The Genealogy Request Form is the Office of the Cook County Clerk's Vital Records form for ordering non-certified copies of birth, marriage and death records old enough to count as genealogical records. If you searched for a Cook County birth certificate, note that this form covers only birth certificates older than 75 years, and the copies are stamped “FOR GENEALOGY PURPOSES ONLY”. You can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form is published by the Cook County Clerk at the official URL, and you send it by mail or take it to the office in person.
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What is Genealogy Request Form – Cook County, IL?
The Genealogy Request Form (printed on the PDF as “Genealogy Record Request Form”) is the Cook County Clerk's Vital Records form for requesting genealogical copies of birth, marriage and death records; the Clerk's Office issues them as non-certified documents stamped “FOR GENEALOGY PURPOSES ONLY”.
The form belongs to the Vital Records unit of the Office of the Cook County Clerk. It states that all genealogical records the office issues are non-certified, and that Illinois law defines genealogical records by age:
- birth certificates older than 75 years;
- marriage certificates older than 50 years;
- death certificates older than 20 years.
The PDF has one block for each record type. Each block has its own number of copies requested and asks for the details the office needs to find the record, such as the name at birth, the date of the event and the city, town or village where it happened. For births and marriages that place must be in Cook County.
A records search fee applies to every request. The form says the Clerk's Office is legally required to charge it, that it is nonrefundable, and that it is charged per request. The form also prints the cost of the first copy and of each additional copy for each record type; check the form or call the office at 312.603.7788 for the amounts.
This form is not a request for a certified record: copies obtained through it carry the genealogy stamp.
Who needs to file Genealogy Request Form – Cook County, IL?
Anyone who wants a copy of an older Cook County birth, marriage or death record for genealogical purposes uses this form. It is the form the Cook County Clerk's Office prints for obtaining genealogical records by mail or in person.
Conditions printed on the form:
- Birth records: the certificate must be older than 75 years, and the city, town or village of birth must be in Cook County.
- Marriage records: the certificate must be older than 50 years, and the city, town or village of marriage must be in Cook County.
- Death records: the certificate must be older than 20 years.
- Uncertain dates: if you do not know the exact date of birth, marriage or death, you can ask the office to search more than one year, up to a maximum of 10 years of searches, for an additional fee per extra year.
You also state your relationship to the person or people named in the record. The form does not describe who may request on someone else's behalf. Because every copy is non-certified and stamped “FOR GENEALOGY PURPOSES ONLY”, the form does not serve a person who needs a certified record.
When to file Genealogy Request Form – Cook County, IL
Use the form whenever you need a genealogical copy of a record that meets the age rule: a birth certificate older than 75 years, a marriage certificate older than 50 years or a death certificate older than 20 years. The form prints no due date or filing window.
If you are unsure of the exact date of the birth, marriage or death, decide before you send the request how many years you want searched. The office can search more than one year, up to a maximum of 10 years, and each additional year carries an additional fee. If you are mailing the request, allow for the time it takes to include the photocopy of your photo identification, your payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope; the form gives no processing time.
Documents you need
- A photocopy of your photo identification, front and back (for example a driver's license or State ID), when you mail the request.
- A check or money order payable to the Cook County Clerk, when you mail the request, to cover the fees printed on the form.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope, when you mail the request, for the return of the record.
How to fill out Genealogy Request Form – Cook County, IL
Enter your contact details
At the top, write Your Name, Mailing Street Address, City State Zip and Daytime Phone Number. Add your Relationship to Person/People Named in the Vital Record Below.
Choose the record type
Complete only the section for the record you want: Birth Certificates Older than 75 Years, Marriage Certificates Older than 50 Years or Death Certificates Older than 20 Years. Each section has its own # of copies requested line.
Complete the birth record section
Enter Name at Birth (First, Middle, & Last), Date of Birth (Month/Day/Year) and City, Town or Village of Birth, which must be in Cook County. Add the Name of Birth Mother and Name of Birth Father, first and last name.
