Lake County Death Records

Lake County death records are handled by the Lake County Clerk's Vital Records office in Waukegan, Illinois. This page covers how to request a death certificate in Lake County, what hours the office is open including extended Friday hours, and how to use VitalChek for online ordering.

Lake County Clerk Vital Records

The Lake County Clerk's Vital Records office handles death certificates for all deaths that occur in Lake County, Illinois. The office is at 18 North County Street, Room 101, Waukegan, IL 60085. Call 847-377-2411 for birth, death, and marriage record inquiries. For general county information, visit the Lake County official website.

Regular office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. On Fridays that are not before a holiday weekend, the office stays open until 7:00 PM for extended evening service. This extended Friday option is useful for residents who cannot get away during standard daytime hours. Check with the office to confirm whether a specific Friday qualifies for extended hours before making the trip to Waukegan.

Lake County is a large and populous county on the north shore of Illinois, bordering Wisconsin. All deaths that take place in communities throughout the county are registered here, from Waukegan and North Chicago to smaller suburban towns and unincorporated areas.

Requesting Lake County Death Certificates

Death certificate requests in Lake County can be submitted in person, by mail, or through VitalChek for online or fax-based orders. Each option leads to an official certified copy from the county clerk.

In-person visits go to Room 101 at 18 N. County Street in Waukegan. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You will need the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the place within Lake County where the death occurred. State your relationship to the deceased and your purpose for requesting the record. Pay the fee at the time of visit. Afternoon and extended Friday hours give you more flexibility than most county clerk offices.

Mail requests go to the same Waukegan address. Include a copy of your photo ID, all identifying details for the deceased, a signed statement of purpose, your return mailing address, and a check or money order for the fee. Do not include cash. Factor in extra days for processing plus mail delivery in both directions.

For expedited delivery, credit card payment, or fax requests, the Lake County Clerk uses VitalChek as its only online service partner. VitalChek adds a $7 processing fee plus shipping charges. This is the route to take if speed or card payment matters.

The Lake County Clerk contact page provides current phone numbers, office location, and hours for the vital records office in Waukegan.

Always confirm that the Friday you plan to visit is not before a holiday weekend, as extended hours do not apply on those Fridays.

Online Ordering Through VitalChek

The Lake County Clerk's only authorized online ordering partner is VitalChek. If you want to pay by credit card, need expedited shipping, or prefer to send your request by fax rather than mail, VitalChek is the right channel. VitalChek adds a $7 processing fee on top of the standard certificate cost, plus shipping charges that vary by delivery speed.

VitalChek is a state-approved vendor used across Illinois by county clerks and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Orders placed through VitalChek are fulfilled by the Lake County Clerk using the same records system that handles in-person requests.

The 211 Lake County community services site connects Lake County residents with local resources including guidance on vital records and other county services.

211 Lake County is a useful starting point if you are unsure which agency can help you with a specific records issue or need referrals to other county services.

Who Can Request Lake County Death Records

Illinois limits who may receive a certified death certificate. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, access to certified copies is restricted to specific categories of people. Death records are also not covered by the Freedom of Information Act.

Eligible requesters include the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased. Others who may qualify are people with a direct legal or property interest in the record, attorneys representing an eligible party, funeral directors involved in the case, and genealogical researchers seeking records that are at least 20 years old. Genealogical copies are uncertified. All applicants must show valid government-issued photo identification.

Note: Call the Lake County Vital Records office at 847-377-2411 if you are unsure whether your relationship or purpose qualifies before submitting any request.

Lake County Open Data and Additional Resources

Lake County makes some public data available through its open data platform. The Lake County open data vital records page provides access to certain data sets related to medical and vital records in the county. This is a separate resource from the clerk's certified copy system and does not replace a formal certificate request.

For statewide records or when Lake County records are not available, the Illinois Department of Public Health is the backup option. IDPH Vital Records is at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Phone: (217) 782-6554, available weekdays 10am to 3pm. Visit the IDPH death records page for more information.

Under 410 ILCS 535/25, IDPH collects a search fee before processing any request. Mail processing typically takes around 12 weeks.

The Lake County open data vital records page offers publicly available data sets related to medical and vital records statistics in Lake County.

The open data portal is a research tool and does not issue certified death certificates. For official copies, go through the county clerk or IDPH.

The VitalChek Illinois vital records portal is the Lake County Clerk's authorized online service partner for credit card orders and expedited shipping of death certificates.

VitalChek connects directly to the Lake County Clerk records system, so orders are processed with the same accuracy and authority as walk-in requests.

The Lake County official website is the authoritative source for current clerk's office information, including address, hours, and any updates to vital records services in Waukegan.

Bookmark the Lake County site and check it before visiting to confirm that office hours have not changed, especially around holidays or local events.

Cities in Lake County

Lake County includes Waukegan, which has its own dedicated city page on this site. Other communities in the county such as North Chicago, Gurnee, Libertyville, and Highland Park do not meet the population threshold for separate pages but their death records are all handled through the Lake County Clerk in Waukegan.

Nearby Counties

Lake County borders Cook County and McHenry County within Illinois. Check with the county where the death occurred if you are unsure which office holds the record.