Birth Certificates

When you need a copy of a birth certificate in Cook County, it usually means something important is happening—getting a passport, enrolling in school, starting a new job, applying for benefits, or proving your identity. This guide walks you step by step through how Cook County Illinois birth certificates work, who can request them, the different ways to order, what they cost, and special rules for people who may qualify for a free record. Everything here is based on the Cook County Clerk’s official Vital Records information so you can feel confident you’re following the right process.

Get familiar with Cook County birth certificates and who keeps them

Cook County birth certificates are the official record of births that take place in Chicago and suburban Cook County. The Cook County Clerk’s office is the legal record keeper for these documents. That means if you or your child were born anywhere within Cook County, the Clerk’s Vital Records division is the office that issues certified copies.

Certified copies are what agencies mean when they ask for an “official” or “certified” birth certificate. They carry security features and are accepted for legal and government purposes, such as:

Obtaining a state ID or driver’s license
Applying for a U.S. passport
Enrolling a child in school or sports
Proving age or identity for employment
Handling Social Security or benefits paperwork
Genealogy and dual citizenship requests (in some cases)

You can review the county’s description of its role as the official record keeper on the Cook County Clerk birth certificate page.

Understand eligibility: who can legally request a birth certificate

Not everyone can request anyone’s birth certificate. Illinois law limits who has a “direct and tangible interest” in a birth record. Cook County follows that state law very closely.

Check if you qualify as an eligible requester

In general, you can request a Cook County birth certificate if you are:

The person named on the birth certificate (and you are at least 18 years old), or

A parent whose name appears on the birth certificate, or

A court-appointed legal guardian of the person named on the birth certificate, or

A legal representative of one of the above (for example, an attorney acting on their behalf).

For parents, the key point is that your name must appear on the child’s birth record. For guardians, you must be able to prove your court appointment.

See how “direct and tangible interest” works in practice

The phrase “direct and tangible interest” comes from Illinois law and is reflected directly in the county’s request forms. In practice, that means:

You are seeking the certificate for a clear personal, family, or legal reason.

You are connected to the person on the record in a legally recognized way.

You are not requesting the record out of curiosity or for someone you have no legal connection to.

The Birth Record Request Form used by Cook County spells out these rules and is required for mail requests. You can view it on the county’s official site as the birth certificate request form.

Learn what information you’ll need before you apply

No matter how you decide to order your Cook County birth certificate, you will be asked for specific details about the birth and the person on the record. Having this ready will save you time and reduce the chance of delays.

Key birth details you’ll be asked to provide

Typically, you will need:

Full name at birth of the person whose record you’re requesting

Date of birth (month, day, and year)

Place of birth within Cook County (city or village, such as Chicago or a suburban municipality)

Parent 1’s name, including the parent’s last name (often listed as the maiden name in the form)

Parent 2’s name (optional, but helpful if it appears on the record)

For some situations—such as adoptions or name changes—the form may ask you to provide the parent’s name as it appeared at the time of adoption or other key events, as reflected in the record.

Your own contact details and signature

You will also need to provide:

Your full name
Your mailing address
A daytime phone number
Your relationship to the person on the birth record
Your signature certifying that the information is accurate

When requesting by mail, all of this is filled out on the official form; in person or online, the same questions appear on a digital or paper application.

Check current fees for Cook County birth certificate copies

Cook County uses a simple base fee structure for birth certificates:

$15 for the first certified copy of a birth certificate
$4 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time

The Clerk’s office notes this standard pricing in its birth and death records overview.

Depending on how you order, there may be additional processing or convenience fees—especially for online, phone, or currency-exchange orders. Those extra charges are for the ordering service itself and are on top of the county’s base record fee.

Choose how to request a Cook County birth certificate

You have several options for getting Cook County Illinois birth certificates. The main methods are:

Online or by phone through the Clerk’s authorized ordering system
By mail, using the official birth certificate request form
In person, at the downtown Chicago Vital Records office or suburban courthouse locations
Through participating currency exchanges in Chicago and suburban Cook County

Each option has different processing times, costs, and requirements. The best choice for you depends on how quickly you need the record and how comfortable you are with in-person vs. remote ordering.

Order a Cook County birth certificate online or by phone

The Cook County Clerk works with an authorized service for online and phone orders. This route is often the most convenient if you cannot get to an office in person.

What you’ll need for online or phone orders

Be prepared to provide:

City of birth listed on the certificate
Full name of the child/person on the record
Exact date of birth
First and last names of the parents

You will also be asked to verify your identity and your relationship to the person named on the certificate, consistent with the legal eligibility rules.

Extra fees and processing time for remote orders

For online and phone orders:

There is an additional processing fee (for example, $13.45) charged by the ordering service, plus standard postage.

You can usually pay by major credit cards (such as MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover) and sometimes by check, depending on the channel.

