- Where do I get a copy of my birth certificate?
- Can anyone receive a copy of my birth certificate?
- Do I need ID to get my birth certificate?
- What if I’ve had a legal name change and my ID doesn’t match the name on my birth certificate?
- Can you fax or e-mail me a copy of the birth certificate?
- If I wasn’t born in Sangamon County or the State of Illinois, how do I get a copy of my birth certificate?
- If I wasn't born in Sangamon County but was born in Illinois, how do I get a copy of my birth certificate?
- How do I correct an error on my birth certificate?
- Are birth records available for genealogical purposes?
- How far back are birth records on file in Sangamon County?
- What do I need to do to obtain a Marriage License?
- Do I need to provide ID?
- Can I obtain a Marriage License in Sangamon County if I reside in another State, but am getting married in Sangamon County?
- What if the bride and/or groom are minors (16 or 17 years old)?
- What are acceptable forms of ID for a minor?
- What if we want to get married by a judge?
- How can I obtain a marriage record?
- How do we convert our civil union to a marriage?
- Is there a fee to convert my civil union license to a marriage license?
- Can I keep the original date of civil union when I convert to a marriage?
- Can I choose to have a new ceremony date when converting to a marriage? If so, what are the requirements?
- When can I obtain a certified copy of my new marriage license? Is there a fee for a certified copy?
- Can anyone receive a copy of a death record?
- Is ID required?
- Do I have to register my business’ name?
- What if I need a raffle license?
- What is the fee for a raffle license?
Where do I get a copy of my birth certificate?
If you were born in Sangamon County and are 18 years or older, you may come to the Sangamon County Clerk’s Office at 200 S. Ninth Street, Room 101, Springfield. You may also apply on-line if you want to pay by credit card or fill out an application on-line and mail in with a check or money order. Mail to the Sangamon County Clerk’s Office, 200 S. Ninth, Room 101, Springfield, IL 62701. A certified copy is $25 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time.
Can anyone receive a copy of my birth certificate?
No. The record can only be released to the following:
- Person named on the document, if they are 18 years of age or older
- The parent, if their name appears on the Birth Certificate as the mother or father
- A Legal Guardian who possesses guardianship papers that are signed by a judge or certified copies issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- A Legal Representative who is representing the person named on the Birth Certificate or is representing his/her parents
- A court order
Do I need ID to get my birth certificate?
Yes. To obtain a birth certificate you need either:
- Valid Driver’s License
- Driver’s License that is no more than six months expired along with one more piece of documentation with your current name and address.
- Valid State Issued ID
- Firearm Owner's ID Card (newer style with hologram)
- Valid US Passport
- Valid Military ID
OR three of the following forms displaying your current name and address:
- Voter Registration Card
- W-2 Form (most recent)
- Public assistance medical card (current)
- Bank Statement (most recent)
- Utility Bill or other mail with your name and address printed on it (no handwritten envelopes or documents will be accepted)
- Vehicle Registration Card
- Checkbook
- Incarcerated or recently released inmates can submit a copy of their prison intake/offender summary sheet containing a photo along with two other documents.
- Credit card statement
- Paycheck stub with name and address
SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE
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What if I’ve had a legal name change and my ID doesn’t match the name on my birth certificate?
You must have a valid ID that matches your birth certificate or you must provide a certified copy of the legal name change documents.
Can you fax or e-mail me a copy of the birth certificate?
No. A fax or e-mail record is not valid.
If I wasn’t born in Sangamon County or the State of Illinois, how do I get a copy of my birth certificate?
Try these other county and state links.
If I wasn't born in Sangamon County but was born in Illinois, how do I get a copy of my birth certificate?
Go to the Illinois Department of Public Health's website or call (217) 782-6553 or (217) 782-6554.
How do I correct an error on my birth certificate?
Fill out an Application for Correction form and send it to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 925 E. Ridgley, Springfield, IL 62702, along with a $15 fee. For more information go to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website or call (217) 782-6553 or (217) 782-6554.
Are birth records available for genealogical purposes?
Yes, but only those that are 75 years or older. They are the same cost as other birth records ($25 for first copy) and are certified.
How far back are birth records on file in Sangamon County?
Birth records on file in the Sangamon County Clerk’s Office go back to 1877.
