Illinois Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

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See Also Researching in Vital Records - Vital records, as their name suggests, are connected with central life events: birth, marriage, and death. Maintained by civil authorities, they are prime sources of genealogical information; but, unfortunately, official vital records are available only for relatively recent periods. These records, despite their recent creation in the United States, are critically important in genealogical research, often supplying details on family members well back into the nineteenth century.......

A number of resources are available for individuals doing genealogical research using vital records filed in the state of Illinois. Births and deaths before January 1, 1916 and marriages before January 1, 1962 are recorded only in the office of the county clerk where the event occurred. Most county clerks have indexes to the records that are prior to 1916 that are available for the purpose of genealogical research. These indexes generally provide the name, date and place of occurrence and are located in county courthouses located throughout the state. Although self-service access to the indexes is generally permitted, the law limits physical access to the individual records to the clerk's staff. When you locate a record from the index, it will be necessary for the clerk to pull the record for you once you have paid the appropriate search fee. Please check with the county clerk for fees and policies on reviewing indexes.

Birth Records

Birth Records Access to birth records is restricted due to privacy rights and fraud prevention. Uncertified copies of birth records for genealogical purposes are available to individuals who may not otherwise be entitled to receive a certified copy if the person's date of birth precedes the current date by 75 years or more. A copy of the birth record of any deceased individual may be obtained by completing a special application form and showing proof of the death. You may request this special application, only for birth records after 1916, form at vitalrecords@idph.state.il.us or by writing to:

Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL 62702-5097

Copies of birth records for genealogical purposes may be requested from either the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records or from the county clerk in the county where the birth occurred. Requests of IDPH, Division of Vital Records cost $15 for the long form, uncertified, genealogical copy and can be made online, by mail, by fax or in person

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Death Records

Many public and genealogical libraries, including the Illinois Regional Area Depository (IRAD) system, have statewide microfiche indexes of Illinois deaths that occurred more than 50 years ago, but not prior to 1916. In addition to microfiche, the Illinois State Archives maintains a database index on death certificates for the years 1916 to 1950.

Uncertified, genealogical copies of death records of persons who died more than 20 years ago, but not prior to 1916 may be requested either from IDPH or from the county clerk in the county where the death occurred. Requests of IDPH, Division of Vital Records cost $10 and can be made made online, by mail, by fax or in person.

The Illinois State Archives has microfilm copies of death records for deaths that occurred more than 50 years ago. In accordance with a policy agreement with IDPH, the Illinois State Archives will provide unofficial and uncertified copies of death certificates only in cases in which the decedent was 25 years or older at the time of his or her death. Click here for information on requesting copies from the Illinois State Archives..

Copies of death records filed before 1916 may be obtained from the county clerk in the county where the death occurred or from IRAD if it holds death records for that particular county.

If you do not know the date of death, IDPH, Division of Vital Records can perform a search of the death record indexes for genealogical research for a fee of $10 per name. If the requested record is found and is more than 20 years old, one uncertified copy would be issued without additional charge.

Marriage Records

Copies of marriage records can be obtained from the county clerk in the county where the marriage occurred. IDPH, Division of Vital Records does not provide copies of these records. It does have a statewide index of marriages from 1962 through the current index date available and for a $5 fee can verify the facts of a marriage or perform a search, if you do not know the county where the marriage occurred. To request a search, you can use the (application for verification of marriage record files) and submit it mail or in person.

The Illinois State Archives has a database containing information on more than 1 million marriages for the years 1763 to 1900. Copies of marriage records included in the Statewide Marriage Index, 1763 to 1900, may be obtained from (IRAD) if it holds marriage records for that county or from the county clerk in the county in which the marriage occurred. There is no statewide index for marriages for the years 1901 to 1961. Some individual county indexes prior to 1916 are available in the (Illinois State Archives).

Divorce Records

Divorce Records Copies of divorce decrees can only be obtained from the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. If you do not know the county of divorce, IDPH, Division of Vital Records has a statewide index from 1962 through the current index date available. Staff will search this index for a $5 fee. (Please note, the index is by husband's name only.) To request a search, you can use the (application for verification of divorce record files) and submit it by mail or in person. There is no statewide index for divorces prior to 1962.

Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL 62702-5097. It can take up to 6 weeks to get a vital record from Illinois.

  • Birth, Death Certificates: The Division of Vital Records and Statistics maintains birth, death and marriage records that occur in Illinois from 1916 to the present.
    • Cost: Initial search and one certified copy or certification of the record or No Record Statement is $17.00 (long) or $10.00 (uncertified) per certificate by mail [application for birth records, application for death records].
      Make your check or money order payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep check amount for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
    • In Person: In-person orders can be dropped off for mail out within two business days at the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records office, 605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. (Large volume orders may take longer.) PLEASE NOTE: the person requesting the record will be asked to show a valid picture identification card.
  • Marriage & Divorce Certificates:The Division of Vital Records also maintains an index of marriages & divorces from 1962 to the present. Copies of the marriage & divorce records are available from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage license was obtained or divorce was granted. Fees vary.
    • Cost: $5.00 by MAIL. Make your check or money order payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $5.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service

Links For Birth Records

Links For Marriage Records

Links For Death Records

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