DeKalb County Court Records Search
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DeKalb County is situated in northern Illinois, with Sycamore serving as the county seat. The county is part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit, which it shares with neighboring Kendall County. A single Circuit Court with broad jurisdiction handles all trial-level matters in the county, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, domestic relations, probate administration, traffic violations, small claims, and juvenile proceedings. The Clerk of the DeKalb County Circuit Court is the official record keeper, responsible for filing, processing, and preserving all court documents generated by these proceedings.
For those seeking court case information in Illinois, records can be accessed through local clerk offices, in-person visits to courthouses, and various online tools maintained by county and state agencies. The Illinois courts website at IllinoisCourts.us may assist users in identifying court locations and connecting with publicly available case data. DeKalb County also operates its own online court records portal that allows searches of civil, criminal, and traffic case information by participant name or case number.
How to Look Up a Court Case in DeKalb County?
All court records in DeKalb County are filed through and maintained by the office of Circuit Clerk Lori Grubbs. The clerk’s office is located in the historic DeKalb County Courthouse in downtown Sycamore and handles civil, probate, traffic, criminal, and juvenile case records.
DeKalb County Circuit Clerk
Address: 133 W. State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178
Phone: (815) 895-7131 (civil, divorce, small claims, probate, child support)
Phone: (815) 895-7138 (traffic, criminal, ordinance violations)
Fax: (815) 895-7140
Email: dekalbcircuitclerk@dekalbcounty.org
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Searching online. The Circuit Clerk provides an online court records search covering traffic violations, DUI, criminal misdemeanor, criminal felony, and all civil case types. Users can search by participant name or case number. For best results on mobile devices, the portal is recommended in landscape mode.
Searching in person. Visitors may go to the clerk’s office during business hours to inspect case files and request document copies. Staff can assist with locating records, but the office does not provide legal advice.
Requesting copies by mail or email. Prepare a written request that includes the names of the parties, case number (if known), the specific information or documents needed, and your full contact details (name, address, phone number, email). Enclose payment and a self-addressed, stamped envelope and mail to the clerk’s office address above. Requests can also be submitted by email to dekalbcircuitclerk@dekalbcounty.org.
Copy and search fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search fee (when case number is unknown) | $6.00 |
| First page of a document copy | $2.00 |
| Each additional page (pages 2–20) | $0.50 |
| Each page after 20 pages | $0.25 |
| Certified copy of a judgment | $10.00 |
Court location and judicial officers. The DeKalb County Circuit Court operates from the courthouse at 133 W. State Street, Sycamore. The Presiding Judge is the Honorable Bradley J. Waller. The judges of the 23rd Circuit serving DeKalb County include Chief Circuit Judge Stephen L. Krentz, along with Circuit Judges Marcy L. Buick, Joseph C. Pedersen, and Philip G. Montgomery, and Associate Judges Stephanie P. Klein, Sarah Gallagher Chami, and Jill K. Konen. The Trial Court Administrator, Vicki Maurer, can be reached at (815) 895-7160.
In addition to the Circuit Court, DeKalb County has three municipal administrative adjudication bodies that handle local ordinance violations:
| Administrative Body | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| City of DeKalb Administrative Hearing | 164 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, IL 60115 | (815) 748-2093 |
| Genoa Administrative Adjudication | 333 E. 1st Street, Genoa, IL 60135 | (815) 784-6633 |
| Sycamore Adjudication Hearings | 308 W. State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178 | (815) 895-3435 |
Are Court Records Public in DeKalb County?
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) establishes a presumption that records maintained by public bodies, including courts, are open to inspection and copying. Members of the public may request access to court records held by the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk under this framework.
