Request your official Illinois death certificate online with confidence. Whether for estate, legal, or personal use, you can complete your application in minutes. We handle the preparation and submission to the Illinois vital records office, saving you time. Apply now and receive your certified copy by mail.
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Learn how to order an Illinois death certificate from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The current processing time for requests is 4 to 6 weeks. The state fee for certified copies is $19.00, and each additional copy is $4.00. Uncertified copies cost $10.00 and $4.00 for additional copies. Individuals authorized to request death records include family members, agencies, or persons with a personal or property interest in the decedent.
You can now order Illinois death certificate through VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order death certificate. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records (IDPH) for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your death certificate to you. You can place the order yourself by mail through the IDPH by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. Before ordering, confirm and review the costs, eligibility, requirements, and current processing times to ensure a smooth application process.
Requesting an Illinois death certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
To request Illinois death certificate, you must provide valid identification and be an authorized recipient. Acceptable primary IDs include a state-issued driver’s license, U.S. passport, or active duty military ID. If you do not have a primary ID, the IDPH accepts two forms of secondary identification; refer to the list below. Death records are restricted to family members, agencies, and persons with personal or property interest in the decedent. Applicants must submit a completed request form and a valid ID(s), as listed below.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
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Driver’s License All identification must include:
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Cost & fees
Illinois's death certificate costs vary depending on the IDPH fees and the application method. A certified copy costs $19.00, with additional copies priced at $4.00 each. When using VRO's online filing service, the fee starts at $29.00, plus state fees. VRO provides a secure online solution for ordering death certificates.
State Fee |
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$19.00 |
Rush Processing |
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Not offered |
Additional Copy |
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1 x $4.00 |
It is generally recommended to order at least three to four certified copies of an Illinois death certificate. Multiple copies are often needed simultaneously for different purposes, and having extras on hand can save time and additional fees later.
Common situations requiring a certified copy include closing bank accounts, filing insurance claims, transferring property titles, settling the estate through probate court, and notifying government agencies such as the Social Security Administration. Each institution typically requires its own original certified copy and will not accept photocopies.
Ordering additional copies at the time of your initial request is more cost-effective than placing separate orders later. The Illinois Department of Public Health charges a reduced fee for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
A certified copy of an Illinois death certificate is a vital legal document required in numerous situations following a person's passing.
Illinois death certificates are commonly required to:
• Settle the deceased's estate — Probate courts require a certified death certificate to begin the estate settlement process, distribute assets, and transfer property titles.
• Claim life insurance benefits — Insurance companies require an official certified copy before processing any death benefit claims.
• Close or transfer financial accounts — Banks, investment firms, and retirement account administrators need a certified copy to release funds or transfer account ownership.
• Apply for survivor benefits — The Social Security Administration and other agencies require a death certificate when applying for survivor or dependent benefits.
• Transfer vehicle titles and real estate — The Illinois Secretary of State's office and county recorder's office require certified copies for ownership transfers.
Processing time
The standard processing time for replacement death certificates is currently 4 to 6 weeks. A rush processing option is available; see below for details. The total waiting time will also depend on how you submit your application and the necessary documents. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.
Processing Time |
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4 to 6 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
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Not offered |
Rush Processing:
If your request is urgent, submit it through an overnight delivery service, with proof of immediate need and a prepaid overnight delivery return envelope. IDPH will process the certificate request within 5 to 7 business days.
Suggestions for proof of immediate need are:
Authorization
Under Illinois law, death certificates are classified as public records for 75 years from the death. Until then, access is restricted to authorized individuals, including immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct, legitimate interest. These authorized individuals can request certified copies of the death certificate, provided they present proper identification and meet the eligibility criteria.
The Illinois Department of Public Health typically does not require notarization for certified death record applications, regardless of how the request is submitted.
Tracking
When you place an order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online while it is being handled. VRO verifies your documents before forwarding them to the Illinois Department of Public Health's Division of Vital Records IDPH-DVR for further processing. Additionally, you can request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's journey to the health department for extra verification.
