Lake County, Illinois Court Records
Lake County court records are the official files and docket entries created when a legal matter is filed and processed in the county’s trial-level court, the Circuit Court of the 19th Judicial Circuit. These records help document what was filed, what the court decided, and the procedural steps in a case, creating an authoritative history of the dispute and its outcome.
In Lake County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is the official recordkeeper (custodian) of cases filed in the Circuit Court of Lake County. Court records are created as a case moves through the court process and are derived from filings submitted by parties, court-generated records, judicial actions and outcomes, and case events.
Under Illinois law, court records and documents are generally public and maintained by the court and the circuit clerk. Interested parties may request to view or obtain copies of these records unless a law or court order states otherwise.
In Illinois, online access to court records is allowed only if it follows the rules laid down by the Illinois Supreme Court’s Remote Access Policy. The policy begins by stating that court documents are generally open to the public. However, access may be limited if a law, court rule, or a judge’s order restricts the information.
Lake County court records often connect to (but are distinct from) other record systems. The Illinois Department of Public Health (and sometimes the local offices) maintains and issues birth and death certificates (vital records). At the same time, law enforcement typically creates arrest or booking information upon custody. For federal cases originating from Lake County, PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) provides access to federal case files in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, not the Lake County Circuit Court.
Are Lake County Court Records Public?
Yes. Generally, most Lake County court records are public, unless a law, court rule, or court order restricts access. Illinois law and statewide court rules adopt a presumption of accessibility but classify access into three categories: available to anyone upon request (public), access to parties or filers, or access only by court order. This means that court records may be impounded, confidential, or court-sealed/expunged. Even when a case is "public," not all the available information is viewable online, because remote access is governed by statewide Supreme Court policy and local implementation.
Case types that are generally accessible to the public in Illinois trial courts (unless restricted in a specific case) include
- Criminal cases (felony and misdemeanor)
- Traffic and DUI
- Civil cases (including small claims and other civil filings)
- Family and dissolution cases
- Probate
- Orders of protection
- Other standard civil divisions (e.g., chancery/equity-type matters, municipal/ordinance matters)
Requesters should note that public access may differ depending on the method used to obtain these records. While laws, rules, or orders govern and may provide broader access to the courthouse, online systems may provide more limited access, even for otherwise public cases.
Commonly restricted case types that are not available online under statewide policy include:
- Adoption
- Juvenile matters (including abuse, neglect, and delinquency)
- Mental health proceedings
What Information is Available in Lake County Court Records?
Depending on the case type and whether any detail is restricted by a rule, law, or court order, the typical contents of a Lake County court record include:
- Case identifiers and indexing information: case number and court location or /division, case type (civil, criminal, traffic, family, etc.), and index entries
- Parties and participant information: Names of plaintiff (petitioner) and defendant (respondent), attorneys of record (when applicable), and other parties or agencies involved
- The docket or "record sheet" history: An ordered arrangement of what happened in the case, often including filing events (complaint or petition filed, appearances, motions filed), court actions (orders entered, continuances, rulings), and disposition entries (how the case ended, e.g., dismissed, judgment entered, conviction, etc.)
- Calendars and scheduled events: Hearing dates, trial dates, and other scheduled court appearances (as shown in calendars and docket entries)
- Filed documents ("pleadings") and case paperwork: Depending on the case type, this may include complaints or petitions, motions and supporting papers, and responses and other pleadings filed by the parties.
- Orders entered by the judge, judgments or final orders, and other court-issued documents
- Disposition and outcome information: The case’s history and how it concluded, and any entries showing whether the matter is open or closed, and the nature of the resolution.
Lake County Court Records Search
Online access
Users may use the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Online Portal to access certain civil, criminal, and traffic public records for the 19th Judicial Circuit. The portal allows them to search public case summaries. Attorneys and parties of record may also view documents in their own cases after registering for an account in accordance with the Illinois Remote Access Policy. Requesters may also visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s website to access information on how to request a record search or download relevant forms.
Note: Online record availability may vary, as the portal does not display certain case types and documents. Impounded or expunged cases, including (but not limited to) adoption and juvenile records and restricted documents in any case type, are not shown on the platform.
