Find Evanston Obituary Records
Evanston obituary records are managed by the Cook County Clerk office in Chicago. Evanston sits just north of Chicago along the Lake Michigan shore, with a population near 76,000. All death certificates for people who died in Evanston are filed through Cook County. You can search for these records online, request them by mail, or visit the Cook County Building in person. Finding an Evanston obituary means working with the county system, and this page walks through the steps, costs, and rules that apply.
Evanston Quick Facts
Cook County Clerk and Evanston Death Records
Evanston does not maintain its own death certificate office. The Cook County Clerk handles all vital records for Evanston, just like every other suburb in Cook County. Karen A. Yarbrough serves as the Cook County Clerk. Her office is in the Cook County Building at 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, in Chicago. Staff there can help you get certified copies of death records for anyone who died in Evanston. The office also has genealogical copies for deaths that are more than 20 years old.
You can reach the Cook County Clerk by phone at (866) 252-8974. The Cook County death certificates page has full details on how to place an order. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, the clerk charges a search fee and copy fee that follow the state schedule. A certified copy costs $19 for the first one and $4 for each extra. VitalChek is the approved online vendor for Cook County, so Evanston residents can order from home.
| Office | Cook County Clerk 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120 Chicago, IL 60602 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (866) 252-8974 |
| Fax | (866) 550-1846 |
| Website | cookcountyil.gov |
How to Find Evanston Obituary Records
Online ordering is the most used method for Evanston residents. Go to VitalChek and fill out the order form. Pay with a credit card. VitalChek adds a service fee of about $10 plus shipping. The total for one certified copy of an Evanston death record runs around $29 to $40 depending on shipping speed. Phone orders also go through VitalChek at (866) 252-8974.
Mail requests go to the Cook County Clerk at 118 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60602. Include the full name of the deceased, the date of death, your relationship to them, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee. Make it out to the Cook County Clerk. Allow a few weeks for mail processing. For Evanston obituary records, this is a cheaper option than VitalChek but takes longer.
In-person visits give you the fastest results. The Cook County Building is in the Loop, about 12 miles south of Evanston. You can take the CTA Purple Line from Evanston to downtown Chicago and walk to the building. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff will search and print copies while you wait. This is the best option if you need an Evanston death record the same day.
Note: Evanston public libraries may also have local obituary clipping files from newspapers, which can supplement official death records.
Evanston Obituary Fees and Costs
Fees for Evanston death records match the Cook County schedule. Here is what you can expect to pay:
- Certified copy: $19 first, $4 each extra
- Genealogical copy: $10 first, $2 each extra
- VitalChek service fee: approximately $10
- Shipping: varies by speed
- State search fee: $10 per name per five-year block (410 ILCS 535/25)
Genealogical copies of Evanston obituary records are only available for deaths that happened 20 or more years ago. These come on plain paper with no raised seal. You cannot use them for legal matters. They serve family history research and that is it. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, certified copies require proof that you have a personal or property right interest in the record. The fees apply whether you order in person, by mail, or online for Evanston deaths.
Evanston Death Records Portal
The Cook County vital records portal is a central page that covers all record types the clerk handles. Evanston residents use this portal to find the right forms and instructions for ordering death certificates.
This portal links to death certificate ordering, birth records, marriage records, and civil union records. For Evanston obituary searches, click through to the death certificates section for the most direct path.
Who Can Request Evanston Death Records
Death records in Illinois are not open to the public. The law limits who can get a copy. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, only people with a personal or property right interest qualify. For Evanston obituary records, that means close family members come first. A spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the person who died can request a certified copy. Legal reps need court papers. Anyone with a financial interest must show documentation.
Genealogical researchers can get uncertified copies of Evanston death records when the death is at least 20 years old. A valid photo ID is required for all requests. The Cook County Clerk takes Illinois driver's licenses, state IDs, US passports, and military IDs. Without a photo ID, you need three forms of ID showing your current name and address. The Freedom of Information Act does not apply to vital records in Illinois, so you cannot use a FOIA request to get Evanston obituary records.
State Records for Evanston Obituary
The Illinois Department of Public Health holds death records for the entire state from 1916 forward. If you cannot find an Evanston death record through Cook County, IDPH in Springfield is the next step. Their address is 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702. Phone is (217) 782-6554. Be aware that mail requests take about 12 weeks to process. That is a long time compared to what Cook County offers for Evanston obituary records.
The Illinois State Archives death index is a free online tool covering 1916 to 1972. Search by name to see if a record exists. The index gives you a certificate number that you can use when ordering from IDPH. Under 410 ILCS 535/18, all Evanston deaths must be registered with the local registrar within seven days. The funeral director handles the filing. The record goes to both Cook County and the state system. For very old Evanston obituary records, FamilySearch has Illinois death and stillbirth records from 1916 to 1947 that may be useful.
Cook County Obituary Records
Evanston is in Cook County, and all death certificates go through the Cook County Clerk in Chicago. The county serves more than 5.2 million residents across Chicago and all suburbs. For the full picture on Cook County obituary records, fees, and historical resources, check the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Evanston also have obituary record pages with local details on finding death certificates.