Kendall County Birth Records
Kendall County birth records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Yorkville. This fast-growing county southwest of Chicago has seen its population rise sharply over the past two decades, and the clerk's office handles a steady flow of birth certificate requests. Whether you were born in Kendall County or need a family member's record, the clerk can help you track it down. You can order copies in person, by mail, or through the state. Records go back to 1877 for most vital events in Kendall County, which covers a time well before the state started its own files in 1916.
Kendall County Quick Facts
Kendall County Clerk Birth Certificate Services
The Kendall County Clerk's office in Yorkville is the local source for birth certificates. Like all county clerks in Illinois, this office serves as a local registrar for vital records. They keep copies of birth records filed in Kendall County and can issue certified copies to eligible people. The office handles requests in person and by mail. Walk-in service is usually same-day for records that are on file.
Contact the Kendall County Clerk directly to ask about current hours, what forms you need, and what ID to bring. Because Kendall County has grown so fast in recent years, the office may be busier than it used to be. Calling ahead can save you a wait. The clerk can also tell you if your record is on file locally or if you need to go through the state instead. For births that took place in Kendall County, the local clerk is almost always the quicker route compared to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders lists contact details for every county clerk in the state, including Kendall County. This directory can help you confirm the right address and phone number before you send a request.
| Office | Kendall County Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Yorkville, IL |
| Records Available | 1877 to present |
How to Get a Kendall County Birth Certificate
The most common way to get a birth certificate in Kendall County is to visit the clerk's office in Yorkville in person. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID that is not expired. Staff will look up the record and print a certified copy while you wait. This is the fastest method. You also have the option to mail your request with a completed application form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order for the correct fee amount.
Illinois law under 410 ILCS 535/25 controls who can receive a certified birth certificate. You must be the person named on the record (if 18 or older), a parent shown on the certificate, a legal guardian, or a legal representative. The Kendall County Clerk will verify your identity and your right to the record before releasing it. If your ID is expired or hard to read, staff will send you away and ask you to come back with proper documents.
You can also order through VitalChek if you prefer to use a credit card. VitalChek adds a processing fee. For people who live far from Yorkville, this can be easier than mailing a check. Keep in mind that VitalChek orders still go through the county, so you may wait a bit for them to fill the request.
Kendall County Birth Records Resources
The Illinois Department of Public Health birth records page provides forms and guidance that apply to all counties, including Kendall. You can use the state portal to understand the process, download application forms, and learn about fees.
The state site also covers special situations like delayed birth registration, corrections to existing records, and how to get a new birth certificate after adoption or a legal name change. These rules apply to all Kendall County birth records held at the state level.
Another helpful resource is the Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders. Their website at iaccr.net has a directory of all county clerk offices, which makes it easy to find the right contact for Kendall County or a neighboring county.
The directory is useful if you are not sure which county a birth was registered in. Some cities in the Kendall County area, like Aurora and Joliet, span more than one county. The association's site can point you to the right clerk's office based on the birth location.
Birth Certificate Fees for Kendall County
Kendall County follows the standard Illinois fee schedule for birth certificates. A short-form certified copy costs $10 for the first copy. This shows the child's name, date of birth, sex, place of birth, and parent information. The long-form version costs $15 and includes all the data collected at the time of birth, which can vary depending on the year. Each extra copy of the same record costs $2 when ordered at the same time as the first.
Genealogical copies are $10. These are uncertified versions stamped "For Genealogical Purposes Only." Under Illinois law, a birth record must be 75 years old or more before it can be released for genealogical use to someone who isn't directly related. This applies to Kendall County records the same as any other county in the state. Payment should be by check or money order payable to the Kendall County Clerk for mail requests.
Who Can Request Kendall County Birth Records
Birth records in Kendall County are not public. The Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) makes this clear. They are not open to Freedom of Information Act requests either. Only certain people have the legal right to get a certified copy, and the Kendall County Clerk checks every request against these rules.
Eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate if they are 18 or older, parents whose names appear on the record, legal guardians with court papers, legal representatives with written authorization, and government agencies with a statement of need. A court order can also grant access. For people doing family history research, uncertified genealogical copies may be available for Kendall County birth records that are at least 75 years old. Misusing a birth certificate is a Class 4 felony under 410 ILCS 535/27 and can result in prison time.
State-Level Birth Records for Kendall County
The Illinois Department of Public Health is a backup option for getting birth certificates from Kendall County. IDPH has records for all births in Illinois from January 1916 to the present. Their Division of Vital Records is at 925 E. Ridgely Ave in Springfield, IL 62702. Call (217) 782-6554 if you have questions about ordering from the state.
The state charges the same base fees. Short-form copies are $10, long-form copies are $15, and extra copies are $2 each. The big difference is processing time. IDPH takes about 12 weeks to handle mail requests, and they do not give updates during that period. The Springfield walk-in office is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for same-day service. If speed matters, the Kendall County Clerk in Yorkville will almost always be faster than going through the state for a Kendall County birth record.
Note: For births in Kendall County before 1916, the county clerk is the only option since the state did not keep records before that year.
Cities in Kendall County
Kendall County includes parts of some large cities that span multiple counties. Birth records are filed based on where the birth took place, so you need to check which county the hospital or home address is in. If the birth happened on the Kendall County side of a city line, this is where the record lives.
Other communities in Kendall County include Yorkville, Oswego, Plano, and Montgomery. All birth certificates for people born in the Kendall County part of these areas come from the Kendall County Clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Kendall County. If you are not sure which county a birth was registered in, check the address of the hospital or home where the birth took place. Some cities near Kendall County cross into neighboring counties.