Jefferson County Genealogy Lookup
Jefferson County genealogy records include marriage files dating back to 1830 and birth records from around 1878. The county clerk and recorder in Mt. Vernon holds vital records, land files, and other documents useful for tracing family lines in southern Illinois. Researchers can search Jefferson County genealogy records by visiting the courthouse, sending a mail request, or calling the clerk's office. The county offers a limited online option as well. If you have ancestors from the Mt. Vernon area, this county has nearly two centuries of records to explore.
Jefferson County Genealogy Quick Facts
Jefferson County Clerk Vital Records
The Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder at 100 S. 10th Street, Room 105, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 is the main source for genealogy records in the county. Call 618-244-8020 ext. 3 for the vital records division. Marriage records here are some of the oldest in the region, going back to 1830. Birth records start from around 1878, which is typical for Illinois counties. The Mt. Vernon office handles all requests for certified copies, genealogy copies, and record searches.
Jefferson County has a specific fee structure for genealogy research. An uncertified genealogy copy costs $10 per record. Certified copies run $15 for the first one and $10 for each additional copy. There is also a $2 fee to pull pre-1916 records from storage. These older files are kept in a separate area and require staff time to retrieve. The fees are payable by check or money order made out to the Jefferson County Clerk.
One thing that sets Jefferson County apart is that the online system limits you to one genealogy request per $15 fee. If you need more than one record, you will need to pay the fee each time. This can add up fast if you have several ancestors to look up. For researchers with a long list, an in-person visit may save money and time since you can browse the indexes yourself and pull multiple records in one trip.
| Office | Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 S. 10th Street, Room 105 Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 |
| Phone | 618-244-8020 ext. 3 |
Note: Online orders are limited to one genealogy request per $15 fee, so in-person visits may be more cost effective for multiple records.
Researching Jefferson County Genealogy
Jefferson County genealogy research starts with knowing what records are on file and where they are kept. The clerk in Mt. Vernon holds the local vital records. Birth records from around 1878 forward and marriage records from 1830 forward are the two main collections. Death records are also available, though the exact start date is less clear in the county's files. For anything from 1916 forward, the Illinois Department of Public Health has a duplicate copy at the state level.
The Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) sets the rules for when genealogy copies become available. Birth records open after 75 years from the date of birth. Death records open after 20 years. Marriage records open after 50 years. If the record you want falls inside these windows, you must show that you have a direct legal interest to get a copy. For records outside the windows, anyone can request an uncertified genealogy copy from the Jefferson County Clerk.
The IDPH genealogy page explains how to request state-level records by mail. IDPH requests take about 12 weeks. For pre-1916 records, the county clerk is the only source. The state did not start collecting vital records until January 1916, so anything before that date exists only at the county level or in IRAD archives.
The Illinois Adoption Act is another resource for genealogy in Jefferson County. Adult adoptees can request their original birth certificate through the state registry, which may help with research in the county.
Jefferson County Records at IRAD
The IRAD depository for Jefferson County is at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. IRAD holds older Jefferson County government records that have been transferred from the courthouse in Mt. Vernon. This includes historical vital records, court files, probate cases, and possibly naturalization papers. Research is free. Call (618) 453-3040 to check their hours and ask about specific Jefferson County holdings before you visit.
IRAD staff accept mail and phone requests but limit each one to two names. For larger research projects, plan a trip to Carbondale. You can take photos of records at no charge. The IRAD holdings database lets you check what Jefferson County records are stored there before you make the drive. The Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) is the law that created the IRAD system and requires that county records with long-term research value be preserved.
The Illinois State Archives in Springfield also has Jefferson County entries in its statewide indexes. The marriage index covers 1763 to 1900. Death indexes cover the pre-1916 period and a second set runs 1916 to 1950. These databases are free to search online and can help you confirm that a record exists before you order a copy from the county.
Jefferson County Genealogy Fees
Fees at the Jefferson County Clerk's office are as follows:
- Genealogy copy (uncertified): $10 per record
- Certified copy: $15 first, $10 each additional
- Pre-1916 record pull fee: $2
- Online request: limited to one genealogy record per $15 fee
Payment should be by check or money order payable to the Jefferson County Clerk. Include a valid photo ID with your request. The Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) covers public records in Illinois, but vital records follow separate rules under the Vital Records Act. Genealogy copies from Jefferson County are stamped to show they are for research use only and cannot serve as legal documents. If you need a certified copy for legal purposes, you must meet the eligibility requirements set by state law.
Nearby Counties
These counties surround Jefferson County in south-central Illinois. If your ancestor lived near a county border, records may be in one of these neighboring areas. Checking nearby counties can help you fill in blanks when Jefferson County files come up short.