Access Peoria Obituary Records
Peoria obituary records are available through two local offices. The Peoria County Clerk holds the county's death certificate archive, and the Peoria City/County Health Department has its own collection of death records from 2008 forward. With about 112,000 people, Peoria is the largest city in central Illinois and the county seat of Peoria County. Residents have multiple paths to search for and get copies of death certificates.
Peoria Quick Facts
Peoria County Clerk Death Records
The Peoria County Clerk is the main office for Peoria obituary records. The office is at 324 Main Street, Room 101, in downtown Peoria. You can call them at (309) 672-6059. The county clerk handles birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates for all of Peoria County.
| Office | Peoria County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 324 Main Street, Room 101 Peoria, IL 61602 |
| Phone | (309) 672-6059 |
| Website | peoriacounty.gov/214/Vital-Records |
Peoria County charges $24 for the first certified copy of a death certificate and $13 for each additional copy. The county clerk has records for all deaths in Peoria County, including the city of Peoria. Genealogy requests are also handled through this office for records that are 20 or more years old. Visit the Peoria County vital records page for full ordering details.
Peoria Health Department Obituary Records
The Peoria City/County Health Department is a second source for death records in Peoria. Their office is at 2116 N Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL 61604. The phone number is (309) 679-6034. The health department has death certificates from 2008 to the present and also issues burial permits.
This office is useful for recent Peoria obituary records. If the death happened in 2008 or later, you have the choice of going through the county clerk or the health department. For deaths before 2008, the county clerk is the only local option. The health department's birth and death records page has more information on what they offer and how to submit a request.
Note: The Peoria City/County Health Department only has death records from 2008 forward.
Peoria Vital Records Page
The City of Peoria website has a page for vital records requests. Peoria residents can check the Peoria vital records requests page for details on how to get death certificates locally.
The page explains the local process and points residents to the right office based on their needs. It covers both the county clerk and the health department as sources for Peoria death certificates.
How to Get Peoria Death Certificates
Getting a death certificate in Peoria starts with choosing the right office. For recent deaths from 2008 onward, either the county clerk or the health department works. For older records, go through the county clerk at 324 Main Street or the state.
You need to fill out a request form with the deceased person's full name and date of death. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Under the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), only family members, legal representatives, and those with a property right interest can get certified copies. The clerk or health department staff will check your eligibility before handing over the record.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is another route for Peoria obituary records. The state charges $19 for a certified copy. Mail requests take about 12 weeks to process. Urgent requests with proof of immediate need can be done in 5 to 7 business days through overnight delivery. VitalChek at vitalchek.com handles online orders for the state and adds a service fee.
Peoria Health Department Records
The Peoria City/County Health Department website has a dedicated page for birth and death records. Check the PCCHD birth and death records page for current information on fees and ordering.
The health department page covers their available services for both birth and death certificates. It includes contact information and explains how to submit requests. For Peoria obituary records from 2008 to the present, this is a direct source that many residents find convenient because of the office location on Sheridan Road.
Peoria County Coroner Records
The Peoria County Coroner plays a role in certain death records. When the coroner investigates a death, they issue a temporary death certificate within 2 business days. If an autopsy is needed, the permanent death certificate may take 4 to 6 weeks. This affects how soon you can get a certified copy of the death record from the county clerk or health department.
Deaths that the coroner investigates include sudden deaths, accidents, and cases where the cause is unclear. For these cases, the official death certificate will not be available until the coroner completes their work. If you are trying to get an obituary record for a death that was under investigation, expect a longer wait. Once the permanent certificate is filed, it becomes available through the usual channels at the Peoria County Clerk or the health department.
Peoria Obituary Genealogical Research
For older Peoria obituary records, the county clerk is the best local source. Genealogical copies of death records 20 or more years old are available at a reduced cost. The Illinois State Archives death index covers 1916 to 1972 and is free to search online. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, records older than 50 years may be available at the Archives in Springfield.
The Peoria Public Library has local history collections that may include newspaper obituaries from the Peoria Journal Star and other publications. These can add context beyond what the official death certificate shows. Newspaper obituaries often list family members, occupation, church membership, and funeral details that help fill out a family history. Combining official records with newspaper archives is the best approach for thorough genealogical research in Peoria.
Note: The Illinois State Archives in Springfield is about 75 miles from Peoria and holds records older than 50 years.
Peoria County Obituary Records
Peoria is the county seat of Peoria County. The county clerk at 324 Main Street handles death certificates for all of Peoria County, which has about 182,000 residents. For a complete look at Peoria County obituary resources, fees, and offices, visit the county page.
Nearby Illinois Cities
Other Illinois cities near Peoria with obituary record resources available through their county clerk offices.