Find Washington County Death Index

Washington County death index records are stored at the county clerk's office in Nashville, Illinois. This southwestern Illinois county has a population of roughly 13,627 and keeps death records at the courthouse for all deaths that have occurred within its borders. If you are looking for a death record from Washington County, the clerk's office in Nashville is where to begin. The Washington County death index covers everything from the county seat to communities like Okawville, Ashley, and Irvington. You can request records in person, by mail, or use the state's online service through VitalChek.

Washington County Clerk Death Index Office

The Washington County Clerk is the keeper of all death index records in the county. The office is at 101 East St. Louis Street in Nashville, IL 62263, inside the Washington County Courthouse. Under Illinois law, the county clerk acts as the local registrar and files death certificates for all deaths occurring within Washington County boundaries.

If you visit the courthouse, bring a valid photo ID. You will need to provide the deceased person's full name and an approximate date of death. The Washington County Clerk will search the death index and issue your copy if the record is on file and you have the right to get it. Walk-in requests at smaller county offices like Washington County are often handled quickly the same day. For help before you visit, call the clerk's office to confirm hours. The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders can point you to the right contact information for the Washington County Clerk.

Washington County Death Record Access

Death records are restricted in Illinois. The Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) sets the rules. Only certain people can request a Washington County death certificate. Spouses, parents, children, and siblings of the deceased person are all eligible. So are grandparents and grandchildren.

Executors and administrators of the estate qualify with proper paperwork. People who can show a property right interest tied to the death may also get a copy. Illinois law defines "property right" as something tangible and owned, like a car title or a deed. If you do not meet any of these criteria, you can still get a Washington County death record if you bring a letter from the office or agency that needs the certificate. A valid government photo ID is a must for all requests. The Washington County Clerk will turn away expired or unreadable IDs.

Note: Non-relatives without documentation from a requesting agency cannot get Washington County death records.

Washington County Death Index Fees

Certified death certificates from Washington County cost $19 for the first copy. Additional copies of the same record are $4. These fees are set by the state.

A $2 surcharge is included in the $19 fee, as required by 410 ILCS 535, Section 25. That goes to the Death Certificate Surcharge Fund. Genealogical copies are $10 at the state level. Check with the Washington County Clerk for their local pricing on uncertified copies. For mail requests, send a check or money order payable to the Washington County Clerk. Cash works for in-person visits.

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders page shown above connects you to county clerk offices across the state, including Washington County, for death index and other vital record requests.

How to Order Washington County Death Records

Going to the Nashville courthouse is the fastest way. Bring your ID and give the clerk the details. They search the Washington County death index right then. If the record exists and you are eligible, you walk out with your copy.

You can also order through VitalChek online. A credit card is required. VitalChek adds a $15 handling fee on top of the certificate cost. UPS shipping is extra. Since VitalChek sends your request to the state office in Springfield rather than directly to Washington County, it takes more time than visiting the clerk in Nashville. Online ordering works well for people who live outside the area and cannot make the trip to southwestern Illinois.

Mail requests go to the Washington County Clerk at 101 East St. Louis Street, Nashville, IL 62263. Include a completed form, a photocopy of your ID, and a check or money order for the fee. Local mail requests from the county are usually faster than state-level mail requests, which take about 12 weeks through the IDPH death certificate office.

Washington County Death Index for Genealogy

Family researchers can get older Washington County death records as genealogy copies. Death certificates 20 years old or more qualify for uncertified copies under Illinois law. These are stamped "for genealogical purposes only" and cost less than certified copies.

For much older records, the Illinois State Archives holds a statewide death index covering pre-1916 records and certificates from 1916 through 1972. Washington County was established in 1818, making it one of the original Illinois counties. Records from those early years may only exist in the state archives. The IDPH death records page also covers genealogy requests for deaths throughout Illinois, including Washington County.

The IDPH vital records overview page above explains the full range of death index records available in Illinois and the process for getting genealogy copies from Washington County and other counties.

State Resources for Washington County Death Records

When the Washington County Clerk cannot locate your record, the Illinois Department of Public Health has death records for all Illinois counties since 1916. The IDPH office is at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue in Springfield. Call (217) 782-6554 weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

State mail requests take about 12 weeks with no updates. Try the Washington County Clerk first if you want faster service. The state is the better option when you are not sure which county a death occurred in or the local office does not have the record.

Nearby Counties

Washington County borders several other southwestern Illinois counties. Death certificates get filed in the county where the death occurred, so verify the address first.