Illinois Birth Records

illinois

Illinois has been maintaining birth records since July 1911 when the government made it mandatory to begin recording vital events such as births. Incomplete collections before 1911 may be available, but those requests must be made at the vital records in the county where the individual was born.

Illinois is a closed record state, which means that certified copies can only be requested by the person named on the certificate, as well as their immediate family members (including spouse) and lawyers representing them. Birth records in Illinois become public once they are 75 years old, which is for births in 1949 and before.

Illinois Vital Records Office

The office that handles birth records from 1911-2024 for the entire state of Illinois is The Department of Public Health, where they provide birth records, marriage records, divorce records, and death records.


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