Montgomery County Obituary

Montgomery County obituary records are held at the County Clerk office in Hillsboro, Illinois. With a population around 28,300, Montgomery County is a mid-sized county in south-central Illinois. Death certificates and obituary documents can be obtained from the clerk office or through state-level channels. Whether you need a certified copy to settle an estate or a genealogical copy for family research, the Montgomery County Clerk can help you find the right record and get it into your hands.

Montgomery County Clerk Death Services

The Montgomery County Clerk handles death certificates for all deaths within the county. The office sits in the Hillsboro courthouse. Staff there can search for records, issue certified copies, and help you fill out the right paperwork. Montgomery County follows the Illinois Vital Records Act, 410 ILCS 535/, which governs who can get a death record and what it costs.

When you visit the clerk office, bring a valid photo ID. You will need to fill out a request form. Include the name of the deceased, the date of death, and your relationship to them. The clerk searches the files and prints your copy on the spot if the record is on file. Montgomery County is a smaller office, so the wait is usually short. If you need to request by mail, write to the clerk with all the same information and include a check or money order for the fee.

Note: Montgomery County death records are not public under Illinois law and access is restricted under 5 ILCS 140/7.

Montgomery County Obituary Record Costs

Fees for death certificates in Montgomery County are based on the state schedule. A certified copy costs $19 for the first copy. Each added copy is $4. These certified copies carry a raised seal and work for legal matters like insurance claims and estate settlements.

Genealogical copies cost less. The first one is $10 and each extra is $2. These are for research use only and do not have the official seal. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, the death must be at least 20 years old to qualify for a genealogical copy. The state also charges a $10 search fee per name for a five-year period. If the clerk can not find the record, you still pay the search fee. Montgomery County may adjust its local fees from time to time, so call the clerk to confirm before you send payment.

If you prefer to order online, VitalChek processes orders for Illinois death certificates. They charge the base fee plus a $15 handling fee and shipping. It is a fast way to get a Montgomery County obituary record if you cannot get to Hillsboro.

Ways to Search Montgomery County Obituary

The most direct path to a Montgomery County death record is through the clerk office in Hillsboro. Walk in, ask the staff, and get your copy. That works best if you live nearby.

For people who are farther away, the Illinois Department of Public Health is an option. IDPH holds death records from 1916 to the present for the entire state, including Montgomery County. The IDPH death records page explains how to order by mail or fax. You can also call them at (217) 782-6554. Mail requests through IDPH take about 12 weeks, which is a long wait. If your request is urgent, the IDPH expedited process can cut that to 5 to 7 business days. You need proof of immediate need, like a travel date or insurance letter, plus a prepaid overnight envelope.

The IDPH portal shown above gives you access to all the forms and instructions needed to request a Montgomery County death record through the state office.

Historical Obituary Records in Montgomery County

Older death records for Montgomery County may not be at the clerk office. The Illinois State Archives death index covers deaths from 1916 to 1972. This is a free online tool that lets you search by name. It is helpful for genealogical work on Montgomery County deaths from that period.

For records older than 50 years, the state archives in Springfield may have the original certificates. FamilySearch has Illinois death records from 1916 to 1947 as well. Local libraries in Hillsboro and Litchfield sometimes keep old newspaper clippings that include obituary notices from Montgomery County. These informal sources can fill gaps when official records are hard to track down.

Eligibility for Montgomery County Death Records

Under 410 ILCS 535/24, only certain people can get a death certificate in Illinois. This applies to all Montgomery County records. Eligible requesters include the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased. The informant on the death certificate can also order copies. Legal reps handling the estate need proof of their appointment.

Anyone else must show a personal or property right interest. The clerk may ask for documentation. Genealogical copies are available for deaths at least 20 years old in Montgomery County. These copies come on plain paper and are not valid for legal use. You still need a photo ID to place the order. The clerk accepts Illinois driver's licenses, state IDs, US passports, and military IDs. Without a photo ID, bring three forms of ID with your current name and address.

Note: The IACCR directory lists all county clerks in Illinois if you need to reach a neighboring office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Montgomery County. Check which county the death occurred in before you request the obituary record.