birth certificate by mail, print Form 49607. For death certificates, use Form 49606. You can pay by check or money order for mail orders. The state's local health department map at in.gov/health/lhd/local-health-department-map/ lets you find the Adams County office contact details quickly.

The VitalChek online ordering portal shown below is one way to request Adams County genealogy records remotely:

The VitalChek portal provides online ordering of certified vital records from Indiana counties including Adams County.

Credit card payment is accepted through VitalChek, making it a convenient option for ordering Adams County birth and death records remotely.

Cities in Adams County

Adams County's cities and towns all file vital records and genealogy documents at the county health department and clerk's office in Decatur. No city in Adams County meets the 25,000 population threshold for a separate city page. Genealogy records for Decatur, Berne, Geneva, and other Adams County communities are handled at the county level.

Nearby Counties

Adams County borders several other Indiana counties. If an ancestor lived near a county line, they may have filed records in a neighboring county. Check these nearby county pages for additional genealogy resources.