Get your Certified Illinois Birth Certificate

A certified copy of an Illinois birth certificate costs $15 from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $2. County clerk offices may charge different fees. Expedited processing and shipping are available for additional charges.

You may also need to order a Illinois death certificate through our secure online service.

Yes, you can order an Illinois birth certificate online through an approved service provider. You can also apply by mail or in person at the IDPH office in Springfield or through your local county clerk. Online ordering is typically the fastest method.

Looking for a different document? Order a Illinois marriage certificate through our secure online service.

In Illinois, eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, a parent, a legal guardian, a spouse, an adult child, or a legal representative. If you need someone else to request the certificate on your behalf, they can submit a signed and notarized affidavit or use a Power of Attorney (PoA) from the authorized applicant.

Need another vital record? Get your Illinois divorce certificate through our secure online service.

Illinois birth certificates are not public records. Access is restricted to eligible individuals as defined by Illinois law. The IDPH requires proof of identity and eligibility before issuing a certified copy to protect personal information.

New to our service? Learn how our service works through our secure online service.

An official Illinois birth certificate will have distinct features to indicate the IDPH issues it. The appearance of an official birth certificate may differ depending on the year it was issued. It often includes key information to verify a person's identity and the legitimacy of their citizenship at birth. A long-form (official) birth certificate is used legally, whereas a short-form (informational) copy is usually not. The IDPH defines specific guidelines for counties that may use unique colors and layouts. In all cases, official birth certificates will generally display features such as:

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

We also offer Illinois death certificate through our secure online service.

If you lose your birth certificate:

1. Submit a certified replacement application in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the IDPH.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the vital records-issuing agency in the county where the birth occurred.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the IDPH at:
      
      IDPH Vital Records
      925 E. Ridgely Avenue Springfield, IL 62702-2737
      
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
      
2. The IDPH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

The IDPH: Division of Vital Records’ process for correcting or amending an individual’s birth certificate is straightforward. The forms required depend on the information that needs to be amended. When a birth record is changed, an amendment is necessary. Supplemental changes become addendums to the original vital record; however, it is impossible to alter the original document. In accordance with Senate Bill 180, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment can no longer process gender identity amendments on birth certificates.

To correct or amend a birth record, you will need:

1. A completed amendment application;
2. Supporting documentation;
3. Appropriate fee(s);
4. A notarized affidavit completed by an authorized person.

Learn more about correcting or amending birth certificates.

Browse our Illinois marriage certificate through our secure online service.

An apostille is typically needed when filing a birth certificate with a foreign government. Apostilles are issued for birth certificates initially filed with the Division of Vital Records. Apostilles for Illinois birth records can be obtained online through Vital Records Online or the Secretary of State Index Department.

If you are manually sending your certificates to the Secretary of State Index Department, you will need to submit the following documents:

1. Your certified copy of your vital records certificate.
2. A completed Application for Authentication or Apostille stating in which country the certificate will be used.
3. A payment of $2.00 per document can be either a check or money order made payable to the Secretary of State.
4. A self-addressed, stamped return envelope – if you use prepaid Express Mail, Priority Mail, FedEx, UPS, or Airborne Express, you must include a prepaid bill receipt and pre-printed shipping label from that carrier.

For Express or standard courier:
Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department

17 N. State St., Ste 1010, Chicago, IL 60602

For in-person, walk-in service:
Secretary of State, Index Department

111 E. Monroe, Springfield, IL 62756

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Illinois birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a Illinois birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

You may also need to order a Illinois death certificate through our secure online service.

Processing times for a Illinois birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Illinois vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Illinois birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

Looking for a different document? Order a Illinois marriage certificate through our secure online service.

Chicago residents can request an Illinois birth certificate through the Cook County Clerk’s office or the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The Cook County Clerk handles births that occurred in Cook County, while IDPH processes statewide requests. You can also order your Illinois birth certificate online for convenient delivery. Many Chicago residents need a birth certificate when applying for an Illinois marriage certificate or death certificate.

Same-day birth certificate service may be available if you visit the Cook County Clerk’s office in Chicago or a local county clerk in person. Walk-in requests are subject to availability. Online and mail orders through IDPH typically take 4–6 weeks for standard processing. Many Illinois residents need a certified birth certificate quickly for a REAL ID application or passport renewal.

Aurora residents can request an Illinois birth certificate through the Kane County or DuPage County Clerk’s office, depending on which side of Aurora the birth occurred. For a statewide option, you can apply through VitalRecordsOnline.com. A certified birth certificate is commonly needed for a Social Security card or driver’s license renewal.