Find Genealogy in Macon County
Macon County genealogy records stretch back to the early days of the county, with marriage records from 1829 and probate files from 1831. The county seat is Decatur, where the county clerk keeps birth, death, and marriage records at 141 S. Main Street. Birth records start in 1877, which is typical for most Illinois counties. Searching Macon County genealogy records can help you trace family lines in the central part of the state. The clerk office, the IRAD site at the University of Illinois Springfield, and the Illinois State Archives all hold Macon County records that are useful for family research. You can visit in person or send requests by mail to get the records you need.
Macon County Genealogy Quick Facts
Macon County Clerk Genealogy Records
The Macon County Clerk is the main source for genealogy records in Macon County. The office sits at 141 S. Main Street, Room 104, in Decatur. Call (217) 424-1305 if you have questions. Marriage records here go all the way back to 1829. Birth records start from 1877. Probate files date to 1831. These are some of the oldest records you will find in central Illinois. Most people who are doing Macon County genealogy work start at this office because it has the widest range of vital records in the county.
Death records from the Macon County Clerk cost $27 for the first copy and $14 for each one after that. Marriage record copies run $23 for the first and $10 for extras. These fees line up with what the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) allows counties to charge. Genealogy copies of birth records are available when the birth date is 75 or more years in the past. Death records open for genealogy use after 20 years. Marriage records become accessible for genealogy after 50 years. Copies you get for genealogy are stamped as uncertified and marked for genealogical use only. You will need the full name of the person and an approximate date for the event when you make a request. A valid photo ID is also required.
You can visit the Macon County Clerk in person or mail your request to the Decatur address. Walk-in service is quicker if you can make the trip. For mail requests, include a check or money order with your form and allow extra time for processing.
The Macon County Clerk office website shows their vital records page and the forms you need to request records. This screenshot is from maconcounty.illinois.gov.
The site lists the types of records on file and the steps to order them. Check it before you visit to see if the form you need is online.
| Office | Macon County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 141 S. Main Street, Room 104 Decatur, IL 62523 |
| Phone | (217) 424-1305 |
| Death Fee | $27 first copy, $14 additional |
| Marriage Fee | $23 first copy, $10 additional |
Note: Macon County birth records before 1877 were not filed with the county clerk and may only exist in church or family records.
Macon County Records at IRAD
The IRAD depository for Macon County is at the University of Illinois Springfield. It is in Brookens Library, Room 144. You can call (217) 206-6520 to ask what Macon County records they hold. Research at IRAD is free. Staff will also take mail and phone requests, though they limit each request to two names. IRAD holds older Macon County government records that have been transferred for long-term care. This includes early vital records, court files, probate cases, land deeds, and voter rolls. If a record is no longer at the clerk office in Decatur, it may be at the IRAD in Springfield.
You can check what is on file before you go. The IRAD holdings database lets you search for Macon County records by type and date range. This saves you a trip if the record you need is not in their collection. Photocopy fees apply when you want copies of the documents you find there.
Illinois State Archives for Macon County
The Illinois State Archives in Springfield is another good stop for Macon County genealogy. Their free online databases include a statewide marriage index from 1763 to 1900, death indexes from before 1916 and from 1916 to 1972, and public domain land sale records. If your Macon County ancestor married before 1900, you can search the marriage index from home at no cost. The death indexes cover the years before and after the state began recording deaths in 1916.
In-person research at the Archives is free. You can take photos of documents with your phone or camera. Out-of-state researchers who want the Archives to look up a record must pay $10 upfront. The Archives sit in the Margaret Cross Norton Building on the Capitol Complex in Springfield. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (217) 782-4866 for the reference desk. The genealogy research guide on their site walks you through how to use the archives step by step. Under the Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205), county records like those from Macon County must be kept and cannot be thrown out without proper approval.
Note: The Archives will not mail or email copies of certificates, so you need to visit in person or use the IRAD system for remote requests.
Macon County Probate and Court Records
Probate records are some of the best genealogy sources in Macon County. They date back to 1831 here, which is two years after the county was formed. A probate file may include a will, an inventory of the estate, names of heirs, and details about guardianship of minor children. These records fill in gaps that birth and death records alone cannot cover. If you know that an ancestor lived and died in Macon County, look for their probate file. It may name children, a spouse, and in-laws.
The Macon County Circuit Court is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit. Court records beyond probate also help with genealogy. Divorce cases, civil suits, and criminal files can all name family members and show where they lived at a given time. The circuit clerk in Decatur keeps more recent files at the courthouse, and older ones may have been sent to the IRAD at UIS. The State Records Act (5 ILCS 160) gives the Illinois State Archives the power to take in and protect these government records.
Searching Macon County Genealogy
Start at the Macon County Clerk office in Decatur for vital records. If the record you need is not there, try the IRAD at UIS or the Illinois State Archives. Each source covers different time periods and record types. A good approach is to gather what you can from the clerk first, then move to the archives for older or less common records.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also has Macon County birth and death records from 1916 forward. You can order certified copies through IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave. in Springfield, or call (217) 782-6554. Genealogy copies from IDPH must be ordered by mail and take about 12 weeks. The IDPH genealogy page has the forms and rules. Keep in mind that IDPH does not hold marriage records. Those stay with the county clerk in the county where the marriage took place.
For Macon County land records, check the county recorder office in Decatur. Deeds show when someone bought or sold land. They list both parties, the date, and the property location. Land records help you figure out when a family lived in Macon County and exactly where they were based. These are strong tools for genealogy when vital records come up short.
Note: Mail and phone requests to IRAD are limited to two names per request, so plan ahead if you have a long list.
Cities in Macon County
Macon County has several cities and towns. All of them use the Macon County Clerk for vital records. Decatur is the county seat and the largest city. It is the only city in Macon County with a dedicated page on this site.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Macon County. If your ancestor lived near a county line, their records could be filed in a neighboring county. Check the surrounding offices if you cannot find what you need in Macon County.