Access Perry County Birth Records
Perry County birth records are stored at the County Clerk's office in Pinckneyville. The clerk keeps birth certificates for all births in Perry County, with files reaching back to about 1877. Getting a certified copy means visiting the courthouse or sending a mail request. Staff in Pinckneyville process walk-in orders the same day in most cases. Around 20,900 people live in Perry County, and the clerk's office serves both local residents and people who were born here but have since moved away. If you need a Perry County birth certificate for any reason, the clerk's office in Pinckneyville is where you start.
Perry County Quick Facts
Perry County Clerk Birth Records
The Perry County Clerk is the custodian of all birth records in the county. The office is inside the Perry County Courthouse in Pinckneyville. You can walk in and request a certified copy during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID so the clerk can verify who you are before pulling any records.
Perry County follows the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) for all birth record requests. This means the same eligibility and ID standards apply here as they do in every other county in the state. The clerk also handles death records and marriage licenses, so the office staff deals with vital records every working day. Perry County has birth records going back well before 1916, which is when Illinois began statewide registration. For any birth in Perry County prior to that year, this courthouse is the only source. Call (618) 357-6726 to check hours or ask questions before visiting.
The courthouse in Pinckneyville has free parking and the clerk's office is easy to find on the main floor.
| Office | Perry County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
1 Public Square, Room 101 Pinckneyville, IL 62274 Phone: (618) 357-6726 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
How to Get a Perry County Birth Certificate
Walking into the courthouse is the quickest option. Go to the clerk's office in Pinckneyville, show your ID, and tell staff whose birth record you need. They search the Perry County files and print a certified copy while you wait. Most visits take 15 to 20 minutes. It is that simple.
Mail is the other way. Send a written request to the Perry County Clerk at 1 Public Square, Room 101, Pinckneyville, IL 62274. In your letter, include the full name on the birth certificate, date of birth, parents' names if known, your relationship to the person on the record, your name and return address, and a photocopy of your photo ID. Enclose a check or money order for $15 payable to the Perry County Clerk. Each additional copy of the same record is $2 if ordered together. Mail orders normally take one to three weeks. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want to help speed the return.
You can also order through VitalChek, which accepts credit and debit cards. There is an added service fee, but VitalChek is a good choice if you cannot visit Pinckneyville and do not want to deal with sending a check through the mail. The IACCR directory can also help you confirm the Perry County Clerk's contact details before ordering.
Perry County Birth Records Resources
Perry County does not have its own online ordering system for birth certificates. The Illinois Department of Public Health provides statewide forms and instructions that cover all counties. Visit the IDPH birth records page to see what applies.
The IDPH site explains fees, eligibility rules, and the steps for requesting a birth certificate. These standards apply whether you go through the state office or the Perry County Clerk in Pinckneyville.
IDPH also has a detailed page about how to obtain a birth certificate. You can check it at dph.illinois.gov for step-by-step guidance.
This resource is helpful for people who want to go through the state instead of making the trip to Pinckneyville.
Eligibility for Perry County Birth Records
Not everyone can get a certified birth certificate in Illinois. The law is clear on this. Under 410 ILCS 535/14, the Perry County Clerk can only release certified copies to specific people. A valid photo ID is required for every request, no matter the method.
People who qualify to request a Perry County birth certificate include:
- The person named on the record, if 18 or older
- A parent whose name appears on the certificate
- A legal guardian with court-issued papers
- A legal representative with written authorization
- A government agency with a written statement of need
Anyone who tries to get a birth certificate through fraud faces serious consequences. Under 410 ILCS 535/27, using a certificate for deception is a Class 4 felony. That can mean up to three years in prison. The Perry County Clerk verifies every request before handing out a certified copy.
Perry County Birth Certificate Fees
A certified birth certificate from Perry County costs $15 for the first copy. Additional copies of the same record are $2 each when ordered at the same time. Cash works for in-person visits. Mail orders require a check or money order payable to the Perry County Clerk.
The Illinois Department of Public Health offers another route. Short-form copies cost $10. Long-form certified copies are $15. Extra copies are $2. Genealogical copies run $10 each. The catch is that state mail orders take about 12 weeks to process. The Perry County Clerk in Pinckneyville is much faster if you can get to the courthouse or send a letter. VitalChek offers phone and online orders with a service fee on top of the base price.
Note: Always call (618) 357-6726 to confirm what the Perry County Clerk charges before you send in a payment.
Perry County Genealogy Birth Records
Perry County birth records from around 1877 provide a strong foundation for genealogy work in southern Illinois. Illinois law allows anyone to request an uncertified copy of a birth record that is 75 years old or more. These genealogical copies are stamped to show they are not for legal use. They are still very useful for tracing family lines.
IDPH charges $10 for each genealogical copy. The Perry County Clerk may have its own fee for older records, so call (618) 357-6726 first. Southern Illinois saw a lot of movement between counties over the decades. If your family history crosses county lines, the IACCR directory can help you locate clerk offices in neighboring areas. Checking more than one county is common when doing deep family research in this part of the state.
State Birth Records for Perry County
The Illinois Department of Public Health has birth records for the entire state from 1916 to the present. Any birth in Perry County after January 1916 is on file with IDPH too. The state office is at 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702. Walk-in service runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. Same-day pickup is available in person.
Mail orders through the state take about 12 weeks. No status updates are given during that time. For Perry County births before 1916, the County Clerk in Pinckneyville is the only source. The state had not started collecting birth data yet. Perry County's local files go back about 40 years further than the state system, which matters for genealogy and historical research.
Cities in Perry County
Perry County has several communities across southern Illinois. Pinckneyville is the county seat and the largest town. Du Quoin is another well-known community in the area. Other places include Tamaroa, Cutler, and Willisville. None of these meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All Perry County birth records are on file with the County Clerk in Pinckneyville.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Perry County. If you are trying to figure out which county holds a birth record, check where the hospital or home was at the time of the birth. Illinois files birth records in the county where the birth happened.