Advance Directive Form

The Illinois Advance Directive forms can be found at the bottom of this page. These forms specify an individual’s instructions regarding their health care and treatment, healthcare proxy, living and last will. They must be signed by the individual, proxy, and a witness not related to the individual.

How to Order a Death Certificate

Death certificates in Illinois can be obtained only by people who express proven personal or property right interest. This includes immediate relatives, legal representatives, and individuals holding a court order for obtaining the certificate.

The required application information includes:

• Deceased’s name
• Date and place of death
• Deceased’s parents’ names
• Applicant’s relation to the deceased
• Proof of relation
• Applicant’s address and its proof (bill, medical card, bank statement, or alternative)
• Purpose for request
• Copy of applicant’s government-issued photo ID

The certificate and one certified copy cost $17. An additional copy ordered at the same time costs $2. When a certificate is requested by fax, a $10 credit card fee applies.

The application can be sent to:

Illinois Department of Public Health

Division of Vital Records

925 East Ridgely Avenue

Springfield, IL 62702-2737;

By fax at to 217-523-2648 along with applicant’s credit card number, expiration date, and written signature;

Or obtained in-person in county’s health department.

Digital Estate Planning Law

The Illinois HB 4648 Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act authorizes an individual’s legal representative who can access and control their digital assets and communications. This bill came into effect on August 12, 2016.

Death With Dignity or Aid-in-Dying or Physician-Assisted Death

Currently, Illinois has no legislation regarding death with dignity. Updates on this matter can be found here.

Organ Donation Registry

The Illinois organ donation registry can be found here.

Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

The Illinois official POLST form is available in English and Spanish. This form must be completed only after a conversation with a patient or their representative. It’s necessary for patients who are at risk of a life-threatening clinical event due to a life-limiting medical condition.

Probate Laws

Information on Illinois legislation on a decedent’s will regarding their estate and other assets can be found in the following acts:

• Chapter 755: Estates
• Chapter 755, ILCS 5: Probate Act of 1975
• Chapter 760: Trusts and Fiduciaries

Estate and Inheritance Tax

Illinois has an estate tax of up to 16%. Information on estate tax rates can be found in the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act or on the Illinois Attorney General website.