Certified copies of birth, death and marriage records of persons who were born, deceased or married in Stephenson County may be obtained from the Office of the Stephenson County Clerk.
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Birth Records |
Q. |
Who may obtain birth records? |
A. |
- The record can be released to the person named on the record, if 18 years of age or over
- The parent, if the name appears on the birth certificate as the mother or father
- A legal guardian who possesses guardianship papers that are signed by a judge
- A legal representative who is representing the person named on the birth certificate or is representing his/her parents
- A court order
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Q. |
What identification is required? |
A. |
Acceptable forms of identification include one of the following picture ID:
- Illinois driver’s license
- Illinois State identification card
- Out-of-state driver’s license or ID Card
- U.S. military ID Card
- U.S. immigration card
- Illinois public assistance ID card
OR
Two forms of ID that contain the current name and address, such as mail, social security card, checkbook or utility bills
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Q. |
What is the fee? |
A. |
$16.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of
the same record when purchased at the same time. Payment must be made
with a money order, cashier's check or cash. |
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Q. |
How can I obtain a birth record online, by mail or by phone? |
A. |
- To request a record online Click
Here.
- To request a record by mail, the applicant must send a signed
written form. Click
here to obtain a mail-in form. The request must include the
person’s name at birth, date of birth and parents’ names with
mother’s maiden name. The request must be signed by the applicant
and can only be sent to those who are entitled to obtain a copy.
The required fee should also be included along with a photocopy
of your valid driver’s license, State I.D. or two forms of identification
with your current name and address on them. Mail your request
to the Stephenson County Clerk’s Office, 50 W. Douglas St., Suite
500, Freeport, IL 61032.
- To order by phone you may call 815-235-8289 and relay all of
your information. We will prepare your documents for pickup.
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Q. |
What birth records are on file in Stephenson County? |
A. |
Birth records on file in the Stephenson County Clerk’s Office go back to 1878. |
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Q. |
What if the birth occurred in another county or state? |
A. |
Try other county
and state links. You can also order
from all 50 states by clicking here. |
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Q. |
Are birth records available for genealogical purposes? |
A. |
Yes, but only those that are 75 years or older. They may be purchased at a cost of $10.00 and are stamped “For Genealogical Purposes Only.” Click here for more information on genealogy in Illinois and in other states. |
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Death Records
Please note: Absolutely no information can be given over the telephone regarding death records. Under Illinois State law (410 ILCS 535—Vital Records Act) only specific individuals have legal access to birth, death or marriage certificates. The Stephenson County Clerk’s Office will issue certificates to authorized individuals only. To do otherwise is a violation of Illinois law. Vital records are not considered public information, nor are they subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
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Q. |
Who may obtain death records? |
A. |
Anyone may obtain a copy of a death record. |
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Q. |
What identification is required? |
A. |
No identification is required. |
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Q. |
What is the fee? |
A. |
$18.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy of
the same record when purchased at the same time. Payment must be made
with a money order, cashier's check or cash. |
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Q. |
How to obtain a death record online, by mail or by phone? |
A. |
- To request a record online Click
Here.
- To request a record by mail, the applicant must send a signed
written form. Click
here to obtain a mail-in form. The request must include the
deceased person’s name and date of death. The request must be
signed by the applicant. The required fees should also be included.
Mail your request to Stephenson County Clerk’s Office, 50 W. Douglas
St., Suite 500, Freeport, IL 61032.
- To order by phone you may call 815-235-8289 and relay all of
your information. We will prepare your documents for pickup.
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Q. |
What death records are on file in Stephenson County? |
A. |
Death records on file in the Stephenson County Clerk’s Office go back to 1878. |
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Q. |
What if the death occurred in another county or state? |
A. |
Try contacting the other county or state links.
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Marriage Licenses |
Q. |
How can we obtain a marriage license? |
A. |
- You must be getting married in Stephenson County.
- Both parties need to be present. Applicants are encouraged apply
by 4:00 pm due to processing time. Please come to the Stephenson
County Clerk’s Office, Stephenson County Courthouse, 50 W. Douglas
ST., Suite 500, Freeport, IL.
- You must not be related or of the same sex.
- You must show some type of identification with your birth date
on it, preferably a driver’s license or a state ID.
- The fee is $24.00 payable by money order, cashier's check or
cash.
- 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.
If the bride or groom is a minor (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.
- A bride or groom under 16 years of age is not eligible to apply. However, a judge can issue a court-ordered marriage.
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Q. |
What if the bride and groom want to get married by a judge? |
A. |
- To get married by a judge, you must make an appointment by calling 815-235-8318.
- You must pay a $10 fee to the circuit clerk prior to appearing before the judge.
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Marriage Records |
Q. |
Who may obtain marriage records? |
A. |
Anyone may obtain a copy of a marriage record. |
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Q. |
What identification is required? |
A. |
No identification is required. |
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Q. |
What is the fee? |
A. |
$15.00 for the first copy and $2.00 for each additional copy of the same record when purchased at the same time. Payment must be made with a money order, cashier's check or cash. |
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Q. |
How do I obtain a marriage record online, by mail or by phone? |
A. |
- To request a record online Click
Here.
- To request a record by mail, the applicant must send a signed
written form. Click
here to obtain a mail-in form. The request must include the
bride and groom’s names, date of marriage or approximated date
and year of marriage. Mail your request to Stephenson County Clerk’s
Office, 50 W. Douglas St., Suite 500, Freeport, IL 61032
- To order by phone you may call 815-235-8289 and relay all of
your information. We will prepare your documents for pickup.
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Q. |
What marriage records are on file in Stephenson County? |
A. |
Marriage records on file in the Stephenson County Clerk’s Office go back to 1837. |
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Q. |
What if the marriage occurred in another county or state? |
A. |
Try these other county and state links. The state has online records available in the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763–1900. You can also order a record from another state. |
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| For more information, please call 815-235-8289
or come to the County Clerk’s Office in the Stewart Centre, 50 W.
Douglas St., Suite 500, Freeport, IL 61032 |
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Registration of Notary Commissions |
- Applications are available at the Secretary of State’s Office
or you may click here
to download one. A Notary
Application Checklist and the Notary
Handbook are also available for your use by clicking on the
name. After downloading and printing the application for a commission
as a notary public, please complete and mail the application as
instructed by the secretary of state.
- The secretary of state will send the notary commission certificate
to the county clerk.
- Upon receipt, our office will notify you that you must register
your signature either by coming in to the County Clerk’s Office
in the Stewart Centre, 50 W. Douglas St., Suite 500, Freeport,
IL 61032 or by sending your signature through the mail. There
is a $5.00 fee if you elect to sign in person or a $10.00 fee
if you send it through the mail. Should you elect to send in your
signature, mail it to the Stephenson County Clerk’s Office, Stewart
Centre, 50 W. Douglas St., Suite 500, Freeport, IL 61032
- You will receive your certificate when you come in or it will
be mailed to you if you elect to send in your signature.
For more information, please call 815-235-8289 or come to the County
Clerk’s Office in the Stewart Centre, 50 W. Douglas St., Suite 500,
Freeport, IL 61032 |
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Delinquent Taxes
- For specific information about the amount you owe, call 815-235-8289.
- No personal checks are accepted for payment of delinquent taxes. Payment can be made with cash, money order, cashier’s check or a certified check made payable to the Stephenson County Clerk.
- Installment payments cannot be made. The amount due must be paid in full.
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