The Office of the Archives holds the sacramental records for many, but not all, closed parishes within the Diocese of Belleville. The location of closed parish records can be found here. Records for open and active parishes remain with the parish.

Baptismal records less than 120 years old; First Communion and Confirmation records less than 110 years old; and Marriage records less than 100 years old are private documents and closed to the general public. Information regarding these records may only be accessed by the person who received the sacrament and his or her legal guardian or heirs. Sacramental records older than those set forth above are generally available to search online for free at FamilySearch.org. 

Final authority to release sacramental records is at the discretion of the Archivist in consultation with the Bishop and Diocesan Chancellor. 

To request a Sacramental Certificate or for any additional questions, please contact Michael Heithaus, Diocesan Archivist, at 618-722-5057 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Fees:

$10/record: Sacramental Certificate provided to the recipient of the sacrament for sacramental purposes.

$33/record: Sacramental Certificate provided for any non-sacramental matter, including but not limited to citizenship, genealogy, legal, estate, and personal matters. 

Fees may be waived at the discretion of the Archivist upon a showing of undue hardship. Additional fees may apply in some circumstances. Please contact the Archivist for further information prior to sending payment.