Birth 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 birth occurred. (List of county vital records Web sites or county clerk addresses) Records filed prior to 1916 can be obtained from the county clerk's office in the county where the birth occurred.

The IDPH, Division of Vital Records, offers two types of certified copies of birth records, both of which are suitable for legal purposes.

• The "long form certified copy" (8.5x11) lists all available items from your original birth certificate. The fee for this record is $15 and $2 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time.

• The "short form certified copy" (8x7) lists specific available items from your original birth certificate: child’s name, date of birth, sex, place of birth (city, county, state), mother’s maiden name, mother’s place of birth (state/country), mother’s age, father’s place of birth (state/country), father’s age, file date, date issued and State File number. The fee for this record is $10 and $2 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time.

  Please note: Current processing time on mailed requests for ALL CERTIFIED COPIES is approximately two to three weeks from the date the request is received. (This does not include mail delivery time to and from this office.)

When ordering a birth record, you will need to provide the following information:

• the child's full name at birth;
• date of birth;
• the city and county where the birth occurred (including hospital, if known);
• the name of the parent(s) shown on the record, including the mother's maiden name; and
• a legible/readable copy of your valid photo identification card. If not provided, unreadable or expired, the request will be returned unprocessed.

Birth records can be ordered online, by mail, by fax or in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

LINKS

Vital Records Act
Illinois Vital Records Code (rules)
County Vital Records Web Sites or County Clerk Addresses