Access Kendall County Obituary Records

Kendall County obituary records include death certificates and related vital documents kept by the county clerk in Yorkville, Illinois. This fast-growing county southwest of Chicago has about 131,869 residents. The county clerk and recorder office handles death certificate requests for all deaths that happened within Kendall County. You can also get records through the Illinois Department of Public Health or VitalChek online. Whether you need a certified copy for legal use or want to look into family history, Kendall County offers multiple ways to search for obituary and death records.

Kendall County Clerk Death Records

The Kendall County Clerk and Recorder office handles vital records including death certificates. The office is in Yorkville, the county seat. Death certificates from Kendall County can be requested in person or by mail. You will need a valid government-issued photo ID and must show a right to the record under Illinois law.

Kendall County was one of the fastest-growing counties in the entire United States during the 2000s and 2010s. That growth means more records and more demand for vital record services. The clerk office processes requests for certified copies with a raised seal, which are needed for settling estates, filing insurance claims, and handling property matters. Genealogical copies may also be available for older death records. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, the clerk can issue copies to family members, legal representatives, and those with a documented interest in the record.

Contact the Kendall County Clerk for current fees and office hours. Fees for death certificates vary by county across Illinois, and Kendall County sets its own rates. The county website at kendallcountyil.gov vital records has details about the process, though the page may require you to call for specific information.

Kendall County Obituary Records and Aurora

Part of the city of Aurora extends into Kendall County. Aurora is one of the largest cities in Illinois with nearly 180,000 people. If someone died in the Kendall County portion of Aurora, the death certificate is filed with the Kendall County Clerk, not the Kane County Clerk. Similarly, parts of Joliet extend into Kendall County. The location of the death determines which county clerk office has the record.

This multi-county overlap can create confusion when you are looking for obituary records. If you are not sure whether a death in Aurora or Joliet was in the Kendall County part, call both county clerk offices. The Kendall County Clerk in Yorkville and the Kane County Clerk in Geneva can both check their records. For Joliet, the Will County Clerk in Joliet handles most records, but Kendall County may have some as well. Getting the right county is the most important step in finding the death certificate you need.

Kendall County Obituary Search Resources

The Illinois Department of Public Health website is a key resource for all death record requests across the state, including Kendall County. The IDPH death records page has the application form, fee details, and ID requirements.

You can also order death certificates online through VitalChek, which accepts credit cards and charges extra handling and shipping fees. This is a convenient option if you cannot visit the Kendall County clerk office in person.

Finding Obituary Records in Kendall County

There are a few ways to find obituary records in Kendall County. The right method depends on when the death occurred and how quickly you need the record.

For recent deaths, the Kendall County Clerk is the best source. In-person visits get the fastest results. For deaths from 1916 to the present, you can also request records from the Illinois Department of Public Health at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue in Springfield. Mail requests take about 12 weeks. Urgent orders with proof of immediate need are processed in 5 to 7 business days if you include a prepaid overnight return envelope.

For genealogical research on older obituary records, the Illinois State Archives death index covers 1916 to 1972 and is free to search online. This tool shows the name, date, county, and certificate number for each death in that range. It is a good starting point before ordering a full copy from the state. Death records more than 20 years old can be requested as genealogical copies for $10 through the state under 410 ILCS 535/24.

Note: Death records in Illinois are not public and are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act under 5 ILCS 140/.

Kendall County Death Record Access Rules

Illinois law restricts access to death certificates. Not everyone can get a copy. You must be an immediate family member, a legal representative, or someone with a personal or property right interest. That means a spouse, parent, child, or sibling can request records from Kendall County. An attorney or estate executor can too, with proper documentation.

Valid photo ID is required for all requests. The state accepts an Illinois driver's license, state ID, US passport, or military ID. The ID must not be expired. If you do not have photo ID, three forms of identification with your current name and address may be accepted. Under 410 ILCS 535/18, every death in Kendall County must be registered within 7 days. The funeral director files the certificate with the local registrar, and a physician completes the medical section within 48 hours.

State Obituary Records for Kendall County

The Illinois Department of Public Health has death records for all 102 counties from 1916 to the present. Certified copies cost $19 and genealogical copies cost $10. You can request by mail, fax, in person, or through VitalChek online. The IDPH obtain death certificate page has the forms and details you need. For researchers, there is a separate process that requires IRB approval, which is described on the IDPH researchers page.

Cities in Kendall County

Kendall County includes parts of Aurora and Joliet, two of the largest cities in Illinois. Other communities include Yorkville, Plano, and Oswego. Death certificates for all of these areas are filed through the Kendall County Clerk when the death occurred within the county's borders.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kendall County. Because Aurora and Joliet span county lines, checking the neighboring clerk offices may be needed to find the right obituary record.