User:Evancol/Sandbox/How to Find Illinois Birth Records

How to Find United States Birth Records Illinois  Illinois Births

Illinois gained statehood in 1816. In 1877, Illinois required all births be reported to the county clerk; however, many were not reported because compliance was not enforced. The statewide registration began in 1916 with full compliance by 1922.

Search these Illinois collections:


 * at FamilySearch. Index only (Free)
 * 1877-1940: Most entries were indexed from microfilmed county records.
 * 1842-1872: Indexed from Illinois births, prior to act, excluding Chicago: 1842, 1849-1872, microfilmed records. See 
 * 1824-1940: Includes entries indexed from church records or submitted by individuals.
 * 28 counties are missing from this index. For a list of counties included, see Coverage Table

How to find the birth record, if you find the birth in the above index:

 * FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information includes a GS microfilm number you can request the digital image using the Photoduplication request process, or order the microfilm from the FamilySearch Library.
 * Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) - many Illinois vital records are available at low or no cost via IRAD. Check the IRAD Local Government Records Database to see if birth records are available for the county for that date range.  Select the county from the list and search for the word "Birth".  IRAD accepts requests by phone.
 * Individual County Clerks - If there is no GS microfilm number available and the records aren't available via IRAD, contact the county clerk where your ancestor was born and order a copy of the birth record. Some Illinois counties have digitized their records and made them available online for a fee.

If you did not locate the birth
Before 1881, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place. Use the Record Selection chart to find other records that may contain your ancestor's birth information.

Births after 1916
The Vital Records office of the Illinois Department of Public Health has copies of births from 1916 to present day. Anything before 1916 must be obtained from the county clerk's office in the county where the birth occurred.

Obtain the Certificate
See restrictions below to find if you "qualify" to order a certificate. You must have full name, exact date and place of the birth to order from the Illinois State Department of Public Health. If you do not have the exact information, a search can be conducted for a fee. Contact the Vital Records Office for more information.

Restrictions to qualify for certificates of persons born within the last 75 years: To obtain a copy of the certificate, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parents shown on the certificate
 * A legal guardian or legal representative of the child. Written evidence of guardianship or legal representation is required.

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