Find Sangamon County Obituary Records
Sangamon County obituary records are available through the county clerk office in Springfield, the state capital of Illinois. This county has nearly 200,000 residents and death records dating back to 1877. Finding obituary and death certificate information in Sangamon County is straightforward because you have multiple options: the county clerk, the Springfield City Clerk for more recent deaths, and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Each office serves a different time range and need, so knowing where to look saves time and effort when you search for Sangamon County obituary records.
Sangamon County Quick Facts
Sangamon County Clerk Obituary Records
The Sangamon County Clerk office is at 200 S. Ninth Street, Room 101, in Springfield. This is the main place to get death certificates in Sangamon County. The office has records from 1877 to the present. You can contact them at (217) 753-6700 or by email at vitalrecords@sangamonil.gov. They handle requests in person, by mail, and online.
A certified death certificate from Sangamon County costs $29 for the first copy. Each additional copy is $11. These fees are a bit higher than some other Illinois counties, but you get a certified copy with a seal that is good for legal use. The Sangamon County Clerk website at sangamonil.gov vital records has forms and instructions. There is also a dedicated death records page with specific details about obituary-related document requests.
Who can get a death certificate from Sangamon County? Immediate family comes first. That means a mother, father, brother, sister, spouse, or child. The informant listed on the death record can also request a copy. Anyone else needs to show a personal or property right interest and provide paperwork to prove it. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, the county clerk can issue copies to those who qualify.
| Office | Sangamon County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 S. Ninth Street, Room 101, Springfield, IL 62701 |
| Phone | (217) 753-6700 |
| vitalrecords@sangamonil.gov | |
| First Copy | $29 |
| Additional Copies | $11 each |
Springfield City Clerk Death Records
Springfield has its own City Clerk office that keeps death records for deaths that occurred in the city from 1985 to the present. This is separate from the Sangamon County Clerk. The Springfield City Clerk is at 300 S. 7th Street, Room 106. You can email them at Vital.Records@Springfield.IL.US or visit the Springfield City Clerk records page.
The fee at the Springfield City Clerk is $17 for the first copy and $7 for each extra one. That is cheaper than the county rate of $29. If the death happened in Springfield after 1985, this office could save you some money. For deaths before 1985 or those that happened outside the city limits but still in Sangamon County, you will need to go to the county clerk. Credit card payments are accepted at the city office with a small convenience fee of 2.10% plus $0.25.
Sangamon County Obituary Search Resources
The Sangamon County vital records office has an online presence where you can find forms and details about requesting death certificates. Below is a look at the Sangamon County vital records page.
The county also has a page focused on death records specifically. You can find that at the Sangamon County death records page, which outlines the steps for ordering death certificates.
Both pages show what forms you need, the fees, and who can make a request. They are useful if you want to plan your visit or mail in your request for Sangamon County obituary records.
Death Registration in Sangamon County
Every death that occurs in Sangamon County must be registered within 7 days under 410 ILCS 535/18. The funeral director files the death certificate with the local registrar. A physician or medical examiner completes the medical certification within 48 hours. Once filed, the record is available from both the county clerk and the state.
Because Springfield is the state capital, the Illinois Department of Public Health office is right in town at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue. That gives Sangamon County residents a unique advantage. You can visit the state office in person if you want. Most people in other counties have to mail their requests. The state charges $19 for a certified copy, which is less than the $29 at the Sangamon County clerk. However, walk-in hours at the state office are limited to 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, and the wait can be long.
Note: The state office processes mail requests in about 12 weeks, so in-person visits to either the county or state office in Springfield are much faster.
Sangamon County Genealogical Obituary Research
Genealogists looking for old obituary records in Sangamon County have good options. The county clerk has records back to 1877. The state archives have a free online death index that covers 1916 to 1972 at the Illinois State Archives database. Death records more than 20 years old can be requested as uncertified genealogical copies, which cost less.
The state charges $10 for a genealogical copy and $2 for each extra one. These are plain paper copies that cannot be used for legal purposes, but they have the same information as a certified copy. Under 410 ILCS 535/24, death records 50 years old or more may also be available at the Illinois State Archives for research. Since the archives are located in Springfield, Sangamon County residents can visit in person at the Margaret Cross Norton Building in the Capitol Complex. Call (217) 782-4866 for hours and access details.
Illinois State Obituary Resources
The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps death records for all counties in the state from 1916 to the present. You can order by mail, fax, in person, or through VitalChek online. The forms and requirements are listed on the IDPH obtain death certificate page. Certified copies cost $19 and genealogical copies cost $10.
Death records in Illinois are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act under 5 ILCS 140/. They are considered confidential vital records. You must show that you have a right to the record. Family members, estate executors, and legal representatives all qualify. For Sangamon County deaths, you can go through the county, the city of Springfield, or the state. Pick the option that fits your timeline and budget.
Cities in Sangamon County
Springfield is the largest city in Sangamon County and the capital of Illinois. It is the only city in the county with a population over 50,000. Death certificates for all communities in Sangamon County go through the county clerk or, for recent Springfield deaths, the city clerk.
Other communities in Sangamon County include Chatham, Rochester, Sherman, and Riverton. All death records for these areas are filed through the Sangamon County Clerk office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Sangamon County. Death certificates are filed in the county where the death occurred. If you are unsure which county is the right one, check the address where the person passed away.