Illinois Vital Records
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According to the Vital Records Code, vital records document major life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and the dissolution of marriages, as well as related data that occurred within the state. Birth and death records fall under the authority of the Illinois Vital Records Act and the Vital Records Code. In contrast, marriage and divorce records are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Most vital records, including birth, death, and marriage records, are confidential and available only to authorized individuals. Divorce records, however, are public and may be accessed by anyone.
Public Access to Illinois Vital Records
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act does not govern vital records in the state. Vital records are governed by the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) and Vital Records Code. These laws stipulate that only a select few individuals are authorized to access birth, death, or marriage certificates in the state. Specifically, the Illinois Vital Records Code Section 500.20 confirms that birth and death records are confidential. Only the registrant, their parents, and legal representatives can obtain certified copies of birth records. On the other hand, certified copies of death certificates are only issued to the executor or administrator of the deceased person's estate. Anyone can obtain uncertified copies of birth certificates 75 years after the event and uncertified copies of death certificates after 20 years of the event.
Certified copies of marriage records are only issued to the couple and their parents. However, anyone is allowed to obtain certified copies of marriage verifications. Members of the public can also access uncertified copies of marriage records that have been in the file for 75 years or more. Unlike other vital records, Divorce records are public in Illinois.
Types of Vital Records Available in Illinois
Illinois maintains several types of vital records, each with its own subcategories. These variations can sometimes be confusing for record seekers. Below are the types of vital records in Illinois:
- Birth records: Individuals can find certified and non-certified copies of birth records in Illinois. Certified copies are available in both long and short forms, which can be used for legal purposes. Long-form birth certificates contain comprehensive information about a person's birth, while short-form birth certificates contain basic birth record information. All government agencies in Illinois accept long-form birth certificates, while not all agencies accept short-form birth certificates. Uncertified birth certificates can only be used for genealogical purposes.
- Death records: The two types of death certificates available in Illinois are certified and uncertified death certificates. Certified copies can be used for all legal purposes, whereas uncertified copies, which are often used for informational purposes only, are printed on plain paper.
- Marriage records: The types available are marriage verification and marriage certificates. Marriage verification just provides proof that a marriage occurred in the state. Marriage certificates are further divided into standard certificates, wallet certificates, and commemorative certificates. They can also be certified and non-certified copies.
- Divorce records: There are different types of such records, including dissolution of marriage verification, divorce certificates, divorce decrees, and divorce case files.
Illinois Birth Records
Certified copies of Illinois birth records are confidential and only issued to individuals with a direct interest in the record. They become public after 75 years and are issued as uncertified copies. Birth records contain the child's name, sex, date of birth, place of birth, the mother's maiden name, place of birth, and age, the father's name, place of birth, and age, the file date, the issuing date, and the state file number. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Division of Vital Records and county clerks are the custodians of these records. The IDPH only issues birth certificates by mail. However, an eligible person can get a birth certificate in Illinois online, by mail, or in person at the clerk's office in the county where the event occurred.
Illinois Death Records
Illinois death certificates are confidential documents that become public after 20 years. Confidential death certificates are only issued to individuals who have a personal or property right interest with the decedent. They are maintained by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Division of Vital Records and county clerks.
Illinois Marriage Records
Ilinios' marriage records include marriage verifications and marriage certificates. Marriage verifications can be purchased at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Division of Vital Records and are available to the public. They contain the couple's names, date of marriage, dates of birth, and the city or county where the marriage took place. Marriage certificates in Illinois are available at the county clerk's office where the marriage occurred. They are deemed confidential for at least 75 years.
Illinois Divorce Records
Illinois divorce records are documents that serve as proof that a marriage has been dissolved in the state of Illinois. They include divorce verification, decrees, certificates, and case files. Divorce records are public documents, making them accessible to the general public. Divorce verifications are maintained by the Department of Public Health (IDPH) Division of Vital Records and include the couple's names, dates of birth, date of the event, and the city/county of the event. Circuit Court Clerks maintain divorce case files that contain the complaint, response, certificate of evidence (testimony), and the judge's final decree, which includes the terms of settlement. Other divorce records contain the divorced person's age, occupation, address, grounds for divorce, names of the parties' children, marriage date and description, and provisions for the care of the children.
How to Order Vital Records in Illinois
Individuals can order Illinois vital records from various state agencies. Each agency maintains different types of records and has different request methods. Below is how to get vital records in the state:
- Birth Records
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Division of Vital Records provides birth records by mail. Complete the Application for Illinois Birth Record, Birth Record of Deceased Individual, or Search of Birth Record Files of a Deceased Infant Form. Submit the form with a valid government-issued photo ID, with the applicable fee to the address below:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave-2737
Springfield, IL 62702
Individuals can also get birth records from County Clerk Offices. The methods for submitting requests vary by county and can be completed online, by email, by mail, or in person.
