Search Waukegan Death Records

Waukegan death records are filed with the Lake County Clerk. Waukegan is the county seat of Lake County, which means the clerk's main office is right in the city. Certified death certificates are needed for estate matters, insurance claims, and other legal purposes. Requests can be made in person or by mail through the county clerk. The Illinois Department of Public Health also holds state-level records going back to 1916. This page covers each option and explains what documentation you need to bring or include with your request.

Lake County Clerk's Office

The Lake County Clerk is the primary office for Waukegan death records. Because Waukegan is the county seat, the clerk's main office is in the city and easy to reach. The clerk's office handles vital records for all of Lake County, including all deaths recorded in Waukegan and surrounding communities. Staff can answer questions about fees, required documents, and how long requests take.

Lake County Clerk:
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: 847-377-2400

See the Lake County death records page for a complete overview of county resources and links to the county's online tools.

The City of Waukegan services page helps residents find city and county contacts, including vital records offices.

The city website can direct you to the right county office and provides links to other local services.

The 211 Lake County vital records resource lists agencies in Lake County that provide vital records and related services.

211 Lake County can also connect residents with assistance programs and other local government services.

How to Request Waukegan Death Records

In Person

Visit the Lake County Clerk at 18 N. County Street in Waukegan. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Fill out the vital records request form at the counter and pay the fee. In-person requests are typically the fastest way to receive a certified copy. Since the office is in Waukegan, most residents can get there without a long commute.

By Mail

Write a request and mail it to: Lake County Clerk, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085. Include a photocopy of your photo ID, the full name of the deceased, the date of death, your relationship to the deceased, the reason for your request, and a check or money order for the fee. Do not send cash. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits, so plan for extra processing time.

Phone and Other Contact

Call 847-377-2400 to ask about fees, processing times, or to confirm whether a specific record exists before you make a trip or send a mail request. Staff can also tell you whether online ordering is currently available for Lake County.

The Lake County contact page provides all department phone numbers and addresses for the Lake County government offices in Waukegan.

Use this page to find the correct division and contact the right staff member for your request.

Lake County Open Data and Health Records

Lake County provides additional public health data tools that may be useful for research purposes. The county's open data portal includes medical and vital records data aggregated at a population level. This is not the same as a certified death certificate, but it can help researchers understand record-keeping systems and locate resources.

The Lake County open data portal medical and vital records page provides public health data and links to vital records resources across the county.

This portal is designed for research and public health use rather than individual certificate requests.

The PassportsAndVisas Waukegan certificate guide provides information on how to use Waukegan death certificates for passport and visa applications.

This resource explains what certified death certificates are used for and what documents you need to request one.

Who Can Access Waukegan Death Records

Certified death certificates in Illinois are restricted to certain requesters under 410 ILCS 535/24. Eligible parties include the deceased's spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, and sibling. People with a legal need may also be eligible. This includes attorneys acting for a qualifying party, individuals with a court order, and those with a direct and tangible interest in the record.

If you are not sure whether you qualify, call the Lake County Clerk at 847-377-2400. Staff can explain the rules and what documentation you need to prove eligibility. For genealogy research, ask specifically about genealogical copies. These are available for older records and may be accessible under broader terms. They are not certified for legal use but are useful for family history research.

Death Certificate Fees

Lake County sets its own fees. Call 847-377-2400 to confirm the current fee before submitting your request. Fees are non-refundable. If no record is found, you do not get a refund. Always verify the name, date, and county before paying.

IDPH fees at the state level are $19 for the first certified copy, $4 for each additional copy, and $10 for a genealogical copy. If you need multiple copies, ordering them all at the same time saves money compared to separate requests.

Illinois Department of Public Health

IDPH holds statewide records from 1916 forward. If Lake County cannot locate the record you need, or if the death may have occurred in another county, IDPH is the next step. IDPH can also help when the county boundary is unclear.

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 complete instructions and request forms. Regular mail takes about 12 weeks. Urgent orders with proof of need and overnight delivery take 5 to 7 business days.

Nearby Cities

If you need death records from cities near Waukegan, these pages cover the local offices and how to request records in each area.