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What do I need to do to obtain a Marriage License?
- You must be getting married in Sangamon County
- Both parties must be present in the Sangamon County Clerk’s Office, 200 S. Ninth Street, Room 101 - you may also apply on-line ahead of time by clicking on this link. Please follow the directions and note that you both will still have to be present in the office to pick-up and pay for the license.
- If you are a first cousin, you must present medical documentation. Please call the office for details (217) 753-6700.
- The fee is $75
- You must apply for the license at least one day in advance and no more than 60 days in advance
- No blood test is required
Do I need to provide ID?
Yes. Acceptable forms of identification are:
- Valid Driver’s License
- Valid State Issued ID
- Valid US Passport
- Valid Military ID
Can I obtain a Marriage License in Sangamon County if I reside in another State, but am getting married in Sangamon County?
Yes, but you must complete and sign an affidavit that will be provided when you apply for the license.
What if the bride and/or groom are minors (16 or 17 years old)?
- Both parents are required to be present with identification and will have to sign a consent form
- If one parent cannot be located, then the other parent will need to sign an affidavit attesting to that fact
- If the bride and/or groom are under 16 years of age they are not eligible to apply
- A court order may be obtained
What are acceptable forms of ID for a minor?
- Valid driver’s license and a certified birth record
- Valid State Issued ID and a certified birth record
- Valid US Passport and a certified birth record
- Valid Military ID and a certified birth record
What if we want to get married by a judge?
To get married by a judge, you must make an appointment by calling 753-6367. You must pay a $10 fee to the Circuit Clerk in Room 405. This fee can be paid at any time prior to the marriage. The receipt you are given must be shown to the judge.
How can I obtain a certified copy of a marriage record?
To request a marriage record on-line and pay with a credit card, click here. To fill out an application on-line that you will print out and mail in, click here. Written requests must include the required fee ($25 for the first copy, $7 for each additional copy of the same record) and should be mailed to the Sangamon County Clerk’s Office, 200 S. Ninth Street, Room 101, Springfield, IL 62701
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How do we convert our civil union to a marriage?
Both parties must come to the office with valid ID to apply for a conversion. County Clerk employees will pull your civil union information and transfer to the marriage application.
Is there a fee to convert my civil union license to a marriag license?
No. The fee is waived when converting from a civil union to a marriage.
Can I keep the original date of civil union when I convert to a marriage?
Yes. You have the option to convert your civil union to a marriage and keep the original date of a civil union for a period of one year from June 1, 2014.
Can I choose to have a new ceremony date when converting to a marriage? If so, what are the requirements?
Yes. You can have a new ceremony with a different date than the civil union. There is no time frame to convert from a civil union to a marriage when you choose to have a new ceremony with a new date. The $75 application fee will be waived.
When can I obtain a certified copy of my new marriage license? Is there a fee for a certified copy?
You may purchase a certified copy of your marriage license as soon as it is filed in the office. There is a $25 fee for the 1st copy and $7 for each additional copy when purchased at the same time. When your license is converted, you may purchase a certified copy the same day it is converted.
Can anyone receive a copy of a death record?
No. The applicant must have a genealogical (record 20 yrs. or older), personal or property right interest in the record. Cost is $29 for the first copy, $11 for each additional copy of the same record.
Is ID required?
Yes, valid ID is required.
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Do I have to register my business’ name?
All sole proprietorships, general partnerships and professional service corporations must file an Assumed Name Application if the name of the business is anything other than the name or names of the owners or business partners. Click here for more information about assumed name registration.
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What if I need a raffle license?
To be eligible for a raffle license in Sangamon County, you must be a Non-Profit Organization in existence for at least five (5) consecutive years. Non-Profit status would include the following types or organizations:
- Charitable
- Educational
- Businesses
- Fraternities
- Religious
- Veterans
- Labor Organizations
Click here to download an application.
What is the fee for a raffle license?
The fee is $25 or 1% of the total amount of prizes to be awarded, whichever amount is higher. If the amount is unknown, the $25 fee will apply and you will be required to make up the difference after the raffle is over if the total prize amounts exceed $2,500. You will be required to complete a prize payment record at the end of the raffle to show proof of payouts.
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