Office of the City Clerk

Frank Lesko - City Clerk, Springfield Illinois

Skip Navigation LinksHome > Birth Death Records

Birth Certificates & Death Records

SANGAMON COUNTY RECORDS ONLY 1985 – PRESENT DATE

Birth Certificates

Birth certificates are confidential records. No information will be provided over the telephone regarding birth certificates. Pursuant to the Illinois Vital Records Act, only certain individuals have legal access to birth certificates. The Springfield City Clerk's Office will only issue certificates to authorized individuals. Vital Records are not considered public information and, as such, are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Our office only has birth records from 1985-current. If the birth occurred after January 1, 1985 in the City of Springfield, that record can be obtained at the Office of the City Clerk. The application for a birth record must indicate the requestor's relationship to the person and the intended use of the document. If the birth occurred prior to January 1, 1985 in the City of Springfield you may contact the Sangamon County Clerk's Office (217) 753-6700 or the Illinois Department of Vital Records (217) 782-6554. You may also order a birth record online via the Illinois Department of Vital Records if that birth occurred in another county in Illinois.

WHO MAY OBTAIN BIRTH RECORDS:

  • The record can be released to the person named on the record, if they are 18 years of age or over.
  • The parent, if their name appears on the birth certificate as the mother or father.
  • A legal guardian who possesses guardianship papers that are signed by a judge.
  • A legal representative who is representing the person named on the birth certificate or is represented by his/her parents.
  • A court order.

WHAT IDENTIFICATION IS REQUIRED:

  • The applicant must show a picture I.D. Acceptable forms of identification are a valid Driver's License, valid State Issued Identification Card, valid U.S. Passport or valid Military Identification Card; or
  • Three forms of I.D. that contain your current name and address, such as mail, checkbook or bill. Other acceptable forms of identification are a voter registration card, a W-2 Form (most recent), bank statement (most recent), utility bills or other mail with your name & address printed on it (no handwritten envelopes or documents will be accepted), or vehicle registration card.

Death Certificates

Death records are not public records and are only available to those who have a personal or property right interest with the decedent. If you are not a relative of the deceased person, a letter or document from the office or agency that needs the death certificate must accompany your request. The Springfield City Clerk's Office will only issue certificates to authorized individuals. Vital Records are not considered public information and, as such, are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Death records can also be obtained from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records, from the Sangamon County Clerk's Office, or from the county clerk's office in the county where the death occurred. No information will be provided over the telephone regarding death certificates. Pursuant to the Illinois Vital Records Act, only certain individuals have legal access to death certificates.

WHO MAY OBTAIN DEATH RECORDS:

  • The records can be released to a family member. A Valid Driver's License or State Identification card must be presented at the time the record is requested.
  • A legal representative.
  • A court order.

WHAT IDENTIFICATION IS REQUIRED:

  • The applicant must show a picture I.D. Acceptable forms of identification are a valid Driver's License, valid State Issued Identification Card, valid U.S.Passport or valid Military Identification Card; or
  • Three forms of I.D. that contain your current name and address, such as mail, checkbook or bill. Other acceptable forms of identification are a voter registration card, a W-2 Form (most recent), bank statement (most recent), utility bills or other mail with your name & address printed on it (no handwritten envelopes or documents will be accepted), or vehicle registration card.

Fee & Payment Information

WHAT IS THE FEE:

  • The fee for birth records and certified copies of death records is $17.00 for the first copy and $7.00 for each additional copy of the same record when purchased at the same time. Payment must be made in cash or a money order payable to the City of Springfield. The Office of the City Clerk also accepts Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Visa. A convenience fee of 2.10% PLUS $0.25, per transaction, will apply for using a debit or credit card. The fee for electronic checks is $0.50 per transaction. These fees are not charged or collected by the City of Springfield, they are paid to a third party.
  • The request must be signed by the applicant and can only be sent to those who are entitled to obtain a copy.
  • In order to obtain your copy, you MUST e-mail your request to the Springfield City Clerk's Office at: Vital.Records@Springfield.IL.US. Include a copy of a valid Driver's License or State Identification card, application, and payment confirmation.
  • To download an application for Birth Record click here, and for Death records click here.

 Click Here To Pay With Credit Card On-line



HOW TO OBTAIN A BIRTH OR DEATH RECORD BY MAIL:

  • The applicant must send a written request for the record. Click the link below to download the application. A birth record request must include the person's name at birth, date of birth and parents' names with mother's maiden name. A death record request must include the decedent's name, date and place of death, as well as the intended use of the document and your relationship to the decedent.
  • The request must be signed by the applicant and can only be sent to those who are entitled to obtain a copy. The required fee(s) should also be included. Mail your request to the Springfield City Clerk's Office, 300 S. 7th Street, Room 106, Springfield, IL 62701-1688. Include a copy of a valid Driver's License or State Identification card.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION FOR BIRTH RECORD.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION FOR DEATH RECORD.