Illinois Genealogy Records
Illinois genealogy records go back more than 200 years and span all 102 counties in the state. The Illinois Department of Public Health holds birth and death records from 1916 to the present. County clerks keep the older local records, with some dating to the early 1800s. You can search for genealogy records by name, date, or place to build your family tree. The state archives and seven regional depositories also hold millions of historical documents tied to Illinois genealogy. This guide shows you where to find these records and how to get them from each source across the state.
Illinois Genealogy Quick Facts
Where to Find Illinois Genealogy Records
Illinois genealogy records are kept by a three-tier system. At the top sits the Illinois Department of Public Health, or IDPH. This state agency holds birth and death records from January 1916 to the present day. County clerks across all 102 Illinois counties hold the original local vital records. Most began keeping birth and death records around 1877, though some counties have records going back to the 1830s. Marriage records are kept at the county level too, with many counties holding licenses from their founding date. The third tier is the Illinois Regional Archives Depository system, known as IRAD, which stores historical local government records at seven state university campuses.
The IDPH Division of Vital Records is based at 925 E. Ridgely Ave. in Springfield. You can reach them by phone at (217) 782-6554. Walk-in hours run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays for birth and death records only. Mail requests take about 12 weeks to process. IDPH does not provide status updates during that time.
The IDPH genealogy page has details on how to get uncertified copies for genealogy research in Illinois. These copies cost $10 each. They are stamped "For Genealogical Purposes Only" and cannot be used as legal ID.
Note: Marriage records are not kept by IDPH and can only be found at county clerk offices where the marriage took place in Illinois.
Illinois Birth Records for Genealogy
Birth records are one of the most sought-after genealogy records in Illinois. Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), a person's date of birth must be at least 75 years before the current date for you to get an uncertified genealogical copy. That means as of 2026, you can request birth records for anyone born in 1951 or earlier. These genealogical copies cost $10 from IDPH and must be ordered by mail only. You cannot order them online, by fax, or through VitalChek. A valid government-issued photo ID is required with every request. Payment goes by check or money order payable to "IDPH."
For birth records before 1916, IDPH does not have them. You need to go to the county clerk in the county where the birth took place. Most Illinois counties started recording births around 1877. Some have records from the 1850s or even earlier. County clerks charge their own fees, which range from $10 to $30 depending on the county. The IDPH birth certificate page has forms and instructions for ordering certified copies if you need those instead.
Certified copies are different from genealogical copies. A certified copy is a legal document you can use for ID. It costs $10 for a short form or $15 for a long form from IDPH. Genealogical copies are uncertified and cost $10. Most genealogy researchers only need the uncertified version.
Illinois Death Records for Genealogy
Death records become available for genealogy in Illinois after 20 years. The death must have occurred on or after January 1, 1916 for IDPH to have it. A genealogical copy costs $10 and must be ordered by mail. You need a valid photo ID and payment by check or money order. The IDPH death certificate page shows you how to submit your request.
Deaths before 1916 are held by county clerks or by the IRAD system. The Illinois State Archives also has free online death indexes you can search. The Death Index covers 1916 to 1950 and 1951 to 1972 in separate databases. A pre-1916 statewide death index project is still in progress. These are free to search at the Archives databases portal.
IDPH noted that "death records are not public records and are only available to those who have a personal or property right interest with the decedent." But genealogical copies are available for deaths that happened 20 or more years ago under 410 ILCS 535/25/4(d). County clerks may have different rules for older records in their files across Illinois.
How to Order Illinois Genealogy Records
There are a few ways to get vital records for genealogy in Illinois. For certified birth and death certificates, you can order online through VitalChek, which is the authorized online partner for IDPH. VitalChek charges a handling fee of about $15 on top of the state fee. Overnight shipping adds $19. But here is the catch: VitalChek cannot process genealogical copies. Those must go by mail to IDPH in Springfield.
For mail orders, send your request to IDPH Division of Vital Records, 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include the completed application form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order. Expect about 12 weeks for processing. Rush handling is available for certified copies at 5 to 7 business days, but you need proof of immediate need and a prepaid return envelope.
