Vigo County Genealogy Records
Vigo County genealogy records cover birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, probate files, and court documents tied to Terre Haute and the surrounding Wabash Valley region of western Indiana. Records are held across several local offices and institutions, including the county health department, the clerk's office, the Vigo County Public Library, and the Vigo County History Center. Researchers tracing family lines in this part of Indiana will find a strong network of resources both at the county level and through statewide archives and library systems.
Vigo County Quick Facts
Vigo County Vital Records
The Vigo County Health Department is the starting point for birth and death records in Terre Haute. The office is at 147 Oak St, Terre Haute, IN 47807, and can be reached at 812-462-3431. Email for vital records inquiries is VCHD.vitals@vigocounty.in.gov. Office hours are 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. One important note: the health department does not accept birth or death record requests via email, fax, or phone. Requests must be submitted in person or through an approved mail or online process.
Indiana county health departments have maintained birth and death records since 1882. Statewide registration began in 1907 for births and 1900 for deaths, so for earlier events, the Vigo County Health Department may be the only source. For genealogy requests, the person named on the record must be over 75 years old and deceased, and you will need to show proof of death such as an obituary or another death certificate. The Indiana Department of Health vital records page outlines these access requirements in detail.
If you cannot visit in person, the Indiana Department of Health at (317) 233-2700 or toll-free (866) 601-0891 handles statewide requests. Online ordering through VitalChek is available 24 hours a day with a service fee. The Indiana local health department map has current contact details for the Vigo County office.
Vigo County government information, including links to county departments, is also available at vigocounty.in.gov.
Marriage and Court Records
The Vigo County Clerk's office in Terre Haute holds marriage licenses and related court documents. The clerk can be reached at 812-462-3214. Marriage records go back to when Vigo County was formed and cover all marriages recorded within the county. The statewide marriage index held by the Indiana Department of Health covers 1958 forward, so older marriages require a direct request to the clerk in Terre Haute.
The clerk also maintains civil and probate court records. Probate files are among the most useful sources for genealogy work because they typically list heirs and their relationship to the deceased. Estate inventories, guardianship papers, and will books can fill gaps that vital records leave open. Check with the clerk on what years of probate records are available locally and whether any have been transferred to the Indiana State Archives.
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3 generally makes court and clerk records public. Under IC 5-14-3-4, records more than 75 years old are broadly accessible regardless of earlier confidentiality classifications. This means older Vigo County court documents that were once restricted are now open to researchers.
Vigo County Public Library Genealogy Collections
The Vigo County Public Library, located at One Library Square, Terre Haute, IN 47807, phone 812-232-1113, is a key resource for Wabash Valley family history research. The library at vigolibrary.org provides access to several databases that are especially useful for Vigo County genealogy work.
The library offers access to Ancestry, HeritageQuest, and Fold3, which together cover census records, military service files, and a wide range of digitized historical documents. Of particular interest for local researchers is the Wabash Valley Obituary Index, which covers deaths reported in Terre Haute area newspapers. The Wabash Valley Visions and Voices Digital Memory Project is another unique resource that preserves photographs, documents, and stories from the Vigo County region. Both tools are available to library card holders and in-branch visitors.
Note: Many of the library's genealogy databases require a Vigo County Public Library card or in-branch access. Contact the library directly to confirm which databases you can use remotely and which require an in-person visit to Terre Haute.
Indiana State Library Resources for Vigo County
The Indiana State Library Genealogy Division holds county research guides covering Vigo County. These guides are accessible online at the county research guides page and identify what records exist, where they are held, and what time periods are covered.
The state library collection includes more than 40,000 print items covering family histories, cemetery transcriptions, and local indexes. Researchers can schedule one-on-one consultations on the second Saturday of each month and get assistance from DAR volunteers on Wednesdays. The library is at 315 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Indiana Genealogical Society at indgensoc.org maintains a Vigo County page with links to local resources and indexed record collections. This is a good starting point before contacting individual offices, since it may flag volunteer-indexed materials that are not widely known.
Indiana Archives and Historical Society
The Indiana Archives and Records Administration holds older Vigo County records that have been transferred from local offices for long-term preservation. IARA's State Archives division accepts court records, administrative documents, and other county records with historical value. Their online catalog at researchIndiana.iara.in.gov lets you search for Vigo County materials before visiting Indianapolis. IARA is at (317) 591-5220.
IARA uses microfilm preservation standards that extend the legibility of older Vigo County documents up to 500 years. Records at the end of their local retention period are either destroyed or transferred to the State Archives to become part of the permanent research collection. This means some Vigo County materials that are no longer at the courthouse in Terre Haute may be accessible through IARA.
The Indiana Historical Society also maintains county-level resources. Their page at indianahistory.org connects researchers with Vigo County contacts and collections. FamilySearch at familysearch.org covers Indiana broadly and includes census records, probate indexes, and some vital record transcriptions that may include Vigo County material. It is free to use for most searches.
County Research Guides and Online Tools
The Indiana county research guides are available at no cost online. These guides are one of the best ways to plan a Vigo County research project before you visit offices in Terre Haute or contact state agencies in Indianapolis.
Each guide covers the records available for that county, who holds them, and what years are represented. For Vigo County, the guide will point you toward the health department, the clerk, the public library, and any other local institutions that hold genealogy-relevant materials. Use the guide to build your research plan before you start making calls or requests.
Cities in Vigo County
Terre Haute is the county seat and the largest city in Vigo County. With a population well over 25,000, Terre Haute has its own dedicated page on this site. Other communities in the county include West Terre Haute, Brazil (in Clay County), and several smaller towns that fall under Vigo County jurisdiction for vital records and court filings.
Nearby Counties
Vigo County sits in western Indiana and borders several counties. Records for events near county lines can sometimes be in a neighboring county, so confirm the county of the event before requesting documents.