Des Plaines Death Records

Death records for Des Plaines are maintained by the Cook County Clerk's Bureau of Vital Records. Des Plaines is a city in Cook County, and all deaths registered there are kept at the county level. Certified copies of death certificates can be requested in person at the Skokie branch or the downtown Chicago main office, by mail, or online through VitalChek. The Skokie office is the closer in-person option for Des Plaines residents.

Cook County Clerk's Bureau of Vital Records

The Cook County Clerk is the main office for Des Plaines death records. The Bureau of Vital Records holds certified copies of death certificates for all deaths that occurred within Cook County, including Des Plaines. Two in-person offices are available to Des Plaines residents.

Skokie branch: 5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149, Skokie, IL 60077. Phone: (847) 470-7233. This is the closer option for most Des Plaines residents. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Main office: 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602. Phone: (312) 603-7790 or toll-free 866-252-8974. Same hours apply. Both locations process requests the same day when records are available.

Visit the Cook County Death Records page for full details on all county procedures and office locations.

The Cook County death certificates service page explains how Des Plaines residents can request certified death records and what to expect from each request method.

The county page also covers the eligibility rules and required documents for anyone requesting a Des Plaines death certificate.

How to Request Des Plaines Death Records

You can get a Des Plaines death certificate three ways. All methods produce a certified copy that is valid for estate, insurance, and official uses.

In Person

Visit the Skokie branch at 5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149, or the downtown Chicago office. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and $15 for the first copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $4. In-person requests are processed the same day. Cash, check, and money order are all accepted at the counter.

By Mail

Mail your completed request form, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order to: Cook County Clerk's Bureau of Vital Records, 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602. Make the payment out to the Cook County Clerk. Do not mail cash. Expect longer processing times for mail requests.

Online via VitalChek

Use the Cook County VitalChek page to order online. Pay by credit or debit card. A VitalChek service fee applies in addition to the county's fee. The certified copy is mailed to you after the county processes the request.

The VitalChek Cook County portal accepts online orders for Des Plaines death certificates from any Cook County Cook County decedent.

Orders placed through VitalChek are sent directly to the Cook County Clerk for processing, then mailed to the address you provide.

Who Can Access Des Plaines Death Records

Illinois restricts who can receive a certified death certificate. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, certified copies go to the deceased's spouse, parent, child, grandparent, or sibling. Those with a direct and tangible legal or financial interest in the record may also qualify. Court orders also grant access.

You must show proof of your identity and your relationship to the deceased. If you do not qualify for a certified copy, a genealogical copy may be available for deaths more than 20 years old. These are not certified and are for research use only.

Death Certificate Fees

Cook County charges $15 for the first certified copy of a death certificate and $4 for each additional copy in the same order. These fees are set by Illinois law under 410 ILCS 535/25. Online orders through VitalChek carry an added service fee from that provider.

In person, you can pay by cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, use check or money order only. Make all checks payable to the Cook County Clerk.

The Cook County Clerk vital records page shows all current fees and service options for Des Plaines and other Cook County death certificate requests.

Check this page before filing your request to confirm the latest fee amounts and any changes to required documentation.

Illinois Department of Public Health

IDPH is a statewide option for Des Plaines residents who need records that the Cook County Clerk cannot locate, or who need records from multiple Illinois counties at the same time.

IDPH Vital Records: 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Phone: (217) 782-6554, weekdays 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Email: DPH.VITALS@illinois.gov. See their full resource at dph.illinois.gov death records.

IDPH fees: $19 for the first certified copy, $4 each additional, $10 for genealogical copies. Standard mail requests take about 12 weeks. Expedited orders take 5 to 7 business days but require overnight delivery and proof of urgent need.

Nearby Cities

These nearby Cook County communities also have death records pages on this site with local office information and Cook County request details.