Where to Order a Death Certificate in Illinois

You order a death certificate from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Vital Records office, not from a funeral home or county clerk. The office is in Springfield and handles all death certificates for deaths that occurred in Illinois. You can order by mail, phone, or in person — each method takes different amounts of time and costs different fees.

The death must have been registered in Illinois for you to order it there. If the person died in another state, you order from that state's vital records office instead. If you are not sure where the death was registered, the Illinois office can search for it, though that search costs extra.

You do not need to have been related to the person or present at the death to order a certificate. Illinois releases death certificates to anyone who requests one, though some versions show less information than others depending on who you are and what you need it for.

Key Takeaways

  • The Illinois Department of Public Health, Vital Records office in Springfield is the only place that issues death certificates for Illinois deaths.
  • You can order by mail (slowest, cheapest), phone with a credit card (faster, costs more), or in person at the Springfield office (fastest if you can travel there).
  • You need the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the county where the death occurred.
  • A standard certified copy costs between $15 and $25 depending on how you order, and you should order multiple copies because banks, insurance companies, and courts each often want their own.
  • The death must have been registered in Illinois; if it occurred in another state, you order from that state instead.

What Information You Need Before You Order

Gather these details before you contact the Vital Records office: the full name of the deceased, the date of death (month, day, and year), and the county where the death occurred. If you do not know the exact date, the office can search using the year and month, but the search takes longer and costs more.

If the person died more than 50 years ago, you may need additional information such as the parents' names or the funeral home that handled the arrangements. The office will tell you what else they need if your initial information is not enough to locate the record.

Have a reason ready for why you need the certificate. Illinois does not deny certificates based on reason, but some institutions (banks, insurance companies, courts) ask what you need it for, and having a clear answer speeds the process.

Ordering by Mail

Mail your request to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 925 East Ridgetop Road, Springfield, IL 62702. Include a letter with the deceased's full name, date of death, county of death, and your relationship to the person. Include your name, address, and phone number.

Enclose a check or money order for the certificate fee (currently $15 for the first copy, $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time) plus $5 if the office needs to search for the record. Do not send cash. Mail takes 2 to 4 weeks from the time the office receives your letter, longer if the record is hard to locate.

Keep a copy of your letter and note the date you mailed it. If you do not receive the certificate within 4 weeks, call the office to confirm they received your request.

Ordering by Phone or Online

Call the Vital Records office at 217-782-6553 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time). Have your credit card ready. The phone fee is $25 per certificate, which includes expedited processing. The office will mail the certificate to you, and it usually arrives within 5 to 7 business days.

Illinois also offers online ordering through the VitalChek website, which is a third-party vendor authorized by the state. VitalChek charges $31.50 per certificate plus a shipping fee. Processing time is similar to phone orders — 5 to 7 business days for standard delivery, or 1 to 2 business days if you pay for expedited shipping.

Both phone and online orders require a credit card. You will receive a confirmation number and can track your order status online if you use VitalChek.

Ordering in Person at the Springfield Office

The Vital Records office is located at 925 East Ridgetop Road, Springfield, IL 62702. You can walk in during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time) with the deceased's full name, date of death, and county of death. Bring a photo ID and payment (cash, check, or card).

If the record is found when ready, you can receive the certificate the same day. If the office needs to search, they will tell you how long it will take and may ask you to return later or call for pickup. This is the fastest option if you live near Springfield or can make the trip.

How Many Copies to Order

Order at least 3 to 5 copies, even if you think you only need one. Banks, insurance companies, the Social Security Administration, courts, and employers often each want their own certified copy, and reordering later costs more in time and money than ordering extra copies now.

Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs only $4 (by mail) or is included in the phone/online fee, so the cost difference is small. If you are unsure how many you need, ask the institutions handling the estate or benefits before you order.

What Happens If the Death Was Not Registered in Illinois

If the person died in another state, contact that state's vital records office. Each state has its own office, fees, and procedures. You can find the correct office by searching "[state name] vital records" or by calling the National Center for Health Statistics at 1-800-232-4636.

If you do not know which state the death was registered in, the Illinois office can sometimes help you locate it, but this adds time and cost. It is faster to contact the funeral home that handled the arrangements — they will know which state issued the death certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a death certificate in Illinois?

By mail, 2 to 4 weeks. By phone or online, 5 to 7 business days. In person at the Springfield office, same day if the record is found when ready, or a few days if the office needs to search. Expedited shipping through VitalChek takes 1 to 2 business days.

Can I get a death certificate if I am not a family member?

Yes. Illinois releases death certificates to anyone who requests one. You do not need to prove a relationship to the deceased.

What if I do not know the exact date of death?

The office can search using the month and year, but it takes longer and costs an extra $5. Have as much information as possible ready — the county of death, the person's age, or the funeral home name helps narrow the search.

Do I need the original death certificate or is a copy okay?

Most institutions accept certified copies, which is what the Vital Records office sends you. Some older institutions may ask for the "original," but certified copies are legally equivalent and are what you will receive from the state.

What if the death certificate has an error on it?

Contact the Vital Records office to request a correction. You will need to provide proof of the error (a birth certificate, marriage license, or other official document showing the correct information). Corrections take additional time and may have a separate fee.