Introduction to Illinois Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get an Illinois Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Individual Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.    

Illinois Death certificates have been maintained by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records for individuals that died in the state of Illinois since 1916.

Illinois Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By Illinois state law, Illinois Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Illinois Death Certificate
• Any relative of the Person Named on the Illinois Death Certificate
• Anyone that can prove a property right interest of the Person Named on the Illinois Death Certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Illinois Death Certificate

Illinois Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

An uncertified copy of a death record is available to genealogical researchers if the death occurred at least 20 years prior to the date of the request.

Illinois Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Illinois Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Illinois Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Illinois Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Illinois Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Illinois Death certificate online.  It usually takes 3-4 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Illinois Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Illinois Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Illinois Death certificate
• Sex on the Illinois Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Illinois Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Illinois Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Illinois Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Illinois Department of Public Health

Division of Vital Records

605 W. Jefferson St.

Springfield, IL 62702-5097

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Illinois: You may go to any county health department in the State of Illinois to obtain a certified copy of an Illinois Death certificate. Most Illinois Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Illinois Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for an Illinois Death certificate is $17.00, which includes one certified copy of the Illinois Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Illinois Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $17.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.