County clerks accept walk-in visits, phone calls, and sometimes mail requests. Some counties also use VitalChek or Official Records Online for ordering. Fees vary by county. In-person visits are often the fastest way to get genealogy records from a county clerk in Illinois.
Illinois State Archives Genealogy Databases
The Illinois State Archives in Springfield is a major resource for genealogy. It sits in the Margaret Cross Norton Building at the Capitol Complex. The phone number is (217) 782-4682. Research in the Archives reading room is free. You can take photos of documents with your phone or camera at no charge.
The Archives runs several free online databases for Illinois genealogy research. The Statewide Marriage Index covers 1763 to 1900 and was built with the Illinois State Genealogical Society. There is also a pre-1916 Statewide Death Index and separate death indexes for 1916 to 1950 and 1951 to 1972. Public Domain Land Sale Records cover about 550,000 entries. You can also find the Chicago Police Department Homicide Record from 1870 to 1930 and naturalization papers indexes for select counties. The genealogy research guide explains how to use these tools.
Under the Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205), local government records cannot be destroyed without a Local Records Disposal Certificate. This law is the reason so many historical records survive today. It also created the legal basis for the IRAD system that stores those records at university campuses across Illinois.
Out-of-state residents who want the Archives to do research must pay a $10 prepaid fee. That fee is nonrefundable and covers up to two unofficial copies. Illinois residents can visit in person for free during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Regional Archives for Illinois Genealogy
The Illinois Regional Archives Depository system, or IRAD, places historical local government records at seven state university campuses. Each depository covers a set of Illinois counties. Research at any IRAD location is free. Photocopy fees apply. You can submit mail or phone requests, but each request is limited to two names.
IRAD holds birth, death, and marriage records along with land deeds, naturalization records, probate files, wills, guardianship records, and court documents. The IRAD system page explains what each location holds. You can search the holdings database at apps.ilsos.gov to find records for your county. The seven depositories are at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois State University in Normal, University of Illinois Springfield, Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
Genealogy records held at IRAD also include voter registers, township records, school records, and coroner's inquest files. These are records that county clerks and circuit clerks have sent to the depositories for long-term preservation under the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) and the Local Records Act. If your ancestor lived in Illinois in the 1800s or early 1900s, IRAD is a good place to check.
Illinois Adoption and Genealogy Records
The Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50) gives adult adoptees in Illinois the right to request their original birth certificate. Birth parents may file a redaction request, but the record itself is available. The Illinois Adoption Registry connects adoptees with birth relatives. There is also a Confidential Intermediary program for those who want help making contact.
These records matter for genealogy because they can fill in gaps that standard vital records leave blank. If you were adopted in Illinois or your ancestor was, these resources can help you trace your family line back further.
Illinois Genealogy Record Fees
Fees for genealogy records in Illinois depend on where you order them. IDPH charges $10 for a genealogical birth copy, $10 for a genealogical death copy, and $5 for a marriage or dissolution verification. Certified birth certificates cost $10 for a short form and $15 for a long form. Certified death certificates cost $19 for the first copy and $4 for each extra.
County clerks set their own fees. Cook County charges $15 for a birth or marriage record and $17 for a death record. DuPage County charges $14 for birth or marriage and $18 for death. Some counties charge as little as $2 for a genealogical copy, like Randolph County. Others charge $30 or more, like McLean County for a genealogical birth record. Check with the county clerk before you send payment.
The Illinois State Archives charges $10 for out-of-state research requests. That fee covers up to two unofficial copies. In-person research at the Archives is free. Under the Archives fee schedule, the authority comes from 15 ILCS 305/5.5.
Browse Illinois Genealogy Records by County
Each county in Illinois has its own county clerk who keeps vital records for genealogy research. Pick a county below to find local contact info, fees, and resources for genealogy records in that area.
Genealogy Records in Major Illinois Cities
Residents of major cities in Illinois file for vital records at their county clerk office. Many cities also have public libraries with strong genealogy collections. Pick a city below to learn about genealogy resources in that area.