If you were born in Chicago or suburban Cook County, the Cook County Clerk’s Office issues your birth certificate. The first certified copy costs $15, and the fastest way to get a birth certificate in Chicago is to walk into one of the Clerk’s offices with your ID: the certificate is printed while you wait. You can also order online, by phone, by mail, or through a participating currency exchange, each with added fees and longer waits.1Cook County Clerk. Birth Certificates
Who Can Request a Copy
Illinois birth records are not public. Only people with a direct connection to the record can get a certified copy:2Illinois Department of Public Health. Birth Records
- The person named on the record, if they are at least 18.
- A parent listed on the certificate.
- A court-appointed legal guardian, who must present a certified copy of the guardianship order.
- A legal representative such as an attorney or someone holding a power of attorney, acting on behalf of an eligible person.
If none of those describe you, you won’t be issued a standard certified copy.
What to Have Ready Before You Apply
Every request asks for the same core details: the full name on the birth certificate, the exact date of birth, the city or village in Cook County where the birth took place, and both parents’ full names (including the mother’s maiden name). Having these ready prevents rejected applications.
You also need a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID.3Illinois Department of Public Health. Obtain Birth Certificate An Illinois driver’s license, state ID, or U.S. passport works. Military IDs, naturalization certificates, and immigration cards are also accepted. For mail or online requests, send a clear photocopy or scan. If the ID is expired, unreadable, or missing, the Clerk’s Office will return your request unprocessed.
The Five Ways to Order
In Person (Same Day)
This is the fastest route. Bring your completed Birth Record Request Form, available on the Clerk’s website or at the counter, along with your original photo ID. The certificate is printed while you wait. Payment at the counter is cash, debit (adds a $1.25 processing fee), or credit card (adds $1.75). Checks are not accepted at the counter.1Cook County Clerk. Birth Certificates
The downtown office is at 118 N. Clark St., Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602. Three suburban locations also handle vital records:4Cook County Clerk. Hours and Locations
- Markham: 16501 S. Kedzie Avenue, Room 238
- Maywood: 1311 Maybrook Drive, Room 104
- Skokie: 5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149
Suburban offices are open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.5Cook County Clerk. West Suburbs – Maywood Confirm downtown hours on the Clerk’s website before you go, as they sometimes differ.
Online
The Clerk’s Office partners with VitalChek. You fill out a digital application, upload a scan of your ID, and pay by credit card or electronic check. VitalChek adds $13.45 on top of the record fee for processing and standard postage. Figure 10 to 15 business days for regular mail after approval, or roughly 5 to 10 business days with expedited UPS shipping.1Cook County Clerk. Birth Certificates
By Phone
Phone orders also go through VitalChek with the same $13.45 surcharge and the same timeline as online orders. Have your credit card and all the required personal details ready when you call.
By Mail
Mail your completed Birth Record Request Form, a photocopy of your photo ID, a check or money order payable to “Cook County Clerk,” and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The current mailing address is on the request form, which you can download from the Clerk’s website. Expect about 20 working days from the date the Clerk’s Office receives your materials.1Cook County Clerk. Birth Certificates
Through a Currency Exchange
Participating currency exchanges in Chicago and Cook County can place the order for you. They charge a $5 surcharge on top of the record fee, and the certificate is ready for pickup at the exchange in about seven business days.6MyCurrencyExchange. Cook County Birth / Marriage / Death Certificates
Fees at a Glance
A certified copy is $15. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $4 each.1Cook County Clerk. Birth Certificates Add-on charges by method: $1.25 debit or $1.75 credit at the counter, $13.45 for VitalChek online or phone orders, no extra fee for mail beyond postage, and $5 at a currency exchange.
Free Copies for Qualifying Individuals
The Cook County Clerk’s Office waives all fees for people born in Cook County who are verified as homeless, living in a domestic violence shelter, or recently released from incarceration (within 90 days of release from the Illinois Department of Corrections or Cook County Jail). Soon-to-be-released inmates and detainees also qualify. You can’t self-certify at the counter; you’ll need verification from a qualified human services provider, such as a parole release form or a status certification form completed by shelter or social services staff.1Cook County Clerk. Birth Certificates
If You Weren’t Born in Cook County
The Cook County Clerk only holds records for births that happened inside Cook County. If you were born elsewhere in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Division of Vital Records in Springfield can issue your certificate. IDPH can also handle Cook County births, though processing currently takes approximately 12 weeks.2Illinois Department of Public Health. Birth Records IDPH charges $10 for a basic certified copy (name, date and place of birth, parents’ names), $15 for a copy with all information collected at the time of birth, and $2 per additional copy.3Illinois Department of Public Health. Obtain Birth Certificate
If you were born in another U.S. state, you’ll have to contact that state’s vital records office. If you were born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad from the U.S. Department of State. For a foreign birth certificate, contact the embassy or consulate of the country where you were born.
Correcting an Error on the Certificate
Ordering a copy and fixing an error are separate processes. IDPH handles corrections for all Illinois birth records. You’ll submit an Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request form along with supporting documents that predate your 19th birthday and show the correct information, such as baptismal records, school transcripts, or immunization records. If no document clearly supports the change, a court order may be required.7Illinois Department of Public Health. Correct Birth Certificate Corrections take longer than ordering a copy, so start early if you need the corrected version for a passport application or another deadline.