Hancock County Obituary Lookup

Hancock County obituary records are available through the County Clerk in Carthage, Illinois. Located along the Mississippi River in western Illinois, Hancock County has a population of about 17,600. The clerk office handles death certificate requests for all deaths that took place within county lines. You can also request Hancock County obituary records through the Illinois Department of Public Health. The state has death records from 1916 forward. Both sources require you to prove your connection to the deceased person before they will give you a copy. Searching for Hancock County obituary records can be done by mail, in person, or online through VitalChek.

Hancock County Clerk for Obituary Records

Holly Wilde-Tillman serves as the Hancock County Clerk. Her office in the Carthage courthouse is where death certificates are kept for Hancock County. You can call (217) 357-3911 to ask about records or to find out what documents you need to bring. The clerk staff will walk you through the process if this is your first time requesting an obituary record from Hancock County.

When a death takes place in Hancock County, the funeral director files the death certificate with the local registrar. Under 410 ILCS 535/18, this must happen within 7 days. The doctor completes the medical part within 48 hours. These records then stay with both Hancock County and the state of Illinois. If the death was recent, the county clerk in Carthage is often your best bet for a quick copy. The state takes about 12 weeks to process mail requests, but Hancock County may have your record ready in just days.

Getting Obituary Records in Hancock County

In-person visits are the simplest way to get Hancock County obituary records. Bring your ID and go to the courthouse in Carthage. Fill out a request form and pay the fee. The clerk can often pull the record while you wait.

Mail is another option. Send a letter to the Hancock County Clerk with the full name of the deceased, the date of death, your name and address, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order. Include your reason for needing the record. The clerk will mail back a copy once your request is processed. If you prefer to order from home, VitalChek handles online orders for Illinois death certificates. They charge extra for the service, but it saves a trip to Hancock County or to Springfield.

The Illinois Department of Public Health processes requests for all counties. Mail requests to IDPH take about 12 weeks. Fax is also an option at 217-523-2648, though genealogical requests must go in writing. For urgent Hancock County obituary record needs, send your request through overnight mail with proof of immediate need. IDPH will process it in 5 to 7 business days.

Note: Always include a copy of your valid, non-expired photo ID with any request for Hancock County obituary records.

Hancock County Death Certificate Fees

State fees for Illinois death certificates are $19 for a first certified copy and $4 for each extra. Genealogical copies cost $10 for the first and $2 after that. VitalChek adds $15 for handling. UPS shipping from VitalChek is $22. These fees apply to Hancock County obituary records ordered through the state system.

County fees in Hancock County may differ from the state rates. Most Illinois counties charge between $16 and $29 for a first certified copy. Additional copies typically run $6 to $13. Call Holly Wilde-Tillman at (217) 357-3911 to check the current fee schedule for Hancock County obituary records before you send payment. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, fee waivers are available for domestic violence victims with a certification letter and for certain congressionally chartered organizations.

Statewide Obituary Resources

The IACCR county clerks directory lists contact details for all 102 Illinois county clerk offices, including Hancock County.

Use this directory to verify the correct office for Hancock County or to find clerks in other counties where a death may have been recorded. The Illinois State Archives has a free death index from 1916 to 1972 that you can search online for older Hancock County obituary records.

Access Rules for Hancock County Records

Death records in Illinois are not open to the public. This is true in Hancock County and every other county. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, only people with a personal or property right interest can request them. Family members are the most common requesters. Spouses, parents, kids, and siblings can get certified copies of Hancock County obituary records with a valid photo ID.

Legal representatives also qualify. Estate executors and attorneys can request copies with proper papers. A court order works if you have no direct family tie. Genealogical copies of Hancock County obituary records are available for deaths 20 or more years old at a lower fee. These uncertified copies cannot be used for legal matters but are fine for family history work. Vital records in Illinois are exempt from FOIA under 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(a), so a public records request will not give you access to Hancock County death certificates.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Hancock County in western Illinois. Check with the right county clerk if you think the death was recorded outside Hancock County lines.