Search Illinois Death Records
Illinois death records are maintained by the Illinois Department of Public Health and by the county clerk in each of the state's 102 counties. If you need a death certificate or want to verify a death that occurred in Illinois, you can request records by mail, online, or in person at a county office. Access is limited to those with a family tie or a documented interest in the record. This guide covers how to find and request Illinois death records for deaths from 1916 to the present, along with resources for older historical records held at the county level.
Illinois Death Records Quick Facts
Illinois Death Records: Where to Start
Two agencies hold death records in Illinois. The first is the Illinois Department of Public Health, or IDPH. Its Division of Vital Records in Springfield keeps certified death certificates for all deaths that occurred in Illinois from 1916 to the present. You can reach the IDPH division at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. The phone number is (217) 782-6554, and staff are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for certificate issuance. You can also email the division at DPH.VITALS@illinois.gov. The IDPH is the place to start if you need a certified copy of a death certificate for legal or insurance use.
The second source is the county clerk in the county where the death occurred. Every Illinois county has its own clerk who holds death records for that county. These offices often have records going back well before 1916. Some county clerks have death records dating to the 1850s and 1860s. If you need a record for someone who died before 1916, the county clerk is the only place to get it. County clerks also issue certified copies for recent deaths and are often faster than the state agency for in-person requests.
Funeral homes receive certified copies at the time of death. If the death was recent, the funeral home may still have copies available. Many families ask for multiple copies during the arrangement process to avoid having to request them later.
The IDPH death records page gives official guidance on who can request a certificate and what forms to submit.
IDPH hours for certificate issuance are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays only, so plan accordingly before calling or visiting.
How to Get an Illinois Death Certificate
Mail is the standard way to request a death certificate from the IDPH. Send a written request to the Division of Vital Records at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Your request should include the full name of the deceased, the date and place of death, your name and relationship to the person, a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID, and a check or money order payable to IDPH. Regular mail requests take approximately 12 weeks from the time the office receives your paperwork. IDPH will not provide status updates during that wait.
Urgent requests are handled faster. If you have an immediate need, send your request by overnight delivery with proof of need and a prepaid overnight return envelope. Proof of immediate need can be a travel itinerary with departure within 30 days, a letter stating your need, or a notice from an insurance or immigration agency. Urgent requests for certified copies are processed within 5 to 7 business days. You can also fax urgent requests to (217) 523-2648. IDPH also accepts requests via mail at the same Springfield address when accompanied by proper documentation.
The IDPH obtain a death certificate page has the full list of accepted methods, required forms, and processing details for each request type.
Note: Genealogy copies of Illinois death certificates must be ordered by mail. They are not available through online ordering systems.
Online ordering is available through VitalChek, the authorized third-party service for IDPH. The base fee is $19 for the first certified copy plus a $15 handling fee and any shipping charges. You need a major credit card to order online. VitalChek processes millions of vital records orders each year and is the only authorized online partner for IDPH death certificates in Illinois. County clerks often have their own VitalChek portals with different processing fees.
Who Can Request Illinois Death Records
Illinois death records are not public records. The Illinois Vital Records Act at 410 ILCS 535/24 limits access to protect the integrity of these documents and ensure proper administration of the vital records system. Under this statute, vital records are restricted to the custodian and their staff for administrative use. Certified copies may only be issued to authorized individuals. Vital records in Illinois are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
You can legally get a death certificate in Illinois if you are one of the following:
- A relative of the deceased (spouse, parent, child, or sibling)
- A person with a documented personal or property right interest in the record
- A legal representative or attorney for an eligible person
- Someone acting under a court order
- A funeral home with proper documentation
- A genealogical researcher (for deaths at least 20 years old, uncertified copies only)
All requesters must provide a valid, government-issued photo ID. IDPH will not process your request if the ID is missing, unreadable, or expired. If you are not a relative of the deceased, you must also include a letter from the office or agency that needs the certificate. The state returns any request that does not meet these rules without processing it.
The VitalChek Illinois ordering portal lets you submit an online request for a certified death certificate issued by IDPH.
VitalChek adds a handling fee to each order and is the only authorized online service for IDPH death records in Illinois.