Processing time typically looks like this:

Around 10–15 business days from approval for regular mail delivery
Around 5–10 business days for orders upgraded to UPS delivery

These estimates are based on timelines described by the Clerk’s office and can vary depending on volume, holidays, and mail delays.

Request a birth certificate by mail, step by step

If you prefer not to order online or by phone—or if you are mailing in guardianship documents—mail-in requests through the Bureau of Vital Records are a solid option.

Complete the official birth certificate request form

Start by downloading and printing the county’s birth certificate request form. Fill out:

All birth record information (name, date of birth, place of birth, parents’ names)
Your relationship to the person named on the record
Your contact information, including phone number
The number of copies you are requesting

If you are a legal guardian, make sure you are identified correctly in the relationship section, and be prepared to include your court appointment documents.

Prepare your identification

You must include a photocopy of your valid photo ID with your mail request. The Clerk’s site lists acceptable identification types (such as a driver’s license or state ID) and other options in special situations. For full details, check the page on acceptable forms of ID.

Include payment and a return envelope

With your completed form and ID copy, you must include:

A check or money order payable to “Cook County Clerk” for the correct amount (usually $15 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time).

A self-addressed stamped envelope so the certificate can be mailed back to you.

Checks are accepted for mail requests (unlike in-person visits, where checks are not accepted).

Mail your request to the Bureau of Vital Records

Mail everything to the address listed on the form for the Bureau of Vital Records in Chicago. The Clerk’s office notes that:

On average, mail orders are processed within about 20 business days from the date the request is received in the office.

Special research requests—such as genealogical or dual citizenship cases—may take longer.

To avoid delays, double-check that your form is complete, your ID copy is clear, and your payment amount matches the number of copies you need.

Visit a Vital Records office in person for in-hand service

If you want your birth certificate faster and prefer face-to-face service, you can go directly to one of the Clerk’s offices that issue birth certificates.

The county’s Vital Records division issues birth certificates at the downtown Chicago office and at three suburban courthouses. Most records are printed on demand while you wait, assuming your record is on file and all your documents are in order.

You can review the main details, including hours and services, on the Downtown Chicago Vital Records office page.

What to expect when you walk in

When you go in person:

You will fill out an application providing birth details and your relationship to the person on the record.

You must present an acceptable form of photo ID at the counter.

Records are $15 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy requested at the same time.

For payment, the Clerk’s office indicates:

Cash, debit cards, and credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover) are accepted.

Checks are not accepted in person.

There is a small processing fee for card payments (for example, around $1.25 for debit cards and $1.75 for credit cards).

Typical office hours at the downtown Vital Records location are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the office closed on weekends and major holidays.

Use a currency exchange to pick up a Cook County birth certificate

Cook County also allows certain authorized currency exchanges in Chicago and suburban Cook County to accept requests for birth certificates.

Here is how that option generally works:

You place your request at a participating currency exchange location.

The currency exchange collects your information and fees, including the county’s record fee and its own surcharge for handling the request.

Records must be picked up at the same store later by you; they are not mailed to the currency exchange.

The Clerk’s office notes there is an additional $5 surcharge for records obtained at a currency exchange. This convenience option may be useful if you live closer to a participating currency exchange than to a courthouse, but it is still tied into the official Vital Records system.

See when a Cook County birth certificate can be free

For some residents, Cook County offers a free birth certificate program. This is specifically designed to help people who might struggle to pay fees but need an official record to rebuild stability in their lives.

You may qualify for a free certified copy of your Cook County birth record if you are verified as:

Homeless

A resident of a shelter for victims of domestic abuse or violence

Formerly incarcerated and released from Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) or Cook County Jail within the last 90 days

A current inmate or detainee in IDOC or Cook County Jail who will be released within the next 90 days

This program is highlighted both on the Vital Records overview and on the free-record request materials.

How the free birth record request and status certification work

To get a free birth certificate under this program:

You (or someone helping you) complete a request for your birth record.

A status certification must be completed and signed by a qualified verifying agent or agency confirming your eligibility.

Both pages—the regular request information and the status certification—must be submitted to the Clerk’s office.

The detailed form and instructions are available in the county’s official PDF, the Free Birth Record Request Form and Status Certification.

Who can verify your status

The verification must come from one of the approved categories listed on the certification page, such as:

A homeless service agency receiving government funding or sanctioned by a local continuum of care

An attorney licensed to practice in Illinois

A public school homeless liaison or school social worker

A human services provider funded by the State to serve people experiencing homelessness, runaway youth, individuals with mental illness, or individuals with addictions

A staff member at a domestic violence shelter

A staff member at a human service agency or government office that assists incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals

The verifying person signs under penalty of perjury that you are eligible at the time they complete the form. Once accepted, the certification entitles you to one free certified copy of your birth record.

