Des Plaines Genealogy Records
Des Plaines genealogy records connect researchers to a northwest suburb with deep roots in Cook County, Illinois. With a population near 59,000, Des Plaines sits just south of O'Hare and has drawn waves of families since the mid-1800s. Vital records for Des Plaines go through the Cook County Clerk at 118 N. Clark Street in Chicago. The Des Plaines Public Library also has tools and databases that help with family history searches. Whether you need a birth record from decades ago or a marriage index from the early 1900s, knowing the right office and the right steps makes the search go faster.
Des Plaines Genealogy Quick Facts
Des Plaines Vital Records
Des Plaines does not keep its own vital records. All birth, death, and marriage records for Des Plaines residents go through the Cook County Clerk Bureau of Vital Records. The office is at 118 N. Clark St., Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602. You can call (312) 603-5656 for help. The Cook County Clerk vital records page has forms and steps for both in-person and mail requests.
Cook County birth and death records start from 1871 and 1872. The Great Chicago Fire wiped out most records before that date, so if your Des Plaines ancestors lived here before 1871 you will need to look at other sources like church records, census data, or land deeds. Birth and marriage records cost $15 for the first copy and $4 for each one after that. Death records are $17 for the first copy and $6 more for each extra. These fees are the same for all Cook County residents, not just Des Plaines.
Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), genealogical copies are available for birth records that are 75 or more years old, death records 20 or more years old, and marriage records 50 or more years old. These copies are stamped "For Genealogical Purposes Only" and cannot be used as legal identification. You must request genealogical copies by mail. They cannot be ordered online or through VitalChek.
Note: Mail requests to Cook County take about 20 business days, though genealogy requests can take longer.
Des Plaines Public Library Genealogy
The Des Plaines Public Library is one of the best free resources for genealogy research in the northwest suburbs. The library provides access to Ancestry Library Edition, which you can use on-site at no cost. HeritageQuest is also available and can be used from home with a library card. These two databases alone cover census records, military records, city directories, and millions of family trees that can help you trace Des Plaines ancestors.
The Des Plaines Public Library website has links to its digital resources and catalog. Staff members can help point you toward the right databases for your search.
Local newspapers on microfilm are another tool at the library. Old newspaper clippings can give you obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements, and other details that do not show up in official records. Des Plaines has had local papers since the late 1800s. If your ancestor lived in Des Plaines during that time, a newspaper search could fill in gaps that vital records alone cannot. The library staff can help you find the right reels and search tools for your time period.
State Records for Des Plaines Research
The Illinois Department of Public Health holds statewide birth records from 1916 forward and death records from the same year. If you need a record that the Cook County Clerk does not have, IDPH is the next place to check. The IDPH genealogy page explains how to request genealogical copies by mail. Processing takes about 12 weeks. There is no way to check on the status of your request while it is being processed.
The Illinois State Archives also has free online databases that can help with Des Plaines genealogy. The Statewide Marriage Index covers 1763 to 1900. The Death Index covers 1916 to 1950 and a separate file goes from 1951 to 1972. Public domain land sale records are searchable too. These databases are free and open to everyone.
The IRAD depository for Cook County is at Northeastern Illinois University, Ronald Williams Library, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago, IL 60625. Call (773) 442-4506 for hours and access details. IRAD holds older local government records for Cook County that include vital records, land deeds, and court files. Under the Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205), these records are preserved for public research. You can submit up to two names per mail or phone request at no charge.
Searching Des Plaines Genealogy
A good plan for Des Plaines genealogy starts with what you already know. Get the full name, approximate date, and type of record you need. Then figure out which office holds it. For most vital records, that means the Cook County Clerk. For records before 1916, the county clerk or IRAD are your best options. For records from 1916 forward, both Cook County and IDPH may have what you need.
Here are a few steps that work well for Des Plaines searches:
- Check Cook County Clerk online genealogy indexes for birth, death, and marriage records
- Use Ancestry Library Edition at the Des Plaines Public Library for census and directory records
- Search Illinois State Archives free databases for marriage and death indexes
- Contact IRAD at Northeastern Illinois University for older Cook County records
- Request genealogical copies by mail from IDPH if the Cook County search comes up short
Keep in mind that Cook County is the largest county in Illinois by population. Record requests can take time, especially by mail. Walk-in service at the Clark Street office in Chicago is often the fastest route. Des Plaines is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Chicago, so a day trip to the county clerk office is doable for most researchers based in the area.
Cook County Court Records
The Circuit Court of Cook County holds records that go beyond standard vital records. Probate files, divorce records, and naturalization petitions are all in the court system. The Cook County court portal lets you search some of these records online. The court archives at 50 W. Washington, Room 1113, Chicago, IL 60602 hold over 500,000 naturalization petitions from 1871 to 1929. These are searchable on the court website and are a strong resource for tracing immigrant ancestors who settled in Des Plaines or anywhere in Cook County.
Probate records can reveal family connections that vital records miss. A will might name children, a spouse, or other relatives. Estate inventories can show what an ancestor owned and where they lived. For Des Plaines genealogy, court records are worth checking once you have the basics from vital records.
Cook County Genealogy Records
Des Plaines is in Cook County, and all vital records go through the Cook County Clerk. The county handles birth, death, marriage, land, and court records for Des Plaines and more than 130 other municipalities. For full details on Cook County genealogy resources, fees, and contact info, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities and villages near Des Plaines also have genealogy resources and are served by Cook County or neighboring county clerks.