Will County Death Records

Death records in Will County, Illinois are available through two offices in Joliet depending on when the death occurred. The Will County Clerk handles requests for death certificates generally, while the Will County Health Department holds records for deaths that occurred from 1985 onward. Knowing which office to contact before you call or visit will save time. This page walks you through both offices, how to submit a request, fees, eligibility rules, and statewide options through the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Will County Clerk's Office

The Will County Clerk's Office handles death certificate requests for deaths that occurred in Will County. The office is at 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432. The phone number is 815-740-4615. The fax is 815-740-4699. Email requests can be sent to vitalrecords@willcounty.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For full details on the request process, visit the Will County Clerk death certificates page.

Walk-in requests can be processed within a few minutes for most cases. The clerk issues death certificates for immediate relatives of the deceased, individuals with a personal or property interest in the record, and genealogical researchers for records at least 20 years old. Note that the clerk's current records start at 1985. If you need a record for a death that occurred before 1985, call 815-740-4615 to speak with staff directly about where those older records are held.

You can also submit a request by email. Complete the mail-in request form, print and sign it, then attach a scan of the signed form and a copy of valid ID. Email everything to vitalrecords@willcounty.gov. This is a convenient option for people who cannot visit in person but want a faster alternative to postal mail.

The Will County Clerk death certificates page provides step-by-step instructions for requesting death certificates, including the email submission process and eligibility details.

The clerk's website includes downloadable request forms and explains the email submission process, making it easy to start a request without visiting in person.

Will County Health Department Vital Records

The Will County Health Department also issues death certificates for deaths that occurred in Will County, with records going back to 1985. The health department is at 501 Ella Avenue, Joliet, IL 60433. The phone number is 815-727-8639. Email is vitalrecords@willcountyhealth.org. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with the office closed from noon to 1:00 PM for lunch. More information is available at the Will County Health Department vital records page.

The health department operates similarly to the clerk's office in terms of eligibility and process. For in-person requests, bring a valid photo ID and all the identifying details about the deceased. Mail requests follow the same general procedure as with the clerk. Both offices charge the same fee: $16 for the first certified copy and $8 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

The Will County Health Department vital records page explains the health department's process for issuing death certificates and covers records from 1985 onward.

The health department provides a parallel option for obtaining Will County death certificates and handles most requests within the same time frame as the clerk's office.

Online Ordering Through VitalChek

Online orders for Will County death certificates are available through VitalChek. The county has its own VitalChek portal at VitalChek Will County. This is a convenient option for anyone who cannot visit Joliet in person. VitalChek charges a service fee in addition to the county's certificate cost. Payment is by major credit or debit card, and delivery options include standard and expedited mail.

The online process requires you to provide the same basic information as an in-person or mail request: the deceased's full name, date and place of death, your relationship to the person, and your payment information. VitalChek also has identity verification built into the online process.

The VitalChek Will County ordering portal provides a secure online option for requesting Will County death certificates from Joliet without visiting either county office in person.

VitalChek is an authorized vendor used by Will County and many other Illinois counties to handle online vital records orders securely.

Who Can Request Will County Death Records

Access to death certificates in Illinois is restricted by law under 410 ILCS 535/24. These records are not public records and are excluded from the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

Eligible requesters include immediate relatives of the deceased: a spouse, parent, child, or sibling. Others who may qualify are individuals with a personal or property right interest in the record, legal representatives acting for eligible persons, funeral directors involved in the case, and genealogical researchers requesting records that are at least 20 years old. Genealogical copies are uncertified. All requesters must provide a valid government-issued photo ID, whether applying in person, by mail, by email, or online through VitalChek.

Note: If you need a Will County death record for a death before 1985, call 815-740-4615 before submitting your request to confirm which office holds that specific record.

Illinois Department of Public Health

The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains death records for the entire state. If neither the Will County Clerk nor the health department can locate a record, or if the death occurred in another county, IDPH is the next step. IDPH Vital Records is at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Phone (217) 782-6554. Full information is on 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 processing with proof of need is completed in 5 to 7 business days. The same eligibility rules that apply locally also apply at the state level.

Cities in Will County

Will County is one of the most populated counties in Illinois. Deaths in communities across the county, from Bolingbrook and Naperville to Romeoville and New Lenox, are all recorded through the county system. The city of Joliet is the county seat and is the largest city in the county. Bolingbrook and Naperville also have significant populations but do not currently have their own pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Will County borders a number of Illinois counties. If a death occurred near a county line, check with the adjacent office to confirm which jurisdiction holds the record.