Bureau County Court Records Search
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Bureau County, located in north-central Illinois with Princeton as its county seat, operates under the 13th Judicial Circuit. The Bureau County Circuit Court serves as the trial court of general jurisdiction, processing civil, criminal, probate, traffic, and family law matters for the county’s residents. Records generated by those proceedings are maintained by the Circuit Clerk’s Office and, in certain cases, by the County Clerk and Recorder — two separate offices with distinct responsibilities. Understanding which office holds a particular record and how to request it efficiently is the practical foundation for any court records search in Bureau County.
Researchers in Illinois have several tools available for locating court case information. IllinoisCourts.us can help users identify publicly available case data and connect with the relevant clerk’s office. Beyond that, Bureau County’s own online case records portal, the Judici.com platform, in-person clerk access, and direct telephone inquiries each offer workable paths to the records you need. The sections below walk through each record type and the procedure for obtaining it.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Bureau County?
Online Case Search
The Bureau County Circuit Clerk’s Office provides a direct online court records search tool on its website. This resource allows the public to search by party name or case number and returns case summaries as a matter of public record. The disclaimer attached to the system is important: the Circuit Clerk’s online record search is a summary only and does not replace the legal information contained in the physical case file. Sealed and suppressed cases cannot be viewed through this system.
Bureau County court records are also indexed on Judici.com, a statewide Illinois court records platform that aggregates data from participating counties. This is an additional free tool for locating Bureau County cases online.
In-Person Access
The Circuit Clerk’s Office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors can request file reviews and document copies at the counter.
Bureau County Circuit Court — Clerk’s Office
Bureau County Courthouse, Room 100
700 South Main Street
Princeton, IL 61356
Phone: (815) 872-2001
Fax: (815) 872-0027
Email: dreglin@bureaucounty-il.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
By Phone and Email
Requesters may also reach the Circuit Clerk’s Office by phone at (815) 872-2001 or by emailing dreglin@bureaucounty-il.gov to inquire about specific cases or to arrange a copy request.
Mail Requests
Written requests can be directed to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include the full names of the parties, the approximate filing date, the case number if known, and the type of document requested. Enclose payment for any applicable copy fees.
Are Court Records Public in Bureau County?
Access to Bureau County court records is governed primarily by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), which establishes a general presumption that records held by public bodies — including courts — are open to public inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies. The Illinois Supreme Court Rules and the Illinois Manual on Recordkeeping provide additional guidance on how records are categorized and managed within the court system.
The following categories of Bureau County court records are restricted from public disclosure:
- Juvenile proceedings — protected under 705 ILCS 405/1-7 and 705 ILCS 405/1-8; records involving minors in delinquency, abuse, and neglect cases are confidential
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and not available to the general public
- Unexecuted arrest warrants — withheld to avoid compromising law enforcement operations
- Victim and witness identifying information — protected to safeguard individuals involved in criminal proceedings
- Social Security numbers and other sensitive personal identifiers — redacted from publicly accessible documents
- Juror personal information — identifying details of jury members are not released
- Sealed or suppressed cases — cannot be searched through the online system and require court authorization for access
When a case file contains both public and restricted content, the clerk applies targeted redactions before releasing documents. Records that are sealed by court order are entirely withheld from public view. Requesters who wish to challenge a denial of access should consult the Illinois Attorney General’s Public Access Counselor.
Bureau County Criminal Court Records
Criminal proceedings in Bureau County — ranging from misdemeanors and DUI cases to felony prosecutions — are handled by the Circuit Court’s Criminal Division. Case types within the Criminal Division include Criminal Contempt (CC), Criminal Felony (CF), Criminal Misdemeanor (CM), Driving Under the Influence (DT), Juvenile matters (J, JA, JD), Mental Health (MH), Miscellaneous Remedy (MR), and Orders of Protection (OP).
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case information can be searched through the Circuit Clerk’s online portal at circuitclerk.bureaucounty-il.gov or through Judici.com. Both tools allow name-based and case number searches. Physical case files, certified copies of judgments, and other documents must be requested in person or by mail at the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Arrest Records and Jail Information
Arrest records and information on individuals currently held in the Bureau County Jail are maintained by the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office.
Bureau County Sheriff’s Office
800 Ace Road
Princeton, Illinois 61356
Phone: (815) 875-3344
Email: sheriff@bureaucounty-il.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed Sunday)
The Bureau County Jail, which opened in 2023, is located at 800 Ace Road, Princeton, and has a capacity of 115 beds. General inquiries about incarcerated individuals can be directed to the jail at jail@bureaucounty-il.gov.
Statewide Criminal History — Illinois State Police
For a comprehensive criminal background check covering statewide records rather than a single county, the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification processes both name-based and fingerprint-based inquiries. Name-based searches are available through the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP). A name-based UCIA check costs $30.00. Fingerprint-based background checks are processed through licensed Live Scan vendors. Individuals wishing to review their own criminal history record can do so through the ISP’s Access & Review process.
For those incarcerated in Illinois Department of Corrections facilities rather than local jails, the IDOC Individual in Custody Search is available online.
Bureau County Civil Court Records
The Bureau County Circuit Court’s Civil Division encompasses a wide range of case types, including mortgage foreclosures, name changes, property damage claims, personal injury actions, evictions, tax deeds, small claims, orders of protection, and divorce proceedings. Civil cases are assigned to specific schedules based on case type and the dollar amount in controversy, which also determines the applicable filing fee.
