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Significance Of Illinois Death Records

By Claire Dowell


One might not be able to think of how important a document of death can be. As a matter of fact, death records can be very advantageous in various ways. Perhaps the most substantial information such record can provide is the cause of death. With today's people's knowledge of genetic disorders, the mere fact than an ancestor may have succumbed to death from a familial disease is very significant. Death records do not only state the cause of death, but may also include any contributing factors, and many other important details about the decedent. The principal repository for Illinois death notices is the Department of Public Health, specifically the Vital Statistics Division.

Deaths, along with other important occurrences in a person's life, are also tracked and recorded. Archives of deaths are deemed vital records as well. A certificate of death can be used in a handful of intentions. Genealogy research is one. When you wish to track down your family tree, making use of a death record is very helpful as it can shed light to some noteworthy information such as the personal details of the decedent, the next kin, cause of death and other essential particulars.

Certified and uncertified copies of death records can be obtained from the Division of Vital Records. Additionally, such copies of death notices can also be acquired through the Office of the County Clerk in the county where the death took place. For deaths recorded prior to 1916, these can only be obtained from the county clerk's office.

In Illinois, it is the Vital Records Division that houses all vital records in the state including decrees of deaths. Such agency is appointed by the Illinois Department of Public Health. It is vital to take note, however, that even if the death decree requested is not certified, one can only obtain such file provided that the death occurred 20 years before the date of request. Requested information on deaths that transpired prior to this are not available at the state office. You can try your luck at the Office of the Clerk, though, in the county where the death took place as deaths that occurred before 1916 are available in this office.

In requesting for a copy of a death record, the important details you need to provide are the decedent's full name, date and county of the death, the parents' name, your relationship to the deceased, and the reason for your request. In addition, a written and notarized document naming you as the authorized individual should be submitted. If your purpose is to claim legal, personal or property interest, a printed document verifying that you have a personal or property interest at stake, such as a will naming you, should be submitted to the Office of Vital Statistics along with your request form.

Methods in acquiring death records in the State of Illinois can be through online, by mail, by fax, or in person. The standard processing time for death record requests takes days to weeks depending on the mode of acquisition utilized and the volume of requests received in the Vital Records Office. If you want to get a reproduction of a death record fast, do it online. There are a lot of online record providers which can offer you the same service but only for a minimal fee. What's more, these providers can also give you death records free public you need in just a matter of minutes.




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