Search LaPorte County Genealogy Records

LaPorte County genealogy records are maintained at the county health department and clerk's office in LaPorte, Indiana. Vital records at the county level go back to 1882, and the clerk's marriage and court records reach further into the 19th century. LaPorte County spans both the dunes region along Lake Michigan and the inland agricultural areas, and its family records reflect the mix of immigrant and pioneer communities that settled this part of northwest Indiana over two centuries.

LaPorte County Health Department Vital Records

The LaPorte County Health Department holds birth and death records for events in the county going back to 1882. This office is the local source for certified copies of birth and death certificates, and it covers the period before the state began keeping statewide records in 1907 for births and 1900 for deaths. You can reach the health department at 219-326-6808. Call ahead for current hours and to confirm any appointment requirements for genealogy searches.

Genealogy requests at the county level follow Indiana state rules. The individual named on the record must be deceased and over 75 years old for a genealogy requester to access it without showing a direct family relationship. If you are a close relative, you can request records by providing proof of your relationship, such as a birth certificate or marriage license showing your connection to the person named in the record you are requesting.

The Indiana local health department map lists the current address and contact details for the LaPorte County office. It is a good reference to check before visiting, since office hours and procedures can change.

Note: The LaPorte County Health Department is your primary source for birth and death records from 1882 through 1906, the years before the state's own registration system was fully in place.

LaPorte County Clerk and Court Records

The LaPorte County Clerk's Office holds marriage licenses and civil court records that are valuable for genealogy research. Marriage records at the clerk's office go back to the county's founding in 1832, giving researchers access to nearly two centuries of marriage data. Probate court records at the clerk's office can name multiple family members, describe estates, and list heirs, making them some of the most detailed genealogy sources available for LaPorte County.

The recorder's office holds land records, deeds, and property transfers for LaPorte County. Land records are useful for understanding when an ancestor arrived, where they lived, and how their property passed down through the family. Combined with probate files, land records help build a complete picture of a family's presence in LaPorte County over time.

Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, IC 5-14-3, makes most court and land records available for public inspection. You can request copies at the LaPorte courthouse during regular business hours. Under IC 5-14-3-4, records classified as confidential are opened 75 years after creation, making older LaPorte County records accessible that may have been restricted in earlier decades.

State Resources for LaPorte County Genealogy

The Indiana Department of Health Vital Records Division at 2 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis holds statewide birth records from 1907 and death records from 1900. For LaPorte County events within those date ranges, the state is a supplementary source. Reach the state office at (317) 233-2700 or the 24/7 toll-free line at (866) 601-0891. Birth certificates cost $10 and death certificates cost $8 at the state level. Online orders go through VitalChek using a credit card.

The Indiana State Library Genealogy Division at 315 W. Ohio Street in Indianapolis holds one of the largest family history collections in the Midwest. Their Indiana County Research Guides include a guide for LaPorte County listing what records exist and where. Call the reference desk at 317-232-3689 for help with your LaPorte County research before visiting the library in person.

The Indiana State Library genealogy portal is shown below:

The Indiana State Library Genealogy Division maintains county-specific research guides, cemetery transcriptions, and family history materials relevant to LaPorte County genealogy searches.

The library's collection of more than 40,000 print items includes materials specific to northwest Indiana counties like LaPorte, covering settlement, immigration, and local family history.

Indiana Archives and Historical Research for LaPorte County

The Indiana Archives and Records Administration (IARA) at 6440 E 30th St, Indianapolis, phone (317) 591-5220, holds older court and historical records transferred from Indiana counties. Some LaPorte County court and probate records from the 1800s and early 1900s may be part of IARA's permanent collection. Their online catalog at researchIndiana.iara.in.gov allows you to check what LaPorte County materials they hold before submitting a records request.

The Indiana Historical Society at 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, phone (317) 232-1882, holds manuscripts and historical materials from across Indiana. For LaPorte County, their collections may include documents related to the farming communities, railroad history, and the Lake Michigan coastal settlements that shaped this county's development.

The Indiana Genealogical Society maintains county-specific pages at indgensoc.org/county/laporte/ with links to digitized records and local genealogy indexes. FamilySearch at familysearch.org is a free resource with digitized Indiana records, some of which cover LaPorte County. Using these online resources before visiting the courthouse can narrow down which specific records to request.

The Indiana Historical Society county resources are shown below:

The Indiana Historical Society holds primary source materials and research guides that can extend LaPorte County genealogy research beyond what official county records contain.

Their local history services page links to county-specific resources and can direct LaPorte County researchers to materials held at the society's Indianapolis library.

Cities in LaPorte County

Michigan City is the largest city in LaPorte County and meets the population threshold for its own genealogy page. All vital records for Michigan City events are filed at the LaPorte County Health Department and clerk's offices in LaPorte.

Nearby Counties

LaPorte County is in northwest Indiana near Lake Michigan. Ancestors living near county borders may have records at neighboring county offices as well.