City guide · Chicago, Illinois · Details last checked Oct 31, 2026

Chicago, Illinois document errands: printing, fax, notary, passports and certified copies (2026)

Where to print, scan, notarize, apply for a passport and get certified copies in Chicago, Illinois, using only official and provider pages. Each fact links to its source. Some facts are statewide or national rather than local. We label those.

Printing, copying, scanning and fax

Chicago Public Library (CPL)

• Where: you can print at any CPL location, from a library computer or your own device. Without a library card, you can ask for a daily guest pass for computer access ^[1]. Most CPL locations have scanners ^[3].
• Printing: $0.15 a sheet one-sided and $0.25 a sheet two-sided. The first $1.50 of printing each day is free. Color printing isn't available, and CPL takes cash only for printing ^[1].
• Print from your phone or laptop: upload files on the ePrintIT website (choose this for double-sided printing) or email them to mobileprinting@chipublib.org (single-sided only), then release the job at a Print Release Kiosk at any CPL location with your library card number or a release code. Jobs are never kept more than 24 hours ^[1].
• When printing stops (CPL pages differ): CPL's printing page and one FAQ say printing ends 10 minutes before closing ^[1][2], but other FAQ answers say 15 minutes ^[2][3]. Arrive early or ask the branch.
• Scanning: free to save to a USB drive or email, as PDF, Word, TIFF or JPEG files. Printing a scan is $0.15 a single-sided black-and-white page; the scanners don't print double-sided or color ^[3].
• Fax: CPL says it has no fax machines at any location ^[2].
• Copy Center (closed): the Copy Center at Harold Washington Library Center has closed ^[2].

• The UPS Store: its Chicago page lists 43 open locations with Chicago addresses (plus one marked permanently closed). It says they offer packing, shipping, printing, shredding, notarizing, faxing and mailbox services ^[9]. We didn't find prices on the store pages; The UPS Store's site says products, services, prices and hours may vary by location ^[10].

See printing prices and fax prices.

Notary in Chicago

• Library: we didn't find notary service on CPL's printing, printer or scanner pages ^[1][2].
• The UPS Store: its Chicago page lists notarizing ^[9].
• Fees (statewide law): the Illinois Notary Public Act caps the fee for a non-electronic notarial act at $5, and allows up to $25 for an electronic notarial act. The current text took effect Jan. 1, 2026 ^[11]. Ask for the price before the notary starts.
• Secretary of State notary pages: we couldn't read the Illinois Secretary of State's notary pages on Oct 31, 2026; the site didn't respond to our checks.

Passports in Chicago

The U.S. Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Locator data lists 26 facilities with Chicago mailing addresses. The Census Geocoder places these 24 inside Chicago city ^[4][5]:

• Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County: the locator lists this office at 50 W. Washington St., Room 1202, with walk-in service only and no appointment needed. Its hours list closes at 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays, but its note says Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., so confirm with the office ^[4]. The Clerk's fee schedule lists a $35.00 passport service charge per passport processed and passport photos at $10.00 for a set of 2 ^[12].
• Post offices: the locator says to book passport appointments, or see more passport times, at usps.com/scheduler ^[4]. It lists photos as not available at Irving Park Station ^[4].
• Chicago address, other place: Evergreen Park Station, 9359 S. Kedzie Avenue, has a Chicago mailing address, but the geocoder places it in the village of Evergreen Park ^[4][5].
• Not matched: the geocoder didn't match Northtown Station, 3401 W. Devon Ave., Chicago 60659, so we left it out of the table. The phone number in the locator data for it has 11 digits, so check the number before you call ^[4][5].
• Library: we didn't find a library in the locator data for Chicago ^[4].
• Post office fees (national): a $35.00 acceptance fee and a $15.00 photo fee "if needed" ^[13].
• Faster return delivery (national): two official pages list different prices. USPS lists "$22.05—1- to 3- day delivery service for faster return shipping to you from the State Department" ^[13]. The State Department's fee page lists 1–3 business day return delivery at $26.87, for passport books only ^[14]. We couldn't re-read the State Department page on Oct 31, 2026, because it blocked our check. Confirm the fee with the acceptance facility before you pay.

See the passport checklist and passport photo prices.

Birth, death, marriage, court and recorded-document copies

Which county: the Census lists parts of Chicago city in Cook and DuPage counties ^[8]. IDPH says you may contact the county clerk where the event occurred ^[15]. The Cook County Clerk keeps records of births in Chicago and suburban Cook County ^[16].

Birth and death records (statewide rules)

• Who issues them (statewide): the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Division of Vital Records in Springfield issues birth and death certificates, and it says you may also contact the county clerk where the event occurred ^[15][17].
• IDPH birth certificate fees (statewide): $15 or $10 for the first certified copy, depending on the version, and $2 for each additional copy of the same certificate ordered at the same time. A genealogical copy is $10 ^[15][18], and a commemorative birth certificate is $40 ^[18].
• Which version costs what (IDPH pages differ): IDPH's birth certificate page says $15 gets the information collected at the time of birth, and $10 gets a set list of items (name, date and place of birth, parents' details, file date and state file number) ^[15]. IDPH's fee schedule calls the $15 version the long form, a full copy of the original record, and the $10 version the short form, a computer-generated abstract, but it places the item list beside the $15 version ^[18]. Ask IDPH or the county clerk which version you need before you order.
• IDPH death certificate fees (statewide): $19 for a full certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ^[17][18].
• IDPH by mail: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 110 W Lawrence Ave., Springfield, IL 62704-2610; pay by check or money order payable to IDPH ^[15]. IDPH says mail requests take about 12 weeks from when it gets your paperwork. For urgent needs, it says to send the request by overnight delivery with proof of immediate need and a prepaid overnight return envelope; certified copies are then processed in 5 to 7 business days ^[17].
• IDPH online: through VitalChek, with a major credit card. On the death certificate page IDPH lists a $15.00 handling fee, plus $22.00 if you choose UPS delivery ^[17].
• Office move (past): IDPH's Springfield office at 925 East Ridgley Avenue closed, and the new office at 110 W Lawrence Avenue opened on September 14, 2026 ^[17].

Cook County Clerk (vital records)

• Fees: birth certificates are $15 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same record ^[6]. Death certificates are $17, and $6 for each additional copy ^[16][19]. Certified marriage records are $15, and $4 for each additional copy ^[19].
• In person: most records are printed while you wait at the downtown office or three suburban courthouses. Cash, debit and credit cards are accepted (a $1.25 debit or $1.75 credit card processing fee); checks aren't ^[6]. Downtown Chicago Vital Records is at 118 N. Clark St., open Monday–Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., (312) 603-7790 ^[6], and the Census Geocoder places that address inside Chicago city ^[5].
• By mail: Cook County Clerk's Office, Bureau of Vital Records, P.O. Box A3390, Chicago, IL 60690, with the request form, a photocopy of your photo ID, a check or money order payable to “Cook County Clerk” and a self-addressed stamped envelope ^[6]. Mail orders take about 20 business days on average ^[19].
• Online and currency exchanges: VitalChek adds $13.45 for processing and standard postage. Participating Chicago and Cook County currency exchanges add a $5 surcharge, and you pick the record up there later ^[6].
• Free birth certificates: available if you are homeless, living in a domestic violence shelter, or formerly incarcerated and released in the last 90 days, with verification from a parole release form or a status certification from an approved human services provider ^[16].

Marriage licenses

• Marriage records (statewide): IDPH doesn't issue certified copies of marriage records; they come from the county clerk in the county where the marriage happened. IDPH can verify the facts of a marriage from 1962 on for $5 ^[20].
• When a license is valid (statewide law): Illinois law says a marriage license becomes effective in the county where it was issued one day after it is issued, unless a court orders otherwise, and expires 60 days after it becomes effective ^[21].
• Cook County Clerk, fee and timing: the license is $60. Licenses are issued while you wait, are valid only for ceremonies in Chicago and suburban Cook County, take effect 1 day after issuance and are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. The license must be returned to the Clerk within 10 days after the ceremony ^[7].
• Validity dates differ: the Clerk says 60 days from the date of issuance ^[7], while state law says 60 days after the license becomes effective, which is one day after issuance ^[21]. Confirm the expiration date with the Clerk.
• Cook County Clerk, how to apply: both of you appear together at one of the Clerk's four Vital Records locations with valid ID showing proof of age. You can fill out the application online first, then sign it in person. If you divorced within the last six months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree ^[7].

Recorded documents and court copies

• Cook County Clerk, recording: deeds, leases, mortgages and releases, easements and miscellaneous documents are $107 each under the schedule in effect since April 1, 2024 (past). That includes a $55 county recording fee, $23 GIS fee, $10 document storage fee, $18 State Rental Housing Support fee and $1 non-government filer fee; documents or filers not subject to the state fee are $19 lower. Recording by mail with return is $5 per document, and recording a DD-214 military discharge is free. The office doesn't quote recording fees by phone ^[22].
• Cook County Clerk, copies of recorded documents: a certified paper copy is $55 and a certified digital PDF is $65. A non-certified paper copy is $27.50, and a non-certified electronic download is $5. Copies paid for online carry a 2.10% card fee ^[22].
• Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County: copies of documents in the Clerk's files are $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 a page for pages 2–20 and $0.25 a page over 20. Certification with the seal is $6.00 for civil cases (not probate), a certified copy of a judgment after the first copy is $10.00, and a record search is $6.00 per year searched ^[12].