- Death records
Applicants can obtain copies of death records from the IDPH online through an approved third-party vendor, by fax at (217) 523-2648, and by mail. Mail applicants should complete the Application for Illinois Death Record Form and send it, along with a copy of a valid ID and the proper fees, to the IDPH. Anyone requesting copies of genealogical death records must submit their requests in writing.
The IDPH does not accept requests made in person. Those who want copies of death records in person should visit the Clerk's Office in the county where the death occurred. County Clerk Offices also disseminate death records online, by email, and by mail.
- Marriage records
The IDPH is not the custodian of marriage certificates. They can only verify the facts that a marriage occurred in the state. Their records span from 1962 to the present date. Anyone who wants to obtain a marriage verification can submit their requests by mail, fax, or in person. Mail applicants must submit a completed Application for Verification of Marriage Record Files Form or a written letter accompanied by a valid ID, along with a check or money order for the applicable fees, to the Division. The letter must include the names of the couple, their dates of birth, the marriage date, and the place the marriage occured.
Residents seeking certified copies of marriage records should contact the clerk in the county where the marriage occurred. Requests can be submitted by mail, by phone, online, or in person, depending on the county.
- Divorce records
The IDPH does not issue certified copies of divorce records to residents of Illinois. They can verify the facts of a divorce that has taken place from 1962 to the present. Copies of divorce verification can be obtained by mail, fax, or in person at the Division of Vital Records. Mail orders must include an Application for Verification of Dissolution of Marriage Form or a letter, a valid government-issued photo ID, and a check or money order of the proper fees. The letter must contain the names of the divorce parties, their dates of birth, and the place and date of the divorce.
Plain and Certified copies of divorce records are available from the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Individuals can obtain copies by phone, by mail, online, or in person, depending on the county. Most Circuit Court Clerks also have online databases where individuals can find a brief summary of divorce information available on the paper documents. The search criteria are typically based on name or case number.
Who Can Request Illinois Vital Records?
Illinois vital records eligibility depends on the record. Birth, death, and marriage records are not publicly available, so they are only issued to individuals with a direct interest in the record. However, they become accessible to the public after a given period. For example, anyone can obtain copies of birth and marriage records after 75 years and death records after 20 years have passed. Anyone can get these records when they become public. On the other hand, anyone can get divorce records because they are public documents.
|
Record Type |
Eligible Requestors |
Required Documents |
Official Source Link |
|---|---|---|---|
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Birth Certificate |
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A valid ID, proof of relationship, or court documents |
Vital Records Code |
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Death Certificate |
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A valid ID, proof of relationship, or court documents |
Vital Records Code |
|
Marriage Record |
|
Valid ID | |
|
Divorce Record |
Anyone |
Proper documentation |
Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act |
Processing Times for Illinois Vital Records Requests
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) processes vital records within 12 weeks. Those who need records urgently should submit their requests through an overnight delivery service, accompanied by proof of immediate need and a prepaid overnight delivery return envelope. The request will be processed between 5 and 7 business days. At th county level, the processing time for Illinois vital records varies by county clerk. Most in-person requests are processed within minutes.
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Record Type |
Factors That Influence Processing Time |
Considerations |
|---|---|---|
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Birth Certificate |
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Death Certificate |
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Marriage Record |
|
|
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Divorce Record |
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Fees for Obtaining Vital Records in Illinois
Vital records fees in Illinois vary depending on the type of record. Long-form Illinois birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy, and short-form certificates cost $10 per copy. Each additional copies of these records cost $2. Certified copies of death certificates cost $19 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy. Uncertified copies of death certificates cost $10 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy. Marriage and death verifications each cost $5. The cost for marriage records in County Clerk offices varies, but is typically around $15 to $28 for the first certified copy and $4 to $10 for each additional copy, depending on the county. Divorce records cost $2 per page for the first page, $0.50 per page for pages 2 to 20, and $0.25 per page for other pages. Certified copies of divorce records cost $6 per document.
How to Search Vital Records Online in Illinois
Most county clerk offices in Illinois have online databases where residents can purchase birth, death, and marriage records for a fee. Requesters will need to provide the appropriate information, necessary documents, and proper fees to submit their requests. Individuals can also access death and marriage information for free on the Illinois Statewide Death Index (Pre 1916) and (1916-1972) using a decendent's name and Marriage Index, 1763 - 1900 using the groom's name or the bride's name to conduct the search.