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, you must provide proof of your relationship to the deceased.

If you are requesting a death certificate as the duly authorized agent or legal representative, you must submit a written document naming you as one of the following: a licensed attorney acting on behalf of a decedent or his/her estate; an agent authorized by power of attorney; a court-appointed personal representative, executor/administrator; or an agent with expressed, notarized authorization.

If you are requesting a death certificate as someone claiming a legal, personal or property interest, you must submit a written document demonstrating that you have a personal or property interest at stake, such as a will naming you, a letter on a firm's letterhead or a file-stamped copy of a complaint at law.

Death records can be obtained from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records or from the county clerk's office in the county where the death occurred. (List of county vital records websites 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 Department's Division of Vital Records can provide entitled persons with a certified copy of the death certificate for $19. 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 a certified copy is $4 each or for a genealogical copy is $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.