Access Evanston Death Records

Death records for Evanston are held by the Cook County Clerk's Bureau of Vital Records. As a city in Cook County, all deaths that happen within Evanston are registered at the county level. You can get a certified copy of an Evanston death certificate in person at the downtown Chicago office or the Skokie branch, by mail, or through the VitalChek online portal. The Illinois Department of Public Health is also an option for older records or multi-county requests.

Cook County Clerk's Bureau of Vital Records

The Cook County Clerk is the primary office for Evanston death records. The Bureau of Vital Records holds death certificates for all Cook County deaths, including those that occurred within Evanston city limits. Evanston residents have two convenient in-person options: the main Chicago office downtown or the Skokie branch, which is closer to Evanston.

Main office: 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602. Phone: (312) 603-7790 or toll-free 866-252-8974. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Skokie branch: 5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149, Skokie, IL 60077. Phone: (847) 470-7233. This location is generally more convenient for Evanston residents than the downtown Chicago office. Same hours apply. Both offices process in-person requests the same day.

For the full list of Cook County procedures and resources, see the Cook County Death Records page.

The Cook County death certificates service page explains how Evanston residents can request certified copies and what documents to bring.

The county page outlines the eligibility rules and the three available request methods for Evanston death certificate orders.

How to Request Evanston Death Records

Evanston death records can be requested three ways. All methods produce a certified copy with the same legal validity.

In Person

Walk in to either the Chicago main office or the Skokie branch. Bring a valid photo ID and $15 for the first copy. Additional copies are $4 each when ordered at the same time. In-person requests are typically processed the same day. Cash, check, and money order are all accepted.

By Mail

Send a completed request form along with a photocopy of your ID and payment to: Cook County Clerk's Bureau of Vital Records, 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602. Make your check or money order payable to the Cook County Clerk. Do not mail cash. Processing by mail takes additional time beyond the in-person option.

Online via VitalChek

Submit your request online at the Cook County VitalChek page. Pay by credit card. VitalChek adds a service fee to the county's base charge. The certified copy is mailed after the county processes your order.

The VitalChek Cook County ordering page lets Evanston residents request death certificates online without visiting a county office.

After submitting through VitalChek, the Cook County Clerk reviews and fulfills the order, then mails the certified copy to the requester.

Who Can Access Evanston Death Records

Illinois law limits who can receive a certified copy of a death certificate. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, the following people are eligible: the deceased's spouse, parent, child, grandparent, or sibling. Others who have a direct and tangible interest in the record, such as estate attorneys or individuals with a legitimate financial claim tied to the death, may also qualify.

You must prove your identity and your relationship to the person who died. If you don't qualify for a certified copy, you may be able to get a genealogical copy for records older than 20 years. Genealogical copies are not certified and cannot be used for legal or financial purposes, but they work for family research.

Death Certificate Fees

The Cook County Clerk charges $15 for the first certified copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $4. State law under 410 ILCS 535/25 sets these rates. If you use VitalChek, expect an added service fee on top of the county rate.

Pay by cash (in person), check, or money order. All checks and money orders should be made payable to the Cook County Clerk. Do not send cash in the mail.

The Cook County Clerk vital records page lists current fees, required documents, and all available services for Evanston and other Cook County death record requests.

Check the clerk's page before submitting your request to confirm the current fee schedule and any updated requirements.

Illinois Department of Public Health

IDPH maintains death records for all of Illinois and can serve as a backup for Evanston residents. If you need records from more than one county or if the Cook County Clerk cannot locate a specific record, IDPH is a good option.

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 records page at dph.illinois.gov death records.

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

Nearby Cities

These nearby Cook County cities have death records pages on this site with information about the same Cook County Clerk offices and request options.