Frequently Asked Questions

If I am unable to visit the State Archives, can I accomplish any research by mail, phone, fax or via the Internet?
Yes. To find out how, check out the research services of the Illinois State Archives as well as the research services of the Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD).
 
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What does it cost to submit a research request to the Illinois State Archives by mail, telephone, fax or via the Internet?
The Illinois State Archives is required by law to receive, from all out-of-state or non-Illinois residents, a $10 fee, prepaid and nonrefundable, along with all research requests before those requests may be honored. That fee will entitle the requester to up to 2 unofficial, non-certified copies of the records requested if those records exist. Research services are provided at no charge to Illinois residents. See the Illinois State Archives Fee Schedule for a complete list of fees and copy charges. See the IRAD Research Policy for charges that are applicable to our regional depositories.
 
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Why are some records stored at the Archives building in Springfield while others are found at the Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD)?
As a general policy the Archives Building in Springfield houses records created by state and federal agencies such as censuses and military documents. Those records created by local governmental agencies such as deeds, wills, and marriages are held by IRAD. IRAD has seven regional sites located on state university campuses.
 
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Why do the types of records maintained by the Illinois Regional Archives Depository System (IRAD) vary from county to county?
The selection of records held by IRAD for a particular county reflects that county's decision to participate in the IRAD program and the availability of historically valuable records for transfer to a regional depository.
 
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Where can I find records of births, deaths, or marriages?
The Archives holds a death index and death certificates maintained by the Department of Public Health from 1916–1947 and an index to marriages recorded in Illinois counties prior to 1901. The Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) system has birth, death and marriage records for many counties in Illinois. Illinois county clerks maintain birth and death records beginning in 1877 and marriage records from the origin of the county. For records not maintained by IRAD, contact the appropriate county clerk.
 
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What records does the State Archives hold concerning Abraham Lincoln?
The Archives has a variety of documents, originating from federal, state, and local governmental records which have been written by or signed by Lincoln. To review a listing of these documents consult Archives web page, Lincoln Documents in the Illinois State Archives.
 
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Does the State Archives hold church records, cemetery records, published genealogies, or newspapers?
With the exception of the microfilm collection of the Illinois State Genealogical Society, the Archives and its regional depositories hold only federal, state, and local governmental records. For non-governmental sources, please consult the Illinois State Historical Library collection.
 
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