Jefferson County Obituary Records

Jefferson County obituary records are kept at the County Clerk office in Mount Vernon, Illinois. This southern Illinois county has a population of about 37,100 and sits at the crossroads of Interstates 57 and 64. The clerk handles all death certificate requests for deaths that took place in Jefferson County. The Illinois Department of Public Health also maintains state copies of death records going back to 1916. You need valid identification and proof of your connection to the deceased to get Jefferson County obituary records. Requests can be made in person at the Mount Vernon courthouse, by mail, or online through VitalChek. The county clerk is typically the fastest route for recent death certificates.

Jefferson County Clerk for Obituary Records

Joseph Davis serves as the Jefferson County Clerk. The office in the Mount Vernon courthouse manages all vital records for the county, including death certificates. You can call (618) 244-8020 Ext 3 Opt 1 to ask about records, fees, and what documents to bring. Staff will walk you through the process for requesting Jefferson County obituary records.

Under 410 ILCS 535/18, each death in Jefferson County must be registered with the local registrar within 7 days. The funeral director files the certificate. The attending physician must complete the medical certification within 48 hours. After filing, the record is held by both the Jefferson County Clerk and IDPH. For recent deaths, visiting the Mount Vernon courthouse is much faster than sending a mail request to the state, which takes about 12 weeks.

How to Search Jefferson County Death Records

Walk-in visits to the Mount Vernon courthouse give you the fastest results. Bring a valid photo ID and the name of the deceased. If you know the date of death, that helps the search. The clerk can pull the record and make copies while you wait. Most walk-in requests for Jefferson County obituary records are handled the same day.

Mail requests go to the Jefferson County Clerk in Mount Vernon. Include the deceased's full name, date of death, your contact details, a copy of your photo ID, and payment by check or money order. Processing takes a couple of weeks. For online ordering, VitalChek adds a $15 handling fee on top of the state certificate cost. The IDPH records request page has forms for state-level mail requests. Processing takes about 12 weeks at the state level.

For urgent Jefferson County obituary record requests, send your application to IDPH with proof of immediate need and a prepaid overnight return envelope. IDPH processes urgent requests in 5 to 7 business days. Proof of immediate need includes travel plans within 30 days, insurance correspondence, or immigration notices.

Jefferson County Obituary Fees

State fees for a certified death certificate are $19 for the first copy and $4 for each additional. Genealogical copies cost $10 for the first and $2 for each extra. These rates apply when ordering Jefferson County obituary records through IDPH or VitalChek.

Jefferson County may set its own local fee schedule. Most Illinois counties charge between $16 and $29 for a first certified copy. Additional copies typically cost $6 to $13. Call Joseph Davis at (618) 244-8020 Ext 3 Opt 1 to verify the current Jefferson County rates. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, fee waivers exist for domestic violence victims with a certification letter and for certain organizations chartered by Congress.

Note: VitalChek adds $15 for their handling fee and $22 for optional UPS shipping on top of the certificate cost.

Statewide Resources for Jefferson County

The IDPH death records portal is the central state resource for all Illinois death certificates, covering Jefferson County.

VitalChek is the official online ordering service for Illinois death certificates. Use it to get Jefferson County obituary records from home. They accept American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa. The Illinois State Archives death index covers 1916 to 1972 and is free to search online. FamilySearch has Illinois deaths from 1916 to 1947 at no charge. The IACCR directory lists all 102 county clerks in Illinois.

Who Can Get Jefferson County Obituary Records

Death records in Illinois are not open to the public. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, access requires a personal or property right interest with the deceased. Family members are the most common requesters of Jefferson County obituary records. You need a valid photo ID. Spouses, parents, children, and siblings can all request copies.

Legal representatives can get copies with proper documentation. Estate executors and administrators qualify. A court order works if you have no family tie. Genealogical copies of Jefferson County obituary records for deaths 20 or more years old are available at a reduced fee. These uncertified copies cannot be used for legal matters. Vital records are exempt from FOIA under 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(a) in Illinois.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Jefferson County in southern Illinois. Check with the right county clerk if the death was recorded outside Jefferson County.