In-person access
Individuals seeking broader access to records that are inaccessible online may use the in-person options provided by the Circuit Clerk. They may request assistance with locating a case, viewing available public records, or requesting copies by visiting the Circuit Clerk’s main office at the Lake County courthouse complex.
Mail and phone requests
Requesters without a case number may request that the Clerk conduct a name-based search by mail or in person. Their request is expected to include the name of the person or business, the years to be searched, the case type(s) to search, the date of birth, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
When requesting a record search, a per-name or per-year search fee applies. Payment is accepted by money order, certified check, or cashier’s check payable to the Clerk (personal checks are not accepted for this mail procedure).
Those who already know the case number (or can find it online) are expected to provide information that identifies the case and the specific document they want (e.g., the document name and, if available, the filing date). Then, they must submit the Clerk’s document copy request through the Clerk’s request process. The Clerk’s record request page contains forms for requesting court files or documents as well as obtaining certified copies.
Fees for Court Records in Lake County
Based on the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s current fee schedule, the core fees for obtaining court records in the county are as follows:
- Certification or seal of office: $6.00 per certification
- Exemplification: $8.00
- Record search fee: $6.00 per name and $6.00 per year searched.
- Reproduction of documents from the court file: $0.25 per page
- Hard copies printed from the automated system (including child support payment records): $0.25 per page
Record Access Charges
- Certified mail request (including seal): $16.00
- Credit card convenience fee: $1.00 for payments from $0.01 to $42.75, and 2.35% for payments of $42.76 and up
- Returned check fee: $25.00.
- Appeals: $50.00 (≤100 pages), $100.00 (101-200 pages), $0.25/page for over 200 pages
Probate and Guardianship Matters
- Certified Letters of Office: $2.00 per additional copy (up to 3 pages) and $1.00 per page if over 3 pages.
- Eviction-only certified copies: $6.00 per certification plus the cost of copies.
Vital Records Fees
For vital records typically handled by the Lake County Clerk (Vital Records Department), not the court clerk, the fees are as follows:
- Certified copies cost $10.00 (first copy) and $4.00 each for additional certified copies of the same record ordered at the same time.
- Genealogical (non-certified, "for genealogical purposes," age-restricted): $4.00.
- Certified copies cost $14.00 (first copy) and $8.00 each for additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time.
- Genealogical (non-certified, "for genealogical purposes," age-restricted): $4.00.
Marriage records and marriage licenses
- A certified marriage record costs $10.00 (first copy) and $4.00 each for additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time.
- Marriage license: $35.00 (applicants may order certified copies with the application)
Lake County Courthouse Locations
Lake County Courthouse and Administration Building (Main courthouse)
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085-4359
Phone: 847-377-3600
Cases typically handled (divisions or services):
- Clerk of the Circuit Court main office (records/filings and clerk services)
- Family Division courtrooms
- Civil Law Division courtrooms
- Law Library (public access legal research)
Lake County Criminal Court Tower
301 Washington Street
Waukegan, IL 60085-4359
Phone: 847-377-3600
Cases typically handled (divisions or services):
- Criminal Felony Division courtrooms
- Court-related offices housed in the tower (including administrative functions)
20 S. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085-4359
Phone (Lake County Jail): 847-377-4200
Cases typically handled (divisions or services):
- Felony Bond Court
- Misdemeanor/Traffic Division courtrooms
- Felony Division courtrooms
- Adult Pretrial Unit (and related services)
- Lake County Sheriff’s Office - Jail visitation (located in the building)
Robert W. Depke Juvenile Complex Center (Juvenile Court and Juvenile Services)
24647 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Phone: 847-377-7800
Cases typically handled (divisions or services):
- Juvenile court functions and juvenile-related court offices
- Juvenile Probation and Detention Services
- On-site juvenile division offices for court partners (e.g., juvenile division offices and related court support functions)
Lake County Alternative Dispute Resolution Center (ADR Center)
415 W. Washington Street
Suite 106 (Waukegan Business Center)
Waukegan, IL 60085-4359
Phone: 847-377-3700
Cases typically handled (divisions or services):
- Arbitration
- Civil mediation
- Small claims mediation
- Eviction mediation
Adult Probation and Psychological Services Building
215 W. Water Street
Waukegan, IL 60085-4359
Phone: 847-377-4504
Cases typically handled (divisions or services):
- Adult Probation offices
- Judicial Psychological Services
Branch Court Locations
Mundelein Branch Court (South Branch)
105 E. State Route 83
Mundelein, IL 60060
Phone: 847-377-3300
North Branch Court (Round Lake Beach)
1792 Nicole Lane
Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
Phone: 847-377-3400
301 S. Greenleaf Avenue
Park City, IL 60085
Phone: 847-377-3500
Criminal Records Access in Lake County
In Illinois, the Illinois State Police (Bureau of Identification) handles the official statewide criminal history record check, not county courts. TheIllinois State Police offers (among other options) fingerprint-based criminal history checks (submitted electronically through an approved live-scan vendor) and name-based criminal history inquiries through the state’s authorized response process (CHIRP), where available or appropriate.
