Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits

Instructions for Completing Historic Preservation Certification Application

Click here to download an application form from the National Park Service.
Click here to view a sample completed application in PDF format.

Part 1

If your building is listed individually on the National Register, you do not need to complete Part 1. The Part 1 is used to certify that your building contributes to the historic district in which it is located. In order to make this determination, you should describe its architectural style, materials and current condition and, under statement of significance, how it adds to the significance of the district. The sample Part 1 describes a structure typical of those found in many of the urban historic districts in Illinois. If you feel you need additional information on the district to assess the significance of your building, contact our office and we will supply that information. The Part 1 must be accompanied by a map of the historic district (available from this office) marked to show the location of the building.

Part 2

Part 2 of the application must be submitted for all projects. If Part 1 is applicable to your project, we prefer that both parts be submitted simultaneously but this is not a requirement. The Part 2 is a guide to the plans and specifications for your project and should be cross-referenced to your photographs. The purpose of Part 2 is to guide our office and the National Park Service through the project. If you have a set of plans and specs, the form may be brief. If your project is being completed with limited architectural plans, the form should be more detailed.

The sample Part 2 shows a descriptive breakdown and work program for a typical project. The selected items and treatments assume that architectural drawings and photographs exist for the project. The descriptions are brief and specific as it is assumed that the plans and photographs do most of the describing. Obviously, every structure is different and the construction elements and techniques illustrated here may not apply to your project. The sample is intended to be a guide to format only. While the proposed treatments all meet the Secretary of the Interior's "Standards" for this project, each project is evaluated on an individual basis.

Photographs

TWO SETS of good current photographs of the building-interior and exterior, must accompany all applications. It is also requested that you provide our office with a couple of "before" and "after" slides.

Site Visit

Early in the development of your application you should contact this office. We will schedule a site visit to your project to assist in the application process and aid in the determination of the site's significant features. Generally, we will not forward an application to the National Park Service until after a site visit has been made.

Signatures

Please remember that ordinarily only the fee simple owner may sign Parts 1 and 2 of the form. If you do not hold a fee interest in the building, you must obtain the owner's signature or a statement from the owner indicating that he or she has no objection to the certification.

A Final Note

An incomplete or incorrect form may cause the application to be returned, so contact our office if you have any questions. It is also common for us to review a draft form before the final is submitted.