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How to get an Illinois death certificate

In Illinois, order a certified death certificate from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records.1 County clerks also issue death certificates.1 The first copy costs $191 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $41. You can order online, by mail, at a local office or by fax. Only the people the state lists below can order a certified copy. The fastest published option is online: 10 to 15 business days on average2.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. What an Illinois death certificate costs
  3. How long it takes
  4. Who can order an Illinois death certificate
  5. ID you need
  6. What the application asks for
  7. Forms
  8. Years held and older records
  9. Special situations
  10. Warnings from the office
  11. The state office
  12. Questions people ask
  13. Sources

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
Online through VitalChek Network$191 first, $41 each extra copy, plus $151 handling fee
+ one extra charge		–Card1
Online through VitalChek$172 first, $62 each extra copy
+ one extra charge		10 to 15 business days on average2Card and check2
By mail$191 first, $41 each extra copyUp to 12 weeks1Check and money order3
At a local office$172 first, $62 each extra copy (Cook County)
+ 3 possible extra charges		20 business days on average2Cash and card2
By faxSee the details below––

Online through VitalChek Network

Vendor
VitalChek Network1
Fees
  • First copy $191
  • Each additional copy in the same order $41
  • Handling fee $151
  • Shipping option $221
Expedited service
$22. UPS return shipping, U.S. only at this price1
Payment
Card1

Good to know

  • Genealogy copies cannot be ordered online1

Go to the ordering site1

Online through VitalChek

Vendor
VitalChek (for Cook County Clerk)2
Fees
  • First copy $172
  • Each additional copy in the same order $62
  • Shipping to vitalChek online orders charge $13.452
Processing time
10 to 15 business days on average2
Expedited service
UPS orders average 5 to 10 days after approval2
Payment
Card and check2

Go to the ordering site2

By mail

Run by
Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records1
Fees
  • First copy $191
  • Each additional copy in the same order $41
  • First copy $101
  • Each additional copy in the same order $21
  • Per copy $101
Processing time
Up to 12 weeks1
Expedited service
Certified copy within 5 to 7 business days with proof of immediate need and a prepaid overnight return envelope1
Payment
Check and money order3
Make payable to
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (IDPH)3
Mail to
Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 110 W Lawrence Ave., Springfield, IL 62704-2610
4

Open the application or mail instructions1

At a local office

Run by
Cook County Clerk, Bureau of Vital Records (example county)2
Fees
  • First copy $172
  • Each additional copy in the same order $62
  • Card payment fee $1.252
  • Processing fee for credit cards $1.752
  • Processing or service fee $52
Processing time
20 business days on average2
Payment
Cash and card2
Make payable to
Cook County Clerk2
Hours
Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (downtown Chicago office)5

Find a local office5

By fax

Run by
Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records1

Good to know

  • Genealogy copies must be in writing1

Open the official page1

What an Illinois death certificate costs

First certified copy
$191
Each additional copy, same order
$41
Each extra year searched
$16

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Death Certificate - Long Form3Accepted for all legal use3$193
Death Certificate - Short Form3Basic death record information, does not contain cause of death3$103
Genealogical Copy3Informational use only; cannot be used for legal purposes7$101
No Record Statement (certified)8–$108

No-fee copies

  • Local registrar or county clerk: first copy free for an active duty service member or honorably discharged veteran; later copies at most $66
  • Veterans benefits use: free when required by the VA or an accredited veterans organization6
  • Victim of domestic violence, with a certification letter6
  • Congressionally chartered organizations requesting for death verification6

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

How you orderProcessing timeCounted
Online through VitalChek10 to 15 business days on average2–
By mailUp to 12 weeks1From receipt
At a local office20 business days on average2From receipt

Who can order an Illinois death certificate

The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.

  • Person, or duly authorized agent, with a personal or property right interest7
    Proof: State relationship and intended use on the application; a non-relative needs a letter or document from the office or agency that needs the certificate7
  • Person named in a court order6
  • Government agency6

Other kinds of copies

  • Genealogy copy Genealogist or family researcher9
Records open to the public after
20 years6
Cause of death
Short form omits cause of death; the long form includes the most available information3
Social Security number on the copy
Statute says the certification of death contains Social Security Number6

ID you need

Photo ID
Required3
Accepted ID
  • Driver's License
  • Passport
  • Active Duty Military ID
  • Veterans Administration Issued Photo Medical Card
  • Federally issued Tribal ID card3
Without that ID
ID expired under 6 months: add one document showing name and current address, created within the last 6 months. Expired over 6 months or no valid ID: two items, one from the list (medical card, auto insurance card, voter's registration card, paycheck stub with imprinted full information, bank, financial or credit card statement) plus current mail showing full name and legal mailing address. Social Security cards are not acceptable.3
ID copy with a mail order
Include a copy of your ID3

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.3

  • Full name on death record
  • Possible other names
  • Date of Illinois death
  • Sex
  • Date last known to be alive
  • Place of Illinois death
  • Last known address
  • Parents' names
  • Surviving spouse
  • Date of birth
  • Birthplace
  • Social Security number
  • Requester name, relationship, address, intended use (required), phone, email
  • Signature

Forms

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds
1916 to today11
Older records
County clerk of the county of death3

Special situations

Fetal death
Fetal death certificate on VR 280: $19 first copy, $4 additional3 Details
Use abroad
Illinois Secretary of State authenticates Illinois death certificates: $2.12 Details
Military and veterans
County clerk or local registrar: one free certified copy for an active duty service member or honorably discharged veteran.6 Details

Warnings from the office

  • Mail takes approximately 12 weeks with no status updates1
  • Incomplete ID means return unprocessed7

The state office

Office
Division of Vital Records4
Mailing address
Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 110 W Lawrence Ave., Springfield, IL 62704-2610
4
Walk-in address
110 W Lawrence Avenue, Springfield, IL
14

Questions people ask

How much is a certified Illinois death certificate?

The first copy costs $19 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $4.1

How long does it take to get an Illinois death certificate?

Online through VitalChek: 10 to 15 business days on average. By mail: up to 12 weeks. At a local office: 20 business days on average.21

Can I order an Illinois death certificate online?

Yes. Online through VitalChek Network. Online through VitalChek.12

Who do I make the check or money order payable to?

Write it exactly as the office prints it: ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (IDPH).3

What ID do I need?

The state accepts: Driver's License; Passport; Active Duty Military ID; Veterans Administration Issued Photo Medical Card; Federally issued Tribal ID card.3

Where are older Illinois death certificates kept?

County clerk of the county of death.3

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. Obtain death certificateIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  2. Death certificatesCook County Clerk
  3. Death record application (PDF)Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Recordsdated August 1, 2026
  4. Obtain birth certificateIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  5. Downtown ChicagoCook County Clerk
  6. Illinois General AssemblyIllinois General Assembly, Illinois Compiled Statutesdated July 1, 2024read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  7. Death recordsIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  8. Vital records fee schedule (PDF)Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  9. GenealogyIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  10. Illinois Department of Public Health form (PDF)Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  11. CDC National Center for Health Statistics pageCDC National Center for Health Statisticsdated November 6, 2015read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  12. ApostillesIllinois Secretary of Statedated October 23, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  13. Illinois Department of Public Health: Contact usIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  14. Birth death other recordsIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records