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Frequently Asked Questions

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Vital Records FAQs
Elections FAQs
Real Estate & Tax Services FAQs
Clerk of the Board FAQs

Vital Records FAQs

Where can I get a copy of my birth certificate?
You may follow request procedures to obtain a copy of your birth certificate and/or that of your child (your name must appear on the child's birth certificate). The Cook County Clerk's office keeps official records of births that occur in Chicago and suburban Cook County.

What forms of ID do I need to get my birth certificate or other vital record?
To obtain most vital records, the Clerk's office requires one form of picture ID (drivers license, state ID, U.S. passport, U.S. naturalization certificate, etc.), or two forms of other identification that may include a home address. Click here for a complete list of acceptable identification.

Who is entitled to see my birth records?
You are entitled to a copy of your own birth record, or that of your child, but your name must appear on the birth certificate.

May I apply for a marriage license in Cook County if I don't live in Illinois?
Individuals who reside out of state may not apply for a marriage license in Illinois if the marriage would not be legal in their home state. Eligibility requirements include rules stating that couples be of the opposite sex, 18 years or older and not related by blood. There are exceptions.

How long are marriage licenses valid?
Marriage licenses issued in Cook County are valid for 60 days and effective only in Chicago and suburban Cook County.

Why didn't I receive a copy of my marriage certificate after I married?
The individual(s) performing the marriage ceremony files the marriage certificate with the Clerk's office after the ceremony takes place. Once the certificate has been filed, you may receive a certified copy of your marriage certificate upon request.

Do I have to be a relative of the deceased to obtain a death certificate?
State law allows relatives and individuals who can prove a financial interest in an individual's death to obtain a death certificate. Click here to learn how to request a death certificate.

Must I 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 to learn more about assumed name registration.

Does the Clerk's office commission notaries public?
The Illinois Secretary of State's office processes all notary public applications. The Cook County Clerk's office then certifies newly commissioned notaries public who work in Cook County. Click here to learn how to become certified by the county.

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Elections FAQs

How do I register to vote in Cook County? Where do I find out where to vote? How to get an absentee ballot? How to become an election judge?
Visit the Cook County Clerk's award-winning elections website www.voterinfonet.com. With just a few quick clicks, you can download a virtual ballot, verify your registration, find your polling place and learn more about the candidates running for office in your area.

Where can I find summaries of recent election returns in Cook County or detailed election information, such as the voter list or precinct-by-precinct turnout for an election in Cook County?
If the election took place in suburban Cook County, visit the Clerk's elections website at www.voterinfonet.com. If the election occurred in the City of Chicago you need to visit the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. If the election took place in a district overlapping both Chicago and suburban areas, you will need to retrieve separate results from both jurisdictions.

Seeking information on campaign contributions to local elected officials or lobbyist expenditures?
Visit the Clerk's Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Department to learn what information is available. Financial information about political committees and candidates is available in a searchable format at the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

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Real Estate & Tax FAQs

What is a PIN?
A PIN (Property Index Number, also known as a permanent real estate index number) is a numerical code for the legal description of a piece of land as it has been defined for the purposes of real estate taxation. The formatted code points to the parcel's location on the county's tax maps.

To learn how to use your PIN, visit our web page: "About PINs."

What should I do if my taxes have been sold?
If your taxes have been sold, you should immediately obtain an Estimate of the Cost of Redemption. This is a calculation of the amount you need to pay to redeem the sale and remove the threat of loss of the property. Once you obtain the Estimate, verify that it is for the correct PIN. You are advised to redeem the taxes immediately, as penalties and fees can increase and can multiply over time. These taxes and any fees and penalties must be paid in full; there are no payment plans applicable to property tax payments.

Detailed redemption procedures are provided on this website. Read them carefully.

How do I redeem my property taxes?
Property owners can redeem (pay) taxes that have been sold by making a payment in person at the Clerk's downtown location or by mail. Payments must be made in full. Click here for more information on how to make redemption payments.

What if my tax question isn't answered here?
For other questions, visit our Frequently Asked Tax Questions page. It includes a link to a glossary of tax terms.

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Clerk of the Board FAQs

When does the Cook County Board of Commissioners hold its meetings?
The Clerk of the Board maintains a list of meeting dates online.

How do I find out what's on the Cook County Board's agenda?
The Clerk of the Board prepares the agenda for the Cook County Board of Commissioners. The agenda for a given meeting is available three business days prior to the meeting. Find board agendas on the Clerk of the Board's meetings page.

Can I place an item on the County Board's agenda?
Members of the public cannot place items on the County Board's agenda. Only county departments, bureaus and constitutionally elected officials may have issues heard by the board.

How do I request information on issues pending before the Finance Committee or other committees of the Cook County Board of Commissioners?
The committee agendas for the County Board are prepared by the Secretary to the Board of Commissioners. For the Finance Committee, call (312) 603-5259, and for the Zoning and Building and Roads and Bridges committees call (312) 603-4487. You may also visit the website for the Secretary to the Board of Commissioners for information regarding items pending in these and all other committees, or call (312) 603-6127.

Where do I go to learn detailed information about past board actions?
The Clerk of the Board maintains post board action agendas on its online meetings page.

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