ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES

Illinois Death Certificates Database, 1916-1950

Entering Search Criteria

Enter the decedent's last name or the decedent's last name in combination with the first name or the first name and middle name or initial in the appropriate search fields. A minimum of the first two letters of the decedent's last name are required, but the first name and middle name may be omitted to accomplish a surname search. Searches are not case sensitive: you may use any combination of upper and lower case letters. The following types of searches may be conducted:

• Enter at least the first two letters of the last name of the decedent in the last name field of the search screen.
• Enter the first name and at least the first two letters of the last name of the decedent.
• Enter the first name, middle name or initial and at least the first two letters of the last name of the decedent.
• Enter at least the first two letters of the last name of the decedent or the last name and the first name and optionally the middle name or initial of the decedent and select STATEWIDE from the list box to return a list of deaths for the name you entered.
• Enter at least the first two letters of the last name of the decedent or at least the first two letters of the last name and the first name and optionally the middle name or initial of the decedent and select the name of a county from the drop-down option box to return a list of deaths for the name you entered from a particular county.

More information about how to obtain copies of death certificates after 1915.

More information about how to obtain copies of death certificates before 1916.