Get a Certified Illinois Death Certificate

Illinois does not record deaths that occur on U.S. military bases overseas. These deaths are registered with the U.S. Department of State if the deceased's parents were U.S. citizens at the time. https://www.vitalrecordsonline.com/glossary/consular-report-of-birth-abroad You can request the necessary documentation by contacting the U.S. Department of State and obtaining a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).

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.

• Legal Name of the Decedent
• Sex
• Date of Death
• City and County of Death
• Age at Last Birthday
• Date of Birth
• Hospital or Other Institution Name
• Place of Death
• Birthplace
• Social Security Number
• Marital Status
• Surviving Spouse/Partner Information
• Armed Forces Information
• Last Known Residence
• Parents Information
• Informant Name Relationship and Mailing Address
• Method, Place, Location, and Date of Disposition of Decedent Body
• Funeral Home and Funeral Director Details
• Female Pregnancy Status
• Workplace Injury Information
• Date Last Seen Alive
• Date Pronounced and Time of Death
• Certifier Information

Illinois death certificates are one of the most important legal documents and the only proof that someone has passed away. They are used for crucial purposes, particularly in legal, financial, and personal matters. The vital record is fundamental after someone has died to handle financial affairs, benefit claims, verification for institutions, estate settlements, and benefits from government agencies.

Death certificates are often helpful or required for:
Settling Estates
Claiming Pension and Retirement Benefits
Marriage and Divorce Finalization
Genealogy and Historical Research
Claiming Life Insurance
Managing Accounts at Financial Institutions
Making Funeral and Burial Arrangements
Tax Filings
Claiming Social Security and Government Benefits
Handling Property Mortgage and Real Estate Matters
Enrolling in school

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:

1. The certified copy of the death certificate, with the original signature and seal of the current Illinois State Registrar;
2. A completed Application for Authentication Form (specify which country you will submit the document to); and
3. A payment of $2.00 per document – checks and money orders should be made payable to the "Secretary of State," or you can provide your credit card information.

Submit your request to the Illinois Secretary of State Index Department at the following addresses:

In-person/by mail (standard or express courier):