Champaign County Death Records

Champaign County, Illinois death records are handled by two offices depending on when the death occurred. The Champaign County Clerk keeps all death certificates filed in the county, while the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District holds records from the past 10 years. This page explains both offices and how to request the death certificates you need.

Champaign County Clerk's Office

The Champaign County Clerk and Recorder's Office, led by County Clerk Aaron O. Ammons, is the official keeper of all birth, death, marriage, and civil union records for Champaign County. The office is located at the Scott M. Bennett Administrative Center, 102 E. Main Street, Urbana, IL 61801. You can reach the Vital Records division at 217-384-3720, send a fax to 217-384-1241, or email vitals@champaigncountyil.gov. More information is available at champaigncountyclerk.com.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. On the second Wednesday of each month, the office opens at 9:00 AM instead of 8:00 AM. Plan your visit around that schedule. The clerk does not give out vital records information over the telephone. To get a death certificate, you must submit a formal request with proper identification and payment.

The Champaign County Clerk vital records page explains what records are available, what identification is needed, and how to submit a certificate request.

The county clerk's website is the primary source for up-to-date forms, fees, and procedures for Champaign County death certificate requests.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

Funeral homes file all death certificates in Champaign County with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD). The Health District keeps death certificates for people who died in Champaign County within the past 10 years. If the death occurred more than 10 years ago, contact the County Clerk instead. CUPHD is at 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign, IL 61820. Learn more at c-uphd.org.

CUPHD serves as the immediate repository for recent death records, while the county clerk's office holds the longer historical record. Knowing which office has the record you need will save you time. If the death happened in the last decade, start with CUPHD. For older records, go directly to the County Clerk in Urbana.

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District death certificates page explains how to request recent death records for people who died within Champaign County in the past 10 years.

CUPHD holds the most recent 10 years of Champaign County death records and is the first contact for recent deaths in the area.

How to Request Champaign County Death Records

Champaign County accepts in-person, mail, and online requests for death certificates. For online requests, the county clerk's website offers a direct certificate request portal. Processing typically takes 5 to 7 days for online orders. The clerk's page notes that you can "Request your certificate online" with that turnaround. See the death certificate request page for the link and instructions.

For in-person or mail requests, include all of the following: a photocopy of your driver's license or other acceptable photo ID, the full name of the deceased, the date of death, your written signature, your return mailing address, and payment for the fee. Do not send cash by mail. Send a check or money order payable to the Champaign County Clerk.

VitalChek also accepts orders for Illinois vital records at vitalchek.com. VitalChek adds a vendor service fee to the base certificate cost. If the death happened outside Champaign County, contact the clerk in the county where the death occurred, or reach IDPH at (217) 782-6554.

The Champaign County Clerk death certificate request page is the direct link to submit an online application for a death certificate.

The online request form on the county clerk's site is one of the easiest ways to get a Champaign County death certificate without visiting Urbana in person.

Who Can Obtain Champaign County Death Records

Death records in Illinois are not public. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, access is limited to protect record integrity, and these documents are excluded from FOIA. The Champaign County Clerk follows these rules strictly.

Eligible requesters include the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased. Someone with a direct personal or property interest in the death may also apply. Legal representatives acting for qualified individuals, funeral homes or mortuaries involved in the case, and genealogical researchers looking at records at least 20 years old (uncertified only) are also eligible. All requesters must provide a valid government-issued photo ID. No records information is given over the phone, so plan to submit proper documentation with your request.

Death Certificate Fees in Champaign County

Champaign County charges $21 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. Each additional copy ordered during the same transaction costs $12. These fees apply when you request through the county clerk's office, either in person, by mail, or online. Keep your receipt in case you need to follow up on your order.

VitalChek adds its own vendor service fee to these amounts when you order online. If you have questions about the fee schedule or payment options, contact the Vital Records office at 217-384-3720 or email vitals@champaigncountyil.gov.

The Champaign County Clerk contact page lists all the ways to reach the vital records team for fee questions and request help.

Reach out to the clerk's office directly if you have questions about fees, eligibility, or how to submit your death certificate request.

State and Genealogical Resources

The Illinois Department of Public Health serves as the statewide vital records authority and can help when county records are unavailable. IDPH is located at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Call (217) 782-6554 on weekdays between 10am and 3pm, or email DPH.VITALS@illinois.gov. The IDPH death records page explains the state process for obtaining death certificates.

State law under 410 ILCS 535/25 requires a search fee before any certificate is released. IDPH standard mail orders take about 12 weeks. Urgent requests with written proof of need can be processed in 5 to 7 days. For genealogical research, IDPH can provide uncertified copies of death records that are at least 20 years old.

The Champaign County departments page lists all county offices including those that handle vital records and death certificate services.

Champaign County's official website connects residents to the full range of county services, including vital records through the county clerk's office.

Cities in Champaign County

The following city in Champaign County has a dedicated death records page:

Nearby Counties

These counties border Champaign County. If you need records from a neighboring county, contact that county's clerk or search by the county where the death occurred.