Crawford County Obituary Records

Crawford County obituary records are available through the County Clerk in Robinson and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Finding a death certificate or checking an old obituary in Crawford County starts at one of these offices. This eastern Illinois county has about 18,700 residents and shares a border with Indiana. Robinson is the county seat, and the clerk there handles all death record requests for Crawford County, from Robinson to Oblong and the smaller communities across the area.

Crawford County Clerk Death Services

Beckie Staley is the Crawford County Clerk. The office is at the courthouse in Robinson and can be reached at (618) 546-1212. This is where Crawford County death certificates are stored and issued for deaths that happened within the county.

When you visit, bring a valid photo ID and the full name of the person whose record you need. The date of death helps narrow the search. Certified copies cost $19 for the first and $4 for each extra copy. These carry the county seal and work for estate settlements, insurance claims, and court matters. Crawford County obituary records go back many years at the clerk office. The staff is familiar with the process and can help you fill out the request forms if needed.

If the death did not happen in Crawford County, the clerk can tell you which county to contact. This comes up when someone lived in Robinson but died at a hospital in a neighboring county.

State Death Records for Crawford County

The Illinois Department of Public Health has Crawford County death records from 1916 forward. Mail in the application form with your ID and $19 to the Division of Vital Records in Springfield. Processing takes about 12 weeks. Online ordering through VitalChek costs more but is faster.

Genealogical copies for Crawford County deaths 20 or more years old cost $10 for the first and $2 for additional. These are uncertified copies good for family history research. The state is the best option when you are not sure which county a death was registered in, since they can search the entire Illinois database.

Note: IDPH does not give updates during the 12-week mail processing period.

Finding Crawford County Obituary Records

The Illinois State Archives death index is a free online tool covering deaths from 1916 to 1972. Search by name to find older Crawford County obituary records. The index provides certificate numbers useful for ordering full copies.

For deaths after 1972, call the Crawford County Clerk at (618) 546-1212. Visit the Robinson courthouse for the fastest service. Bring ID, fill out the form, and pay the fee. The clerk can often print copies during your visit. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, the state registrar charges $10 per name for a five-year search when you request by mail.

Below is a screenshot of the Illinois county clerks directory where you can verify the Crawford County clerk contact details.

That directory lists all 102 county clerks in Illinois, making it easy to check phone numbers and addresses for Crawford County and surrounding offices.

Crawford County Death Record Access

Death records are not public in Illinois. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, you must have a personal or property right interest to get a certified copy from Crawford County. Family members, estate attorneys, insurance companies processing claims, and people with court orders qualify. Everyone must show valid ID.

Genealogical copies have broader eligibility for Crawford County deaths 20 or more years old. These uncertified copies work for family research but not legal purposes. The IDPH researchers page explains additional options for academic researchers who need Crawford County death data for formal studies.

Death Registration in Crawford County

Under 410 ILCS 535/18, every death in Crawford County must be registered by filing a certificate with the local registrar within seven days. The funeral director handles the filing. The physician or coroner certifies the cause of death within 48 hours. Once filed, the record goes to both the Crawford County Clerk and the state.

This dual system has been in place since 1916, which is why Crawford County obituary records from that date forward can be found at either the local or state level. Records from before 1916 may exist in local church files, cemetery records, or through historical societies in the Robinson area.

Cities in Crawford County

Crawford County includes Robinson, Oblong, Hutsonville, Palestine, and Flat Rock. All death records for these towns go through the Crawford County Clerk office in Robinson. None of these communities have their own death record offices.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Crawford County. Contact their clerk offices to check for death records in neighboring areas.