Certain categories of court records are exempt from public access under Illinois law and court rules. Records that may be restricted or unavailable include:
- Sealed or expunged court records, which are removed from public access by court order or statutory authority
- Juvenile case records, which are confidential under the Illinois Juvenile Court Act
- Adoption records, which are sealed upon the completion of adoption proceedings
- Records containing attorney-client privileged communications
- Documents related to ongoing criminal investigations or pending litigation that could compromise those proceedings
- Information that could identify victims of certain crimes, restricted to protect their privacy and safety
- Portions of proceedings containing classified or sensitive material
- Confidential personal information such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or medical details
When a requested document contains both public and restricted information, the restricted portions may be redacted and the remainder released. Individuals seeking access to sealed records must petition the court and obtain a judicial order authorizing disclosure. FOIA requests for county records can be submitted using the DeKalb County FOIA request process. The first 50 pages of black-and-white copies are generally free under the county’s FOIA policy, with charges of $0.15 per page thereafter.
DeKalb County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in DeKalb County — ranging from misdemeanors to felonies — are prosecuted in the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk maintains records of all criminal filings, including complaints, indictments, arraignment documents, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and judgments. The criminal and traffic division of the clerk’s office can be reached directly at (815) 895-7138.
Searching criminal court records online. The clerk’s online records portal allows searches of criminal misdemeanor, criminal felony, traffic violation, and DUI records by defendant name or case number.
Requesting criminal court records by mail or in person. Follow the same procedures outlined above: submit a written request with party names, case number (if available), and specific documents needed, along with payment, to the Circuit Clerk at 133 W. State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178. The $6.00 search fee applies when no case number is provided. Standard copy fees apply.
Sheriff’s Office records. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement documentation. Records requests can be submitted using the Sheriff’s Office FOIA form. The Sheriff’s Office also processes civil papers and maintains a civil process search tool on its website.
DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 150 N. Main Street, Sycamore, IL 60178
Non-Emergency Phone: (815) 895-2155
Administrative Phone: (815) 895-7260
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Illinois State Police criminal history checks. The Bureau of Identification of the Illinois State Police serves as the central repository for criminal records in Illinois. Two types of searches are available:
- Fingerprint-based search — requires the subject’s consent. Can be processed via a manual card ($20.00 fee) or electronic live scan ($15.00 fee). Fingerprints must be collected at an Illinois law enforcement facility or a licensed fingerprint vendor. The ISP delivers encrypted results by email or through the submitting facility.
- Name-based search — conducted through the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP). Users create an account and pay $16.00 for paper documents or $10.00 for electronic records. No consent from the search subject is required.
The ISP Bureau of Identification is located at 260 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432 and can be contacted at (815) 740-5160 or by email at ISP.BOI.Customer.Support@illinois.gov. Appointments are required for in-person visits, available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
DeKalb County Civil Court Records
The DeKalb County Circuit Court exercises broad civil jurisdiction, handling general civil disputes, landlord-tenant actions, forcible entry and detainer cases, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and small claims matters. The civil division of the clerk’s office can be reached at (815) 895-7131.
Obtaining civil records. Civil case filings, pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Records can be searched online through the court records portal, requested in person at the courthouse, or obtained by mail or email. The same fee schedule applies: $6.00 search fee when no case number is available, $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 per additional page through page 20, $0.25 per page thereafter, and $10.00 per certified copy of a judgment.
Small claims. Small claims cases are filed through the Circuit Clerk’s office. For questions about small claims filings and procedures, contact the civil division at (815) 895-7131.
Property and land records. Real estate recordings, deeds, liens, and other land documents are maintained by the DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder at the Administration Building, 110 E. Sycamore Street, Sycamore, IL 60178, Phone: (815) 895-7149 The Recorder provides a Land Records Search System for online searches of recorded documents. Property tax information can be accessed through the DeKalb County Treasurer/Collector office at (815) 895-7112 or via the property tax inquiry tool.
Administrative adjudication. Violations of municipal ordinances in the cities of DeKalb, Genoa, and Sycamore are handled through administrative hearing processes rather than the Circuit Court. Penalties for these violations are limited to fines and do not include imprisonment. Contact the respective city offices listed above for records of adjudication hearings.
