Genealogical Information
Searching For Records
Under Illinois law, genealogical records are defined as:
- Birth certificates older than 75 years, with proof of death.
- Marriage certificates older than 20 years.
- Death certificates older than 20 years.
Please note: Absolutely no information about a specific record can be given over the telephone regarding Vital Records.
A number of resources are available for individuals doing genealogical research using vital records filed in Montgomery County, Illinois. We have indexes of the records available for the purpose of in-person, self-serve genealogical research. These indexes generally provide the name, date and place of occurrence and are located in the historic Montgomery County Courthouse. Although self-service access to the indexes is generally permitted, Illinois law limits physical access to the individual records to the clerk staff.
When you locate a record from the index, it will be necessary for the clerk to pull the actual record for you once you have paid the appropriate search fees. Please see below for forms and fees.
By Mail:
Montgomery County Clerk
P.O. Box 595
Hillsboro, IL 62049-0595
In Person:
Montgomery County Clerk
#1 Courthouse Square
Hillsboro, IL 62049-0595
Our office is located on the
First floor of the Historic Courthouse
Click HERE for a map to the Historic Courthouse.
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm
(Closed on Holidays)
We recommend that, as much as possible, people utilize the free on-line genealogical search information available in the "Resources" section below. While these databases do not show the actual record, and are just an index listing, this will help you determine if our office has a copy of the record you seek, during the years that the online index covers. This can help prevent you from requesting (and paying for) searches of documents that our office does not have.
When Do Our Records Begin?
- Births have been recorded in Montgomery County, Illinois since 1877, although the County Clerk's office has a limited number of birth records beginning in 1862
- Deaths have been recorded since 1877
- Marriage records have been recorded since 1821
- Civil Union records since June 1, 2011
- Land records since 1822
Although the county began recording the above information on a certain date, this does not mean that we have a record of every birth, death, or marriage that occurred after that date. Sometimes rural births and deaths were not properly recorded, and reporting in general could have been more lax in the past.
This is why we recommend that, as much as possible, people utilize the free on-line genealogical search information available in the "Resources" section below. While these databases do not show the actual record and are just an index listing, this will help you determine if our office has a copy of the record you seek during the years that the online index covers. This can help prevent you from requesting (and paying) for searches of documents that our office does not have.
Birth Certificates
This request form requires the following information:
- Exact name of the person for whom you are seeking the record (or exact name on record).
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Mother's full maiden name
- Full name of the father listed on the record (if any)
- The full signature with proper spacing of the person requesting the document.
- The Social Security Number or Driver's License number of the person requesting the document.
- The address & daytime phone number of the person requesting the documents.
- Indicate if this request is for genealogical purposes.
- The relationship of the person requesting the documents to the person.
Fees: The statutory fee for a SEARCH of the birth record files is $15.00. If the record is found, one certified copy is furnished. Additional copies of the same record issued at the same time are available for $5.00 each. Cash, money order or checks accepted. Make checks payable to Montgomery County Clerk & Recorder. (We DO NOT accept credit/debit cards.) An ATM is available at the New Courthouse Complex, across the street from our office.
Death Certificates
This request form requires the following information:
- Exact name of the person for whom you are seeking the record (or exact name on record).
- Exact name of the person for whom you are seeking the record (or exact name on record).
- Date of death
- Place of death
- The full signature with proper spacing of the person requesting the document.
- The Social Security Number or Driver's License number of the person requesting the document.
- The address & daytime phone number of the person requesting the documents.
- Indicate if this request is for genealogical purposes.
- The relationship of the person requesting the documents to the deceased.
- A certification that you have a personal or property right interest in the death certificate requested.
Fees: The statutory fee for a SEARCH of the death record files is $17.00. If the record is found, one certified copy is furnished. Additional copies of the same record issued at the same time are available for $8.00
each. Cash, money order or checks accepted. Make checks payable to Montgomery County Clerk & Recorder. (We DO NOT accept credit/debit cards.) An ATM is available at the New Courthouse Complex, across the street from our office.
To download forms, you must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer. If you do not have it, click the button below to install a free copy.
This request form requires the following information:
- Both partner's full names.
- Date of marriage
- Place of marriage
- The full signature with proper spacing of the person requesting the document.
- The Social Security Number or Driver's Licenses Number of the person requesting the document.
- The address & daytime phone number of the person requesting the documents.
- The relationship of the person requesting the documents to the person.
Fees: The statutory fee for a SEARCH of the marriage record files is $15.00. If the record is found, one certified copy is furnished. Additional copies of the same record issued at the same time are available for $5.00 each. Cash, money order or checks accepted. Make checks payable to Montgomery County Clerk & Recorder. (We DO NOT accept credit/debit cards.) An ATM is available at the New Courthouse Complex, across the street from our office.
Submit the form(s) with payment to the following address:
By Mail:
Montgomery County Clerk
P.O. Box 595
Hillsboro, IL 62049-0595
In Person:
Montgomery County Clerk
#1 Courthouse Square
Hillsboro, IL 62049-0595
Our office is located on the
First floor of the Historic Courthouse
Click HERE for a map to the Historic Courthouse.
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm
(Closed on Holidays)
Resources
Website: http://history.montgomeryco.com
307 South Broad St.
Hillsboro, IL 62049
On their website you can search over a half million Montgomery County Illinois records, documents and photographs spanning 1821 to 1950.
Website: http://mcgsil.com
The Research Center is located on the site of the first school house in Hillsboro. The school house, built in 1825, was built on land donated by Hiram Rountree on the top of the hill overlooking the spring which is now Central Park.
The Research Center is open free to the public and offers genealogist the opportunity to use materials compiled and collected by the society. Some microfilm records are also available for researching.
Materials include, but are not limited to:
- Montgomery County records and indexes
- Rural school rosters, cemetery readings
- Census transcriptions, obituary scrapbooks
- Family histories, and much more
The collection also includes publications from counties boarding Montgomery County. Quarterlies exchanged over the years with other genealogical societies are also available for researching.
Montgomery County Illinois Genealogical Society
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 212
Litchfield, IL 62056
Family Research Center
305 South Broad St.
Hillsboro, IL 62049
(Do not send mail to this address.)
info@mcgsil.com
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