Union County Genealogy Database

Union County genealogy records are held at the county health department and the clerk's office in Liberty, Indiana. Birth and death records go back to 1882, and marriage records at the clerk's office span the county's full recorded history. Union County is one of Indiana's smallest counties, and its records reflect the deep roots of families who settled the area in the early 1800s. This guide covers where to find Union County family history documents and how to access them.

Union County Health Department Vital Records

The Union County Health Department in Liberty holds birth and death records for events that occurred in the county from 1882 forward. Indiana's statewide birth registration did not begin until 1907 and death registration until 1900. That means the county health department holds records for a window of time that the state office does not cover. For Union County genealogy research reaching back to the late 1800s, the Liberty office is the only official source for those early records.

Union County is a small county with limited staff at its government offices. It is especially important to call the health department before visiting to confirm current hours, fees, and whether genealogy requests require an appointment. Walk-in service for genealogy searches is not always available in small Indiana county health offices. Under Indiana Code 5-14-3, vital records are public documents, but access rules require that genealogy requesters show the person named on the record is deceased and over 75 years old.

Union County's location in eastern Indiana near the Ohio border means some researchers may also need to check Ohio county records, particularly for families who moved across the state line. Contact the Union County Health Department in Liberty to get current fee information before submitting any request.

Note: Mail or written requests may be more practical for Union County records given the small size of the county's government offices and limited staffing for in-person genealogy service.

Union County Clerk and Marriage Records

The Union County Clerk's office in Liberty holds marriage records from the county's founding years. Indiana's statewide marriage index starts in 1958, which means marriages before that date are only documented at the local county level. Union County was established in 1821, giving the clerk's office over 200 years of records in some form. For genealogy researchers tracing ancestors who married in eastern Indiana before the twentieth century, the Liberty courthouse is where you need to look.

Probate and estate records at the Union County Clerk's office can be especially valuable for deep genealogy research. When a Union County resident died with property, a probate case was opened at the courthouse. These cases name heirs, describe family relationships, and record death dates with detail that death certificates alone do not always provide. An estate file from the 1800s can help you build out a family tree across multiple generations.

The Union County recorder's office holds property deeds and land transaction records. Land records in Indiana counties go back to the early 1800s in some cases and may predate formal vital registration. For Union County research, property records from the county's early decades can be among the most useful genealogy sources available because they document family presence and ownership before certificates were routinely issued.

State Resources for Union County Genealogy

The Indiana Department of Health Vital Records Division in Indianapolis holds statewide birth records from 1907 and death records from 1900 covering Union County events. Their address is 2 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. The main phone is (317) 233-2700. Online orders go through VitalChek. The toll-free ordering line is (866) 601-0891, available all day every day. Mail orders use Form 49607 for births and Form 49606 for deaths, with check or money order as accepted payment.

State birth certificate fees are $10 for the first copy and $4 for additional copies. Death certificates cost $8 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy from the same order. These are state-level fees. Union County may set different fees for county-level genealogy copies. The local health department map at in.gov gives you Union County's current contact information. The Indiana State Library holds a genealogy collection with county research guides including one for Union County. Their phone is 317-232-3689.

The Indiana State Library county research guides portal shown below provides the Union County research guide and statewide genealogy resources:

The Indiana County Research Guides provide a Union County-specific overview of available genealogy collections and where to find them.

Reviewing the Union County guide before contacting the Liberty offices helps you understand which records exist and which office holds them.

Indiana Archives and Historical Resources

The Indiana Archives and Records Administration at 6440 E 30th St, Indianapolis preserves older Union County records transferred from local offices. IARA's phone is (317) 591-5220. Their online catalog at researchIndiana.iara.in.gov allows remote searching. When Union County offices transfer records at the end of their retention periods, IARA holds them for permanent research access. Given the county's small size, some older records may have been transferred to state custody earlier than in larger counties.

Under IC 5-14-3-4, records classified as confidential become open 75 years after their creation. For Union County, a county established over 200 years ago, this means a substantial portion of the county's historical records are now fully available for genealogy research. Records from before 1951 are almost certainly open, and many records from even later years are becoming accessible as time passes.

The Indiana Historical Society at (317) 232-1882 holds materials from eastern Indiana counties including Union. Their research library and county resource pages at indianahistory.org can point you toward what is available for Union County. The Indiana Genealogical Society and FamilySearch's Indiana Genealogy wiki offer free online tools for researching Union County family history without making a formal records request.

The Indiana Historical Society's website shown below provides access to statewide collections and county-level finding aids relevant to Union County genealogy:

The Indiana Historical Society holds manuscripts, photographs, and local history collections that can supplement official Union County vital records and court documents.

Their focus on primary source indexes and research guides makes the Historical Society a strong secondary source for Union County family history going back to Indiana's early statehood.

Ohio Border Research and Remote Access

Union County's position on Indiana's eastern border means that some ancestors may have records in Ohio. Families who moved across the state line, or who lived near the border, may appear in Ohio county records rather than Indiana records. Ohio has its own vital records system and county clerk records that predate Indiana statehood in some cases. If you hit a dead end in Liberty, checking adjacent Ohio county records is a logical next step.

For remote access to Indiana-held Union County records, VitalChek handles online orders for state-level vital records. Phone orders go through (866) 601-0891 any time of day. These methods work for records at the state level, covering Union County births from 1907 and deaths from 1900. For older county-level records, a written request to the Union County Health Department or clerk in Liberty is required. FamilySearch and the Indiana Genealogical Society may have some Union County materials available online for free, so check those sources before making a formal request.

Cities in Union County

Union County is one of Indiana's smallest counties and includes Liberty and several small communities. No city in Union County meets the 25,000 population threshold for a separate city genealogy page. All vital records and court filings for Union County communities are handled at the county offices in Liberty.

Nearby Counties

Union County borders several eastern Indiana counties and shares a state line with Ohio. Ancestors near the state line may have records in Ohio. Check these nearby Indiana county pages for additional genealogy resources.