Civil Case Filing Fees
The following fee schedule applies to new civil case filings in Bureau County, effective January 1, 2022, under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b:
| Schedule | Applies To | Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule 1 | Chancery, Foreclosure, Dissolution, Eminent Domain, Family, Law (over $50K), Eviction, Miscellaneous Remedy, Municipal Corporation, Tax, Probate, Arbitration (over $15K) | $326.00 |
| Schedule 2 | Guardianship, Small Claims ($2,501+), Law-Magistrate ($15K or less) | $276.00 |
| Schedule 3 | Adoption, Small Claims ($2,500 or less) | $109.00 |
| Schedule 4 | Filing of a will, Orders of Protection, certain Family matters, Mental Health | No fee |
Appearance fees apply separately. Schedule 1 cases carry an appearance fee of $201.00; Schedule 2 eviction cases carry an appearance fee of $129.00. Orders of Protection carry no appearance fee.
Small Claims
Small claims cases in Bureau County cover money disputes of $10,000 or less, including contract claims, tort damages, and tax collection matters at the local level. The filing fee for small claims cases with an amount in controversy of $2,500 or less is $109.00. Cases between $2,501 and $10,000 fall under Schedule 2 at $276.00.
Online Civil Records Search
Civil case records are searchable through the Circuit Clerk’s online portal and through Judici.com. Certified copies of civil judgments, orders, and pleadings must be obtained in person or by mail through the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Property Records
Land records including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and surveys are recorded and maintained by the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder. The office offers two levels of online access: a pay-as-you-go service and a subscription-based platform called Laredo, which provides 24-hour remote access to the county’s land records index. Standard recording fees apply — the base fee for standard land-related documents (deeds, mortgages, assignments, releases) is $91.00 for documents meeting statutory requirements.
Bureau County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Bureau County are heard by the Circuit Court and fall within both the Civil Division and a dedicated Family (F) case type designation. Covered proceedings include dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, parentage/paternity actions, child custody petitions, civil support actions, emancipation of minors, and registration of foreign support orders.
Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage cases are filed under the Dissolution (D) case type and carry a Schedule 1 filing fee of $326.00. Divorce decrees, parenting plans, and related orders are part of the public case record unless sealed. Certified copies can be requested in person at the Circuit Clerk’s Office or by written mail request. The Illinois Department of Public Health’s Division of Vital Records (925 East Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702) can also provide divorce record verifications for events registered with the state.
Child Support
The Circuit Clerk’s Office operates a Child Support Division that collects court-ordered child support and alimony and distributes payments to the designated payee. This division works in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Public Aid. Obligators pay an administrative fee of $36.00 per year to offset the cost of record maintenance. The State Disbursement Unit (SDU) Hotline is available at (877) 225-7077 for payment status inquiries.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder. Marriage records in the county date back to 1837 — the earliest available vital records in the county. To request a certified copy of a marriage certificate, applicants complete and submit the Application for Vital Records form. The search fee for a marriage certificate is $19.00 plus a $6.00 search fee. Records qualifying as genealogical records (75 or more years old) are available as non-certified copies for $10.00.
Bureau County Clerk and Recorder — Vital Records
700 South Main Street, Room 104
Princeton, IL 61356
Phone: (815) 875-2014
Email: vitals@bureaucounty-il.gov / bcvitalrecords@yahoo.com
Genealogy website: bureaucountygenealogy.com
Birth and Death Records
Birth records in the county date from 1878 (statewide recording was not mandated until 1916). Birth certificates cost $19.00 plus a $6.00 search fee for a certified copy. Death certificates cost $25.00 plus a $6.00 search fee. Non-certified genealogical copies — available when a birth record is 50 or more years old and a death record is 20 or more years old — are $10.00. Requests are submitted using the same Application for Vital Records form, accompanied by a valid ID and the required fee, either in person or by mail to the County Clerk’s Office.
Authorized copies of birth certificates are restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, or legal representatives.
Bureau County Probate Court Records
The Bureau County Circuit Court’s Probate Division handles all matters relating to the administration of decedents’ estates, guardianships of persons and estates, will contests, and construction of testamentary trusts during the pendency of a probate case. Probate records in the county’s archives date back to 1837.
What Probate Records Contain
A Bureau County probate case file may include:
- The original will submitted for probate
- Petitions for letters testamentary or letters of administration
- Inventories of estate assets and their appraised values
- Claims filed by creditors against the estate
- Annual guardian reports and accountings
- Final distribution orders and closing documents
- Will contest pleadings and hearing transcripts
Filing Fees
Probate case filings fall under Schedule 1 of the Bureau County civil filing fee structure, requiring a filing fee of $326.00 for estates of decedents, will contests, and construction of testamentary trusts. Guardianship cases (GA) are filed under Schedule 2 at $276.00. The filing of a will for deposit without opening an estate proceeding carries no filing fee under Schedule 4 (per 755 ILCS 5/6-1 of the Probate Act of 1975). Appearance fees of $201.00 apply to probate and guardianship respondents and interested parties entering appearances in opened cases.
How to Request Probate Records
To obtain Bureau County probate records, submit a written request to the Circuit Clerk’s Office that includes:
- Your name and contact phone number
- The name of the decedent or the subject of the guardianship
- The case number (if known) and approximate filing year
- A description of the specific documents requested
Requests may be submitted in person at Room 100 of the Bureau County Courthouse, by mail to 700 South Main Street, Princeton, IL 61356, or by email at dreglin@bureaucounty-il.gov. Phone inquiries can be directed to (815) 872-2001. Copy fees apply for documents retrieved from the file, consistent with the court’s standard schedule. The Circuit Clerk’s Office page on the county’s official website confirms that historical probate records dating to 1837 are contained in the office’s back files and are available for research upon request.