Naperville Obituary Lookup
Naperville obituary records are maintained by two county clerk offices. The city spans both DuPage and Will counties, so the right office depends on where the death took place. Most of Naperville falls in DuPage County, and the DuPage County Clerk in Wheaton is the primary source for death certificates. Residents on the southern edge of Naperville may need to contact Will County instead. Knowing which county applies is the first step when searching for an obituary record here.
Naperville Quick Facts
DuPage County Obituary Records for Naperville
The DuPage County Clerk's Office is the primary source for Naperville obituary records. Jean Kaczmarek serves as the DuPage County Clerk. Her office handles death certificates for deaths that occurred in the DuPage County portion of Naperville. You can visit the office in person, send a request by mail, or order online through VitalChek.
| Office | DuPage County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 421 N. County Farm Road Wheaton, IL 60187 |
| Phone | (630) 407-5500 |
| Fax | (630) 407-5501 |
DuPage County charges $18 for the first certified death certificate and $6 for each additional copy. Online orders through VitalChek come with an extra $10 service fee. The county accepts several forms of ID: Illinois driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or naturalization certificate. If you are an immediate relative of the deceased, such as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling, you can request a certified copy. Estate executors and administrators with proper documentation also qualify.
Genealogical copies of Naperville obituary records are available for deaths that are 20 or more years old. These uncertified copies cost less and work well for family history research but cannot be used for legal purposes. DuPage County is one of the largest counties in Illinois with nearly 933,000 residents, and the clerk's office processes a high volume of vital record requests.
Note: DuPage County also accepts out-of-state driver's licenses and U.S. immigration cards as valid ID.
Will County Death Records for Naperville
The southern part of Naperville falls in Will County. If a death occurred in that area, the Will County Clerk handles the record. Lauren Staley is the Will County Clerk, and her office is at 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. You can reach them at (815) 740-4615 or by email at vitalrecords@willcounty.gov.
Will County charges $16 for the first certified copy and $8 for each additional. They accept walk-in, mail, email, and online requests. For ID, you need a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID from any U.S. state. If you lack a primary photo ID, Will County accepts two alternative forms of identification. One must show your current address. Social Security cards are not accepted as identification at the Will County office.
State Obituary Records for Naperville
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains death records for the entire state from 1916 to the present. If you are not sure which county a Naperville death falls in, the state office can search their records. The IDPH is at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue in Springfield, and you can call them at (217) 782-6554 between 10 AM and 3 PM on weekdays.
State fees are $19 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional. Genealogical copies cost $10 for the first and $2 for each extra. Processing takes about 12 weeks by mail. For urgent requests, you can send paperwork through overnight delivery with proof of immediate need, and the state will process it in 5 to 7 business days. Examples of proof include travel itineraries showing departure within 30 days or insurance company letters.
The Illinois State Archives death index covers 1916 to 1972 and is free to search online. This is a useful starting point for anyone looking for historical Naperville obituary records. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, death records that are 50 or more years old may be available at the Archives for genealogical research.
IDPH Death Records Page
The Illinois Department of Public Health website provides information on how to get death certificates. Naperville residents can use the IDPH death records page to learn about the statewide process.
This page explains the two types of death certificates available: certified copies for legal use and uncertified copies for genealogical purposes. It also covers who can order records, what ID you need, and current fees. Naperville residents who want to go through the state rather than the county can find all the details here.
Who Can Request Naperville Obituary Records
Illinois law restricts access to death records. They are not public. Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), only people with a qualifying connection can get a copy. This rule applies to all Naperville obituary records whether you request them from DuPage County, Will County, or the state.
Family members are the most common requestors. A spouse, parent, child, or sibling can order a certified death certificate with a valid photo ID. The informant listed on the death certificate can also request a copy. Legal representatives need to provide documentation of their role. If you have a property right interest, like a car title or property deed connected to the deceased, you must show proof. Death records in Illinois are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act under 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(a), which means you cannot get them through a FOIA request.
For Naperville residents doing genealogical research, uncertified copies of death records older than 20 years are available to a broader group of requestors. You still need to submit a written request, but the eligibility rules are less strict for these informational copies. The fee is lower too.
Tips for Finding Naperville Death Records
Start by figuring out which county the death took place in. Most Naperville addresses are in DuPage County. If the address is south of 87th Street or in the Plainfield area, it may be in Will County. Call DuPage at (630) 407-5500 if you are unsure. They can tell you quickly.
If you need the record fast, visiting in person is usually the quickest way. DuPage County is about 15 minutes from central Naperville. Will County in Joliet is a bit further. For online orders, both counties work with VitalChek, and the state does too. VitalChek accepts major credit cards. You can also order by phone through VitalChek at 888-277-0860.
Note: Allow extra time if ordering by mail, since state requests can take up to 12 weeks to process.
DuPage County Obituary Records
Naperville is primarily located in DuPage County. The DuPage County Clerk handles most death certificates for Naperville residents and maintains records for all cities and towns within the county. For a full overview of DuPage County obituary resources, fees, and offices, visit the county page.
Nearby Illinois Cities
Several cities near Naperville have their own obituary record resources through their respective county clerk offices.