Complete the marriage record section
Enter the Date of Marriage, the Brides Maiden Name (First, Middle, & Last), the Groom’s Name (First, Middle, & Last) and the City, Town or Village of Marriage, which must be in Cook County.
Complete the death record section
Enter Name at Death (First, Middle, & Last), Date of Death (Month/Day/Year) and the City, Town or Village where Death Occurred.
Decide on a multi-year search
If you are unsure of the exact date, you may ask the office to search more than one year, up to a maximum of 10 years; an additional fee applies for each added year. Note the years you want searched with your request.
Prepare the mailing package
If you are mailing the request, add a photocopy of your photo identification (front and back), a check or money order payable to the Cook County Clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Visitors in person pay with cash, debit or credit card.
Review and download the PDF
Check the spelling of names, the dates and the number of copies. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send or deliver it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Genealogy Request Form – Cook County, IL
You can obtain a genealogical record in two ways: by mail or in person at the Clerk's office.
- By mail: send the completed form to Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box A3390, Chicago, IL 60690. Include a photocopy of your photo identification (front and back, for example a driver's license or State ID), a check or money order payable to the Cook County Clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- In person: visit 118 N. Clark St., Room 120, Chicago, Illinois. You can pay with cash, or with a debit or credit card.
A nonrefundable records search fee applies to each request, and extra years searched and extra copies cost more; the form lists the amounts, and the office answers questions at 312.603.7788. The form's header also gives the Clerk's website, cookcountyclerk.com. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Requesting a birth certificate that is not older than 75 years, a marriage certificate not older than 50 years or a death certificate not older than 20 years; only older records are genealogical records.
- Expecting a certified copy: every genealogical record is non-certified and stamped “FOR GENEALOGY PURPOSES ONLY”.
- Entering a city, town or village of birth or marriage outside Cook County; the form says it must be in Cook County.
- Mailing the request without a photocopy of your photo identification showing both the front and the back.
- Leaving out the self-addressed stamped envelope or paying a mailed request in cash or by card; mail requests need a check or money order payable to the Cook County Clerk.
- Asking for a search of more than one year without including the additional fee for each added year, or asking for more than the 10-year maximum.
- Leaving the number of copies blank in the section for the record type you want, or filling the wrong section.
- Sending the request to the street address of the office instead of the P.O. Box A3390 address printed for mail requests.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a Cook County birth certificate with this form?
Only a genealogical copy. The form covers Cook County birth certificates older than 75 years, and the Clerk's Office issues them as non-certified documents stamped “FOR GENEALOGY PURPOSES ONLY”. The city, town or village of birth must be in Cook County.
Which records count as genealogical records in Cook County?
Birth certificates older than 75 years, marriage certificates older than 50 years and death certificates older than 20 years. The form says Illinois law defines genealogical records this way, and every one is issued as a non-certified document.
Is a copy from the Genealogy Request Form certified?
No. The form states that all genealogical birth, death and marriage records issued by the Cook County Clerk's Office are non-certified and stamped “FOR GENEALOGY PURPOSES ONLY”.
Is there a fee for a genealogical record from the Cook County Clerk?
Yes. A nonrefundable records search fee applies per request, and extra copies and extra years searched cost more. The form lists the amounts; you can also call 312.603.7788. Mail requests pay by check or money order payable to the Cook County Clerk.
Where do I mail the Genealogy Request Form?
Mail it to Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box A3390, Chicago, IL 60690. Include a photocopy of your photo ID (front and back), a check or money order payable to the Cook County Clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Can I request the record in person?
Yes. Visit 118 N. Clark St., Room 120, Chicago, Illinois, and pay with cash, debit card or credit card. The form names mail and in-person visits as the two ways to obtain a genealogical record.
What if I don't know the exact date of the birth, marriage or death?
You can ask the office to search more than one year. An additional fee applies for each additional year requested, and the search stops at a maximum of 10 years.
Can I fill out the Genealogy Request Form online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service: it does not send the request or take payment for the Cook County Clerk; you submit the form by mail or in person.
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