Lake County Court Records Search
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Lake County, situated in the northeastern corner of Illinois along the shore of Lake Michigan, is home to the 19th Judicial Circuit Court—the county’s sole trial-level court. Operating from multiple branch locations, the 19th Circuit handles all criminal, civil, family, probate, and juvenile matters arising within the county. The Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the official custodian of all case records generated by these proceedings and manages both the physical archives and electronic case management system.
Individuals looking for Illinois court records can search through several channels, including clerk offices, public access terminals inside courthouses, and web-based case lookup tools. The Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Online Portal offers electronic access to certain civil, criminal, and traffic case data, while the 19th Judicial Circuit Court website publishes court forms, calendars, and division-specific information. IllinoisCourts.us may also help users locate publicly available court case information across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lake County?
Lake County court records can be searched online, requested in person at the courthouse, or obtained through the mail. The approach depends on the type of record and the level of detail needed.
Online case searches are available through the Circuit Clerk’s Online Portal, which provides access to certain civil, criminal, and traffic public records. To use the portal:
- Navigate to the portal website and click the +Register button to create an account.
- Select an attorney or public user registration type.
- Once registered, search cases by name, case number, or other identifiers.
- Basic case information is viewable. To access case documents, parties and attorneys may submit a Case Access Request; processing takes one to two business days.
Certified copies of court documents can also be ordered online through the Clerk E-Certify system, which requires no account registration. E-Certify provides access to non-restricted documents on non-sealed cases. If a case file contains bulk-scanned “Case Document Images” and the specific document needed is known, users can submit a request through the Circuit Clerk’s Help Desk; the document should be individually available within 48 hours.
In-person visits to the Records Division at the Lake County Courthouse allow members of the public to view court files and obtain copies. A government-issued photo ID is required. Records staff can be reached at (847) 377-3211.
Mail requests should include the case number, names of parties, and type of record sought. Payment by money order or certified cashier’s check should accompany the request. Mail requests to:
Lake County Circuit Clerk – Records Division
18 N County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: (847) 377-3211
Copy and certification fees (effective October 1, 2025):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Reproduction of document from court file | $0.25 per page |
| Certification or Seal of Office | $6.00 per certification |
| Exemplification | $8.00 |
| Record search | $6.00 per name, per year |
| Hard copy from automated system | $0.25 per page |
| Certified mail request (including seal) | $16.00 |
The complete fee schedule covers all filing, appearance, copy, and miscellaneous charges. Accepted payment methods at the courthouse include cash, debit or credit card (with a convenience fee of $1.00 for amounts up to $42.75 or 2.35% for amounts above), and money order or certified cashier’s check.
Court locations serving Lake County:
| Court Branch | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Main Branch (Courthouse) | 18 N County St, Waukegan, IL 60085 | (847) 377-3380 |
| Mundelein Branch | 105 E Route 83, Mundelein, IL 60060 | (847) 377-3300 |
| North Branch | 1792 Nicole Ln, Round Lake, IL 60073 | (847) 377-3400 |
| Park City Branch | 301 Greenleaf St, Park City, IL 60085 | (847) 377-3500 |
| Juvenile Branch | 24647 N Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 | (847) 377-7888 |
General courthouse hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The main switchboard number is (847) 377-3380. The 19th Judicial Circuit Administrative Office can be reached at (847) 377-3600, with TDD service at (847) 360-2975.
Are Court Records Public in Lake County?
Court records in Lake County are generally open to public inspection. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) establishes the right of every person to view and copy public records maintained by government bodies, including the courts. The 19th Judicial Circuit Court also provides guidance on accessing public records through the Circuit Clerk’s website.
Certain categories of records are restricted from public access under Illinois law:
- Juvenile records – Sealed by statute and generally closed to public inspection.
- Adoption records – Confidential; accessible only to parties and authorized individuals.
- Impounded or sealed cases – Not available through E-Certify or the online portal; require court authorization for access.
- Personal identifying information – Social security numbers (beyond the last four digits), tax identification numbers, financial account numbers, and passwords are redacted or excluded from publicly available records.
- Mental health records – Petitions for commitment and related proceedings are filed with no filing fee, and records are subject to strict confidentiality protections.
Records that are public can be viewed at the courthouse, searched through the online portal, or obtained as certified copies. The Records Division at (847) 377-3211 can confirm whether a specific file or document is available for public inspection.
Lake County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Lake County—including felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/traffic offenses, and conservation violations—are heard across the Circuit Court’s Felony and Misdemeanor/Traffic Divisions. Felony matters are primarily adjudicated at the main courthouse in Waukegan, while misdemeanor and traffic cases may be assigned to any branch location.
Searching criminal court records can be done through these channels:
- Online Portal – The Circuit Clerk’s portal provides basic criminal case information, including case status, charges, and court dates. Register at the portal and search by defendant name or case number.
- In person – Visit the Criminal & Traffic counter at the main courthouse, 18 N County Street, Waukegan. Phone: (847) 377-3250 Staff can process payments for fines and fees, file motions, and provide general case information.
- Records Division – For background checks related to immigration, employment, or other purposes, contact the Records Division at (847) 377-3211. A government-issued photo ID is required.
Statewide criminal history checks are administered by the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification (BOI). Name-based background checks are available through the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP). The BOI fee schedule sets the following rates for name-based inquiries: $16 for paper responses and $10 for electronic responses. Fingerprint-based checks are also available through licensed Live Scan vendors throughout the county and state.
