How to Get Replacement Birth Certificates in Cook County, Illinois

If you have lost your own or your minor child's Cook County birth certificate, you have a couple of different options for getting a replacement copy. Under Illinois law, you can only get a birth certificate for yourself or a minor child if you are his parent, guardian or legal representative.

Under Illinois state law, you can obtain certified copies of Cook County birth certificates. You can get a copy of your own birth certificate if you are of legal age and/or get a copy of the birth certificate of your child. Your name must appear on the child's birth certificate.

If you try to obtain a replacement birth certificate for the purposes of deception, you may be found guilty of a Class 4 felony, which is punishable by up to three years in prison.

Read More: Birth Certificate Rules

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

Order a replacement birth certificate by mail by sending your request to Cook County Clerk David Orr, Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box 641070, Chicago, IL 60664-1070. Include a completed Birth Certificate Request form, a photocopy of your photo identification, a check or money order payable to "Cook County Clerk" for $15 and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Additional copies of the same record cost $4 each.

Mail orders are usually processed in seven to 10 business days.

Order a replacement birth certificate online or by phone (toll free on 866-252-8974) from VitalChek, which provides government-certified vital records.

When you place your order, you need to provide certain details, including the city of birth listed on the birth certificate, the date of birth, the parents’ first and last names and the child’s full name, if requesting a copy of a minor child's birth certificate. To order a child's birth certificate, your own name must be on the certificate.

The cost of a replacement birth certificate from VitalChek is between $10.50 and $52.95, plus a processing and standard postage fee of $12.45. If you need the certificate quickly, you can pay $17.50 for two-day airmail or $20 for three to five-day delivery by UPS Air. Accepted payment methods are check and credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover).