Sacramental Records

These forms are for personal sacramental records requests (not genealogical research). Baptisms, First Communions and Confirmations created after December 31, 1924; Marriage records created after December 31, 1954; Death/Funeral records created after December 31, 1975. Please see our Genealogy page if you are interested in obtaining records for family research.

Most active parishes maintain their own sacramental registers.  Individuals needing a copy of their sacramental records can obtain the record directly from the parish where the sacrament occurred.

The sacramental records of most parishes that are closed or suppressed have been transferred to the Office for Archives and Records Management.

Information from sacramental records created after the following dates is only released to the individual who received the sacrament, to requesting Catholic Church institutions (e.g. parishes or tribunals)*, or persons who have a legitimate reason for requesting the record (e.g. parents of minor children, those with legal guardian status, or an immediate relative [spouse/child/sibling of the deceased**] if the individual is deceased).

**photo id, official death record of the deceased, and proof of relation are required

  • Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation after 1924
  • Marriage after 1954
  • Death after 1975

A $10.00 non-refundable processing fee and a clear photocopy of an official photo ID (photo ID must include signature) are required with all record requests.

Please submit your request using the Sacramental Request Form, found below, signed by the requestor and include:

  • Recipient’s full name (at time of sacrament)
  • Name of sacrament conferred (Baptism, Marriage, etc.)
  • Date of birth
  • Parents’ names
  • Approximate date of sacrament
  • Where the sacrament was conferred (city/town and name of parish)

Be sure to include the address to where you want the sacramental certificate sent (certificates will only be sent to the individual requesting the record or to a Catholic parish or tribunal).  Requestors will not be granted access to original documents.

*We will take requests over the phone only for canonical investigations from Parishes and Diocesan Tribunal in the United States.  (There is no charge if the request comes directly from Parish or Tribunal staff.)

Fees and Payment

The fee for Sacramental Records Requests is $10.00 per request.  This processing fee covers the cost of research, certificate creation, and postage.  There is no charge if the request comes directly from Parish or Tribunal staff.

Methods of payment:

Pay by credit card or echeck using our secure transaction form

By money order or bank check made payable to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, mailing it to:

Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Office of Archives & Records Management
1615 West Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62702-4757
Attn: Sacramental Requests

We do NOT accept personal checks.

Requests can be submitted in person at the Catholic Pastoral Center, 1615 W. Washington St., Springfield, IL 62702.  Cash will be accepted with in-person requests.

Financial hardship will be considered on a case by case basis by the Diocesan Archivist and fees may be waived.