Death records are not public records and are only available to those who have a personal or property right interest with the decedent. If you are not a relative of the deceased person, a letter or document from the office or agency that needs the death certificate must accompany the request.

Death records can be obtained from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records or from the county clerk's office in the county where the death occurred. (List of county vital records Web sites or county clerk addresses) Records filed prior to 1916 must be obtained from the county clerk's office in the county where the death occurred.

The IDPH, Division of Vital Records can provide entitled persons with a certified copy of the death certificate for $17. Uncertified, genealogical copies of a death record can be provided for $10 if the death occurred at least 20 years prior to the date of the request. Extra copies of the same record for either a certified or genealogical copy are $2 each if requested at the same time. If no record is found as part of a certified or genealogical search, a no record statement will be issued. The $10 search fee is non-refundable.

How to order a death certificate
    How to order online
    How to order by mail
    How to order by fax
    How to order in person
    How to correct a death certificate

NOTICE: Due to the large volume of phone calls and requests, please allow 30 days from the date your check cleared the bank before inquiring about the status of your request. If contacting this office by phone, please know the hold time for correction/amendment callers could be around 30 minutes.