Death Certificate
Please note: Absolutely no information can be given over the telephone regarding Vital Records. Death Records are available from 1878.Under Illinois State Law (410 ILCS 535-Vital Records Act) only specific individuals have legal access to birth, death, or marriage certificates. The Ford County Clerk's Office will issue certificates to authorized individuals only. To do otherwise is a violation of Illinois Law. Vital Records are not considered public information, nor are they subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
To obtain a certified copy of a Death Certificate, you must be one of the following:
- Executive or Administrator of decedent’s estate.
- The informant listed on the Death Certificate.
- The next of kin.
- Someone who has a personal or property right interest in the certificate.
Requests made in the Office can be paid by Cash or Check
- Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except for county holidays).
- Requests made in the office require a valid Driver’s License, State-issued ID, or a Passport (Authorized English translation must accompany identification that is not U.S. issued).
Requests made through the mail
- All Mail Requests must include a copy of a signature ID. (The extension of the expiration date must be copied if applicable)
*IL Law (ILCS410/535/25(1)) requires advance payment for the searching of genealogical search of files. This $10.00 search fee is non-refundable and must be a separate check or money order. The cost for a genealogical copy is $7.00 for the first copy and $2.00 for each additional.
The cost for a certified copy is $9.00 for first copy, $4.00 each additional copy of the same Death Certificate. Please make your check payable to Ford County Clerk.
Click here to print the application to request a death certificate