The following provided by: BETTY COFFRIN COLES COUNTY CLERK      & RECORDER OF DEEDS 651 Jackson Ave., Rm. 122 Charleston, IL 61920 (217)348 or 258-0501 TTY & Voice (217)348 or 258-7337 FAX

BIRTH RECORDS 1878 to present

Access to indexes prior to 1916

Access to indexes after 1916 (employees of the Clerk's office only)

Each request for a certified copy must be in writing and include the proper fee

A certified copy may be issued to the following (if record is after 1916):

• The person named on the certificate if of legal age (18 or older)
• Immediate family member (parent)
• Legal representative (attorney) of the person named on the record
• Department of State, Municipal or Federal Government
• A Court Order

Certified copies shall be issued without charge when requested by the U.S. Veteran's Administration. Requests must be made by a representative of the Veteran's Administration or the veteran may obtain a copy free of charge if he/she presents a letter from the Veteran's Administration stating the request.

FORM 97 from the Illinois Department of Public Aid or forms from the Military Recruiting office may be verified and sealed by the employees of the Clerk's Office. Certified copies to Public Aid recipients will NOT be issued free of charge.

DEATH RECORDS 1878-present

Access to indexes prior to 1916

Access to indexes after 1916 (employees of the Clerk's office only)

Anyone can request and receive a certified copy

MARRIAGE RECORDS 1830-present

Access to indexes

Access to actual certificates

Anyone can request and receive a certified copy of the marriage license

A non-certified copy of a marriage may be obtained for marriages prior to 1900 for a fee of $1.00. All other copies are to be certified. Charges for certified copies are the same as for birth records.

All Births, Deaths, and Marriages occurring in Coles County are filed and kept on permanent record. Birth and Death records date back to 1878; Marriage records are kept from 1830 to the present. Certified copies of Birth and Marriage certificates are available for $14 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy; a $14 fee will be charged for a five-year search, and $1 more will be assessed for each additional year. Certified copies of Death certificates are available for $16 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy; a $16 fee will be assessed for a five-year search. Fees are payable at the Clerk's Office.

Our land indexes start in 1830, we do not search these records.

© 2000 Coles County Genealogical Society. All rights reserved.