At the local level, Lake County offers the public an online portal to search and view certain civil records. criminal, and traffic records and case summaries. However, portal access and what appears online may differ depending on the case type and whether a case or document is restricted.
Requesters who cannot find a case online or need records not available remotely may visit the Circuit Clerk’s office in Waukegan, where staff can assist with locating records available for public inspection and requesting copies.
Lake County Probate Records
Lake County probate records are the court documents created when an individual asks the court to oversee matters involving a person’s property or legal decision-making. These estate records (sometimes called wills and probate filings) typically include cases to admit a will to probate, appoint an executor or administrator, and manage distributions to heirs. Probate records may also consist of guardianships (for minors or adults who need a guardian) and related financial oversight cases, sometimes described as a "disabled person’s estate" or "minor’s estate." Probate Court in Lake County also administers estates and supervises the financial affairs of individuals who cannot manage their own affairs.
Some probate information may be available through the Circuit Clerk’s online portal, especially for more recent cases and basic case summaries. However, older files, exhibits, or complete document sets may require an in-person visit to the Clerk’s Office to request viewing or copies. Also, certain probate matters may be confidential or restricted by law or court order, so they may not appear online or may be subject to limited public access.
Lake County Family Court Records
Lake County family court records typically include divorce (dissolution), legal separation, parentage, allocation of parental responsibilities (parenting time, or custody), child support, and related family law filings and orders. In Lake County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court (19th Judicial Circuit) maintains these case records, and most of them are available for public inspection unless a law, court rule, or court order restricts access.
Portal availability
Lake County provides an online public portal for searching case information across several case types. However, what inquirers can see online depends on the case type and document restrictions. The portal specifically warns that impounded or expunged cases (including adoption and juvenile cases) and restricted documents in any case type will not be displayed.
Courthouse access
To access a family case that is not visible online or documents that are not posted remotely, requesters may wish to visit the Clerk’s office. The office may assist with locating publicly accessible files and processing copy requests in person at the main branch in Waukegan.
Certified copies
For certified copies (e.g., divorce judgments or other court orders), request them through the Circuit Clerk’s Certified Copy Requests process or contact the Clerk’s Certified Copies/Records line. Requesters may obtain certified copies of dissolution of marriage records from the circuit court clerk in the county where the dissolution was granted.
Federal Court Records in Lake County
At the federal level, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois handles federal cases related to Lake County, with courts in Chicago and Wheaton. This court hears cases involving federal crimes, lawsuits based on federal law, and specific matters from different states that meet federal requirements.
Individuals seeking federal court records may contact the Clerk’s Office. The North District of Illinois Clerk’s Office maintains the official public record of federal court proceedings for the district and provides access and administrative support for court business.
Alternatively, they may access federal case records online through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Using the portal, information seekers may search and view federal docket sheets and documents for cases filed in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and nationwide via the PACER Case Locator. Registration is free, but PACER typically charges $0.10 per page for access.
Please note that these federal records are separate from Lake County’s state court files and are accessed through federal court systems and federal court locations.