Apply for a Vital Record - Birth, Marriage/Civil Union or Death

Vital records are protected by the Vital Records Act, which does not provide for giving out information over the telephone. A search fee is required in advance, plus we must determine if the person is entitled to the record (person on the record if 18 years of age or older, parent(s) shown on the record, or legal guardian or legal representative of the child - written evidence or guardianship is required) before issuing or releasing any information. Vital Records cannot be faxed/emailed.  If you need an Apostille, contact the Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department at 800-252-8980.

You can come in person to our office (cash, local checks or certified funds only) to request a vital record or request via mail or online thru Official Records Online.

To request a vital record via the United States Postal Service, print this form click here. 

If you want to give consent to a Third Party to receive your BIRTH record click here.

To request online we use Official Records Online (certified only):  

 https://www.officialrecordsonline.com/Select/Index.html?state=IL&county=...

                (If you have any problems submitting online,  contact Official Records Online at 877-345-1210.)

If you do not have photo identification, for acceptable proof per IDPH click here.

**To request a birth certificate of a deceased person, complete this State required form (click here) and send with all documents. 

CERTIFIED & GENEALOGY COPIES

*Written requests should be mailed to Jefferson County Clerk, 100 South 10th Street, Room 105, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Certified funds payment, a copy of photo identification, and a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) must accompany request. 

MARRIAGE & CIVIL UNION RECORDS

Fee: $15 for first and $10 for each additional copy of the same record at the same time. Requirements: Name of Couple and date of marriage
Only couple and their parents listed on back can get full certified copy.  Local checks, cash or certified funds, plus SASE if mail return requested.  Vital Records cannot be faxed or emailed.

*Request in writing or in person with a copy of ID

“For Genealogy Purposes Only” copy may be issued to a person with a genealogical interest for a $10 fee either in person or by mail. Our marriage records begin with 1830, and must be 50 years old to obtain a full copy or 20 years old for the front only copy. (The front only copy does not show parents, etc., if available.) 

BIRTH RECORD

Fee: $15 for first and $10 for each additional copy of the same record at the same time.  Local checks, cash or certified funds, plus SASE if mail return requested.  Vital Records cannot be faxed or emailed.

Who may receive a certified copy:

• The person named on record if they are 18 years of age or older
• The parents whose names are listed on the record
• Relative with a notarized statement from one of the above, statement must list name and date on record and name of who is allowed to pick up (with ID)
• Legal guardian of person with Court papers and ID
• Legal representative (attorney) to whom the record related
• Veterans administration or an accredited veterans organization (no charge)

*Request may be made in person or in writing. Identification is required – driver’s license or State ID or picture identification.
“For Genealogy Purposes Only” copy can be issued to a person having a genealogical interest for a $10 fee either in person or by mail. Our birth records start with 1878, and must be at least 75 years old for a genealogy copy. 

DEATH RECORD

Fee: $15 for first and $10 for each additional copy of the same record at the same time.  Local checks, cash or certified funds, plus SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) if mail return requested.  Vital Records cannot be faxed or emailed.

Who may receive a certified copy:

• Administrator or executor of the decedent’s estate
• Immediate family members
• Veterans administration or an accredited veterans organization (no charge)
• A person having a personal or property right interest in the record with a letter or document from the agency that needs the death certificate (such as car title transfer)

*Request may be in person or in writing with identification
“For Genealogy Purposes Only” copy can be issued to a person with a genealogical interest for a $10 fee either in person or by mail. Our death records start with 1877, and must be at least 20 years old for a genealogy copy.