Vermilion County Death Records Lookup

Vermilion County death records are split between two offices in Danville depending on when the death occurred. The county clerk handles deaths that took place before June 1, 1983, and the Vermilion County Health Department covers deaths from that date forward. Knowing which office to contact before you call or visit will save you time. This page covers both offices, their fees, how to submit a request, and what statewide resources are available if you need more help.

Which Office Holds Your Record

The date of death determines which Vermilion County office you need to contact. For deaths that occurred before June 1, 1983, contact the Vermilion County Clerk at 6 North Vermillion, Danville, IL 61832, phone 217-431-2605. The fee for these older records is $10.00 per copy. For deaths that occurred on or after June 1, 1983, contact the Vermilion County Health Department at 200 South College St, Suite A, Danville, IL 61832, phone 217-431-2662. The health department fee is $14.00 per copy.

This two-office system is specific to Vermilion County. Most Illinois counties route all death records through the county clerk alone. If you are not certain which date applies, or if you are unsure whether the death occurred within Vermilion County, calling either office first is the safe approach. Staff can direct you to the correct location. Visit the Vermilion County official website for more general contact information.

How to Request Vermilion County Death Records

In-person requests can be made at either office during their respective business hours. For the county clerk, go to 6 North Vermillion in Danville. For the health department, go to 200 South College St, Suite A. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for both locations. You will need the deceased person's full legal name, the date of death, the place of death, and your relationship to the deceased. Have your payment ready.

Mail requests follow the same general process. Write your request, include a copy of your photo ID, provide the identifying details for the deceased, and enclose a check or money order for the applicable fee. Make payment to either the Vermilion County Clerk or the Vermilion County Health Department, depending on which office you are contacting. Do not mail cash. Include a return address for delivery.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek, which handles electronic vital records orders for Illinois. A service fee is charged in addition to the county fee. Confirm which office will fulfill your order when ordering online, as the health department may handle its orders differently than the clerk's office.

The Illinois vital records reference at vitalrec.com provides contact information and fee details for Vermilion County and notes the split-office arrangement between the county clerk and health department.

This reference resource covers the unique two-office system in Vermilion County and helps clarify which office to contact based on the date of death.

Who Can Access Vermilion County Death Records

Access to death certificates in Illinois is restricted under 410 ILCS 535/24. These records are not part of the public record system and are not available under the Freedom of Information Act. The same eligibility rules apply at both the county clerk's office and the health department.

People who qualify include the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased. Others who may request a copy are individuals with a direct personal or property interest in the record, legal representatives acting for eligible persons, funeral directors involved in the case, and genealogical researchers who need records that are at least 20 years old. Genealogical copies are uncertified. All requesters must show a valid photo ID. This rule applies to in-person, mail, and online requests at both offices.

Note: The $10 fee applies at the county clerk for pre-1983 records, and the $14 fee applies at the health department for records from June 1, 1983 onward. Confirm fees before submitting payment.

Illinois Department of Public Health

If neither local office can locate a Vermilion County death record, or if the death occurred outside the county, the Illinois Department of Public Health is the statewide fallback. IDPH maintains death records for the entire state and processes requests from anyone who qualifies. IDPH Vital Records is at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. The phone number is (217) 782-6554. Full details are on the IDPH death records page.

IDPH charges $19 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Genealogical (uncertified) copies are $10. Standard mail processing takes about 12 weeks. Expedited requests with proof of need take 5 to 7 business days. The state uses the same access rules that apply locally, so eligibility requirements are the same regardless of whether you request from the county or from IDPH.

The Illinois Department of Public Health death records page covers statewide procedures and is a useful resource for Vermilion County residents when local records are not available.

IDPH is the right contact when Vermilion County offices cannot locate a record or when a death may have occurred in another Illinois county.

Genealogy Research in Vermilion County

Researchers tracing family history in Vermilion County can request uncertified genealogical copies of death records that are 20 or more years old. The county clerk handles older records, and the health department covers more recent ones. Both offices charge a lower rate for genealogical copies than for certified copies.

For records that predate the modern vital records system, the Illinois State Archives and local libraries in Danville may have supplemental materials. Obituary files, cemetery records, and funeral home registers can help fill gaps when official death certificates are missing or incomplete. The Illinois State Genealogical Society and Ancestry databases are also useful starting points for Vermilion County family research.

Towns in Vermilion County

Deaths that occur in Danville, Hoopeston, Tilton, Georgetown, and other Vermilion County communities are recorded in the county. Contact the appropriate county office based on the date of death. The county clerk covers pre-1983 deaths, and the health department covers those from June 1, 1983 onward.

Nearby Counties

Vermilion County borders Indiana to the east and several Illinois counties. If a death occurred near a county line, check the appropriate neighboring jurisdiction.