Lake County Indiana Genealogy Records
Lake County genealogy records are held at the county health department's vital records division in Crown Point, Indiana, and at the Lake County Clerk's Office. With a large and diverse population in northwest Indiana, Lake County has an extensive record base spanning birth, death, and marriage documents from 1882 forward. Whether you are searching for family history in Hammond, Gary, or the county seat itself, this guide covers where to look, what each office holds, and how to access Lake County genealogy records in person or remotely.
Lake County Quick Facts
Lake County Health Department Vital Records
The Lake County Health Department Vital Records Division in Crown Point is the primary local source for birth and death genealogy records. The division handles certified copies of birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Lake County. The fee for each certificate is $20. Records at the county level go back to 1882, which covers the period before the state began keeping statewide birth records in 1907 and statewide death records in 1900.
For genealogy requests, the person named on the certificate must be deceased and over 75 years old, or you must show proof of a direct family relationship. If you qualify, staff at the vital records division can help you identify which records are available. The division's website at lakecountyin.gov/departments/health/vital-records-division/ provides current details on what the office offers and how to submit a request. You can reach the health department by phone at 219-755-3655.
The Lake County Health Department vital records page is shown below:
The Lake County Health Department Vital Records Division handles certified copies of birth and death records for all Lake County genealogy requests.
The vital records division at Crown Point processes walk-in, mail, and in-person requests for Lake County birth and death certificates used in genealogy research.
| Phone | 219-755-3655 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Crown Point, IN |
| Birth/Death Fee | $20 each |
| Records Available From | 1882 to present |
| Website | lakecountyin.gov/departments/health/vital-records-division/ |
Note: Call ahead to confirm current hours and any appointment requirements at the Lake County Health Department vital records office.
Lake County Clerk Records
The Lake County Clerk's Office in Crown Point holds marriage records, court records, and other civil documents for genealogy research. You can reach the clerk at 219-755-3000. Marriage licenses and court filings at the clerk's office are key resources for tracing Lake County family history. Lake County's large and diverse population over the past century means the clerk's records include a wide range of family names and backgrounds.
Crown Point has a notable place in Indiana marriage history. The city was known in the early 20th century as a "Gretna Green" destination where couples from Illinois and other states came to get married quickly, since Indiana's marriage laws were less restrictive than those in neighboring states at the time. If an ancestor married in Crown Point during that era, the clerk's office may hold the marriage license even if the family was not from Indiana. This makes Lake County marriage records a potential source for researchers from across the region.
The clerk's office also holds probate records, which name heirs and beneficiaries, and civil court filings. Under Indiana Code 5-14-3, these records are generally public and available for inspection. You can request copies at the clerk's office in Crown Point or contact them for guidance on how to submit written requests.
State Vital Records for Lake County Genealogy
The Indiana Department of Health Vital Records Division at 2 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis is a state-level source for Lake County birth and death records. The state office holds birth records from 1907 and death records from 1900. You can reach them at (317) 233-2700 or the 24/7 toll-free line at (866) 601-0891. State fees are lower than Lake County's local fee, with birth certificates at $10 and death certificates at $8. Online orders go through VitalChek.
The Indiana State Library Genealogy Division at 315 W. Ohio Street, Indianapolis holds over 40,000 family history items including county histories, cemetery transcriptions, and military records. Their Indiana County Research Guides include a guide for Lake County. The reference desk is at 317-232-3689. Given Lake County's size and immigrant population history, the state library may hold materials relevant to the ethnic communities that settled in cities like Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago.
The Indiana State Library's genealogy resources are shown below:
The Indiana State Library Genealogy Division offers county research guides and a large family history collection that supports Lake County genealogy searches across multiple generations.
Their holdings include military pension files and cemetery transcriptions that can supplement Lake County's official vital records for the early 20th century period of heavy settlement.
Indiana Archives and Lake County Records
The Indiana Archives and Records Administration (IARA) at 6440 E 30th St, Indianapolis, phone (317) 591-5220, holds older court records transferred from Indiana counties. For Lake County, some older probate and civil records may be part of IARA's permanent collection. Their online catalog at researchIndiana.iara.in.gov lets you search for Lake County materials before making a request.
Under IC 5-14-3-4, records classified as confidential are opened to the public 75 years after they were created. This means many early and mid-20th century Lake County records that were once restricted are now accessible for genealogy research. Lake County's rapid growth during the steel industry era of the early 1900s means there are substantial records from that period that are now open.
The Indiana Historical Society at 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, phone (317) 232-1882, holds photographs, manuscripts, and diaries. Their collections may include materials related to the industrial communities of northwest Indiana. The Indiana Genealogical Society at indgensoc.org/county/lake/ links to local databases and indexes for Lake County research.
The Indiana Archives portal is shown below:
Visit the Indiana Archives and Records Administration to search for transferred Lake County historical court records and documents.
IARA holds permanent records from Indiana counties that have been microfilmed for long-term preservation, including some Lake County materials from the early 20th century.
Cities in Lake County
Lake County has several large cities that meet the 25,000 population threshold for individual city pages. Genealogy records for cities in Lake County are handled through the county health department and clerk's offices in Crown Point, but these city pages provide additional local context and resources.
Nearby Counties
Lake County sits in the far northwest corner of Indiana, bordered by Illinois to the west and Lake Michigan to the north. Nearby Indiana counties can also hold relevant genealogy records for families who moved across county lines.