St. Clair County Obituary Search

St. Clair County obituary records help families trace death records and find details about loved ones who passed away in this part of southern Illinois. The county clerk office in Belleville is the main place to get death certificates and related vital records. With more than 257,000 residents, St. Clair County is one of the largest counties in the state and has death records going back well over a century. You can search for obituary records through the county office, the Illinois Department of Public Health, or third-party services that work with the state. Whether you need a certified copy for legal use or a genealogical copy for family research, St. Clair County has options to help you find what you need.

St. Clair County Clerk Vital Records

The St. Clair County Clerk office handles obituary-related records like death certificates for deaths that took place within the county. The office is at 10 Public Square in Belleville. Birth, death, marriage, and civil union records are all kept here. For most people in St. Clair County, this is the fastest way to get a certified copy of a death certificate because the county office often has shorter wait times than the state.

You can order St. Clair County death certificates through VitalChek, which is the online service the county uses for vital record requests. The phone line for orders is (888) 290-6363, and the fax number is (877) 846-4972. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the base cost. If you prefer to request records in person, go to the clerk office during business hours and bring a valid photo ID. St. Clair County staff can look up records and tell you what is on file. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, the county can issue certified copies to those who have a right to the record.

The St. Clair County vital records page on the county website has details about what you need to bring and how to submit a request. You can visit the St. Clair County vital records page for more info on the process and current forms.

How to Find St. Clair County Obituary Records

There are a few ways to search for obituary and death records in St. Clair County. The method you choose depends on how old the record is and what type of copy you need. For recent deaths, the county clerk office is usually the best bet. For older records, the Illinois Department of Public Health or the state archives may have what you need.

The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps death records for all deaths in the state from 1916 to the present. You can request copies by mail, fax, in person, or online through VitalChek. A certified copy costs $19 for the first one and $4 for each extra. Genealogical copies are $10 for the first and $2 for each additional. Keep in mind that the state office takes about 12 weeks to process mail requests, so the St. Clair County clerk may be a faster option. The state office is at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue in Springfield, and you can call (217) 782-6554 for questions.

For historical obituary records in St. Clair County, the Illinois State Archives death index covers records from 1916 to 1972. This free database lets you search by name and find basic details about a death. It does not give you a full certificate, but it can help you confirm dates and places before you order one. Records that are 20 years old or more can be requested as genealogical copies at a lower fee under 410 ILCS 535/24.

Note: Death records in Illinois are not public records and can only be obtained by those with a personal or property right interest in the record.

St. Clair County Death Record Resources

The St. Clair County clerk website provides details about vital record services including death certificates. Below is a look at the St. Clair County vital records page where you can find forms, fees, and instructions for requesting obituary-related records.

This page shows the types of records you can request from St. Clair County, the fees involved, and what identification is needed. It is a good starting point if you plan to request a death certificate from the county rather than the state office.

Obituary Record Access in St. Clair County

Illinois law limits who can get death certificates. Not just anyone can walk in and get a copy. You must show that you have a personal or property right interest tied to the person who died. Family members like a spouse, parent, child, or sibling can request records. Legal representatives and estate executors can too, as long as they have the right paperwork.

To request a death certificate from St. Clair County, you need a valid government-issued photo ID. The state accepts an Illinois driver's license, state ID, US passport, or military ID. The ID must not be expired and must be easy to read. If you do not have a photo ID, you can use three forms of identification that show your current name and address, such as a voter registration card, bank statement, or utility bill. Under the Illinois Vital Records Act, vital records are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/), so FOIA requests for death certificates in St. Clair County will not work.

Note: Genealogical copies of death records are only available for deaths that occurred more than 20 years ago.

St. Clair County Obituary Record Fees

Fees for death certificates in St. Clair County depend on where you order. The state charges $19 for a first certified copy and $4 for each additional one through the Illinois Department of Public Health. If you order through VitalChek online, there is an extra $15 handling fee plus optional shipping. The county office may have its own fee schedule that is a bit different from the state rates.

Genealogical copies cost less. The state charges $10 for the first copy and $2 for each extra one. These are plain paper copies that cannot be used for legal matters, but they work well for family research. If you need a record from St. Clair County for settling an estate or claiming insurance, you will need the full certified copy. Processing through the state takes around 12 weeks by mail. Urgent requests with proof of immediate need can be handled in 5 to 7 business days if you use overnight delivery.

How Death Records Work in St. Clair County

When someone dies in St. Clair County, a death certificate must be filed with the local registrar within 7 days. This is required under 410 ILCS 535/18. The funeral director is responsible for filing the completed certificate. A doctor or medical examiner must complete the medical certification part within 48 hours. Once filed, the record goes into the county and state systems.

The county clerk in St. Clair County keeps a local copy. The state registrar in Springfield also gets a copy. Both can issue certified copies later. If you are looking for an obituary record from St. Clair County, either office can help. The county office is often quicker for recent records. The state has a more complete database for older ones. For deaths before 1916, records may be found at the Illinois State Archives in Springfield or through local historical societies in the St. Clair County area.

Illinois State Obituary Records

The Illinois Department of Public Health is the main state agency for death records. They keep files for every death in Illinois since January 1916. The division of vital records handles all requests. You can mail your request to 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, Illinois 62702-2737. Include a completed application form, a copy of your photo ID, and payment by check or money order payable to IDPH.

If you want a death certificate from St. Clair County but cannot visit the clerk office in Belleville, the state is your best option. Just be ready for the wait. Regular mail takes about 12 weeks. The IDPH obtain death certificate page has forms and details on what to send. For researchers who need multiple records, there is a separate process that requires IRB approval and additional paperwork, as described on the IDPH researchers page.

Nearby Counties

These counties border St. Clair County in Illinois. If you are not sure where a death took place, check with the neighboring county clerk. The death certificate is filed in the county where the death occurred, not where the person lived.