Vital records office in Illinois
How to obtain certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates from Illinois for immigration filings, USCIS evidence, school enrollment, or any other purpose.
Illinois
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Birth
Event: Birth Cost of copy: certified copy: $15.00 certification: $10.00 Address: Division of Vital Records Illinois Department of Public Health 925 E Ridgely Avenue Springfield, IL 62702 Remarks: State office has records since January 1916. For earlier records and for copies of State records since January 1916, write to County Clerk in county where event occurred (county fees vary). The fee for a search of the State files is $10.00. If the record is found, one certification is issued at no additional charge. Additional certifications of the same record ordered at the same time are $2.00 each. The fee for a full certified copy is $15.00. Additional certified copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $2.00 each. Money orders, certified checks, or personal checks should be made payable to Illinois Department of Public Health . To verify current fees, the telephone number is (217) 782-6553. This will be a recorded message. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the Illinois Department of Public Health website . Death
Event: Death Cost of copy: certified copy: $19.00 genealogical copy: $10.00 Address: Division of Vital Records Illinois Department of Public Health 925 E Ridgely Avenue Springfield, IL 62702 Remarks: State office has records since January 1916. For earlier records and for copies of State records since January 1916, write to County Clerk in county where event occurred (county fees vary). Genealogical (uncertified) copies are available from the state for death records 20 years or older for $10.00. Additional genealogical copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $2.00 each. The fee for a full certified copy is $19.00. Additional certified copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $4.00 each. Money orders, certified checks, or personal checks should be made payable to Illinois Department of Public Health . To verify current fees, the telephone number is (217) 782-6553. This will be a recorded message. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the Illinois Department of Public Health website . Marriage/Civil Union
Event: Marriage/Civil Union Cost of copy: $5.00 Address: Division of Vital Records Illinois Department of Public Health 925 E Ridgely Avenue Springfield, IL 62702 Remarks: Marriage Index since January 1962. Civil Union Index since January 2012. Selected items may be verified (fee $5.00). Certified copies are NOT available from State office. For certified copies, write to the County Clerk in county where license was issued. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the Illinois Department of Public Health website . Dissolution of Marriage/Civil Union
Event: Dissolution of Marriage/Civil Union Cost of copy: $5.00 Address: Division of Vital Records Illinois Department of Public Health 925 E Ridgely A
Illinois vital records office details
- CDC W2W (Where to Write) page: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/illinois.htm
Why immigrants need certified vital records
USCIS, courts, schools, and many other US agencies require certified vital records (not photocopies) for:
- I-130 family petition — birth certificate proves family relationship
- I-485 adjustment of status — birth certificate of applicant and beneficiaries
- N-400 naturalization — marriage certificate if applying under spouse-of-USC 3-year rule
- Apostille — for use of US documents in foreign countries (your home country may require US apostille)
- School enrollment — proof of date of birth
- Real ID applications — proof of identity
Apostille and authentication
If you need to use a Illinois vital record OUTSIDE the United States (e.g., for use at your home country’s consulate), you typically need an apostille from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. See /procedures/apostille-document/ for the process.
Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — your home country’s transcription/legalization of US records
- Translate documents for USCIS — certified-translation standard
- Apostille (document legalization) — for use abroad
- USCIS Form I-130 — family petition — uses vital records as evidence
- USCIS Form N-400 — naturalization — vital records for marriage-based 3-year rule
Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; verify with the Illinois office.
Order vital records in Illinois
Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by each state. Use your state's official guide:
- Illinois — how to order birth, death & marriage certificates (official CDC guide)
Birth certificate copy: about $5.00 (verify current fee)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get a US birth certificate from Illinois?
How do I get a marriage certificate from Illinois?
What if my certificate is in Spanish or another language?
Can I order vital records for someone else?
The rules change. Hear about it first.
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.