Washington County Death Records

Death records in Washington County, Illinois are kept by the Washington County Clerk's Office in Nashville. If you need a certified death certificate for someone who died in this county, or if you are searching records for genealogical research, the county clerk is the right place to start. This page outlines how to submit a request, the eligibility rules set by Illinois law, and how to use the Illinois Department of Public Health when county records are not enough.

Washington County Clerk's Office

The Washington County Clerk holds vital records for the county, including death certificates for deaths that occurred within Washington County. The office is at 101 E. St. Louis Street, Nashville, IL 62263. Reach the clerk by phone at 618-327-4800. For general county information, visit the Washington County official website.

Staff at the county clerk's office can answer questions about the request process, the current fee schedule, and what identification you need to bring. It is worth calling before visiting since hours can change. Older records may require additional search time, so let the staff know upfront if you are requesting something from many decades ago.

Washington County is located in southern Illinois. The county clerk holds death records for all deaths that occurred within the county, regardless of where the deceased person was from. If the death happened in another county, you will need to contact that county's clerk office instead.

The Washington County official website provides contact information for the county clerk and links to county services in Nashville, Illinois.

The county website is a useful first stop for verifying current office hours and contact details before submitting a death records request.

How to Request Death Records in Washington County

Walk-in requests are handled during regular business hours at 101 E. St. Louis Street in Nashville. Bring a government-issued photo ID. You will need to know the full legal name of the deceased, the date and place of death, and your relationship to the person. Have payment ready in the form accepted by the office.

Mail requests follow a similar process. Write a clear request including all identifying details about the deceased, add a photocopy of your photo ID, and enclose payment by check or money order made out to the Washington County Clerk. Do not send cash. Include your return address and allow time for postal transit on top of the standard processing window. Mail to 101 E. St. Louis Street, Nashville, IL 62263.

Online ordering through VitalChek is available for Illinois counties. VitalChek processes electronic orders and charges a service fee in addition to the county's certificate cost. Payment is by credit or debit card, and delivery is by standard or expedited mail.

The VitalChek Illinois vital records portal provides online ordering for Washington County death certificates without a trip to the Nashville courthouse.

VitalChek is an authorized vendor for Illinois vital records and handles secure online orders for Washington County and other Illinois counties.

Access Rules for Washington County Death Records

Illinois law under 410 ILCS 535/24 limits who can receive a certified copy of a death certificate. Death records in Illinois are not open public records and are excluded from the Freedom of Information Act.

Eligible requesters include the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased. Others who may qualify include individuals with a personal or property interest in the record, a legal representative acting for an eligible person, a licensed funeral director handling the case, and genealogical researchers requesting records at least 20 years old. Genealogical copies are uncertified. All requesters must show a valid, government-issued photo ID when submitting any type of request.

Note: Call 618-327-4800 before mailing a request if you have questions about eligibility or need to confirm the current fee for Washington County death certificates.

Illinois Department of Public Health

The Illinois Department of Public Health is the statewide repository for vital records and a useful resource when county records are unavailable or incomplete. IDPH holds death records for deaths throughout Illinois and processes requests under the same eligibility rules that apply locally. IDPH Vital Records is at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Phone (217) 782-6554. Full details are at the IDPH death records page.

IDPH fees are $19 for the first certified copy, $4 per additional copy ordered at the same time, and $10 for genealogical (uncertified) copies. Standard mail processing takes about 12 weeks. Expedited requests with proof of urgency are processed in 5 to 7 business days. IDPH is the right contact when Washington County records cannot be found or when a death occurred in another part of Illinois.

The IDPH death records page explains statewide procedures and eligibility rules that apply to residents of Washington County and all other Illinois counties.

IDPH is the statewide authority for vital records and can process death certificate requests for deaths that occurred anywhere in Illinois.

Genealogy and Historical Records

Researchers working on Washington County family history can request uncertified genealogical copies of death records that are 20 or more years old. The fee is lower than for certified copies. For records that predate modern vital records systems, the Illinois State Archives may have older registers. Local libraries in Nashville and nearby communities sometimes hold obituary collections, funeral home records, and cemetery indexes that help fill gaps in the official record.

Towns in Washington County

Deaths that occur in Nashville, Ashley, Oakdale, Irvington, and other communities within Washington County are all recorded with the county clerk. Contact the clerk's office at 101 E. St. Louis Street for any death record from within the county.

Nearby Counties

Washington County shares borders with several counties in southern Illinois. Check with the appropriate office if a death occurred near the county line.