LaSalle County Obituary Records
LaSalle County obituary and death records can be obtained through the county clerk office in Ottawa, Illinois. This north-central Illinois county has nearly 110,000 residents spread across a large land area along the Illinois River. The LaSalle County Clerk keeps death certificates and can issue certified copies for families, legal representatives, and other qualified individuals. You can also search for death records through the Illinois Department of Public Health or use online tools for older obituary records. This page covers where to look, what it costs, and what you need to bring when requesting obituary records from LaSalle County.
LaSalle County Quick Facts
LaSalle County Clerk Obituary Services
The LaSalle County Clerk office in Ottawa handles vital records for the county. This includes death certificates, birth records, and marriage licenses. The LaSalle County Clerk page has information about the office and its services. Visit in person with a valid photo ID to request a death certificate. You can also submit requests by mail.
When you request a death certificate from LaSalle County, you need to provide the full name of the deceased and an approximate date of death. The clerk searches the records and issues a certified copy if you qualify. Certified copies have a raised seal and are accepted for legal purposes like estate settlement, insurance claims, and property transfers. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, the county clerk issues copies to immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a personal or property right interest.
Contact the LaSalle County Clerk office for the current fee schedule. County fees across Illinois vary, and LaSalle County sets its own rates. The state charges $19 for a certified copy if you go through IDPH instead.
| Office | LaSalle County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Location | Ottawa, IL |
| Website | lasallecountyil.gov - County Clerk |
LaSalle County Death Record Resources
The LaSalle County Clerk has an online page that provides details about the office and its vital record services. Below is a look at the LaSalle County Clerk page where you can find contact information and instructions for requesting obituary-related records.
The page covers the basics of what the clerk office handles. For specific forms and fee details, you may need to call or visit in person. LaSalle County does not always post every detail online, so a phone call can save you a trip.
How to Search LaSalle County Obituary Records
There are several paths to find obituary records in LaSalle County. The county clerk in Ottawa is the local source. The state health department has records for all Illinois deaths from 1916 on. Online tools can help with older records.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is the central state agency. Certified copies cost $19 and genealogical copies cost $10. You can mail your request to 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include the application form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order payable to IDPH. Processing takes about 12 weeks by mail. You can also order online through VitalChek with a credit card.
For historical obituary research in LaSalle County, the Illinois State Archives death index is free and covers 1916 to 1972. Search by name to find the date, county, and certificate number. That makes ordering a full copy from the state much simpler. Death records 20 years old or older can be obtained as genealogical copies at a lower price under 410 ILCS 535/24.
- LaSalle County Clerk in Ottawa for local records
- IDPH in Springfield for all state records from 1916 on
- VitalChek for online credit card orders
- Illinois State Archives for free 1916-1972 death index
- Local libraries for newspaper obituary archives
Note: The LaSalle County area has a long history, so older records may be found through local genealogical societies and historical archives as well.
LaSalle County Death Record Access
Death records in Illinois are not public. You cannot just walk in and request any record. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, access to vital records is limited. Only those with a personal or property right interest can get certified copies from LaSalle County. That includes family members like a spouse, parent, child, or sibling. Legal representatives and estate executors qualify too, with proper documentation.
You need valid photo ID for any request. An Illinois driver's license or state ID works. The state also accepts a US passport or military ID. It must be current and readable. Vital records are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act under 5 ILCS 140/. FOIA requests for LaSalle County death certificates will not be honored. You must go through the county clerk or state vital records channels.
Death Registration in LaSalle County
Every death in LaSalle County must be registered within 7 days under 410 ILCS 535/18. The funeral director files the death certificate with the local registrar. The attending physician or medical examiner completes the medical certification within 48 hours. After filing, the record goes to both the LaSalle County Clerk and the state registrar in Springfield. Both offices can then issue copies.
LaSalle County is a large county by area, and it includes cities like Ottawa, Peru, LaSalle, Streator, and Marseilles. Deaths in any of these communities are filed with the LaSalle County Clerk. If a person lived in LaSalle County but died in a different county (for example, at a hospital in a neighboring area), the death certificate would be filed in the county where the death happened, not LaSalle County. Always verify the location of death first.
Illinois State Obituary Resources
The IDPH obtain death certificate page has the application form and a list of what to include with your request. Urgent requests need proof of immediate need such as a travel itinerary, an insurance company letter, or an immigration notice. The state handles urgent orders in 5 to 7 business days with overnight delivery. For researchers who need multiple records from LaSalle County or across the state, the IDPH researchers page explains the IRB approval process and additional steps required.
Cities in LaSalle County
LaSalle County includes Ottawa, Peru, LaSalle, Streator, Marseilles, and other smaller towns. None of these cities have a population over 50,000. All death certificates are handled by the LaSalle County Clerk office in Ottawa.
Nearby Counties
These counties border LaSalle County. Make sure the death occurred in LaSalle County before requesting a record from the local clerk. The certificate is filed where the death took place.