Find Death Records in Joliet

Joliet death records are filed with the Will County Clerk, whose main office is located right in Joliet. Most of the city falls within Will County, though some areas extend into Kendall County. Certified death certificates are issued for legal, financial, and personal purposes, and you can request them in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online. This page covers every way to get a death record in Joliet and what you need to bring or send with your request.

Will County Clerk's Office

The Will County Clerk is the primary office for Joliet death records. The clerk's office issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred anywhere in Will County. Joliet is the county seat, so the main clerk's office is conveniently located in the city itself. Staff can answer questions about records, fees, and what identification you need to bring.

Will County Clerk:
302 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: 815-740-4615

The county clerk keeps death records going back many years. For very old records or for genealogical research, additional sources may be useful, including the Illinois Department of Public Health and historical archives. See the Will County death records page for a full breakdown of county resources.

The Will County Clerk vital records page covers all the steps for requesting a certified death certificate in Joliet.

This page shows current fees, required documents, and mailing address for requests.

How to Request Joliet Death Records

In Person

Visit the Will County Clerk at 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. Bring a valid photo ID issued by a government agency. You will need to fill out a request form and pay the fee at the counter. In-person requests are usually processed on the same day, making this the fastest option. The office is easy to reach if you are already in Joliet.

By Mail

Write a request letter and send it to Will County Clerk, 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432. Include a photocopy of your government-issued ID, the name of the deceased, the approximate date of death, the purpose of your request, and your relationship to the deceased. Enclose a check or money order for the fee. Do not send cash by mail. Processing times for mail requests depend on current volume, so add extra time if you have a deadline.

Online via VitalChek

Will County accepts online death certificate orders through VitalChek. This is useful if you cannot visit the office in person. VitalChek adds a service fee to the county's base fee. You can pay by credit or debit card. Orders placed online are processed and mailed to you, so allow time for both processing and delivery.

The Will County VitalChek ordering portal handles online requests for Joliet death certificates.

VitalChek is available 24 hours a day and accepts most major credit cards.

Kendall County

A small part of Joliet falls within Kendall County. If you are looking for a death record and Will County does not have it, it is possible the event was recorded in Kendall County instead. The Kendall County Clerk handles vital records for that portion of the city. Their office is located in Yorkville, the county seat. See the Kendall County page for contact details and procedures.

Who Can Access Joliet Death Records

Illinois law controls who can request a certified copy of a death certificate. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, the following people can get a certified copy: the deceased's spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling. People with a legitimate legal need may also qualify. This includes attorneys acting on behalf of an eligible party, people with a court order, and those who can show a direct and tangible interest in the record.

Eligibility is not always obvious, and the clerk's office can help you determine if you qualify before you submit your request. Genealogical copies, which are a different format, may be available under broader circumstances for older records. These are not certified for legal use but can be valuable for research purposes. If you are searching historical records, ask specifically about genealogical access when you contact the office.

Death Certificate Fees

Contact the Will County Clerk at 815-740-4615 to confirm current fees. Fees are set by the county and can change. Paying by mail requires a check or money order made out to the Will County Clerk. VitalChek orders include an additional service charge from VitalChek itself on top of the county fee.

Fees are non-refundable. If the record is not found, you do not get the fee back. Before you pay, confirm the basic facts: the full legal name of the deceased, the county where the death occurred, and the approximate date. Having this information ready will reduce errors and avoid wasted fees.

Illinois Department of Public Health

The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains death records for the entire state going back to 1916. If Will County cannot locate a record, or if you are searching for a death that might have occurred outside of Joliet, IDPH is a good option. IDPH can also help when the county is unsure which jurisdiction recorded a specific death.

IDPH Vital Records Office:
925 E. Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737
Phone: (217) 782-6554 (weekdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Email: DPH.VITALS@illinois.gov

Visit the IDPH death records page for full instructions and downloadable forms. The state fee is $19 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Genealogical copies cost $10. Regular mail orders take approximately 12 weeks. Urgent processing, which requires proof of need and an overnight delivery fee, takes 5 to 7 business days.

Nearby Cities

If you are searching for records in cities near Joliet, these pages cover each city's filing county and request procedures.