Criminal history requests can also be submitted through local law enforcement, including the Lake County Sheriff’s Office or municipal police departments.
Expungement and sealing filings are handled through the Miscellaneous Criminal (MX) division. The filing fee for a Petition to Expunge (Adult) or Petition to Seal (where a case exists) is $152.00, which includes a $60 fee remitted to the Illinois State Police. A Petition to Seal with no existing case costs $394.00. Juvenile expungement petitions carry no filing fee.
Per the Uniform Criminal Information Act (20 ILCS 2630), adult criminal conviction records are available to the public upon request. Juvenile criminal history records, non-conviction data, and records that have been expunged or sealed are not publicly accessible.
Lake County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division of the 19th Judicial Circuit handles contract disputes, tort claims, personal injury lawsuits, foreclosures, evictions, and other non-criminal matters. The General/Civil Division counter at the main courthouse processes new filings, appearances, and motions, and can be reached at (847) 377-3209.
Small claims involving amounts up to $10,000 are filed through the Small Claims division. The Small Claims counter is at the main branch; Phone: (847) 377-3226 Filing fees for small claims vary by amount:
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $2,500 | $109.00 |
| $2,500.01 to $10,000 | $284.00 |
For larger civil matters, law division filing fees are $334.00 for most case types. Appearance fees are $209.00. The full breakdown of filing, jury demand, motion, and execution fees is available in the Circuit Clerk’s fee schedule.
Eviction cases carry specific filing fees: residential evictions are $359.00 (or $184.00 for possession-only actions), and commercial evictions are $284.00 (or $109.00 for possession-only). Certified copies of eviction orders can be obtained through E-Certify at $6.00 per certification plus copy costs. As of May 1, 2026, the Circuit Clerk’s Office no longer forwards eviction enforcement requests to the Lake County Sheriff; parties must submit their own certified copies and completed Eviction Request Form to the Lake County Sheriff Civil Process division.
Civil court records are public and can be viewed through the online portal, the Records Division, or by contacting the General/Civil Division directly. The Judicial District Staff Directory contains contact details for all divisions and personnel.
Lake County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the 19th Judicial Circuit adjudicates dissolution of marriage (divorce), child custody, child support, visitation, parentage, orders of protection, and related domestic matters. Family cases are filed at the General/Civil Division counter at the main courthouse; Phone: (847) 377-3209
Dissolution of marriage filings carry a fee of $334.00 for cases both with and without children. Appearance fees are $209.00. Post-judgment petitions to modify, terminate, or enforce child support or withholding orders carry no filing fee.
Orders of protection, including civil no-contact orders, criminal protective orders, firearms restraining orders, and stalking no-contact orders, are filed at no charge. The appearance fee is also waived.
Accessing family court records follows the same process as other civil records—through the online portal for basic case information, or through the Records Division for copies. Certain family records have limited public access. Adoption case files carry a $89.00 filing fee and are confidential by statute; only authorized parties may access them. Juvenile proceedings heard at the Vernon Hills branch (24647 N Milwaukee Ave; Phone: (847) 377-7888) are also closed to public inspection.
Marriage and vital records are maintained separately from court files. The Lake County Clerk’s Vital Records Department is the official custodian of birth, death, marriage, and civil union records for the county. Certified copies of these records are available to eligible individuals. Fees for vital records include:
- Birth certificate: $10.00 first certified copy; $4.00 each additional copy
- Death certificate: $14.00 first certified copy; $8.00 each additional copy
- Marriage certificate: $10.00 first certified copy; $4.00 each additional copy
The Vital Records Department can be reached at (847) 377-2411. Birth and death records are restricted under the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) to eligible requesters, including the registrant (if 18 or older), parents named on the record, and legal guardians or representatives. Death records are available to individuals with a personal or property interest in the decedent’s estate. Requests can also be submitted by mail to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702.
Lake County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Lake County—including decedent estate administration, guardianships of minors, guardianships of persons with disabilities, and will filings—are handled by the Circuit Court and administered through the Probate Division of the Circuit Clerk’s Office. The Probate Division counter is located at the Park City Branch and can be reached at (847) 377-3260. Probate cases are scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m.
Filing fees for probate cases (effective October 1, 2025):
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Administration of decedent’s estate | $384.00 |
| Missing person | $384.00 |
| Wrongful death/collection of judgment | $284.00 |
| Guardianship of minor | $0.00 |
| Guardianship of person with disability | $284.00 |
| Guardianship of estate of living person | $284.00 |
| Will filing only | $0.00 |
| Appearance fee | $209.00 |
| Account/Accounting | $25.00 |
| Certified Letters of Office | $2.00 (additional copies $1.00/page if over 3 pages) |
Claim fees range from $0.00 (for claims under $150) to $60.00 (for claims of $10,000 or more).
Searching probate records can be done through the Circuit Clerk’s online portal for basic case information, or by contacting the Probate Division directly. The Probate Court page on the 19th Judicial Circuit website provides information on procedures, forms, and court calendars. The Circuit Clerk also maintains probate records including wills deposited for safekeeping.
Requesting copies of probate documents follows the same procedure as other court records: in person at the Records Division with a photo ID, by mail with payment by money order or cashier’s check, or through E-Certify for certified copies at $6.00 per certification plus $0.25 per page. The Civil Division line at (847) 377-3209 can also provide probate case information.
Historical probate records and wills are archived by the Circuit Clerk. The Lake County Clerk’s recording division handles property-related filings, while the online land records search tool administered by the Lake County Recorder provides access to deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents relevant to estate matters.