What are Illinois Vital Records?

Illinois vital records include birth, death, marriage, civil union, divorces, dissolution of a civil union, and adoption records. The Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records is the agency in charge of all vital records for the state. Their website splits each type up, making it easy for you to get copies of certificates. However, birth and death records are not public records until after a certain number of years. Therefore, only specific people with a valid reason may get a copy of yours. The Illinois Department of Public Health is also responsible for emergency preparedness, environmental health, food safety, and publishing health and well-being data and statistics about the state's residents.

Illinois Birth Records

Birth records in Illinois are not considered public records. Therefore, only certain people can have access to your birth certificate. However, if you need records for genealogy, you can get copies of records that are 75 years old or older. You may have to prove your research before obtaining them. Birth records come in handy when you apply for a marriage license, go to get your driver's license, apply for a passport or government jobs. You can easily get copies from the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records that is the agency in charge of birth records for the state. They allow you to get copies by fax, through the mail, online, and in-person at their offices in Springfield.

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Public Health is the government agency in charge of birth records for Illinois. You can perform a search through four different methods. However, only close personal relatives, and legal representatives can have access to yours.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Illinois?

You must download the "Application for Search of Birth Record Files" from the Illinois Department of Public Health website. Then you can use it to get a copy through the mail, via fax, online or in person. You must also pay the fee at the time you are ordering.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Illinois?

Illinois offers two types of birth certificates. The first is a full copy of the original, and that costs $15 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy. The second is an abbreviated form, and that costs $10 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy.

Who can request birth records?

In Illinois, birth certificates are private. Therefore, only the following list of people can get a copy of your birth certificate:

  1. Person named on the record if 18 years of age or older.
  2. Parent(s) shown on the record.
  3. Legal guardian or legal representative of the child. Written evidence or guardianship or legal representation is required.

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Illinois birth certificate?

When you request a copy of your own or someone else's birth certificate, you will need the following information:

  1. Full name on the birth records.
  2. Date of birth.
  3. Mother's full name (including maiden name).
  4. Father's full name.
  5. Birth certificate number (if known).

As the requestor, you must supply your personal details also as well as explain the relationship to the person and sometimes even supply a consent form.

Where can I find historical vital records in Illinois for genealogy research?

The Illinois Department of Public Health has all birth records going back to when they first began saving them. They do offer unofficial copies for genealogy research, but only records that are 75 years or older may be released.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

The Illinois Department of Public Health has a process for getting a birth record corrected. First, you will need to download and fill out a "Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request" from their website. You also need to supply your ID. Not all corrections will be approved.

Can I get a refund if my Illinois birth record is not available?

No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

Illinois Death Records

Death records in Illinois are not public records. Therefore only "those who have a personal or property right interest ("property right" is defined as something that it is owned, tangible such as a car title or a property deed) with the decedent" may get a copy. The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records allows you to get one of two types. One is an official record good for legal purposes, and the other is an unofficial copy good for genealogy. They provide records by fax, through the mail, online, and in person. You can also get copies through the county clerk's office.

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Death Records

How do I find death records in Illinois?

You need to contact the The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records or your county clerk's office to run a search on a death record in Illinois.

Are death records public in Illinois?

No, death records are not public records, and only someone with a personal or property right interest may get a copy of someone's death record.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Illinois?

Illinois issues two types of certificates. The first is an official copy, and it costs $19 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy. The unofficial version costs $10, and each extra copy is $2. You can also get a research copy for $10.

How long does it take to get a copy of an Illinois death record?

Typically, it takes 5-7 days to process a request for a copy of a death record in Illinois. However, they do offer expedited service if you supply the overnight envelop and pay all postage.

Who can request death records?

Only someone with personal or property right interest ("property right" is defined as something that it is owned, tangible such as a car title or a property deed) with the decedent. Only personal relatives and legal representatives can get a copy,

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Illinois death certificate?