Apostilles (statewide)

• Fee (statewide law): Illinois law sets the Secretary of State's fee for a certificate or apostille, with seal, at $2 ^[23].
• Rules (statewide law): requests go on the Secretary of State's form with the fee. The office may refuse a document that isn't an original, isn't properly certified or notarized, or is meant for use in the U.S. or in a country that isn't part of the Hague Convention ^[24].
• Where and how long: we couldn't read the Illinois Secretary of State's apostille pages on Oct 31, 2026; the site didn't respond to our checks. Confirm addresses, hours and processing times with the Secretary of State before you send documents.

More on certified copies: how to get a certified copy.

Money orders

USPS money order fees are national: $2.65 for $0.01 to $500.00, and $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.00. Pay with cash or a debit card, not a credit card. The limit is $1,000 per domestic money order ^[25]. Other sellers: money order guide.

Shredding

• Free shred events: we didn't find an upcoming city or county shred event on official pages.
• The UPS Store: its Chicago page lists shredding ^[9]. We didn't find prices.

For paid per-pound shredding, see where to shred documents.

Questions

Sources

Sources last checked Oct 29 or Oct 31, 2026, as marked on each, except the locator data file.

1. Chicago Public Library, "Use a Computer or Printer": chipublib.org/use-a-computer-or-printer (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
2. Chicago Public Library, "Printers and Copiers FAQs": chipublib.org/faq/printers-and-copiers (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
3. Chicago Public Library, "Scanners FAQs": chipublib.org/faq/scanners (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
4. U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility Locator (locator data file, downloaded Oct 28, 2026, filtered to Illinois): passportfacilitylocator.travel.state.gov (last checked Oct 28, 2026)
5. U.S. Census Bureau, "Census Geocoder (address to geography lookup)": geocoding.geo.census.gov/geocoder (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
6. Cook County Clerk, "Birth Certificates": cookcountyclerkil.gov/vital-records/birth-death-records/birth-certificates (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
7. Cook County Clerk, "Marriage Licenses": cookcountyclerkil.gov/vital-records/marriage-civil-union/marriage-licenses (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
8. U.S. Census Bureau, "2020 Place by County relationship file, Illinois": www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/codes2020/place_by_cou/st17_il_place_by_county2020.txt (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
9. The UPS Store, "The UPS Store Locations in Chicago, Illinois": locations.theupsstore.com/il/chicago (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
10. The UPS Store, "Notary Services Nationwide": theupsstore.com/store-services/notary-services (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
11. Illinois General Assembly, "5 ILCS 312/3-104, Maximum fee (Illinois Notary Public Act)": ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/000503120K3-104.htm (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
12. Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, "Miscellaneous Fees, form CCG-0140 (PDF)" (dated 10/28/25): services.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/forms/Forms/pdf_files/CCG0140.pdf (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
13. USPS, "Passports": usps.com/international/passports.htm (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
14. U.S. Department of State, passport fees page (Last Updated March 19, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
15. Illinois Department of Public Health, "Obtain Birth Certificate": dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records/birth-records/obtain-birth-certificate.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
16. Cook County Clerk, "Birth and Death Records": cookcountyclerkil.gov/vital-records/birth-death-records (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
17. Illinois Department of Public Health, "Obtain Death Certificate": dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records/death-records/obtain-death-certificate.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
18. Illinois Department of Public Health, "Vital Records Fee Schedule (PDF)": dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/files/resources/resources-birth-death-other-records/vital-records-fee-schedule.pdf (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
19. Cook County Clerk, "Vital Records FAQs": cookcountyclerkil.gov/vital-records/frequently-asked-questions (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
20. Illinois Department of Public Health, "Marriage Records": dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records/marriage-records.html (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
21. Illinois General Assembly, "750 ILCS 5/207, Effective date of license": ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075000050K207.htm (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
22. Cook County Clerk, "Recording Fees": cookcountyclerkil.gov/recordings/recording-fees (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
23. Illinois General Assembly, "15 ILCS 305/5.5, Secretary of State fees": ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/001503050K5.5.htm (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
24. Illinois General Assembly, "15 ILCS 305/5.20, Apostilles and certifications": ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/001503050K5.20.htm (last checked Oct 31, 2026)
25. USPS, "Money Orders": usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm (last checked Oct 31, 2026)

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