Find Birth Records in Franklin County
Franklin County birth records are available through the County Clerk's office in Benton. If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate for yourself or a family member, the clerk is your first stop. Franklin County sits in southern Illinois with a population of about 37,800 people. The clerk keeps local birth records on file, and births after 1916 are also held at the state level. You can request a copy in person at the Benton courthouse, send a letter by mail, or use a third-party ordering service to search for and obtain your Franklin County birth certificate.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Clerk's Office
The Franklin County Clerk manages birth records for the entire county. The office is in the courthouse at Benton. You can call (618) 439-3401 to check business hours or ask about what documents you need to bring. Walk-in requests are accepted on weekdays during regular hours. For most people, visiting in person is the fastest way to get a certified copy.
If you can't visit Benton, mail works. Send a written request that includes the full name on the birth record, date of birth, parents' names, and the reason for the request. Attach a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order for the fee payable to "Franklin County Clerk." The clerk charges $15 for the first certified copy and $2 for each extra copy of the same record. Turnaround on mail orders depends on how busy the office is. Most are done in one to two weeks.
The Franklin County Clerk is also a member of the Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders, which keeps a statewide directory of all clerk offices and the services they provide.
| Office | Franklin County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
202 W. Main Street Benton, IL 62812 Phone: (618) 439-3401 |
Ordering Franklin County Birth Certificates
You have a few paths to get a Franklin County birth certificate. In person at the courthouse is fastest. Go to the clerk's office, fill out a request form, show your ID, and pay the fee. Most records can be printed on demand. Mail is the second option. Write a letter with all the details, include your ID copy and payment, and wait for the certificate to come back. The third option is VitalChek, an online service that processes vital record orders for many Illinois counties. They add a service fee, but you can pay by credit card and order from anywhere.
Whichever method you pick, you need to provide the same basic information. The full name on the birth record is the most important detail. Include the date of birth and both parents' names if you know them. This helps the clerk find the right record, especially when common names are involved. If you are requesting a record for someone else, you will need to show that you are authorized under Illinois law to receive it.
Franklin County Birth Records Online
The Illinois Department of Public Health provides information about birth, death, and other vital records for all counties, including Franklin County. Their website walks you through the ordering process at the state level.
The IDPH site lists forms, fees, and mailing instructions. It also explains who is allowed to get a certified copy under state law. For Franklin County residents who want to go through the state instead of the county clerk, this page has everything you need to get started.
The IACCR directory is another useful resource for finding your county clerk's contact details and learning about available services in Franklin County.
This statewide listing includes phone numbers and office addresses for every county clerk in Illinois. It is a good starting point if you are not sure which office handles the record you need.
Franklin County Birth Record Eligibility
Illinois restricts who can get a certified birth certificate. Under 410 ILCS 535, you must fall into one of a few categories. The person named on the record (if 18 or older) can request their own. Parents listed on the certificate are also eligible. Legal guardians with court documentation and authorized legal representatives round out the list. A court order works too.
For records 75 years old or more, genealogical copies are open to anyone with a research interest. These copies are not certified. They carry a stamp noting they are for genealogical use only. The 75-year rule comes from 410 ILCS 535/17. Anyone doing family history research in Franklin County can use this provision.
Using a birth certificate for fraud is a Class 4 felony under 410 ILCS 535/27. The penalty can include up to three years in prison.
Franklin County Birth Certificate Fees
A certified copy from the Franklin County Clerk costs $15 for the first one. Each additional copy of the same record is $2 when ordered at the same time. These fees align with state guidelines under 410 ILCS 535/14. Mail orders need a check or money order. Cash may be accepted for in-person visits.
Going through the state is another option. IDPH charges $10 for a short-form certified copy and $15 for long-form. Genealogical copies are $10. The state office is at 925 E. Ridgely Ave in Springfield. You can reach them at (217) 782-6554. The downside of the state route is the wait. Mail processing takes about 12 weeks, and you won't get updates during that time.
Correcting Franklin County Birth Records
The Franklin County Clerk cannot fix mistakes on a birth certificate. All corrections go through the Illinois Department of Public Health. This is true for every county in the state. The rules are in 410 ILCS 535/12.
Small fixes within one year of the birth date are treated as minor corrections. Bigger changes, like a name change or a change to parent information, are major corrections and need more paperwork. IDPH takes about 12 weeks to process corrections. Contact them at (217) 782-6554 or email DPH.VITALS@illinois.gov to start the process for a Franklin County birth record.
State Records for Franklin County Births
The Illinois Department of Public Health holds birth records for every county from 1916 to the present. If you were born in Franklin County after that year, the state has a copy. IDPH charges $10 for a short-form certificate and $15 for a long-form with full details. Genealogical copies cost $10. Extra copies of any type are $2 each.
The main drawback is processing time. State mail orders take about 12 weeks, and no updates are provided. You can visit the IDPH office at 925 E. Ridgely Ave in Springfield for same-day walk-in service, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Springfield is a longer drive from Benton, so the county clerk is usually the better option for Franklin County residents who want their certificate fast.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County borders several other southern Illinois counties. If a birth happened near a county line, the record may be filed in a neighboring county instead. Check where the hospital or home was located at the time of birth to be sure.