To get a death certificate in Illinois, order a certified copy from the Department of Public Health’s Division of Vital Records or from the county clerk in the county where the death occurred. The state charges $19 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.1Illinois Department of Public Health. Death Records You can apply by mail, online through VitalChek, or in person. Mail orders are currently taking about 12 weeks, so if you need the certificate quickly for probate, insurance, or a bank, plan on going in person to the county clerk or paying for expedited online service.
Who Can Order a Copy
Illinois limits certified death certificates to people with a personal, property, or genealogical interest in the record under 410 ILCS 535/25.2Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Code 410 ILCS 535/25 – Vital Records Act In plain terms, that covers:
- A surviving spouse, adult child, or parent of the deceased.
- Siblings, grandchildren, and other relatives who can show the record is needed for a property or personal right, such as claiming an inheritance.
- An attorney, court-appointed executor, or anyone formally designated by an eligible person.
Genealogical copies are available for deaths that occurred at least 20 years before the request, but they are stamped “FOR GENEALOGICAL PURPOSES ONLY” and cannot be used for legal or financial transactions.2Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Code 410 ILCS 535/25 – Vital Records Act Ask for a certified copy if you need to close accounts, transfer property, or file an insurance claim.
What to Have Ready Before You Apply
The state’s application asks for enough information to locate the record and confirm your eligibility. Gather this before you start:3Illinois Department of Public Health. Application for Illinois Death Record
- Full legal name of the deceased, plus any maiden name or aliases.
- Date of death, or the date the person was last known to be alive if the exact date is uncertain.
- City or county in Illinois where the death occurred.
- Social Security number of the deceased.
- Date of birth and birthplace of the deceased.
- Parents’ names, including the mother or co-parent’s maiden name, and the surviving spouse’s name.
- Your relationship to the deceased and the intended use of the certificate.
- Your signature.
You also need a valid, non-expired government photo ID. An Illinois driver’s license, state ID, or U.S. passport all work. If you don’t have a primary photo ID, IDPH accepts two secondary documents showing your name and current address, such as a utility bill and a voter registration card. The application form is on the IDPH website or available in person at any county clerk’s office.4Illinois Department of Public Health. Obtain Death Certificate
The Three Ways to Order
By Mail
Send the completed application, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order payable to “IDPH” to the Division of Vital Records at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. The fee is $19 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.4Illinois Department of Public Health. Obtain Death Certificate Processing currently runs about 12 weeks from the day the office receives your paperwork.1Illinois Department of Public Health. Death Records If you are up against a probate deadline or an insurance filing window, mail is rarely fast enough.
Online Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the state’s authorized online vendor. You pay the same $19 base fee and $4 per additional copy, plus a $15 handling fee. UPS delivery within the U.S. adds another $22.4Illinois Department of Public Health. Obtain Death Certificate A single copy shipped by UPS runs about $56. You’ll need a major credit card. Online ordering is faster than mail, but the surcharges add up if you need several copies.
In Person
The Division of Vital Records office in Springfield issues birth and death records weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.5Illinois Department of Public Health. Birth, Death, Other Records You can also visit the county clerk in the county where the death occurred.1Illinois Department of Public Health. Death Records County clerks set their own fees, which may differ from the state’s. For a recent death, the county clerk is usually the fastest route to a certified copy because the record is already on file locally.
How Many Copies to Order
Most families underestimate this and end up placing a second order at full price. Every bank, life insurance company, brokerage, pension fund, and government agency holding an account in the deceased’s name will typically ask for its own certified copy. Some return it after processing; many do not. A homeowner with a life insurance policy, retirement accounts, and a couple of bank accounts can easily require 10 or more copies to close everything out.
Count the institutions you’ll need to contact and add two or three extras for surprises. Because each additional copy in the same order is only $4, it is far cheaper to over-order once than to file a fresh application later at $19 plus another 12-week wait.
Veteran Fee Waivers
When the deceased was an active-duty service member or an honorably discharged veteran, a local registrar or county clerk must provide one certified copy at no charge, and each additional copy is capped at $6. You’ll need proof of service — a DD-214, a letter from a Veterans Affairs office, or a copy of a military ID. The statute also waives fees entirely when the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or an accredited veterans organization requests a copy to determine benefit eligibility.2Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Code 410 ILCS 535/25 – Vital Records Act If the deceased served, ask about the waiver before you pay.
Fixing an Error on the Certificate
A misspelled name, wrong birth date, or incorrect marital status can stall an estate or an insurance payout. Illinois handles corrections through an affidavit process at the Division of Vital Records.6Illinois Department of Public Health. Correct Death Certificate
For personal or demographic details, submit a completed Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request with a $15 fee, a copy of your non-expired photo ID, and documents that prove the correct information.7Illinois Department of Public Health. Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request The affidavit must be signed in front of a notary, and any white-out or cross-outs void the form. One catch worth knowing: proof of marital or civil union status must have existed within two years of the date of death.6Illinois Department of Public Health. Correct Death Certificate
Changes to the cause of death, manner of death, autopsy details, or time of death require a Certificate of Death Worksheet signed by the certifying physician, along with the affidavit and your ID.6Illinois Department of Public Health. Correct Death Certificate If the supporting documents don’t clearly justify the change, IDPH may require a court order. Talk to an attorney before submitting if you expect any pushback.
Using the Certificate Outside the United States
If a foreign government, bank, or court needs to see the death certificate, you will likely need an apostille — an international authentication administered here by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Index Department. First, get a certified copy from the county clerk, local registrar, or IDPH. Then submit that copy with a completed Application for Authentication to the Secretary of State. The apostille fee is $2 per document.8Illinois Secretary of State. Apostilles and Certifications Some countries also require a certified translation, so check the receiving country’s rules before you file.