Find Genealogy in McHenry County

McHenry County genealogy records include birth, death, and marriage files held by the county clerk in Woodstock. Marriage records date back to 1837, making them some of the oldest in the region. Birth records start from 1877 and death records from 1878. The clerk's office is the only place to get these records since McHenry County genealogy copies are not available through VitalChek. If you are tracing family in the northwest suburbs of Chicago or the rural towns of McHenry County, this office is your first stop for vital record searches.

McHenry County Clerk Genealogy Records

The McHenry County Clerk handles all vital records for the county. The office is at 667 Ware Road, Suite 107, Woodstock, IL 60098. You can reach them by phone at (815) 334-4242. Marriage records go back to 1837, which is close to when the county was first organized. Birth records start from 1877 and death records from 1878. These dates line up with when most Illinois counties began formal vital record keeping.

Getting genealogy records from McHenry County takes some planning. The fee for a birth record search is $12. If the clerk does not find a match, the fee is returned to you. Additional copies cost $4 each. This is a fair deal compared to some counties that keep the fee whether they find the record or not. You will need to provide the full name, an approximate date, and any other details you have to help the clerk locate the right file. The more information you give, the faster the search goes.

One big thing to know is that McHenry County genealogy records are not available through VitalChek. This sets the county apart from many other Illinois counties that use VitalChek for online orders. If you live far away, you must order by mail or visit in person. Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), genealogy copies of birth records are available when the birth occurred 75 or more years ago. Death records open after 20 years. Marriage records become available after 50 years. These rules apply to all McHenry County records.

Note: McHenry County genealogy records cannot be ordered through VitalChek; contact the clerk directly by mail or in person.

McHenry County Genealogy Through State Sources

If you cannot visit the McHenry County Clerk, the state of Illinois offers several backup options. The Illinois Department of Public Health genealogy page explains how to order genealogy copies of birth and death records from the state level. IDPH holds birth and death records from 1916 forward. For records before 1916, you need the county clerk or IRAD. Genealogy copies from IDPH must be ordered by mail and take about 12 weeks to process.

The Illinois State Archives in Springfield holds free online databases that include McHenry County entries. The statewide marriage index covers 1763 to 1900. The death index covers the pre-1916 period and 1916 through 1950. You can search by name and filter by county. If you get a hit, use the index info to order the full record from McHenry County.

Another option is the Illinois State Archives genealogy research guide. It walks you through what records are held where and how to get them. Research at the Archives building in Springfield is free for Illinois residents. Out-of-state researchers who want the Archives to search on their behalf pay a $10 prepaid fee.

McHenry County Records at IRAD

The IRAD depository for McHenry County is at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. IRAD holds historical local government records for the county, including older vital records, court files, probate records, and naturalization papers. Research is free. You can call (815) 753-1807 to check what they have and when you can visit.

IRAD accepts mail and phone requests, but each request is limited to two names. If you have a long research list, plan a trip to the campus instead. You can take photos of documents for free with your phone or camera. The IRAD holdings database lets you search what McHenry County records are available before you make the drive. Some records may overlap with what the clerk holds, but IRAD often has items that the courthouse no longer keeps on site. The Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) is the law that set up the IRAD system and requires preservation of local records with long-term value.

Note: IRAD limits mail requests to two names per inquiry, so plan ahead if you need to look up many ancestors.

Searching McHenry County Genealogy

The best way to search McHenry County genealogy records is to visit the clerk at 667 Ware Road in Woodstock. Bring the full name of the person you are looking for plus an approximate year. Staff can help you find the right index book. Once you find a match, you can order a copy on the spot.

For remote searches, start with the free online databases at the Illinois State Archives. The marriage index and death indexes can give you a lead on McHenry County records. From there, contact the clerk by mail with the details you found. Include a check for $12 for a birth search and the clerk will mail back the result. If they do not find a record, you get the money back. The Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) supports public access to government records, though vital records follow their own rules under 410 ILCS 535.

Some researchers also check the Tapestry land records system. McHenry County land records are available through Tapestry, which costs $8.75 per search plus $1 per printed page. Deeds and mortgages can help you track when a family lived in the county. If your ancestor owned property in McHenry County, the recorder's records are a good place to look.

McHenry County Genealogy Fees

McHenry County has a straightforward fee schedule for genealogy records. The birth search fee is $12, which the clerk returns if no record is found. Additional copies of the same record cost $4 each. This refund policy is not common in Illinois, so it makes McHenry County a low-risk place to request records when you are not sure if a record exists.

Death and marriage record fees are set by the county and follow state guidelines. Contact the clerk at (815) 334-4242 for current amounts. Genealogy copies get stamped to show they are for research use only, not for legal purposes. The Vital Records Act spells out the difference between certified and genealogy copies and who can get each type.

• Birth record search: $12 (refunded if not found)
• Additional copies: $4 each
• IRAD research: free for in-person visits
• State Archives out-of-state search: $10 prepaid
• Tapestry land record search: $8.75 plus $1 per page

Cities in McHenry County

McHenry County does not have any cities with a population over 50,000 that qualify for a dedicated page on this site. The largest towns include Crystal Lake, McHenry, and Algonquin. All vital records for these communities go through the McHenry County Clerk in Woodstock.

Nearby Counties

These counties surround McHenry County. If your ancestor lived near the border, their records could be on file in a neighboring county. Boundaries shifted over the years in early Illinois, so always check the counties next door if your search turns up empty.