Vital Records

Lake County Vital Records Department
18 North County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085

Go to the following website to see the current information in case changes have been made since our web page was created: Genealogical Record Records Search

Fees: $8.00 for the first certified copy of birth and marriage records, $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record. $10.00 for the first certified copy of death record, $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record. Uncertified records stamped "For Genealogical Purposes Only" cost $4.00 each. Include a SASE, and a check or money order. Double-check costs at the Lake County County Clerk's Page.

Records at the Lake County Courthouse start at:
Marriage Licenses 1839
Birth Records 1871
Death Records 1877

WHAT YOU NEED ON YOUR REQUEST
(and other important details)

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

Death Records: Public Records. Provide the name of the deceased; date and place of death. You will also need to state the reason you are requesting the record. (Genealogical research is an acceptable reason)

A recent law has declared Birth and Marriage Records less than 75 years old to be CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS. These records are subject to access restrictions, unless written authorization from the principal is included.

Records 75 years old and older are not subject to the restrictions.

Birth Records: Less than 75 years: released only to one of the persons named on the birth record or, if person is a minor, to legal guardian. Provide the name, date, father's name and mother's maiden name. Include your relationship to the person, and a copy of your driver's license to confirm identification.

Marriage Records: Less than 75 years: released only to bride, groom, mother, father, brother or sister of the bride or groom. Provide the name of the groom, bride's maiden name, date of marriage and place of marriage. Include your relationship to the person, and a copy of your driver's license to confirm identification.

Records 75 years old and older may be requested. Provide as much of the above information as you have. Try to narrow the date down, for example, don't ask the clerk to check all births in Lake County between 1850 and 1875. Be reasonable, be respectful.