Naperville Death Index Lookup

Naperville death index records are kept by the DuPage County Clerk. With more than 150,000 residents, Naperville is one of the largest cities in Illinois and sits mostly in DuPage County, with a small part in Will County. The DuPage County Clerk in Wheaton handles the vast majority of Naperville death certificate requests. The DuPage County Health Department also has death records going back to 1953, giving residents a second source for older records in the Naperville area.

DuPage County Death Index for Naperville

The DuPage County Clerk is the main office for Naperville death records. Most of Naperville falls within DuPage County, so this is where you start for any death index search. The clerk files and stores death certificates for all deaths that occur in DuPage County, including Naperville.

The DuPage County Clerk's office is at 421 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton, IL 60187. Call 630-407-5500 for help. Wheaton is the county seat and sits just north of Naperville. The drive is under 15 minutes from most Naperville neighborhoods. Walk-in requests get processed during regular business hours. Staff can search the death index and pull copies while you wait for recent records. Older records may take more time to locate in the files.

A small part of Naperville extends into Will County. If the death took place at a location in the Will County portion of Naperville, the death certificate would be on file with the Will County Clerk at 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet, IL 60432. Call 815-740-4615 if you think the death may have been in the Will County section.

The DuPage County Health Department keeps its own set of death records dating back to 1953. This gives Naperville residents a second option for getting death index copies, particularly for deaths from the mid-20th century forward.

Who Can Get Naperville Death Records

Death records in Illinois are restricted. They are not public records. Under 410 ILCS 535, only relatives and people with a legal or financial interest in the death can get copies of a death certificate. A spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the person who died can request Naperville death records. Estate administrators, attorneys, and insurance companies with proper documentation can also get copies.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID to the DuPage County Clerk's office. An Illinois driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID all work. If you are not a relative, you need a letter from the agency or office that requires the death certificate. Without the right ID or documentation, your Naperville death index request will be returned.

Naperville Death Certificate Fees

DuPage County charges $18 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. Each extra copy of the same record costs $6. These fees apply to all Naperville deaths filed with DuPage County. Under 410 ILCS 535, Section 25, a $2 surcharge on each certified death certificate goes to the state's Death Certificate Surcharge Fund. This is already included in the fee you pay.

Genealogical copies are available for deaths that happened 20 or more years ago. These cost less than certified copies. They come stamped as uncertified and are meant for family history research only. You cannot use a genealogical copy for legal matters like settling an estate or filing an insurance claim in Naperville or anywhere else in Illinois.

Payment at the DuPage County Clerk's office can be made by cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, send a check or money order payable to the DuPage County Clerk.

How to Get Naperville Death Index Copies

In person is the quickest option. Visit the DuPage County Clerk at 421 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton during business hours. Bring your photo ID, the name of the person who died, and the approximate date of death. Same-day copies are available for most requests.

Online orders for Naperville death records can go through VitalChek for DuPage County. VitalChek is authorized to process vital records requests. A $15 handling fee applies on top of the certificate cost. You need a major credit card. Shipping by UPS costs $22 extra if you want faster delivery. Recent Naperville death records are available through VitalChek, but for records older than 20 years you may need to go in person or write to the Genealogy Unit.

Mail requests should go to the DuPage County Clerk, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187. Include a filled-out application, a copy of your photo ID, and payment. Allow extra time for mail processing compared to walk-in service.

Note: If you are not sure whether a Naperville death was filed in DuPage or Will County, try DuPage first since the vast majority of the city falls in that county.

State Resources for Naperville Death Records

The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps death records for all Illinois deaths from 1916 to present. Their office is at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue in Springfield. Call (217) 782-6554 weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for help. This is a good backup if DuPage County does not have the Naperville death record you need. A certified copy by mail costs $19 from IDPH, plus $4 for each extra. Processing takes about 12 weeks.

The Illinois State Archives has the statewide death index for records before 1916 and copies of death certificates from 1916 through 1972. For very old Naperville death records, the archives is your best source. The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders is another resource that can help you find the right office for your search.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Naperville and share some of the same county offices for death index records.