DeKalb County Family Court Records
Family law matters in DeKalb County are adjudicated by the Circuit Court, which handles divorce and legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, adoption, domestic violence proceedings, and guardianship. The Circuit Clerk maintains all family court case records and processes filings for the domestic relations division. For questions about divorce, child support, or other family cases, contact the civil division at (815) 895-7131.
Accessing family court records. Publicly available family court information can be searched through the clerk’s online records portal. Copies can be requested in person, by mail, or by email using the same procedures and fee schedule as other case types. Certain family case records — particularly those involving minors, domestic violence victims, or adoptions — may be sealed or have restricted access and require a court order to obtain.
Divorce records. Certified copies of dissolution of marriage records granted in DeKalb County can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk. Submit a written request with case details and payment to the clerk’s office at 133 W. State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178. The Illinois Department of Public Health can also verify the facts of a dissolution of marriage through the Application for Verification of Dissolution of Marriage Record. Completed forms should be mailed with a valid ID and applicable fees to IDPH Vital Records, 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737.
Marriage licenses and records. The DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder issues marriage licenses. Both applicants must appear in person at the Clerk & Recorder’s office at 110 E. Sycamore Street, Sycamore, IL 60178. Illinois has a one-day waiting period. Effective July 2025, per Administrative Order 25-04, at least one applicant must reside in DeKalb or Kendall County to have their marriage solemnized at the courthouse. The Marriage License Application is available for download.
Certified copies of marriage records can be obtained in person, by mail, or online. The Marriage Record Request form must be submitted with payment and a copy of valid photo ID. The first certified copy costs $15.00, and each additional copy of the same record costs $5.00. Records are available to those named in the record, family members, or authorized agents and legal representatives. Marriage records become genealogical (non-certified) records after 50 years and can be accessed through DeKalb Genealogy.
Birth and death records. The DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder issues certified copies of vital records for events occurring in DeKalb County. Under 410 ILCS 535/25, birth certificates are available only to the individual named, their legal parents, or guardians. Death certificates are available to relatives or those with a financial interest in the estate.
| Record Type | First Copy | Additional Copies |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $16.00 | $8.00 each |
| Death certificate | $21.00 | $17.00 each |
Request forms are available for download: Birth Record Request and Death Record Request. Requests can be made in person (cash, check, or credit/debit accepted), by mail with payment and a copy of valid ID, or online through VitalChek. Birth records become genealogical records after 75 years and death records after 20 years.
DeKalb County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in DeKalb County are heard by the Circuit Court. The court handles estate administration, probate of wills, guardianship and conservatorship appointments, trust disputes, will contests, and adoption proceedings. The Circuit Clerk files and maintains all probate case records.
Searching probate records. Probate case information is available through the clerk’s online court records portal, searchable by party name or case number. For records not available online, the clerk’s office can assist in person or process mail and email requests.
Requesting probate records. To obtain copies of probate filings — including wills, letters of administration, estate inventories, guardianship petitions, and final orders — submit a request to the Circuit Clerk with the case details, your contact information, and applicable fees. For mail requests, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and payment. The standard fee schedule applies:
- Search fee (no case number): $6.00
- First page copy: $2.00
- Additional pages (2–20): $0.50 each
- Pages after 20: $0.25 each
- Certified copy of judgment: $10.00
DeKalb County Circuit Clerk (Probate Records)
Address: 133 W. State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178
Phone: (815) 895-7131
Email: dekalbcircuitclerk@dekalbcounty.org
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Guardianship and conservatorship records. The Circuit Court appoints guardians for minors and incapacitated adults and conservators to manage financial affairs when an individual cannot do so independently. These records are part of the probate docket and can be accessed through the same channels as other probate filings. Portions of guardianship records that involve medical evaluations or mental health assessments may be restricted from public access under Illinois law.
Estate-related property records. When probate proceedings involve the transfer of real property, the resulting deeds and instruments are recorded with the DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder. Land records can be searched through the Land Records Search System maintained by the Recorder’s office at 110 E. Sycamore Street, Sycamore, IL 60178, Phone: (815) 895-7156