Cook County Death Records

Cook County death records are maintained by the Cook County Clerk's Bureau of Vital Records, which keeps official records of deaths that occurred in both Chicago and suburban Cook County. Death certificates are available for events within the last 20 years through the clerk's office, with older genealogical records available under different terms. This page covers every way to search for and request Cook County death records.

Cook County Clerk's Bureau of Vital Records

The Cook County Clerk's Bureau of Vital Records is the official keeper of death records for Chicago and all of suburban Cook County. As the county clerk's office states, "The Cook County Clerk's office keeps official records of deaths that occur in Chicago and suburban Cook County." The main office is at 118 N. Clark Street, Cook County Building, Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602. Phone is (312) 603-7790 or toll-free 866-252-8974. Fax is 866-550-1846. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For mail requests, send to P.O. Box A3390, Chicago, IL 60690. Learn more at the Cook County Clerk vital records page.

Cook County also has two suburban office locations for residents who cannot make it downtown. The Skokie office is at 5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149, Skokie, IL 60077, phone 847-470-7233. The Markham office is at 16501 Kedzie Avenue, Markham, IL 60426, phone 708-232-4150. These offices can process the same death certificate requests as the main Chicago location, making it more convenient for residents in the northern or southern suburbs.

The Cook County death certificates service page explains the full process for requesting certified death records from the county clerk.

Cook County's main government site links to all the resources you need to request, pay for, and receive a certified death certificate from the clerk's office.

How to Get Cook County Death Records

Cook County death certificates can be requested in person at any of the three office locations, by mail to the P.O. Box address, or online through VitalChek. Each method produces the same certified document, but processing times vary.

In-person visits are accepted at the Chicago, Skokie, and Markham offices during their posted hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You must also know the full name of the deceased, the date and place of death, and your relationship to the person. Payment is due at the time of the request. The Chicago office also serves walk-in requests at Room 120 of the Cook County Building.

Mail requests go to P.O. Box A3390, Chicago, IL 60690. Include a completed request form, a photocopy of your photo ID, the death details, your written signature, your return address, and a check or money order for the fee. Do not mail cash. For online orders, use VitalChek Cook County. Online orders through VitalChek cost $13.45 plus postage. Regular mail processing takes 10 to 15 business days, while UPS delivery takes 5 to 10 days.

Under state law, death certificates through the clerk's office are available for events that occurred in Cook County within the last 20 years. For older death records, see the genealogy access rules below.

The Cook County Clerk of Courts vital records page provides detailed instructions on how to submit a death certificate request in person, by mail, or online.

The Cook County Clerk's website is the most current source for forms, fee schedules, and processing times for all death certificate requests.

The Cook County death records official page includes the fee schedule and eligibility requirements for certified copies of death certificates.

Review the fee schedule and eligibility rules on the official page before submitting your request to make sure you include the correct payment and documentation.

Who Can Obtain Cook County Death Records

Cook County follows the same access rules as the rest of Illinois. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, death records are not public documents and are excluded from FOIA. The Cook County Clerk states clearly that "under state law, you may legally obtain a copy of a death certificate if you are a relative or can prove a financial interest in an individual's death."

Eligible requesters in Cook County include relatives of the deceased (spouse, parent, child, or sibling), individuals with a direct financial interest in the death, and legal representatives acting on behalf of qualified persons. Funeral homes involved in the case may also obtain copies. Cook County's genealogy unit handles requests for older records: birth records at least 75 years old, death records at least 20 years old, and marriage records at least 50 years old. Genealogical copies are uncertified. All requesters must provide valid photo ID at the time of application, with no exceptions.

Death Certificate Fees in Cook County

Cook County charges $15 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. Each additional copy ordered in the same transaction costs $4. If you order through a currency exchange, an extra $5 surcharge applies. Online orders through VitalChek cost $13.45 plus postage. Keep your receipt as proof of payment.

Pay by check or money order when mailing a request. In-person visits typically accept cash, check, or card depending on the office location. Call ahead to confirm payment options at the Skokie or Markham offices if you plan to visit in person rather than going to the main Chicago location.

Cook County Medical Examiner Death Records

If the death in Cook County was investigated by the medical examiner, you may also need to contact the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy reports, toxicology reports, or death photographs. The Medical Examiner is at 2121 West Harrison, Chicago, IL 60612, phone 312-997-4425. These reports are separate from the death certificate held by the clerk's office.

Fees at the Medical Examiner differ from the clerk's fees. Autopsy reports cost $50. Toxicology reports are $25. Photographs are $5 each. Learn more about the process at the Cook County page for obtaining death records and reports. Not every death in Cook County goes through the Medical Examiner; most standard death certificates are handled entirely through the clerk's Bureau of Vital Records.

The Cook County page for obtaining death records and autopsy reports explains how to request Medical Examiner documents for deaths that were investigated.

The Medical Examiner's page is the right starting point if you need an autopsy report or toxicology result for a Cook County death that was investigated.

Genealogical and Historical Death Records

Cook County has a long record history that extends well before electronic files. The clerk's genealogy unit handles requests for death records that are at least 20 years old. These are issued as uncertified copies and cannot be used for legal purposes, but they are valuable for family research. The state of Illinois through IDPH can also assist with older Cook County records. IDPH is at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Call (217) 782-6554 (weekdays 10am-3pm) or email DPH.VITALS@illinois.gov. Visit the IDPH death records page for full details.

Under 410 ILCS 535/25, a search fee must be paid before any certificate is issued, whether through the county clerk or through IDPH. For very old Cook County death records, researchers may also find historical resources through the University of Chicago's Chicago Lying-In Hospital collection, which holds historical birth and death records of genealogical interest.

The Chicago Lying-In Hospital birth and death records site at the University of Chicago holds historical records useful for Cook County genealogy research.

This University of Chicago archive holds historical Cook County records that predate modern vital records systems and can fill gaps in family research for early 20th century deaths.

VitalChek Online Orders for Cook County

VitalChek has a dedicated Cook County portal at vitalchek.com. Online orders cost $13.45 plus postage and are processed by the Cook County Clerk's office. Regular mail takes 10 to 15 business days, while UPS delivery takes 5 to 10 business days. VitalChek is a state-approved vendor and a reliable way to request Cook County death certificates without visiting a clerk's office in person.

The VitalChek Cook County Clerk death certificate ordering portal is the online gateway for Cook County death certificate requests.

The Cook County-specific VitalChek portal routes your request directly to the Bureau of Vital Records and provides tracking once your order is submitted.

Cities in Cook County

The following cities in Cook County have dedicated death records pages:

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cook County. If a death occurred in a neighboring county, contact the clerk for that county rather than the Cook County office.