View source for How to Find Illinois Death Records

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| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]] 
| link3=[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to Find U.S. Death Records]]
| link4=[[Illinois Vital Records|Illinois Vital Records]]
| link5=[[How to Find Illinois Death Records|How to Find Illinois Death Records]]
}} __NOTOC__ 

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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:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Death Records'''</span> 
:<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span><br>

:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Illinois Death Records#Deaths_before_1916|Deaths before 1916]]'''</span> 
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Illinois Death Records#Deaths_from_1916_thru_1950|Deaths from 1916 thru 1950]]''' </span> 
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Illinois Death Records#Deaths_from_1950_to_the_present|Deaths from 1950 to the present]]'''</span> 
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Death Information|Death year unknown]]'''</span>

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'''[[How to Find United States Death Records#Tips_about_Searching_United_States_Death_Records|Learn more about U.S. Death Records]]''' 

<br> 

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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.<br> 

==== For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following database.<br>  ====

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| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Illinois Deaths Database - Includes Index only''' 
| <br> 
| <br>
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| <br> 
| width="25%" | [http://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/death.html#obtain Pre-1916, Illinois State Archives Statewide Death Index]<br> 
| width="65%" | '''Free;''' ongoing project. See the [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/deathlst.html list of counties] included in the index.<br>
|}

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 [http://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/IRAD/iradholdings.html 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 [http://vitalrec.com/il.html#County county clerk] where the death occurred.<br> 

If you were unable to find the death record in the above database, you must search [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|substitute records]] to locate your ancestor’s death date and place. 
*{{RecordSearch|3541609|Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999}}, index.
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| align="center" colspan="3" | &nbsp; '''Records that give death information:'''
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| width="35%" | 
:[[Illinois Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]] 
:[[Illinois Newspapers|Newspapers]] 
:[[Illinois Probate Records|Probate (wills, etc)]] 
:[[Illinois Taxation|Tax Records]]

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:[[Illinois Church Records|Church Records]] 
:[[Illinois Census|Census]] 
:[[Illinois Bible Records|Bible Records]]

|}
<center>[[How to Find Illinois Death Records#Next_Step:_When_did_the_death_occur.3F|Return to top: Choose another death year]]<br></center> 
<br> 

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== '''Deaths from 1916 thru 1950'''  ==

The state of Illinois began recording deaths in 1916. <br> 

==== STEP ONE: Find Death Information<br>  ====

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link. 

{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
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| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Illinois Deaths Databases - Includes Index only''' 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| ''Try 1st:'' 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| <br> 
| width="25%" | [http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/idphdeathindex.html 1916-1950 Illinois State Archives Statewide Death Index] 
| width="65%" | '''Free;''' name index of Illinois statewide death registration entries
|-
| ''Next try:'' 
| <br> 
| <br>
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| {{RecordSearch|1438856|1916-1947 - At FamilySearch.org}}
| '''Free; '''name index of deaths and stillbirths in Illinois, 1916-1947.'''Also on [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2542 Ancestry.org] ($), [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2542 free at family history centers.]<br>'''
|-
| width="10%" | <br> 
| {{RecordSearch|3541609|Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999}}, index.
| '''Free'''

|-
| <br> 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| <br> 
| width="25%" | ''Can't find your ancestors?'' 
| Go to Step Two Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the [http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records/death-records Illinois Department of Public Health].
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Social Security Death Indexes'''
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| align="left" colspan="2" |
*{{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}} 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3693 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014] ($) 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60901 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007], Incomplete, ($). 
|
|
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?''' 
| [[Tips for Searching an Online Index|Tips for searching online indexes]] 
| <br>
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''No death record for your ancestor?''' 
| [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|Other records with death information]] 
| <br>
|}

==== '''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:<br> 

{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
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| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Death Certificates'''
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| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://vitalrec.com/il.html#County From County of Death] 
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/default.htm From IL Dept. of Public Health]
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| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros''' 
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Cons''' 
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros''' 
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Cons'''
|-
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state 
| County websites can be more difficult to use 
| Offers a search of the state index 
| May be more expensive than ordering from the county
|}

<br> 

The [http://ilgensoc.org/cpage.php?pt=59 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.<br> 

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

If you do not want to order the death record, there are [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|other records with death information]] you can search.<br> <br> 

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

If you do not know the exact date or place of death,the [http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/default.htm Illinois Department of Public Health] will conduct a limited search. '''<br>''' Restrictions: Copies of death records from Illinois for genealogical purposes are available for deaths that occurred at least 20 years prior to the request.<br> 

If you do not want to order the death record, there are [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|other records with death information]] you can search.<br> 
<center>[[How to Find Illinois Death Records#Next_Step:_When_did_the_death_occur.3F|Return to top: Choose another death year]]</center> 
<br> 

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== '''Deaths from 1950 to the present'''  ==

The state of Illinois began recording deaths in 1916.<br> 

'''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: 

{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
|-
| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Death Certificates'''
|-
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://vitalrec.com/il.html#County From County of Death] 
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/default.htm From IL Dept. of Public Health]
|-
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros''' 
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Cons''' 
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros''' 
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Cons'''
|-
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state 
| County websites can be more difficult to use 
| Offers a search of the state index <br> 
| May be more expensive than ordering from the county
|}

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

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|other records with death information]]. 

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

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| align="left" colspan="2" | ''Try:'' 
| <br> 
| <br>
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| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Social Security Death Index (SSDI)''' 
| <br> 
| <br>
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| <br> 
| width="25%" | [http://www.genealogybank.com/gbnk/ssdi/ 1937 to present at Genealogy Bank] 
| width="65%" | '''Free;''' most current version; few records before 1962; gives place where the last benefit was sent
|-
| <br>
| width="25%" | {{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index}} 
| width="65%" | '''Free;''' 
|-
| <br>
| width="25%" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3693 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014]
| width="65%" | '''($);''' [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3693 Free at family history centers.]
|-
| <br>
| width="25%" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60901 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014]
| width="65%" | '''($);''' [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60901 Free at family history centers,] Incomplete.
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | ''Or try:'' 
| <br> 
| <br>
|-
| <br> 
| [http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/default.htm Request a search from IL Dept. of Public Health] 
| '''($);''' Click on "How to Order a Death Certificate"
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Don't want to order the death record?''' 
| Search [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|other records with death information]] 
| <br>
|}
<center>[[How to Find Illinois Death Records#Next_Step:_When_did_the_death_occur.3F|Return to top: Choose another death year]]</center> 
<br> 

<br> 

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=== Related Wiki Articles  ===

:*[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to Find United States Birth Records]] 
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|Learn more about U.S. Death Records]] 
:*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]] 
:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]] 
:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] 
:*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]] 
:*[[United States Birth Records|United States Birth Records ]] 
:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]

{{Illinois|Illinois}}[[Category:Illinois_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]