Certified and Genealogical Death Record Copies
Illinois offers two types of death certificate copies, and they serve different purposes. A certified copy has the official state seal and is accepted for legal use. You need a certified copy to settle an estate, claim life insurance, update Social Security records, or handle other legal matters tied to the death. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, the State Registrar must collect the required search fee before issuing any certificate. The fee is $19 for the first certified copy by mail. Each extra copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $4 more.
An uncertified or genealogical copy is a plain paper copy. It is for informational use only and cannot be used for legal matters. Genealogical copies are available for deaths that occurred at least 20 years ago. The cost is $10 for the first genealogical copy and $2 for each additional copy of the same record. These must be requested by mail and cannot be ordered through VitalChek online. Some county clerks also issue genealogical copies at lower rates than certified copies, and certain counties offer free online index searches for historical records.
State death records go back to 1916. For deaths before that year, the county clerk in the county where the death occurred is the only source. Under the Vital Records Act, original death records that are 50 years or older may in some cases be inspected at the State Office of Vital Records. County clerks may also make older records available for inspection when permitted by law.
Death Record Fees and Processing in Illinois
Fees for Illinois death records depend on where you order from and what type of copy you need. The IDPH charges $19 for the first certified copy sent by mail, with each additional copy of the same record costing $4. Genealogical copies are $10 for the first and $2 for each extra. If you order through VitalChek online, you pay the same $19 base fee plus a $15 handling charge and applicable shipping costs. For urgent overnight requests sent to IDPH with proof of need, processing takes 5 to 7 business days instead of 12 weeks.
County clerk fees are set locally and differ across the state. Cook County charges $15 for the first certified copy and $4 per additional. DuPage County charges $18 for the first copy and $6 for each extra. Will County charges $16 for the first copy and $8 for each additional. Kane County charges $20 for the first and $10 for more. Sangamon County charges $29 for the first copy and $11 for each additional. Winnebago County charges $21 for the first copy and $9 per extra. Tazewell County charges $24 per search and first copy, then $15 for each additional. Always call the specific county clerk to confirm current fees before sending payment, as these can change.
The Illinois General Assembly's Vital Records Act page lays out the legal framework for all fees and access rules that apply to death records across the state.
Note: Fees set by individual county clerks may vary from the state schedule, so confirm costs before sending any payment.
County Clerk Death Records in Illinois
Every Illinois county has a county clerk who keeps death records for deaths that occurred in that county. These offices are typically the fastest option for getting a death certificate for a local death. You can walk in at most county clerk offices during business hours and get a certified copy the same day. The county clerk can only issue records for deaths that occurred in their county. If the death happened elsewhere, go to that county's clerk or request through IDPH.
Most county offices accept in-person visits, mail requests, and online orders through VitalChek. Some accept email requests with a scanned ID attached. Valid photo ID is required for all requests. Many larger counties now have electronic portals that let you order without an office visit. Smaller counties rely more on in-person and mail requests. For genealogical research, many county offices hold death records dating to the mid-1800s, and some offer free index searches online.
The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders maintains a searchable directory of all 102 county clerk offices in Illinois, with addresses, phone numbers, and contact details.
Note: Many county clerks do not give out information over the phone about specific vital records. Call the office to confirm their policy before visiting.
Several counties have death records that go well beyond the state's 1916 registration requirement. DeKalb County death records start in 1878. Kankakee County holds records from 1877. Kane County has death records dating back to 1866. McLean County death records begin in 1878, though a fire in 1900 damaged some of those early files. Bureau County holds birth and death records starting in 1878 as well, and genealogical copies are available at reduced cost. These older county-level records are a key resource for family history research in Illinois.
Death Records for Researchers in Illinois
Illinois has a separate process for researchers who need death certificates in bulk for medical or public health studies. The IDPH researchers page explains the two submission methods available.
Method one requires a National Death Index form with IRB approval for the research project. Method two applies when no NDI form is used and requires a full research protocol with objectives, methodology, data handling plans, and funding source documentation. The fee is $10 per death certificate searched. If an application is denied, the payment is returned. Researchers must submit a signed Research Acknowledgment Form with all applications.
Browse Illinois Death Records by County
Each of Illinois' 102 counties maintains death records through its own county clerk office. Select a county below to find local office information and death record resources for that area.
View All 87 Illinois Counties →
Death Records in Major Illinois Cities
Residents of major Illinois cities get death certificates through their county clerk. Pick a city below to find death record resources and contact details for that location.