Porter County Health Department phone, vaccines, records, septic and local public-health services
The Porter County Health Department serves residents from offices in Valparaiso and Portage. Services include childhood and adult immunizations, HIV/STI counseling and testing, TB testing, travel vaccines, lead and Healthy Homes programs, laboratory testing, vital records, food safety and environmental health.
The Valparaiso office is the most complete service location. Portage handles general county health functions too, but nursing there is currently limited to Monday morning and the office closes for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
What does Porter County Health Department help with?
Porter County Health Department is the local public-health agency for Porter County, Indiana. It combines clinical prevention, vital records, food safety, environmental health and Health First Indiana community programs.
Adult and childhood vaccines, HIV/STI counseling and testing, TB testing, laboratory services, lead/Healthy Homes, school health and communicable-disease education.
Indiana birth and death certificates can be requested locally when eligibility rules are met. Some record corrections and paternity services are Valparaiso-only.
Porter County regulates septic systems, wells, retail food establishments, pools and other public-health environmental concerns.
Porter County Health Department offices, phones and hours
| Office | Contact | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso | 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 104, Valparaiso, IN 46383 · 219-465-3525 | Main office; nursing available Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. |
| Portage | 3590 Willowcreek Rd., Suite C, Portage, IN 46368 · 219-759-8239 | Office open weekdays; nursing currently Monday 8:30 AM-noon. |
| Portage lunch closure | 12:30-1:30 PM Monday-Friday | Vital Records service is also unavailable during that lunch period. |
| Porterhealth@portercountyin.gov | Use for non-emergency general questions. |
Porter County nursing services and public-health programs
Routine adult and selected specialty vaccines are available through the Nursing Division.
Vaccination services are available for children, with consent and guardian requirements for minors.
The Nursing Division lists HIV/STI counseling and testing among current programs.
Tuberculosis skin testing is available. Ask about placement and required return-reading timing before booking.
Childhood lead-poisoning prevention and Healthy Homes work are part of Porter County nursing services.
The department operates a laboratory-testing program; test availability, eligibility and fees should be confirmed before visiting.
The department currently offers naloxone kits free of charge by appointment.
Health First Indiana activity includes student screenings, health education, referrals and school-health support.
Porter County participates in Indiana’s Homebound Hoosier Vaccination Project for residents who cannot easily access clinic sites.
Adult and childhood vaccines in Porter County
All vaccines can be given by appointment. Valparaiso also offers daily walk-in vaccination services, while Portage walk-ins are currently limited to Monday morning.
Current adult offerings include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, combination hepatitis A/B, HPV, COVID-19, flu, polio, MMR, meningococcal, pneumococcal, rabies, Tdap, varicella and shingles.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian unless an authorized adult brings the required signed permission.
Coverage varies by plan. If a private insurer is out of network, families may need to pay at the visit. The county accepts cash and major cards but not personal checks.
Use 219-465-3525 for Valparaiso or 219-759-8239 for Portage.
Give the patient’s age, vaccine needed, insurance status and school/work/travel deadline.
Bring any paper shot records or school documentation so staff can review previous doses.
Pricing varies by vaccine and insurance coverage, so ask before the appointment.
Travel vaccines are Valparaiso-only
Porter County offers travel vaccines for adults and children, but the service is appointment-only and available only at the Valparaiso office.
Cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, polio, Japanese encephalitis, meningococcal, rabies, Tdap, injectable typhoid and yellow fever.
Some travel vaccine series require multiple doses or time before departure. Call as soon as your destination and departure date are known.
Country, city/region, travel dates, trip purpose and prior vaccination history can affect recommendations.
Birth and death certificates in Porter County
Vital Records can be obtained at both Health Department offices Monday through Friday. The person named in the record must have been born or died in Indiana, and access rules apply.
| Service | Current fee | Important rule |
|---|---|---|
| Certified birth certificate | $15 | Eligibility restrictions apply; photo ID required. |
| Death certificate | $17 | Requester must meet applicable eligibility requirements. |
| Paternity | $30 | Includes birth certificate; Valparaiso-only and appointment/instructions required. |
| Amendment | $30 | Includes birth certificate; Valparaiso office handles eligible amendments. |
| Genealogy search | $15 | Birth/death records can be researched back to 1884; Valparaiso-only. |
Porter County WIC is a separate clinic program
WIC is not the same office as Porter County Health Department nursing or Vital Records. Indiana’s current WIC directory lists a Valparaiso WIC clinic at 502 Wall Street, Suite 102.
| WIC clinic | Phone & address | Current listed hours |
|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso WIC | 502 Wall St., Suite 102, Valparaiso, IN 46383 · 219-464-9220 | Monday 10:30 AM-7:00 PM; check Indiana WIC for the remaining weekly schedule before traveling. |
Nutrition benefits, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and referrals for qualifying pregnant/postpartum participants, infants and children.