When requesting death records, you will need to supply the following information:

  1. Full name on the death record.
  2. Date of death.
  3. Place of death.
  4. Gender.
  5. Other names used.
  6. Death certificate number (if known).
  7. Date last known to be alive.
  8. Last known address.
  9. Parent's full names.
  10. Decedents date of birth.
  11. Surviving spouse information.

As the requestor, you must also provide your personal details and proof of eligibility.

Where can I find historical death records in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records can get you everything you need going back to when they first started keeping records.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records has a special form you can use to correct someone's death record. You must fill it out, sign it, and send it to their office for review. Not all corrections will be processed.

Can I get a refund if my Illinois death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

Illinois Marriage Records

The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records does not keep marriage records. However, they can supply you with a marriage verification (from 1962 until the present), which will include names, dates of birth, date of the event, and city/county of event. To get an official copy of your marriage certificate, you must contact the county clerk's office where the marriage occurred. Marriage records are public records, and therefore anyone can get a copy of yours. The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, sells copies of verifications for $5, and you can get one in person, through the mail, or by fax.

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Marriage Records

Are Illinois marriage records public?

Yes, they are public records, and anyone can request a copy of a marriage verification from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, or through the courts via county clerk's office where the marriage took place.

What Illinois marriage records are available?

The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records can verify records going back to 1962. Any marriages older than that would have to be obtained from the courts.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Illinois?

Orders for a marriage verification usually take between 5-7 days. However, you can visit the county clerk's office and get an official copy of a marriage certificate in person sameday.

How much does an Illinois marriage certificate cost?

It only costs $5 for a marriage verification, which will include the names, dates of birth, date of the event, and city/county of event. A full certified copy will cost more, and each county may charge different fees.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When requesting a copy of a marriage verification, you will need the following information:

  1. Full name of bride (including maiden name).
  2. Full name of the groom.
  3. Date of the marriage.
  4. Place of marriage.

How do I get a copy of an Illinois marriage record?

If you only want verification that the marriage took place and basic information, you can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, and pay $5 for a copy. If you want the full record, you must contact the county clerk's office where the marriage took place.

What if I didn't get married in Illinois?

If you weren't married in Illinois, contact the state offices of the state where you were married. They will guide you in the proper direction to get a copy.

Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Anyone can get a copy. Marriage records in Illinois are public records.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, has a process for corrections of vital records, but they don't maintain marriage records. Therefore, you must contact the court where the marriage took place to make a correction.

Illinois Divorce Records

The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records does not store or maintain divorce records. However, they can verify the facts of a divorce and provide the names, dates of birth, date of the event, and city/county of event. For official copies of divorce records, you must visit the Circuit Court clerk where the divorce was finalized. Divorce records are public records, and anyone can request a copy of your or a verification record. The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, allows you to get a copy through the mail, fax, or in person.

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Illinois?

Yes. Many of the county courthouses do offer online case lookup tools so you can search for and find divorce records online. There are also other third-party resources where you can find divorcee's records online easily.

How do I find old divorce records?

The courts will have divorce records going back to when they first began keeping them. Some may be on microfilm, but they will have them all.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

You must visit the Circuit Court, where your divorce was finalized. Otherwise, if you only want a verification copy, you can contact The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, and pay a $5 fee for a verification form.

How much does it cost for a certified copy of my divorce certificate?

A verification report of divorce costs $5. However, when visiting the courts for an official copy of a divorce record, the fee may be higher. Each county courthouse can charge their own fees.

What information is needed to search for an Illinois divorce record?

When you request divorce records, you may need to supply some basic information such as:

  1. Full names of both parties (including maiden names).
  2. Place of marriage.
  3. Date of marriage.
  4. Date of divorce.
  5. Place of divorce.

As the requestor, you may have to also supply a copy of your ID.

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of Illinois?

If you were divorced outside of Illinois, you should contact the courthouse where your divorce was finalized, in the state where you were divorced. They can supply you with information on how to get a copy.