Find Birth Records in Champaign County
Champaign County birth records date back to 1878. The County Clerk's office in Urbana keeps certified copies for all births that took place in the county. Two offices handle birth certificate requests here. The County Clerk has the full set of records from 1878 to present, while the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District holds records from the last ten years. Both offices charge the same fees for certified copies. If you need a Champaign County birth certificate, you can order one online, by mail, or walk in the same day. Knowing which office to contact and what forms of ID to bring will save you time when you search for birth records in this part of Illinois.
Champaign County Quick Facts
Champaign County Clerk Birth Records
The Champaign County Clerk has birth records for individuals born in Champaign County from 1878 to present. This is the main office for all birth certificate requests in the county. The clerk has two locations in Urbana. The primary office is at 1776 E. Washington Street in the Brookens Administrative Building. A second office at 102 E. Main Street handles mail-in requests. Call (217) 384-3725 if you have questions about a Champaign County birth record before you visit.
Walk-ins are welcome at the clerk's office. Same-day service is available for most birth certificate requests in Champaign County. Bring a valid photo ID so staff can verify your identity. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, only certain people can get a certified copy. You must be the person named on the record if you are 18 or older, a parent listed on the certificate, a legal guardian with court documents, or a legal representative. Emancipated minors can also request their own Champaign County birth records with proof from the court.
You can view the clerk's full list of vital records services at the Champaign County Clerk website.
| Main Office |
1776 E. Washington St. Urbana, IL 61802 Phone: (217) 384-3725 |
|---|---|
| Mail Office |
102 E. Main St. Urbana, IL 61801 Fax: (217) 384-1241 |
| Website | champaigncountyclerk.com |
How to Get a Champaign County Birth Certificate
Champaign County gives you three ways to order a birth certificate: online, by mail, or in person. Each method has a different wait time. In-person requests are the fastest. Walk into the clerk's office, show your ID, and you can leave with a certified copy the same day. Online orders take about 5 to 7 days to process and arrive.
For mail requests, send your form to the Champaign County Clerk at 102 E. Main Street, Urbana, IL 61801. You need to include a photocopy of your valid photo ID, the full name at birth, date of birth, parents' full names, your signature, a return address, and your payment. Make checks payable to the Champaign County Clerk. The fee is $21 for the first certified copy and $11 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.
The certificate request page on the clerk's site has the forms and steps you need to order a Champaign County birth record by any method.
That screenshot shows the clerk's online portal where you can start a Champaign County birth record request. It lists all the details you need to provide and the forms of payment accepted.
Champaign County Health District Birth Certificates
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District also issues birth certificates. But there is a limit. The Health District only keeps birth certificates for those born in Champaign County in the past 10 years. If you need a record older than that, you must go to the County Clerk instead.
The Health District is at 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign. Call them at (217) 352-7961 for current hours and to check if they have the record you need. Fees are the same as the County Clerk: $21 for the first copy and $11 for extras. Additional service fees may apply if you pay with a debit or credit card at the Health District office. You can find more details on the C-UPHD birth certificates page.
The Health District page above shows how to request a birth certificate for a recent Champaign County birth. It also explains the ID requirements and payment options for walk-in and mail orders.
Note: Adoption does not change where a birth certificate is held in Champaign County, so the adopted individual still contacts the county clerk of the county where they were born.
Champaign County Birth Record Fees
Both offices in Champaign County charge the same fees for birth certificates. The first certified copy costs $21. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $11. These fees are set by the county and apply whether you order in person, by mail, or online.
Champaign County has a free birth certificate program. Homeless individuals, domestic violence shelter residents, and formerly incarcerated people released within the last 90 days can get their birth records at no cost. Ask the clerk's office about eligibility when you visit or call. This program helps people who need birth certificates to get IDs, housing, or other services in Champaign County.
If you need copies from the state instead, the Illinois Department of Public Health charges $10 for a short-form certified copy and $15 for a long-form copy. Extra copies from the state are $2 each. The state office in Springfield takes about 12 weeks by mail, which is much slower than Champaign County's local options.
Champaign County Vital Records Office
The Champaign County Clerk's vital records page gives a full overview of the services offered at both locations in Urbana. You can see the main vital records page at champaigncountyclerk.com/vital-records.
This page lists all the types of vital records kept by Champaign County, with links to request forms and fee details. Birth certificates are one of the most requested records from this office.
Who Can Get Champaign County Birth Records
Birth records are not public records in Illinois. The Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) limits who can get a certified copy. Champaign County follows these rules closely. No information about birth certificates will be given over the phone. You must submit a written request with proper ID.
The people who can receive a certified Champaign County birth certificate are:
- The person named on the record, if 18 years old or older
- A parent listed on the birth certificate
- A legal guardian with original court documents
- A legal representative with valid authorization
- Anyone with a court order from a judge
Misuse of a birth certificate is a serious crime. Under 410 ILCS 535/27, anyone who willfully uses or attempts to use a certificate for deception is guilty of a Class 4 felony. That carries up to three years in prison. Champaign County requires valid, current photo ID with every request to guard against fraud.
Champaign County Genealogy Birth Records
Older birth records in Champaign County are available for genealogical research. Under Illinois law, birth records that are 75 years old or more can be released as uncertified genealogical copies. These copies are stamped "For Genealogical Purposes Only" and cannot be used for legal matters. But they are very helpful for family history research.
The Champaign County Historical Archives holds an index of older birth records. You can search this index to find specific records before placing a formal request with the clerk. The Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) system also holds Champaign County records from earlier decades. If you are tracing family roots in the Champaign area, start with the county clerk and then check the IRAD and the Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders for guidance on locating older records.
Note: Genealogical birth record copies from Champaign County cost $10 through the state office.
Delayed Birth Registration in Champaign County
Not every birth gets registered on time. Under 410 ILCS 535/14, Illinois has a process for delayed registration. If a birth in Champaign County was not filed within seven days, the rules change based on how much time has passed. Births from 3 days to one year prior can still be registered on a standard form. Births from one to seven years back need approval from the State Registrar and get marked as "delayed."
For births more than seven years ago that were never registered, a special "Delayed Record of Birth" form is required. The person whose birth is being registered must sign the form under oath. Supporting documents like school records, baptismal records, or census data may be needed. Contact the Champaign County Clerk at (217) 384-3725 for help with a delayed registration. They can walk you through the steps and let you know what evidence to bring.
Cities in Champaign County
Champaign County includes the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, along with several smaller communities. All birth certificates for anyone born in Champaign County come from the County Clerk in Urbana or the Health District in Champaign, regardless of which city the birth took place in.
Other communities in Champaign County include Urbana, Rantoul, Mahomet, Savoy, and St. Joseph. All birth records for these areas are filed with the Champaign County Clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Champaign County. If you are not sure which county a birth was registered in, check where the hospital or home was located at the time. Birth records are filed in the county where the birth happened.