Birth Certificates

Copies of Birth certificates of children born in the State of Illinois may be obtained from the Illinois Department of Public Health – Vital Records and in possibly less time from the county registrar where the children were born, within the following guidelines: Birth records are not public records and only the following are entitled to receive certified copies:

• The person named on the record if 18 years or older.
• The parent(s) shown on the record.
• A legal guardian or legal representative of the child. Written evidence of guardianship or legal representation is required.

County Access to Birth Certificates: Birth certificates can be obtained from the Illinois County of Birth Records Registrar more quickly that from the Department of Public Health Vital Records Office. Each County registrar’s office will require specific instructions and requirements to obtain a birth record.

State Access to Birth Certificates: Birth records can be obtained online, by mail, fax and in person from the Illinois Department of Public Health – Vital Records, 605 West Jefferson St. Springfield, Illinois 62702-5097 217-782-6553. Website: http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/birth.htm The following brief directions are in more detail on the website above.

Online: A major credit card is required to order online with an additional fee charged for ordering online. http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/birthorder_online.htm

Mail: Complete the form and include a money order or cashiers check for the fee. Approximately six weeks is required for delivery. http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/vital/pdf/birthfrm.pdf

Fax: Complete the form in the mail directions, Orders can be faxed to 217-523-2648. You will need to include the application for search of birth record files, PDF format, (Click here if you're having trouble downloading the form.) and a transmittal/cover sheet that includes the following information: Full directions can be found for faxing at http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/birthorder_fax.htm

In Person: In-person orders using the application for search of birth record files can be dropped off for mail out within two business days at the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records office, 605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. PLEASE NOTE: the person requesting the record will be asked to show a valid picture identification card.