Sangamon County Genealogy Search
Sangamon County genealogy records reach back to 1821, giving you almost two hundred years of vital records to search through in Springfield. The county clerk holds birth and marriage records from that year, and the circuit clerk offers a free online records lookup tool. This county sits at the center of Illinois and is home to the state capital, which means you also have the Illinois State Archives and IDPH within driving distance. Land records are online through Tapestry and Laredo with data and images from 1982 forward and scanned deed books going back to 1901. Whether you are looking for a birth record, a court case, or a property deed, Sangamon County has strong options for genealogy research.
Sangamon County Genealogy Quick Facts
Sangamon County Clerk Vital Records
The Sangamon County Clerk holds birth and marriage records from 1821. That makes this one of the oldest collections in the state. The office is at 200 S. Ninth Street, Room 101, in Springfield, IL 62701. You can call (217) 753-6700 or email VitalRecords@co.sangamon.il.us with questions. Walk-in visits are possible during business hours. Have the full name and approximate date ready when you make your request.
One of the best features for Sangamon County genealogy is the online birth index. This free tool covers births that are 75 or more years old. You can search by name right from your computer. The index shows you what records exist so you can then order a copy from the clerk. Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), birth records open for genealogy after 75 years, death records after 20 years, and marriage records after 50 years.
Here is the Sangamon County birth index search page where you can look up births going back 75 years and beyond.
The birth index is a good first step for anyone starting Sangamon County genealogy research from home.
| Office | Sangamon County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 S. Ninth Street, Room 101 Springfield, IL 62701 |
| Phone | (217) 753-6700 |
| VitalRecords@co.sangamon.il.us |
Sangamon County Circuit Clerk Records
The Sangamon County Circuit Clerk runs a free records lookup tool on their website. This lets you search for court cases, probate files, divorce records, and other filings. The service charges $4.00 per year searched. So if you are looking for records across a 10-year span, the fee would be $40. Still, the ability to search from home saves a lot of time compared to visiting the courthouse.
The circuit clerk page below shows the records lookup tool where you can search court files from Sangamon County.
Court records are a strong complement to vital records for genealogy. Probate files can list heirs and property. Civil cases might name family members. Divorce files from the early 1900s sometimes include details about children and assets that you won't find anywhere else.
Note: The $4.00 per year fee applies to each year the circuit clerk searches on your behalf.
Sangamon County Land Records
The Sangamon County Recorder offers online data and images from 1982 to the present. Deed books have been scanned back to 1901. You can access these through Tapestry and Laredo. Land records help genealogy researchers pin down where a family lived and when they owned property. Deeds name both the buyer and seller. Mortgage records show financial details. If your ancestor lived in Springfield or elsewhere in Sangamon County, these records can help you build a timeline of their life.
For land records before 1901, you may need to visit the recorder office in person or check the IRAD depository. The Counties Code (55 ILCS 5) gives county clerks and recorders the duty of keeping these records safe and available to the public. Sangamon County has done a good job making older records accessible through digitization.
Sangamon County Genealogy at State Archives
The IRAD depository for Sangamon County is at the University of Illinois Springfield. Call (217) 206-6520 to ask about their holdings. Research is free. IRAD stores older Sangamon County government records including early vital records, court files, and probate papers. Since Springfield is the state capital, you are also close to the Illinois State Archives on the Capitol Complex. The Archives hold free online databases including the statewide marriage index from 1763 to 1900 and death indexes.
The IDPH genealogy page is also based in Springfield. IDPH holds birth and death records from 1916 forward. Genealogy copies must be ordered by mail. The cost is $10 for a birth genealogy record and $10 for a death record. Processing takes about 12 weeks. You can also walk in to the IDPH office at 925 E. Ridgely Ave. during business hours for certified copies, though genealogy copies still have to go through the mail process.
Sangamon County Genealogy Fees
Sangamon County charges standard rates for vital record copies. Genealogical copies are uncertified and stamped "For Genealogical Purposes Only." At the state level, IDPH charges $10 for genealogical birth or death records. The circuit clerk's records lookup costs $4.00 per year searched. These fees are set by the county and can change, so call ahead if you want to confirm current prices.
The Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) governs public access to government records in Illinois. Vital records follow their own separate rules under the Vital Records Act, though. The Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) makes sure that counties preserve records properly and do not destroy them without authorization. This is part of why Sangamon County still has records from 1821.
Cities in Sangamon County
Sangamon County is home to Springfield, the state capital. Other communities include Chatham, Rochester, and Sherman. All rely on the Sangamon County Clerk for vital records.
Nearby Counties
These counties surround Sangamon County. If your ancestor lived near a county line, their records might be in one of these neighboring counties instead.