Losing someone is hard enough without wading through government paperwork. This guide explains how to get a death certificate in Illinois: which office to contact, what it costs, who is allowed to request one, and how many copies your family will likely need.
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Which Agency Handles Vital Records in Illinois?
Death certificates in Illinois are issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records, located at 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702. Phone: (217) 782-6554 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays). Email: [email protected].
Some Illinois county clerks can also issue certified copies for deaths registered in their county, which is often faster than going through the state office.
How to Order a Death Certificate in Illinois
- Online: Order through VitalChek, IDPH's official online partner. You'll need a major credit card, and VitalChek adds its own handling fee on top of the state fee.
- By mail: Submit a completed Application for Illinois Death Record, a photocopy of valid government-issued photo ID, and a signed check or money order payable to IDPH. Mail to: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, Illinois 62702-2737.
- By fax: (217) 523-2648, for most requests other than genealogical copies.
- Through the funeral home: The funeral home can typically order certified copies while filing the death registration in the days after death. Early on, this is often the easiest option.
- Through your county clerk: If the death occurred in a county with an issuing clerk's office, this route skips the state's mail queue.
How Much Does a Death Certificate Cost in Illinois?
- $19 for the first certified copy
- $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Online orders via VitalChek add a $15 handling fee, plus an optional $22 UPS fee if you choose expedited shipping
Confirm current pricing on IDPH's fee schedule before submitting payment.
Pro tip
Order every copy you'll need in the same request. Additional copies cost $4, compared with $19 for the first, so a separate order later costs more.
What will it cost in Illinois?
- First certified copy
- $19
- Each additional copy
- $4
- Total for 10 copies
- $55
- Typical across all states
- $137Below average
Fees come from this guide and can change. Confirm with the issuing office before paying.
Processing Timeline
| Method | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Standard mail to IDPH | Currently running approximately 12 weeks from receipt, per IDPH's own posted notice |
| Urgent request (overnight delivery + proof of immediate need) | 5 to 7 business days for a certified copy |
| Online via VitalChek | Varies with IDPH's current queue; VitalChek's own processing is fast, but the underlying certificate still comes from IDPH |
| Through funeral home or county clerk | Often faster than state mail, especially in the days immediately following the death |
IDPH's posted notice states that standard mail requests are not confirmed or updated during processing. If you're on a deadline (probate court, an insurer, a bank), document the urgency (a letter, an insurer's request, a travel itinerary) so you qualify for the 5 to 7 business day expedited track instead of waiting out the full queue.
How Many Copies Should You Order?
Plan for 8 to 12 certified copies. Illinois estates commonly involve financial institutions, insurance companies, the probate court, and vehicle and real estate transfers, and each needs its own original certified copy. For a larger or more complex estate, order 12 to 15.
How many copies do I need?
Check each institution you'll need to notify in Illinois.
Check the boxes above for a suggestion. 2 spares are included by default.
Omuna's free checklist tracks all of this for you.
Death certificates are just one of 40+ tasks families face after a loss. Omuna's After-Loss Checklist walks you through bank accounts, insurance, subscriptions, and more.
See the full checklist →Who Is Eligible to Request a Death Certificate in Illinois?
Illinois restricts certified copies to people with a direct interest: the spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent of the deceased; the executor or administrator; an attorney representing the estate; and anyone who can document a "direct and tangible interest." Government agencies with authorized need are also eligible. You'll need valid government-issued photo ID.
What If There's an Error on the Certificate?
File a correction request with IDPH's Division of Vital Records. Demographic errors (a misspelled name, wrong date) generally need supporting documentation, such as a passport or Social Security record. Errors in the cause of death require the certifying physician to initiate the correction. Per IDPH's posted timelines, correction requests submitted through the expedited overnight process run about 15 business days. Standard corrections can take much longer because of the current mail queue.
What to Do After You Receive Your Death Certificates
Once you have your certified copies, these are the next steps:
- Notify financial institutions. Bring a certified copy to each bank, brokerage, and credit union where the deceased held accounts.
- File life insurance claims. Each insurer needs an original certified copy.
- Contact Social Security. Report the death at (800) 772-1213 or visit your local SSA office.
- Begin probate if the estate requires it. Not every estate does.
- Update property titles. Real estate, vehicles, and other titled assets each need a certified copy.
- Send notifications. Omuna's free notification templates help you draft letters to banks, insurers, and government agencies.
- Create a memorial page. Omuna's memorial editor lets you build a page your family can share.
Pro tip
Omuna's After-Loss Checklist tracks all 40+ post-loss tasks so nothing gets missed.
You're reading about death certificates in Illinois. Here's what else is on the list.
- Notify close family and friends
- Select a funeral home or provider
- Apply for death certificates (Multiple copies)this guide
- Locate the Will and legal documents
- Apply for social security survivor benefits
- Find and close bank accounts
- + 64 more tasks across all four phases
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws in Illinois may change. Consult a licensed Illinois attorney for guidance specific to your situation.