McHenry County Court Records Search
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McHenry County, located in northeastern Illinois, is served by the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit — a single-county circuit with general jurisdiction over all criminal, civil, family, and traffic matters. Eight elected circuit judges and eleven associate judges preside over cases at the Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center in Woodstock. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office manages filings, maintains case records, and processes copy requests for the public.
Residents and other interested parties searching for McHenry County court records can begin at several access points. The clerk’s office provides in-person assistance and public-access computer terminals at the courthouse, and it hosts an online case-information portal. IllinoisCourts.us may also assist users in locating publicly available case data across Illinois circuit courts. Additional record-search options include written requests submitted by email or mail, as well as the re:SearchIL portal for reviewing court documents from the Illinois Supreme Court and appellate courts.
How to Look Up a Court Case in McHenry County?
The most direct way to locate case information is through the McHenry County Case Search portal. This free tool lets users look up cases by party name, case number, or ticket number. Results include basic details such as case status, type, title, and filing date. For more detailed records — including document images — the clerk’s office maintains public-access terminals on the first floor (Room 136) and the third floor (Room 353) of the courthouse.
In-Person Access
McHenry County Circuit Court Clerk
Address: 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Rooms 136 & 353, Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: (815) 334-4190
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Email: CircuitClerk@mchenrycountyil.gov
Requesting Copies by Email or Mail
Record copies can be requested by email or mail. Each request must include:
- Requester’s name, phone number, and email address
- Case number, party names, document title, and file date
- Whether a plain or certified copy is needed
- Preferred delivery method (email or mail)
If any identifying details are missing, a $6.00 search fee may be added. After the clerk calculates copy costs, an invoice is emailed to the requester. Payment must be received before documents are released.
Copy and Certification Fees (per Administrative Order No. 2010-02)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| First page | $2.00 |
| Pages 2–20 | $0.50 each |
| Pages 21+ | $0.25 each |
| Certification (per document) | $6.00 additional |
Payments may be mailed by check or money order to the Circuit Clerk at 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Attn: Room 136, Woodstock, IL 60098, or made online by credit card. The credit card vendor charges a convenience fee that the clerk’s office does not collect.
Certified copies with a hand-crimped raised seal — required by some agencies — can only be mailed; emailed certifications include only a printed version of the court’s seal.
Are Court Records Public in McHenry County?
Illinois law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. Under the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), public bodies must make non-confidential records available for inspection or copying upon request. A requester is not obligated to state a reason for seeking records, except when requesting records subject to confidentiality restrictions.
Effective May 1, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court expanded free remote access to reviewing court documents (Supreme Court and appellate courts) through the re:SearchIL portal for non-confidential cases filed on or after April 1, 2025. Circuit-level public remote access is under ongoing development statewide.
Case Types Excluded from Public Access
The following categories are generally restricted from public inspection at the McHenry County Circuit Clerk’s office:
- Adoption cases
- Juvenile abuse, neglect, and delinquency cases
- Expunged and sealed records
- Mental health cases
- Cases impounded by court order
Restricted Documents Within Otherwise Public Files
Even in public case files, certain individual documents remain confidential:
- