Illinois
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An Illinois death certificate documents a death and provides information on when and how the person died. Death certificates can be used for insurance, for widows who want to remarry or for genealogical research. Illinois death certificates are not public record, so you must have a valid reason for requesting a death certificate.
1

Find out if you can obtain the death certificate. Illinois requires a personal or property right interest with the deceased. Obtaining a death certificate for the purpose of genealogy is valid if the death occurred at least 20 years prior. Nonrelative requests must include a letter from the agency that needs the death certificate.
2

Gather information. Include the deceased's full name, date of death and the city and county the death occurred. Any additional information like the deceased's parents' names or your relationship to the deceased should be included. Include a letter stating why you need the death certificate.
3

Photocopy your driver's license to include with the application. Illinois allows a person without a driver's license or state ID to obtain a death certificate by providing two documents with name and current address. One document can be a bill or piece of mail. The second document must be either an insurance card, car registration, credit card statement, bank statement, paycheck stub, public assistance card or voter registration card.
4

Pay the death certificate fee. As of 2010, a certified Illinois death certificate was $17. An uncertified copy (for genealogical purposes) is $10. Checks and money order are payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Credit cards are accepted, but cash is not. A $8.50 handling fee and a $19.50 UPS return delivery fee is applied to credit card payments.
5

Print the Application for Search of Death Record Files (see Resource). Send the application, copy of your driver's license and a reason for the request to:

Illinois Department of Public Health

Division of Vital Records

925 East Ridgely Ave.

Springfield, IL 62702-2737
6

Deliver an application in-person to the vital records office to get the death certificate sent to you within two business days. The requester must show valid picture ID to process the transaction.
7

Order a death certificate online (see Resource) using a credit card. Online applications may take up to three to five days to be processed. A $8.50 handling fee and a $19.50 UPS return delivery fee is applied to credit card payments.

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