Des Plaines Death Index

Des Plaines death index records are managed by the Cook County Clerk's office, not by the city itself. With a population near 59,000 and a location just northwest of Chicago near O'Hare, Des Plaines is a busy suburban hub. All deaths that take place in the city are filed with Cook County. The Skokie branch of the Cook County Clerk is the closest office for most Des Plaines residents looking for death certificates. The county death index stretches back to 1872, covering more than a century of Des Plaines records.

Cook County Files Des Plaines Death Records

There is no city-level death records office in Des Plaines. The Cook County Clerk's Bureau of Vital Statistics stores and issues all death certificates for Des Plaines. This is standard for every municipality in Cook County. When a death occurs in Des Plaines, the funeral home or hospital files the certificate with Cook County, and it becomes part of the county death index.

The Skokie branch office is the best choice for Des Plaines residents. It sits at 5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149, Skokie, IL 60077. The phone number is 847-470-7233. This location is just a short drive south from Des Plaines along the Edens Expressway. Staff there can search the death index and hand you a copy during your visit if the record shows up in the system. Recent deaths are usually available right away. Records from many decades ago might take extra time to locate.

The main Cook County Clerk office is at 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, in downtown Chicago. Call 866-252-8974 if you want to check before heading there. The Markham Courthouse at 16501 Kedzie Avenue, Markham, IL 60426 is the south suburban branch, reachable at 708-232-4150. All three locations handle Des Plaines death index requests the same way.

Check the Cook County death certificates page for a rundown of required forms and steps.

The Cook County Clerk vital records portal has more specifics on hours and what you need to bring for a Des Plaines death record request.

Who Can Request Des Plaines Death Records

Illinois treats death records as restricted. They are not open to the general public. 410 ILCS 535 spells out who qualifies. You must be a relative of the deceased, such as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling. People who are not family need to prove a legitimate financial or legal interest. Common qualifying reasons include settling a will, closing out a bank account, or processing an insurance claim.

A valid photo ID is required at every Cook County office. They take an Illinois driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. It needs to be current. Expired IDs or IDs that are hard to read will result in your request being turned down. For non-family requesters, bring a signed letter from the agency or company that needs the Des Plaines death record, explaining the purpose.

Note: Court-appointed estate administrators and legal counsel may also get Des Plaines death certificates with supporting documents.

Des Plaines Death Certificate Fees

Cook County controls the fee schedule. The first certified copy costs $17. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $6 each. Under 410 ILCS 535, Section 25, a $2 surcharge per certified death certificate funds the state Death Certificate Surcharge Fund. That amount is included in the $17 you pay.

Genealogical copies are cheaper. If the death happened 20 or more years ago, you can request an uncertified genealogical copy instead. These come stamped so they cannot be used for legal purposes, but they serve family history research well. Cook County's Genealogy Unit deals with these types of requests for older Des Plaines records.

Pay at the counter with cash, check, or money order. Some branches accept credit cards too. For mail orders, make your check or money order out to the Cook County Clerk and send it to 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602.

How to Get Des Plaines Death Index Copies

In person at the Skokie office is the most practical option for Des Plaines residents. Take your photo ID and the decedent's name and date of death. Staff can pull the record and give you a copy that same visit. The whole thing usually takes under an hour if the office is not too busy.

You can order online through VitalChek, which handles online orders for Illinois vital records. A credit card is required. VitalChek tacks on a $15 service fee. UPS shipping adds another $22. Online availability covers deaths in the last 20 years. For older Des Plaines death records, you will need to visit an office or write to the Genealogy Unit.

Mail-in requests go to Cook County Clerk, 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602. Send a completed request form, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order covering the fee. Mail takes more time than a walk-in visit, so leave room in your schedule.

Illinois State Resources for Des Plaines Deaths

The Illinois Department of Public Health is a state-level option. IDPH holds death records from 1916 forward for the entire state. Their Springfield office is at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue. Call (217) 782-6554 weekdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mail requests through IDPH run about 12 weeks, which is much slower than going to Cook County directly.

IDPH charges $19 for a certified copy by mail, plus $4 for each additional copy. Genealogical copies cost $10 first and $2 for extras. The Illinois State Archives has the older statewide death index for pre-1916 records, plus death certificates from 1916 through 1972. If you are looking for a very old Des Plaines death record, the Archives may be the place to start.

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders links to clerk offices across the state, which can help if you think the death occurred outside Cook County.

Nearby Cities

Des Plaines borders or sits close to several other Cook County communities. Each has a page with death index information for that city.