Arlington Heights Death Index

Arlington Heights death index records are kept by the Cook County Clerk's office. This northwest suburb sits about 25 miles from the Loop and has a population of more than 76,000. If you need to look up a death record for someone who passed in Arlington Heights, you will go through the same Cook County system that serves all of suburban Cook County. The Skokie branch office is the closest clerk location for most Arlington Heights residents, though the main Chicago office and the Markham courthouse can also help. Records in Cook County date back to 1872.

Cook County Handles Arlington Heights Death Records

Arlington Heights does not have its own vital records office. All death records go through the Cook County Clerk's Bureau of Vital Statistics. This is how it works for every town and city in Cook County. The clerk files death certificates for all deaths that take place within the county, and that includes Arlington Heights.

The closest Cook County Clerk branch for Arlington Heights residents is the Skokie office at 5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149, Skokie, IL 60077. You can call them at 847-470-7233. This branch is about 10 miles southeast of Arlington Heights, making it a quick trip for most people in the area. Walk-in service is available during regular hours, and staff can search the death index while you wait. If the record is in the system, you can get a copy the same day.

The main Cook County Clerk office is at 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, in the Cook County Building in downtown Chicago. The phone number is 866-252-8974. The third option is the Markham Courthouse at 16501 Kedzie Avenue, Markham, IL 60426, reachable at 708-232-4150. All three offices can handle Arlington Heights death index requests.

The Cook County death certificates page has full details on what to bring and how to submit a request.

You can also check the Cook County Clerk vital records portal for forms and current office hours at all three branches.

Who Can Get Arlington Heights Death Records

Illinois death records are not public. The law limits who can get a copy. Under 410 ILCS 535, only people with a direct connection to the deceased can request a death certificate. This means the spouse, parent, child, or sibling. If you are not a family member, you must show a legal or financial reason for your request. Settling an estate or handling an insurance claim are common examples that qualify.

You will need a valid photo ID when you visit any Cook County office. They accept an Illinois driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID. Make sure your ID is current and readable. An expired ID or one that is hard to read will get your request turned away. If you are not related to the person but have a financial reason for the record, bring a letter from the agency or firm that needs it.

Note: Estate administrators and legal representatives can also get Arlington Heights death records if they have the right court paperwork.

Arlington Heights Death Certificate Fees

Cook County sets the fees. A certified death certificate costs $17 for the first copy. Each extra copy of the same record is $6. There is also a $2 surcharge per certified copy under 410 ILCS 535, Section 25, which goes to the state Death Certificate Surcharge Fund. That surcharge is already built into what you pay.

Genealogical copies of death certificates that are 20 years old or more cost less. These copies are uncertified and stamped for genealogy use only. They are fine for family history work but will not serve a legal purpose. The Cook County Genealogy Unit processes these requests for older Arlington Heights death records.

Pay by cash, check, or money order at the office. Credit cards may be accepted at some branches. For mail requests, send a check or money order to the main office at 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602.

How to Get Arlington Heights Death Index Copies

Going in person is the fastest way. Head to the Skokie office since it is the closest branch to Arlington Heights. Bring your photo ID and know the full name and date of death for the person you are searching. The staff can pull records on the spot in most cases. Same-day copies are typical for recent deaths. Older records may take a bit longer to locate in the files.

You can also order online through VitalChek, which is the state's authorized online vendor. A major credit card is needed. VitalChek adds a $15 handling fee on top of the certificate cost. You can also pay $22 for UPS shipping if speed matters. Online orders through VitalChek cover deaths within the last 20 years. For older Arlington Heights death records, plan on an in-person visit or a mail request to the Genealogy Unit.

Mail requests go to Cook County Clerk, 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602. Include a filled-out request form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order. Mail takes longer to process, so give yourself extra time if you have a deadline coming up.

State Resources for Arlington Heights Death Records

The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps death records for all of Illinois from 1916 on. If Cook County cannot help with a specific Arlington Heights death record, IDPH is a backup. Their office is at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue in Springfield. Call (217) 782-6554 on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mail requests to IDPH take about 12 weeks.

IDPH offers two types of copies. A certified copy costs $19 by mail for the first, with $4 for each extra copy. Certified copies work for legal purposes like estate matters and insurance claims. Genealogical copies cost $10 with $2 for each one after that. These are for family history only. The Illinois State Archives has the statewide death index for records before 1916 and death certificates from 1916 to 1972, which can help with much older Arlington Heights deaths.

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders is another resource if you need to track down a death that may have happened outside Cook County.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Arlington Heights and share Cook County or border it. Each page covers death index details for that area.