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Birth Certificates

The Cook County Clerk's office keeps official records of births that occur in Chicago and suburban Cook County.

Under state law, you may legally obtain a certified copy of your own birth certificate and/or the birth certificate of your child (your name must appear on the child's birth certificate).

For birth records of newborns (6 months old or younger) born in Chicago, please call the City of Chicago's Health Department at (312) 744-3800. For birth records of newborns (6 months old or younger) born in suburban Cook County, please call the Cook County Clerk's Current Records Unit at (312) 603-6623.

Court-appointed legal guardians may obtain birth certificates of the children they care for if they submit a certified copy of the appointment. Certified copies of appointments can be obtained from the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Requesting a birth certificate

You may obtain a birth certificate in one of 5 methods:
Contact Vital Chek Order Online
Contact Vital Chek Order By Phone
  • Call Toll-Free: (866) 252-8974
Write us Write us
Mail your request to:
    Cook County Clerk David Orr
    Bureau of Vital Records
    P.O. Box 642570
    Chicago, IL 60664-2570
Include the following items:
  • a completed Birth Certificate Request Form*
  • a photocopy of your photo identification (e.g. drivers license, state issued identification, etc.)
  • a check or money order payable to the Cook County Clerk for $15 (additional copies of the same record cost $4 each)
  • a self-addressed stamped envelope
Go to a local Currency Exchange Go to a local Currency Exchange
Call (847) 759-8905 for Currency Exchange hours and locations in Chicago and suburban Cook County, or visit www.mycurrencyexchange.com.

There is a $5 surcharge for records obtained at Currency Exchanges.

Visit us in person Visit us in person
Downtown Chicago
Cook County Vital Records
Daley Center
50 W. Washington St.
East Concourse Level
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-7790
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday;
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday (for marriage records only)

North suburbs/Skokie
5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 470-7233
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday;
8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

Northwest suburbs/Rolling Meadows
2121 Euclid Ave., Room 238
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
(847) 818-2850
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday;
8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

West suburbs/Maywood
1311 Maybrook Square, Room 109
Maywood, IL 60153
(708) 865-6010
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday;
8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

South suburbs/Markham
16501 S. Kedzie Ave., Room 238
Markham, IL 60426
(708) 210-4150
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday;
8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

Southwest suburbs/Bridgeview
10220 S. 76th Ave., Room 238
Bridgeview, IL 60455
(708) 974-6150
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday;
8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

*Please note that some requests made at suburban locations may not be ready the same day.

For more information

  • E-mail:
 

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