How to Find Illinois Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Illinois

The establishment of the Northwest Territory in 1787 included Illinois land, but the area became part of the Indiana Territory in 1800. Nine years later the Illinois Territory was established, followed by statehood in 1818.

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Next Step: When did the death occur?

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 * Death Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Deaths before 1916
 * Deaths from 1916 thru 1950
 * Deaths from 1950 to the present
 * Death year unknown


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Deaths before 1916
Most Illinois counties did not begin recording deaths until 1877. Death records prior to 1916 were recorded only by county clerks.

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following database.
Copies of death records included in the Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index may be obtained from the Illinois Regional Archives Depository System if IRAD holds death records for that county or from the county clerk in the county where the death occurred. Consult the Local Governmental Records Holdings Database to see if IRAD has death records for the county and date of the death you are requesting. Type the search term DEATH in the title field to return all death records in the IRAD holdings. If IRAD does have death records for the county you are searching and for the pertinent time period, write the appropriate IRAD depository and include in your letter all of the information on the death given in the Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index. If the record is not available from IRAD, contact the county clerk where the death occurred.

If you were unable to find the death record in the above database, you must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1916 thru 1950
The state of Illinois began recording deaths in 1916.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
Part A: You know the exact date of death

With an exact date of death (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

The Illinois State Genealogical Society has established a service to assist members and researchers who do not have easy access to the Illinois State Archives to obtain death certificate copies. They will retrieve the death certificate from the Archives and mail it to you for a fee.

Restrictions: Copies of death records from Illinois for genealogical purposes are available for deaths that occurred at least 20 years prior to the request.

If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

If you do not know the exact date or place of death,the Illinois Department of Public Health will conduct a limited search.   Restrictions: Copies of death records from Illinois for genealogical purposes are available for deaths that occurred at least 20 years prior to the request.

If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1950 to the present
The state of Illinois began recording deaths in 1916.

PART A: You know the exact date of death 

With an exact date (from your records), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

Restrictions: Copies of death records from Illinois for genealogical purposes are available for deaths that occurred at least 20 years prior to the request.

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

Return to top: Choose another death year

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