State Resources — Illinois

Updated: August 2002 • Data on CD-ROM • County Offices • Vital Records • State Archives and Libraries • Local Genealogical Societies • Helpful Web Sites • GenForum Message Boards • Indiana • Iowa • Kentucky • Michigan • Minnesota • Wisconsin

 Vital Records

State office has birth and death records since January 1916, and marriage and divorce indexes since January 1962. Certified copies of marriage and divorce records are not available from the state office and must be obtained from the county.

Birth and Death Records

	On the Internet: Illinois Department of Public Health.
	Call (217) 782-6553 for information on record lookup fees.
	Write to: Division of Vital Records Illinois Department of Public Health 605 West Jefferson Street Springfield, IL 62702-5097
	Notes: • For county marriage records or marriages before May 1947, contact the County Recorder in county where the license was issued. • For county divorce records or divorces before May 1947, contact the County Recorder in county where the divorce was granted.

Marriage and Divorce Records

	Call (217) 782-6553 to verify fees. This will be a recorded message.
	Write to: Division of Vital Records Illinois Department of Public Health 605 West Jefferson Street Springfield, IL 62702-5097
	Notes: • For certified copies of a marriage record, write to the County Clerk in county where the license was issued. Cost will vary. • For certified copies of a divorce record, write to the County Clerk in county where the divorce was granted. Cost will vary.

 State Archives and Libraries

They currently have federal census records from 1810-1920, a card file of Civil War soldiers, death and marriage records from 1916 to 1942, state census records and land records, a listing of counties and their holdings, a listing of 6 state universities and their holdings, and IRD (Illinois Register Depositories).

	Call (217) 782-4682 or Fax (217) 524-3930. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30, Saturday 8:00-3:30, closed Sunday.
	Write to: Illinois State Archives Margaret Cross Norton Building Capitol Complex Springfield, IL 62756 (217) 782-4682

 Local Genealogical Societies

	Write to: Illinois State Genealogical Society P.O. Box 10495 Springfield, IL 62791 Telephone: (217) 789-1968
	Publications: Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly, Illinois State Genealogical Society Newsletter