Obtain Death Certificate

You may contact the county clerk where the event occurred. To locate your county clerk, go to RESOURCES in the right-hand column and click on List of County Clerks.

Method

Description

Cost

Mail

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, Illinois 62702-2737

Submit a check or money order payable to IDPH

$19 - full certified copy
$4 - each additional copy
$10 - genealogical copy
$2 - each additional copy
$10 - research copy

Fax

217-523-2648

A major credit card is required.

(Copies for genealogy must be submitted in writing)

$19 - full certified copy
$4 - each additional copy
$12.95 - handling fee
$3 - fee for each additional person in a group order
$19.50 - UPS fee (U.S. only);
additional fee (outside the U.S.) 

Online

 To order online, go to RESOURCES in the right-hand column and click on VitalChek Network.

A major credit card is required.

(Copies for genealogy must be submitted in writing.)

$19 - full certified copy
$4 - each additional copy
$12.95 - handling fee
$3 - for each additional person in a group order
$19.50 - UPS fee if selected (U.S. only); additional fee (outside the U.S.)

In person

Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E, Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, Illinois 62702-2737

Exact cash, personal check, money order, or debit/credit card (except Visa credit card) is accepted.

$19 - full certified copy
$4 - each additional copy
$10 - genealogical copy
$2 - each additional copy
$10 - research copy

If your request is urgent, submit it through any type of an overnight delivery service, with proof of immediate need, and a prepaid overnight delivery return envelope. Requests for certificates will be processed within 5 to 7 business days for a certified copy or 15 business days for a correction. Suggestions for proof of immediate need are:

  • A copy of a travel itinerary or plane tickets, showing the departure date within 30 days of the date on the application
  • A letter stating the urgent need
  • A statement from an insurance agency on its letterhead indicating the need for a death certificate
  • Notice from immigration authority/agency a death certificate is required