BIRTH CERTIFICATES

• Birth certificates are available for any person who was born within the city limits of Chicago Heights or at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights.  Birth records date back to 1869.

• Birth records are released only to the person whose record it is if he or she is at least 18 years of age, the parents listed on the birth record, the person’s legal guardian or legal representative by court order.  A person requesting a birth certificate must fill out a request form and show a valid driver’s license or valid state identification.  If the person does not have these forms of identification, other acceptable means of identification must be presented. 

• The fee is $15.00 first certified copy and $10.00 each additional certified copy. 

• In person: cash, money order, credit card only accepted—no personal checks.  Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards are accepted.

• By mail: money order or certified check payable to City of Chicago Heights—no cash or personal checks.

• Chapter 21, Health & Sanitation, Article III Vital Statistics, in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Chicago Heights is available at: www.municode.com/library/il/chicago_heights

OTHER BIRTH RECORD FORMS

• Birth Correction forms are available at the City Clerk’s Office.  If an error is found on the birth certificate, this form may be completed and mailed to Springfield Vital Records.  Springfield Vital Records determines the fee(s) for correction, and processing time depends on the corrections being made.

• Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity forms are available at the City Clerk’s Office.  If the father’s name is not on the birth certificate, this form must be completed by both parents and submitted to Springfield Vital Records so that the father’s name may be added to the birth certificate.

• Voluntary Denial of Paternity forms are available at the City Clerk’s Office.  If incorrect paternal information appears on the birth certificate, this form must be completed by both parties and submitted to Springfield Vital Records so that the incorrect information can be corrected or removed from the birth certificate.