Illinois Death Certificate Apostille Guide
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Apostilling an Illinois death certificate means ordering a certified copy from the state, then having the state authenticate it. This guide walks you through doing it yourself for the state apostille fee only: $2 for each apostille or authentication. No agency markup, no middleman.
- Apostille fee: $2 per apostille certificate
- Certified copy: $19 first certified copy; additional copies listed at $4 each on death page
- Certified copy from: IDPH Division of Vital Records, or your local County Clerk
- Processing Time: About 14 business days by mail; same-day in person where offered
- Requirements: Original certified copy with the registrar's seal and signature
- Issuing Authority: Illinois Secretary of State
- Note: Only works for Illinois-issued documents
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Quick Answer
To apostille a Illinois death certificate, order an official certified copy from Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records, then submit it to Illinois Secretary of State with the $2 apostille fee. Plan for the time to get both the certified copy and the apostille.
En español
Para apostillar un certificado de defunción de Illinois, solicite una copia certificada oficial a Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records y luego envíela a Illinois Secretary of State junto con la tarifa de apostille de $2. Tenga en cuenta el tiempo necesario para obtener tanto la copia certificada como el apostille.
What It Is
An apostille authenticates an official certified copy of the Death Certificate issued by the state vital-records office. It does not certify the facts recorded on the certificate; it only confirms that the issuing official's signature and seal are genuine, so a foreign government will accept the document.
Because of this, a funeral-home or souvenir copy cannot be apostilled, and neither can a plain photocopy or scan. You need the certified copy carrying the original seal and signature from the issuing office.
That sealed copy is the only version the apostille authority can act on, so secure it first before you start the authentication step.
When You Need an Apostille
People most often apostille a Illinois death certificate for:
When You Don't Need an Apostille
- The document will only be used inside the United States — an apostille is for use abroad.
- The destination country is NOT a member of the Hague Apostille Convention; those countries require consular legalization through their embassy or consulate instead of an apostille.
- The receiving institution has confirmed in writing that a plain or notarized copy is enough.
Who Can Apply
Ordering a certified copy is restricted to those with a direct connection to the deceased, and you will need a valid photo ID. In general, eligible requesters include
- The surviving spouse, parent, child, or sibling, or the estate's legal representative or executor. A valid photo ID and proof of relationship or legal interest are typically required.
- A certified copy itself: a state-issued copy with a raised or multicolor seal, not an informational copy.
- A copy bearing the registrar's original (not stamped) signature.
Document Requirements
Certified original
State-issued certified copy with a raised or multicolor seal — not an informational copy
Original signature
The registrar's original (not stamped) signature
Eligible requester
Usually the surviving spouse, parent, child, sibling, or the estate's legal representative/executor; a valid photo ID and proof of relationship or legal interest are typically required
- •Photocopies or scans of a certified copy
- •Funeral-home or hospital-issued copies
- •Informational copies marked 'not a valid document to establish identity'
- •Stamped (non-original) signatures
- •Damaged or altered certificates
Fees & Processing Times
Budget for two separate fees: the certified copy of your death certificate and the apostille itself.
$19 first certified copy; additional copies listed at $4 each on death page
Certified death certificate (Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records)
$2
Per apostille certificate
Payment method: Check or money order payable to "Illinois Secretary of State" (mail language specifies one single check/money order covering all docs)
| Fee Category | Details / Value |
|---|---|
| Certified copy | $19 first certified copy; additional copies listed at $4 each on death page — Certified death certificate (Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records) |
| Apostille fee | $2 — per apostille certificate |
| Payment | Check or money order payable to "Illinois Secretary of State" (mail language specifies one single check/money order covering all docs) |
| Processing — by mail | Processing time: 7 to 14 business days for mail requests. |
| Processing — in person | In-person requests accepted at Chicago and Springfield locations, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; In most cases, documents are processed while you wait on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Same-day / expedited | No separate expedited surcharge found. |
Fees and processing times verified 2026-02-24 against official state sources. Always confirm the current amount before sending payment.
Step-by-Step How-To
- 1
Order a certified death certificate
Start by ordering the certified death certificate from IDPH using the channels for that record: Birth/death: mail requests to IDPH; death page also provides fax and VitalChek channel. Marriage/civil union/dissolution verifications: mail, fax, and in-person drop-off channels listed.
- 2
Submit it for apostille
Assemble your packet: the certified copy, the required request form, your payment, and a return envelope. Mail it to: Secretary of State, Index Department, 69 W. After you have the certified copy, the apostille is issued separately by the Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department ($2 per document).
Secretary of State
Index Department
69 W. Washington Street
Suite 1240
Chicago
IL 60602 - 3
Receive your apostille
Your apostilled certificate is returned in your prepaid envelope (or handed back at the counter for same-day service). Keep the apostille attached to the certificate when using it abroad.
🌍 Next step: Certified Translation
Many countries require a certified translation of your apostilled death certificate — especially for immigration, USCIS, or university admissions. Get a USCIS-accepted translation at CertTranslate.com.
Contact Information
Secretary of State
Index Department
69 W. Washington Street
Suite 1240
Chicago
IL 60602
Phone
312-814-8218
Hours
Index Department hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (documents for review accepted 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Common Reasons Apostilles Get Rejected
Photocopies or scans of a certified copy
Funeral-home or hospital-issued copies
Informational copies marked 'not a valid document to establish identity'
Stamped (non-original) signatures
Damaged or altered certificates
Official Resources
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Verified Sources
Every fee, address, and processing time on this page was checked against the official government sources below (last verified 2026-02-24).
- ilsos.gov· checked 2026-02-24
- dph.illinois.gov· checked 2026-02-24
- cookcountyclerkil.gov· checked 2026-06-06
Sources & Methodology
Official Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department (Authentication / Apostille services)
- Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records
- Hague Conference on Private International Law
Our Process
- Verified against official .gov sources
- Reviewed by document-authentication specialists
- Fee and processing-time monitoring
Disclaimer: This information is general guidance and not legal advice. Always verify current information directly with the Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department (Authentication / Apostille services) before submitting your application.
"Getting an apostille for your Illinois death certificate is straightforward once you have the right certified copy — the most common rejection is submitting a photocopy instead of a sealed original."
Amelia Rivera
Document Processing Specialist
15+ years in document authentication
Verification & Updates Log
Tracking content accuracy and improvements
- 2026-06-09Updated
Refreshed this guide and added a Spanish-language summary (En español), the two-fee cost breakdown (certified copy + apostille), and direct links to every official .gov source.
- 2026-06-06Updated
Added the certified-copy cost alongside the apostille fee, refreshed the current processing times, and linked the official .gov pages every fact was verified against.
- 2026-06-06Improved
Expanded the accepted-document and rejection-reason checklists so applicants can avoid the most common returns.
- 2026-02-24Verified
Confirmed the $2 apostille fee and Illinois Secretary of State as the issuing authority.
- 2026-02-24Verified
Verified where to order a certified death certificate (Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records) and the apostille submission addresses.
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