Copies of Birth Certificates

Please Note: Vital Record requests are subject to the Macon County Clerk’s approval regarding all photo identification and legal documentation provided.

Who May Obtain a Birth Certificate?

If you are 18 years of age or older, you can obtain a certified copy of your own birth certificate with photo identification.

A parent can obtain the birth certificate of their child, if the parent’s name appears on the child’s birth certificate. The parent must provide their photo identification.

A legal guardian can obtain the birth certificate for a person with legal documentation and photo identification. Please call the office to confirm your legal documentation is acceptable.

How to Obtain a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate

What are some Acceptable Forms of Current and Valid Photo Identification?

• Illinois Driver’s License
• Illinois State Identification Card
• U.S. Military Identification
• Out-of-State Driver’s License
• Passport

A birth certificate can be obtained in-person:

Come to the Macon County Clerk’s Office at 141 South Main Street, Room 104 Decatur, IL 62523. The person requesting must have valid and acceptable photo identification to obtain a certificate.

The office hours are Monday through Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Payment accepted for in-person certificate requests is cash or check only.

A birth certificate can be obtained by mail:

You may send a letter requesting a copy of a birth certificate. Please include the following information – child’s full name and date of birth, parent’s full names including mother’s maiden name, a phone number where the requester can be reached, copy of an acceptable form of photo identification, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return mailing of the certificate. You may also download a Certified Birth Record Request Form (PDF) which requires the same information as listed above.

Mail Request to:

MACON COUNTY CLERK
141 S. MAIN ST. ROOM 104
DECATUR, IL 62523

A birth certificate can be obtained online

For your convenience, you can process online requests for birth certificates through an independent company that the Macon County Clerk has partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc. An additional fee of $10.00 is charged by VitalChek for this service, plus the cost of UPS delivery. All major credit cards are accepted. Place an order directly with VitalChek.

What are the Fees for a Birth Certificate?

The fee is $23 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy of the same certificate, requested at the same time. If a certificate is being requested by mail, the payment must be made by money order only.

What about Genealogical Research?

Births had to have occurred 75 years ago, or earlier, to be considered genealogical records. The fee is the same. Genealogical records are certified, but are stamped “For Genealogical Purposes Only.”

Copies of Death Certificates

Please Note: Vital Record requests are subject to the Macon County Clerk’s approval regarding all photo identification and legal documentation provided. 

Who May Obtain a Death Certificate?

The applicant must be immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, spouse, child, adult grandchild) or must be the informant listed on the death certificate.  The applicant must have a personal or property right interest in the record. Additionally, the applicant should be prepared to show documentation proving their need for the certificate and/or intended use, as well as photo identification.

How to obtain a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate

What are some Acceptable Forms of Current and Valid Photo Identification?

• Illinois Driver’s License
• Illinois State Identification Card
• U.S. Military Identification
• Out-of-State Driver’s License
• Passport

A death certificate can be obtained in-person

Come to the Macon County Clerk’s Office at 141 South Main Street, Room 104 Decatur, IL 62523.  The person requesting must have valid and acceptable photo identification to obtain a certificate.

The office hours are Monday through Friday –  8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Payment accepted for in-person certificate requests is cash or check only.

A death certificate can be obtained by mail

You may send a letter requesting a copy of a death certificate.  Please include the following information – deceased’s full name and date of death along with documentation proving the applicant’s personal or property right interest in the record if the applicant is not an immediate family member or the informant listed on the certificate.  Also, include a phone number where the requester can be reached, copy of an acceptable form of photo identification, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return mailing of the certificate.  You may also download a Certified Death Record Request Form (PDF) which requires the same information as listed above.

Mail Requests to:

MACON COUNTY CLERK
141 S. MAIN ST. ROOM 104
DECATUR, IL  62523

A death certificate can be obtained online

For your convenience, you can process online requests for death certificates through an independent company that the Macon County Clerk has partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc. An additional fee of $10.00 is charged by VitalChek for this service, plus the cost of UPS delivery. All major credit cards are accepted. Place an order directly with VitalChek.

What are the Fees for a Death Certificate?

The fee is $27 for the first copy and $14 for each additional copy of the same certificate, requested at the same time. If a certificate is being requested by mail, the payment must be made by money order only.

What about Genealogical Research?

Deaths had to have occurred 20 years ago, or earlier, to be considered genealogical records.  The fee is the same.  Genealogical records are certified, but are stamped “For Genealogical Purposes Only.”

Instructions for Obtaining a Marriage or Civil Union License

Where to Apply

Marriage or Civil Union licenses will not be issued after 4:00 p.m.

Office of Josh Tanner, Macon County Clerk
141 S. Main St., Room 104
Decatur, IL  62523

Phone: (217) 424-1305 or (217) 424-1307

Office Hours: Monday through Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

When to Apply

Licenses will not be issued after 4:00 p.m.  Both parties MUST appear in person at the County Clerk’s Office to apply for a marriage or civil union license.  Persons obtaining a license in Macon County MAY NOT use the license in any other county.  The license must be obtained at least one (1) day prior to the date the couple plans to be married or joined by civil union.  The license is void sixty (60) days after the effective date.  Each person will be required to provide one form of photo identification.  Some examples of acceptable photo identification:  Drivers’ License, State ID, or work ID.

Persons who May Not be united by Marriage or Civil Union

Blood relatives, down to and including first cousins, MAY Not marry or be joined by civil union under the laws of the State of Illinois.

Fees

The fee for a marriage or civil union license is $75.00 cash or check only.

Medical Examinations

No examination or blood test is required in the State of Illinois.

Qualifications for Residents of the State of Illinois – Age Requirements

In order to be married in Illinois without parental consent, you MUST be at least 18 years of age.  If you are 16 or 17 years of age, BOTH PARENTS OR GUARDIANS must sign a parental consent form in the County Clerk’s Office at the time you apply for the license.

Two people can enter into a civil union, providing they are 18 years of age.

Return of License

The license must be returned to the County Clerk’s Office within TEN DAYS after the date of marriage or civil union.

Marriage or Civil Union by a Judge

• Monday – Judge Forbes – 3:30 p.m. Courtroom 3A – Call to schedule 217-424-1484
• Thursday – Judge Hubbard – Courtroom 5A – Call to schedule 217-424-1440

There is a $10.00 Court Fee required when being married by a Judge. The fee is paid in the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 253 E. Wood, on the first floor. The fee must be paid no later than the Wednesday before the ceremony is to take place, with proof of payment shown before the ceremony.

The procedure for filing a certificate of Assumed Business Name is as follows:

• Fill out the PDF form which includes: the type of business to be conducted, business name, business address (Not a P.O.Box, must be a physical location) and the names and home addresses of the persons doing business. The persons doing business must sign (not print) their names in the middle of the form, above the section to be filled out by a notary. These signatures must be notarized.
• Return the form to the Clerk’s Office.
• The Clerk’s Office will issue you a certificate to take to any newspaper in Macon County which as a legal notice section. The notice must be published once a week for three consecutive weeks; the first publication must appear within 15 days from the date the certificate is filed.
• The cost of filing is $42.00. The publication costs with newspapers vary.
• Upon receiving proof of publication form from the newspaper, we will send you a certificate of Ownership of Business.