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Porter County, Indiana
Genealogy, History & Facts

County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links

Porter County, Indiana Facts

When was Porter County, IN Created?
Porter County was established on February 1, 1836 from unorganized lands . This county was named for Capt. David Porter, hero of the War of 1812.

What is the County Seat of Porter County, IN?
The County Seat is located in Valparaiso also, the county government website is www2.porterco.org/ .

What counties are adjacent to Porter County, IN?
Bordering Counties are  LaPorte County, Starke County, Jasper County, Lake County.

What cities and towns are in Porter County, IN?
Cities and towns located in the County include  Portage, Valparaiso, Beverly Shores, Burns Harbor, Chesterton, Dune Acres, Hebron, Kouts, Ogden Dunes, Porter, Town of Pines.

What Townships are in Porter County, IN?
Townships located in the County include  Boone, Center, Jackson, Liberty, Morgan, Pine, Pleasant, Portage, Porter, Union, Washington, Westchester.

Porter County, IN Vital Records

Where can find Porter County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Porter County vital records can be found at the Indiana Office of Vital Records which has copies of birth and death records. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Indiana for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Porter County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Indiana Birth Certificate or Death Certificate Applications to mail.

Vital Records can also be found in the Porter County Department of Health, 155 Indiana Ave., Rm 104, Valparaiso, IN 46383-5502 ; Phone: 219-465-3525 ; maintains and provides Certified Birth and Death Records. They have Birth & Death Records from 1884.

Porter County, IN Census Records


What Porter County, IN census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Adams County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.

Porter Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Porter Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Porter Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Indiana Census Records Research Guide

Porter County, IN Courthouse and Government Records

Porter County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Porter County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Porter County. The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also Indiana Corthouse Records Research Guide.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!! Please call the clerk’s department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The files are available to interested parties, barring private issues. Many staff will guide individuals in locating the materials, however it’s up to the person to carry out the research. Courthouse destroyed by Fire in Dec. 1934, All records saved.

  • Porter County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
  • Porter County Clerk responsiblities include administering Court Records of all Court Cases, prepares the Court’s permanent historical record, performs marriage ceremonies, process marriage applications and issue marriage licenses, processes and distributes documents for court cases, and keeps a record of all wills and matters of trust in probate proceedings. The County Clerk’s Office DOES NOT DO RESEARCH.  The documents are available to interested parties, barring confidential issues.  The staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual to do the research.
    • Address: 16 Lincolnway, Suite 209, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383
    • Phone: (219) 465-3450
    • Marriage Records: 1836
    • Probate Records: 1839
    • Court Records: ?
  • Porter County Recorder maintains, preserves and Records Deeds, Mortgages, Assignments, Releases, Powers of Attorney, Real Estate Contracts, Annexations, Trustee Elections, Affidavits, Final Decrees, Surveys, Federal Tax Liens, Mechanics Liens, Military Discharges, Articles of Incorporation, Cemetery Deeds, Bonds, Plats, Condominiums, Firms Doing Business Under Assumed Names, Delinquent Sewer Liens, and Miscellaneous Instruments.
    • Address: 155 Indiana Avenue, Suite 210, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383
    • Phone: (219) 465-3465
    • Land Records: 1833
  • Porter County Treasurer’s Office is responsible for collecting taxes. The treasurer also receives distributions of local income and other taxes that are collected by the state such as real estate tax, personal property tax, mobile home tax, state assessed tax, and the following miscellaneous taxes: auto excise tax, inheritance tax, and innkeeper’s tax.
  • BLM Land Records

Porter County, IN Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Porter County, IN?
A list of Porter County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Indiana Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other Porter County, IN Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Porter County, IN?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Porter County. These genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a cost. This is simply a collection that has been gathered or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site over another.

Porter Co. IN Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Porter Co. IN Books, Newspapers & Publications

Porter Co. IN Cemeteries & Church Records

Porter Co. IN Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Porter Co. IN General and History Websites

Porter Co. IN Military Records

Porter Co. IN Schools & Directories