Find Genealogy in Lee County
Lee County genealogy records span nearly two centuries, with land records starting in 1838 and marriage records from 1839. The county clerk and recorder in Dixon holds birth, death, marriage, and property files for this part of north-central Illinois. Researchers can search Lee County genealogy records by visiting the Second Street office, sending requests by mail, or calling the clerk. The county sits along the Rock River, and its records cover farm families and small-town residents who settled the area in the mid-1800s. Whether you need a marriage record from 1840 or a birth file from the early 1900s, Lee County has a deep archive to explore.
Lee County Genealogy Quick Facts
Lee County Clerk Genealogy Records
The Lee County Clerk and Recorder at 112 E. Second St, Dixon, IL 61021 is where genealogy records for the county are kept. Birth and death records start from 1877. Marriage records go back to 1839. Land records reach even further, beginning in 1838. The office handles all requests for copies of vital records, whether you need a certified copy or an uncertified genealogy copy for research. Call 815-288-3309 to reach the clerk's office and ask about specific records.
Lee County fees for vital records are on the higher side compared to some Illinois counties. A birth record costs $20 for the first copy and $3 for each one after. Death records run $32 for the first copy and $12 for additional copies. These are the certified rates. Genealogy copies may be available at a lower cost depending on the record type. Contact the clerk for the exact genealogy fee since it can vary. Make payments by check or money order to the Lee County Clerk.
Dixon is a small city along the Rock River, so the clerk's office is easy to find on Second Street. Walk-in visits let you search the indexes in person and pull records the same day. The staff can point you to the right volumes and help with older files that may be stored in a separate area. If you are traveling to Dixon for research, call ahead to confirm hours and make sure the records you need are available on site.
| Office | Lee County Clerk & Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 112 E. Second St Dixon, IL 61021 |
| Phone | 815-288-3309 |
Lee County Land and Property Records
Lee County land records go back to 1838. That is one year before the first marriage records were filed. These files include deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps showing who owned what land and when. For genealogy, land records are a powerful tool. They can place your ancestor in Lee County at a specific time, even when no vital record exists for that period. Deeds list the buyer and seller, the date, and the property location. Mortgage records show financial details.
Property records are kept by the recorder at the same office on Second Street in Dixon. You can search them in person or call the office for help with a specific parcel or name. Older land records from the 1830s and 1840s are some of the most useful files for genealogy in Lee County because they predate vital records by nearly 40 years. If your family was among the first settlers in this area, land deeds may be the only written record of their presence. The Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) requires that these types of records be preserved for their long-term value to researchers.
Note: Land records from the 1830s and 1840s may require staff help to locate since they are stored in older index volumes.
Lee County Genealogy at IRAD
The IRAD depository for Lee County is at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. It is a short drive from Dixon. IRAD holds historical Lee County government records that have been transferred from the courthouse. This includes older vital records, court files, probate records, naturalization papers, and other government documents. Research at IRAD is free. You can call (815) 753-1807 to ask about their Lee County holdings and check their schedule before visiting.
Staff at IRAD accept mail and phone requests but limit each one to two names. Larger research jobs should be done in person. You can photograph documents for free during your visit. The IRAD holdings database lets you see what Lee County records are on file at Northern Illinois University before making the trip. This is worth checking so you don't drive to DeKalb only to find that the record you need is still at the courthouse in Dixon.
VitalChek is the state-authorized online partner for ordering certified copies of Illinois vital records. Lee County residents can use it, but expect an extra handling fee on top of the county charges. Genealogy copies are not available through VitalChek.
The Illinois State Archives in Springfield has free online databases with Lee County entries. The statewide marriage index covers 1763 to 1900. The death index spans the pre-1916 era and 1916 to 1950. These tools can help you find Lee County records from home before placing an order with the clerk.
Searching Lee County Genealogy Records
There are several ways to search for genealogy records in Lee County. The most direct path is to visit the clerk's office in Dixon. Staff can help you find the right indexes and pull records on the spot. Phone requests work for simple lookups. Mail orders are available for anyone who cannot visit in person. Include the full name of the person you are searching for, any dates you know, and a check for the search fee.
Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), genealogy copies of birth records are available when the birth date is 75 or more years ago. Death records open for genealogy after 20 years. Marriage records become available after 50 years. These rules apply to all Lee County vital records. If a record is too recent, you must prove a direct legal interest to obtain a copy.
The Illinois Department of Public Health holds birth and death records from 1916 forward at the state level. You can request genealogy copies by mail only. Processing takes around 12 weeks. For records from before 1916, the Lee County Clerk is the only source. The Counties Code (55 ILCS 5) designates the county clerk as the official custodian of marriage, birth, and death records in Illinois.
Lee County Record Fees
Lee County charges the following for vital record copies:
- Birth record: $20 first copy, $3 each additional
- Death record: $32 first copy, $12 each additional
- Marriage and land record fees: contact the clerk at 815-288-3309
- IRAD research: free for in-person visits
- State Archives out-of-state fee: $10 prepaid
Make checks payable to the Lee County Clerk. Include a valid photo ID with mail requests. The Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) governs public record access in the state, but vital records have their own rules under the Vital Records Act. Genealogy copies from Lee County get stamped to show they are for research purposes only. They cannot be used for legal matters like passports or name changes.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lee County in north-central Illinois. Ancestors who lived near the county line may have records filed in a neighboring county. Check these areas if your Lee County search comes up empty.