Schaumburg Obituary Lookup
Schaumburg obituary records are filed through the Cook County Clerk office, though parts of the village also fall in DuPage County. With about 77,000 residents in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Schaumburg generates a fair number of death record requests each year. The county where the death took place controls which clerk handles the certificate. Most Schaumburg deaths go through Cook County. Searching for a Schaumburg obituary record means contacting the right county clerk and having the proper ID and paperwork ready before you start.
Schaumburg Quick Facts
Where Schaumburg Death Records Are Filed
Schaumburg sits in two counties, and that can make finding obituary records a bit tricky. The bulk of Schaumburg is in Cook County. A smaller portion extends into DuPage County. The county where the person actually died determines which clerk has the death certificate on file. If the death happened at a hospital or home in the Cook County part of Schaumburg, you go to the Cook County Clerk. If it was on the DuPage side, you contact the DuPage County Clerk instead.
The Cook County Clerk handles the majority of Schaumburg obituary records. Karen A. Yarbrough is the current clerk. The office is at 118 N. Clark Street in Chicago. You can call (866) 252-8974 or order online through VitalChek. For the DuPage portion, the DuPage County Clerk is at 421 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton. Jean Kaczmarek serves as clerk there. Their phone is (630) 407-5500. DuPage County charges $18 for the first certified copy and $6 for each extra copy of a death record.
If you are not sure which county part of Schaumburg the death occurred in, call either clerk office and they can check their records. One of them will have it on file.
Note: Most Schaumburg addresses fall in Cook County, so start your search there.
How to Search Schaumburg Obituary Records
There are several ways to get obituary records for a Schaumburg death. Online, by mail, and in person all work. The method you choose depends on how fast you need the record and which county holds it.
Online is the easiest option for most Schaumburg residents. Both Cook County and DuPage County use VitalChek for online orders. You fill out a form, pay by credit card, and the copy arrives by mail. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the county rate. For Cook County orders, call the VitalChek line at (866) 252-8974 to order by phone. For DuPage County, call (630) 407-5500 to ask about phone ordering. Both counties accept mail requests as well. Send a letter with the deceased person's name, date of death, your relationship, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order. Allow several weeks for mail processing on Schaumburg obituary record requests.
In-person visits are fastest. For Cook County records, go to the Cook County Building at 118 N. Clark Street in Chicago, Room 120. For DuPage County records, visit 421 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff at both offices can search and print copies on the spot for Schaumburg death records.
Schaumburg Obituary Record Fees
The fees for Schaumburg death records depend on which county holds the certificate. Cook County charges $19 for the first certified copy and $4 for each extra. DuPage County charges $18 for the first and $6 for each added copy. Genealogical copies cost less in both counties. Cook County charges $10 first/$2 extra. DuPage County offers reduced rates for genealogical records as well.
The Cook County death certificates page shows full pricing and ordering details for Schaumburg residents whose records fall under Cook County.
This page covers everything you need to know about ordering through Cook County, including forms, fees, and what ID to bring. Most Schaumburg obituary requests will go through this office.
Under 410 ILCS 535/25, the state sets a baseline search fee of $10 per name for a five-year search. Both Cook and DuPage counties follow this structure. If the clerk does not find a record, you may still owe the search fee. VitalChek orders carry an extra $10 convenience fee plus shipping on top of all county charges for Schaumburg obituary records.
Who Can Get Schaumburg Death Records
Illinois law decides who can get a death certificate. These rules apply to Schaumburg and the whole state. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, death records are not public. Only certain people can request them. Close family is first in line. A spouse, parent, child, or sibling can get a certified copy. Legal reps and estate executors need to show court documents. Anyone with a personal or property right interest can ask, but the clerk may want proof.
Genealogical researchers can get uncertified copies of Schaumburg obituary records when the death is 20 or more years old. These plain paper copies have no legal weight. They work for family history research and nothing more. Both Cook and DuPage counties follow the same state rules on who qualifies. You need a valid photo ID no matter which county you contact for a Schaumburg death record. The FOIA exemption under 5 ILCS 140/7 means you cannot use a public records request to get death certificates.
Illinois State Resources for Schaumburg
The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps death records for the whole state from 1916 on. If neither Cook County nor DuPage County has the Schaumburg obituary record you need, IDPH may have it. Their office is in Springfield at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue. Call (217) 782-6554. Mail requests to IDPH take about 12 weeks, so going through the county is usually faster for Schaumburg residents.
The Illinois State Archives death index covers 1916 to 1972. This free tool lets you search by name to see if a death record exists. You cannot download the actual certificate from the archives site, but you can use the index to find the certificate number and then order from IDPH. Under 410 ILCS 535/18, all deaths in Illinois must be registered within seven days. The funeral director files the death certificate with the local registrar. For Schaumburg deaths, the registrar forwards the record to the county and state.
Cook County Obituary Records
Most of Schaumburg falls in Cook County. All death certificates for the Cook County portion are filed through the Cook County Clerk. For more about Cook County obituary records, fees, and historical records, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Schaumburg also have obituary record pages with details on how to find death certificates in their area.