Death Certificates (1916–1947)

Prior to November 15, 2002, the Illinois State Archives offered free uncertified copies of death certificates dating from 1916 to 1947 to all patrons who requested them by email, telephone, or postal mail. Because the demand for those records overwhelmed our staff resources that service was discontinued.  Researchers may obtain copies of death certificates dated on or after January 1, 1916 by:

• Visiting the Illinois State Archives Reference Room
  Researchers wishing an unofficial and uncertified copy of a death certificate may visit the Illinois State Archives Reference Room. To locate a death certificate in our Reference Room, the following information from the database will be needed: decedent’s name; date of death; name of county and, if provided, township where the death took place; and death certificate number.
   
• Contacting the Illinois Department of Public Health
  The original death certificates remain in the custody of the Illinois Department of Public Health. Requests for death records on or after January 1, 1916 may be made to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, by mail, by fax, in-person and online. Researchers who are unable to visit the Illinois State Archives Reference Room may direct requests for death certificates after 1915 to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
   
• Contacting the appropriate County Clerk
  Copies of death certificates may also be obtained from the county clerk's office in the county where the death occurred. Click here for the addresses of the county clerks of all 102 counties in Illinois.

In compliance with current legislation, the Illinois Department of Public Health and county clerks shall furnish for genealogical purposes certified or uncertified photocopies of death records not less than 20 years old at a specified fee (410 Illinois Compiled Statutes 535/24).

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