Make sure your ID and supporting documents are ready

A common reason for delays in processing Cook County birth certificates is missing or unacceptable identification. Before you submit any request, confirm that you have the right ID and supporting documents.

Photo ID requirements

Cook County provides clear guidance on what counts as acceptable identification, including primary photo IDs and combinations of alternate documents if needed. To check the latest list of acceptable IDs and special circumstances, review the county’s page on acceptable forms of ID.

Generally, you should be ready with:

A valid government-issued photo ID (such as an Illinois driver’s license or state ID), or

A combination of documents that together meet the county’s requirements, if you do not have a standard ID.

Extra documents for guardians, legal representatives, and special cases

In addition to your ID:

Legal guardians must include a certified copy of the court order showing their appointment. The Clerk notes that such certified copies come from the Circuit Court that issued the order.

Attorneys or legal representatives may be asked to show proof that they are authorized to act on behalf of the person or parent named on the record.

For free birth certificate requests, you must attach the completed status certification form from a qualified agency, as described above.

Having all of these documents ready at the time you submit your request will help prevent hold-ups and follow-up letters.

Fix mistakes or update information on a birth record

Sometimes people discover that information on a birth certificate is incomplete, misspelled, or out of date. Cook County offers a separate process for correcting or amending a vital record.

For detailed rules on what can be corrected, what documents you need to support a correction, and how to file the request, the Clerk’s office provides guidance under correcting a Cook County vital record.

Common reasons to seek a correction or amendment include:

Fixing a spelling error in a name
Updating parent information
Making changes based on a court order

Because corrections can affect legal identity and future requests, it is important to follow the Clerk’s instructions carefully and submit all required supporting documentation.

Use Cook County birth certificates for dual citizenship and genealogy

Some residents use Cook County birth certificates for international or historical purposes, such as applying for second citizenship or building a family tree.

The Clerk’s office notes that genealogical and dual citizenship requests may take longer than standard birth certificate orders because extra research might be needed. If you are specifically pursuing foreign citizenship recognition, you can find additional guidance under the county’s page on dual citizenship requests.

For genealogy, you may be dealing with older records and slightly different procedures, but the starting point is still the Vital Records division, which is the official keeper of birth and death records for Chicago and suburban Cook County.

Find answers to common questions about Cook County birth records

If you still have questions after reviewing the basics—such as how long processing is currently taking, how to handle unusual situations, or how to request other types of certificates—the Clerk’s website includes a section dedicated to common Vital Records questions.

You can browse the Vital Records frequently asked questions for additional detail about:

Ways to obtain other vital records
Processing times and fees
Special certificate types
Links to related services (like marriage and death certificates)

These FAQs are maintained by the same office that processes your birth certificate request, so they are a good reference when you want clarification straight from the source.

Birth certificate–related departments, addresses, and phone numbers

Bureau of Vital Records, Cook County Clerk’s Office – P.O. Box A3390, Chicago, Illinois 60690; Phone: 312-603-7788

Downtown Chicago – Vital Records, Cook County Clerk’s Office – 118 N. Clark St., Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602; Phone: (312) 603-7790

Cook County Birth Certificates FAQs

Who can request a Cook County birth record for themselves or a child?

Under Illinois law, only people with a direct connection to the record can get a certified copy. That usually means you’re the person named on the record and an adult, a parent listed on the birth record, or a court-appointed legal guardian with paperwork from the Circuit Court. The Clerk’s office explains who is eligible and how records are handled on its official Birth Certificates page.

What are the official ways to order a Cook County birth record?

The Clerk lists five government-recognized options: online ordering through the county’s authorized service, phone ordering through that same service, mail requests sent to the Bureau of Vital Records, in-person service at Clerk locations, and requests made at participating currency exchanges in Chicago and suburban Cook County. A quick overview of all record services, including birth records, is available on the Birth and Death Records section.

How much does a Cook County birth record cost and when can it be free?

The standard fee is $15 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. The Clerk also offers a fee waiver for eligible people who are homeless, living in a domestic violence shelter, or recently released—or about to be released—from state or county correctional custody, when a status certification from an approved agency is submitted with the request. Details appear in the fee notes on the Birth and Death Records page.

What should I include with a mail-in request for a birth record?

For mail orders, you must complete the official request form, include a photocopy of acceptable photo identification, add a check or money order for the correct fee, and provide a self-addressed stamped envelope so the certificate can be mailed back to you. The Clerk provides the current mail-in form as the Birth Certificate Request Form, and you can confirm acceptable identification on the What ID Do I Need? page.

Can I get a Cook County birth record in person the same day?

Yes, most eligible birth records are printed while you wait when you visit one of the Clerk’s Vital Records counters during normal weekday business hours, as long as the record is on file and you bring proper identification and payment. The main downtown office and three suburban courthouse locations handle these requests; addresses, hours, and services for the central site are listed on the Downtown Chicago – Vital Records location page.