Aurora Obituary Records
Aurora obituary records are handled by multiple county clerks because the city sits across four counties. Most of Aurora falls in Kane County, which has an office right in Aurora at 5 E. Downer Place. Parts of the city also extend into DuPage, Will, and Kendall counties. When you search for a death record in Aurora, the key is knowing which county the death took place in. That determines which clerk's office holds the record you need.
Aurora Quick Facts
Kane County Clerk Aurora Office
The Kane County Clerk is the main source for Aurora obituary records. Kane County has a branch office in Aurora, which makes getting death certificates more convenient than traveling to the main office in Geneva. The Aurora office is at 5 E. Downer Place, Suite F, Aurora, IL 60505. John A. Cunningham is the Kane County Clerk, and his office keeps death records from 1878 to the present.
| Office | Kane County Clerk - Aurora Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 5 E. Downer Pl., Suite F Aurora, IL 60505 |
| Main Phone | (630) 232-5950 |
| Hours | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8:30am-4:30pm Wed: 8:30am-8:00pm |
| Website | clerk2.kanecountyil.gov/VitalRecords |
The Kane County Clerk charges $20 for the first certified copy of a death certificate and $10 for each extra copy. If no record is found, there is an $11 search fee. You can also pay a $2.50 convenience fee if using a credit or debit card in person. Online orders go through VitalChek, which adds another $10 on top of the base fee. The Wednesday evening hours until 8 PM are helpful for Aurora residents who work during the day and cannot visit during regular hours.
Note: The Aurora office of the Kane County Clerk handles the same services as the main Geneva office.
Aurora Obituary Records Across Counties
Aurora is one of the few Illinois cities that spans four counties. This can make searching for obituary records a bit more complex. If you are not sure which part of Aurora a death occurred in, you may need to check with more than one county clerk. Here is where to go for each county that covers part of Aurora.
For deaths in the Kane County portion of Aurora, contact the Kane County Clerk at (630) 232-5950. The Kane County death certificates page has details on what you need to submit. For the DuPage County part, the DuPage County Clerk at 421 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton handles those records. Call them at (630) 407-5500. DuPage County charges $18 for the first certified copy and $6 for additional copies.
Deaths in the Will County portion of Aurora go through the Will County Clerk at 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. You can reach them at (815) 740-4615 or email vitalrecords@willcounty.gov. Will County charges $16 for the first copy. The Kendall County portion is small, but if the death happened there, contact the Kendall County Clerk. Most Aurora residents will find their records through Kane County since it covers the largest area of the city.
Kane County Vital Records Portal
The Kane County Clerk runs an online portal where Aurora residents can start the process of getting death certificates. You can view the Kane County vital records page for instructions on ordering obituary records.
The portal covers all vital record types including death, birth, and marriage certificates. Aurora residents who prefer to order online can use the VitalChek link on this page. In-person visits to the Aurora office are another good option, especially on Wednesdays when the office stays open until 8 PM.
Requesting Aurora Death Records
To get a death certificate for someone who died in Aurora, you start by filling out the proper request form. The form asks for the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and your connection to that person. Under the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), you must prove you have a right to the record. Family members like a spouse, parent, child, or sibling qualify. So do legal representatives and people with a property right interest such as an insurance claim or estate matter.
You need a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID all work. If you don't have any of those, three forms of ID with your current name and address can serve as proof instead. The Kane County Clerk accepts requests in person at the Aurora office, by mail, and online through VitalChek. Mail requests should include a check or money order made out to the Kane County Clerk.
For genealogical research into Aurora obituary records, you can get uncertified copies of death records that are 20 or more years old. These are cheaper than certified copies and are fine for family history work. The Illinois Department of Public Health also handles statewide death record requests if you prefer to go through the state. The state fee is $19 for a certified copy, but expect about 12 weeks for processing by mail.
Kane County Death Records Page
The Kane County Clerk also has a page dedicated to death certificates. The Kane County death certificates page shows the specific forms and fees for ordering death records in Aurora and the rest of Kane County.
This page has downloadable forms and explains the different types of copies available. It also lists the genealogical search options at genealogy.kanecountyclerk.org for death records that are at least 20 years old. Aurora residents searching for older obituary records will find this tool helpful for tracing family history in the area.
Note: Kane County death records go back to 1878, making it one of the better archives in Illinois for historical research.
Illinois Law on Aurora Death Records
Illinois treats death records as confidential. They are not public records, and they are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act under 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(a). When you request an obituary record in Aurora, the clerk must verify your identity and right to the record before releasing a copy. Under 410 ILCS 535/18, each death in Illinois must be registered by filing a death certificate with the local registrar within seven days. The funeral director is responsible for filing the completed certificate, and the attending physician must complete the medical portion within 48 hours.
For certified copies used in legal matters like settling an estate or claiming insurance, only authorized people can order them. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, the state charges $10 per name for a five-year genealogical search. Additional years cost $1 per year. These rules apply to all Aurora obituary records whether you go through Kane County, DuPage County, or the state.
Kane County Obituary Records
Aurora is primarily in Kane County, and most death records for Aurora residents are held by the Kane County Clerk. The county has records going back to 1878 and serves over 516,000 residents across all its cities and towns. For full details on Kane County obituary resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Illinois Cities
These cities near Aurora also have obituary record resources. Each is served by its respective county clerk's office for death certificates and related records.