Call the WIC office for eligibility documents and appointment rules rather than assuming the Health Department clinic can process WIC enrollment.
Environmental Health walk-in hours are limited
Environmental Health staff spend much of the workday conducting field inspections. Walk-in meetings, including septic releases for building permits, are currently available only from 8:30 to 10:00 AM Monday through Friday.
Residents can use walk-in Environmental Health service for questions and applicable septic/building-permit releases.
Schedule an appointment because inspectors may be out performing field work.
Septic releases, plan reviews and soil reports can be submitted to environmental.health@portercountyin.gov.
Porter County septic and well permits
Unlike some Indiana counties that route certain septic work elsewhere, Porter County Health Department directly handles residential onsite sewage and well permitting through Environmental Health.
| Permit | Current fee | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Well + septic | $275 | Commercial or residential combined permit. |
| Septic only | $225 | Commercial/residential onsite sewage permit. |
| Minor septic repair | $100 | One-component repair. |
| Major septic repair | $225 | Site visit and system requirements apply. |
| Well only | $50 | Site plan and separation requirements apply. |
For repairs, ask for an onsite visit. For new construction, start with the required soil information.
A certified soil scientist may be required. Existing subdivision soil reports may already be on file.
For applicable residential projects, the county says the report is usually issued in roughly two to four days.
County staff reviews required site plans and supporting documents before approval.
Wait for permit approval and follow county inspection requirements before covering or completing the system.
Restaurant permits, plan review and temporary food vendors
The Food Service Division licenses and inspects restaurants, grocery stores, taverns, bakeries, delis, institutions, mobile units, pushcarts and temporary vendors throughout Porter County.
Plans and menu must be reviewed before construction begins. Porter County can issue a stop-work order if regulated construction starts before plan approval.
Food permits do not transfer automatically to a new owner. Contact Food Service before taking over an existing establishment.
Temporary food permits should be submitted more than seven days before the event to avoid added late fees.
| Permit type | Current published fee |
|---|---|
| Annual full-service under 3,000 sq. ft. | $400 |
| Annual full-service 3,000 to under 10,000 sq. ft. | $500 |
| Annual full-service 10,000 to under 15,000 sq. ft. | $600 |
| Annual full-service 15,000+ sq. ft. | $700 |
| Limited prepackaged-only | $200 |
| Bed and breakfast | $300 |
What to bring to Porter County Health Department
Map to Porter County Health Department in Valparaiso
The Valparaiso office at 155 Indiana Avenue is the main location for the broadest range of nursing, records and environmental services.
Official Porter County and Indiana health links
Porter County Health Department FAQs
What is the Porter County Health Department phone number?
The Valparaiso office is 219-465-3525. The Portage office is 219-759-8239.
Where is Porter County Health Department located?
The Valparaiso office is at 155 Indiana Avenue, Suite 104. The Portage office is at 3590 Willowcreek Road, Suite C.
What are the Porter County Health Department hours?
General office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Nursing at Portage is currently available Monday from 8:30 AM to noon, and the Portage office closes for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 PM.
Does Porter County Health Department give vaccines?
Yes. The department provides childhood and adult immunizations. Valparaiso offers daily walk-ins and appointments; Portage vaccination walk-ins are currently available Monday morning.
Does Porter County Health Department offer travel vaccines?
Yes. Travel vaccines are offered by appointment only at the Valparaiso office.
How much is a Porter County birth certificate?
The current published fee for a certified birth certificate is $15.
How much is a Porter County death certificate?
The current published local fee is $17 per death certificate.
Who handles septic permits in Porter County?
Porter County Health Department Environmental Health directly handles residential septic and well permitting and related inspections.
What are Environmental Health walk-in hours?
Current Environmental Health walk-in hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 10:00 AM. After 10:00 AM, residents should schedule an appointment.
Who handles restaurant permits in Porter County?
The Porter County Health Department Food Service Division handles food-establishment plan reviews, permits, inspections, temporary vendors and food-safety complaints.