If you manually mail your death certificate request, purchasing first-class mail with tracking is recommended to know when your application is delivered to the IDPH-DVR. Check the state website for specific mailing instructions.
The IDPH-DVR does not provide mail tracking for the delivery of your vital records certificates to your address. Once the records leave the state office, the state is not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
In Illinois, death records are generally considered public records after a certain period. However, access to recent death records may be restricted to eligible applicants, including immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a documented legal or financial interest.
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains death records and sets the rules for who can obtain certified copies versus informational copies. A certified copy serves as a legal document suitable for official transactions, while an informational copy is marked as not valid for legal purposes and is typically used for genealogical or personal research.
If you are unsure whether you qualify to obtain a certified copy of an Illinois death certificate, VitalRecordsOnline.com can help guide you through the eligibility requirements and application process.
You can also request other Illinois vital records through Vital Records Online:
You can also explore our related guides:
frequently asked questions
Yes, most funeral homes in Illinois will order certified copies of the death certificate as part of their services. They typically file the death certificate with the local registrar and can request multiple copies for the family. You can also order additional copies later through VitalRecordsOnline.com or the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Illinois death records are generally accessible, though recent records may have restrictions on who can obtain certified copies. Eligible individuals include immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a documented legal interest. Older records may be more freely available for genealogical research.
If you are unsure of the exact details such as the full legal name or date of death, you can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health's Division of Vital Records for assistance. VitalRecordsOnline.com can also help guide you through the search process and assist with locating the correct record.
A certified copy of an Illinois death certificate costs $19 from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $4. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.
Yes, you can order an Illinois death certificate online through an approved service provider. You may also apply by mail or in person at the IDPH office in Springfield or through your local county clerk.
In Illinois, eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, a parent, an adult child, a sibling, the executor of the estate, or a legal representative. If you need to request a death certificate on behalf of an eligible person, you may submit a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) or a signed affidavit from the authorized applicant.
Illinois death certificates are considered public records after 20 years from the date of death. For records less than 20 years old, access is restricted to eligible individuals with a direct and tangible interest. The cause-of-death information may have additional restrictions.
An officially certified death certificate from the Illinois Department of Public Health and Social Services (HDPH) will have unique security features to ensure its authenticity. The appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year of issue. Still, it will contain essential details confirming the individual's identity at death. Official death certificates from Illinois typically feature the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar's signature. They are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. The HDPH issues these certificates to state guidelines, and all counties follow these secure issuance procedures.
The procedure for correcting or amending an Illinois death certificate is outlined below. The original certificate remains unchanged when an amendment is made; a new certificate is issued with the corrected information.
Obtain and Fill Out the Necessary Form, Original Affidavit, and Certificate of Correction form signed by the person requesting the correction.
Pay the Amendment Fee
A check or money order should be made payable to IDPH. The amendment fee is $15.00, and each additional certified copy requested simultaneously costs $2.00.
Gather Supporting Documentation
A valid, non-expired, government-issued photo ID of the requester is required for the correction. To find out more about the documents necessary for the requested correction, please visit IDPH's website.
Submit the Application
Return all documents to the ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH Division of Vital Records, 925 E. Ridgely Ave. Springfield, IL 62702-2737
Processing Time
Amendment processing times vary: Simple amendments are usually completed within 12 weeks. More complex amendments, which may involve medical or legal documentation, could take longer depending on the complexity of the correction and whether further review is necessary.
You can order an apostille directly through the Secretary of State or online through VRO’s Express Apostille Service. The Secretary of State issues Apostilles, which are often required when filing an Illinois death certificate with a foreign government that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention.
If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille to the Illinois Secretary of State, you will need to provide the following items:
Submit your request to the Illinois Secretary of State Index Department at the following addresses:
In-person/by mail (standard or express courier):