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 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
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.
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 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. |
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Most early birth records contain very little biographical information. Typical early New England town and church records, for example, give little information beyond the name of the child, date and place of birth, and parents’ names. Some localities listed only the name of the father.
While early birth records can be discouragingly lacking in information, by the mid-nineteenth century birth records in the United States began to include more information. Even though births were not widely recorded during the early years of America’s existence, the records that do exist may be the only source of a birth date for an individual and should always be consulted.
Delayed births are also important vital registrations that you should consider for obtaining biographical information. When Social Security benefits were instituted in 1937, individuals claiming benefits had to document their birth even if the state of their birth did not require registration when they were born. Individuals who were not registered with state or county agencies at the time of their birth often applied for a delayed birth registration. Obtaining passports, insurance, and other benefits also required proof of age. Applications were accompanied with full name, address, and date and place of birth; father’s name, race, and place of birth; and evidence to support the facts presented. The evidence could be in the form of a baptismal certificate, Bible record, school record, affidavit from the attending physician or midwife, application for an insurance policy, birth certificate of a child, or an affidavit from a person having definite knowledge of the facts. Delayed birth records are usually filed and indexed separately from regular birth registrations, and it may be necessary to request a separate search for them.
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Because of the importance of the legal distribution and control of property, most states and counties began to record marriages before births and deaths. The recording of a marriage is a two-step process. Traditionally, couples apply for a license to marry, and the applications are usually filed loose among other applications or in bound volumes. Marriage returns are filed once the marriage has taken place. The latter document is the proof of a marriage (not the license application).
Marriage applications are often filled out by both the bride and groom and typically contain a significant amount of genealogical information. They may list full names of the bride and groom, their residences, races, ages, dates and places of birth, previous marriages, occupations, and their parents’ names, places of birth, and occupations.
Marriage certificates are issued by counties after the marriage ceremony is completed, and these are usually found among family items. While the certificates tend to have less biographical data than the application, the name of the individual officiating at the wedding may lead you to religious records by revealing the denomination. The religious records, in turn, may reveal the names of witnesses and other useful information.
Early American records sometimes include marriage bonds, which served as a protection for the future children of the marriage. A bond obligated a prospective groom to pay the bond if he were discovered to be a bigamist or imposter or otherwise ineligible to contract a valid marriage. As long as the marriage was legal, the bond was void. Bonds generally include the groom’s name, name of the surety, the sum, and the date of the agreement.
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Early death records in the United States provide little more than the name of the deceased, the date of death, and the place of death. Obituaries and cemetery, court, and other records often provide more information about the deceased than do most official death records created before the last quarter of the 1800s.
By 1900 death records included more details. They often include the name of the deceased; date, place, and cause of death; age at the time of death; place of birth; parents’ names; occupation; name of spouse; name of the person giving the information; the informant’s relationship to the deceased; the name and address of the funeral director; and the place of burial. Race is listed in some records, and modern death certificates generally include a Social Security number.
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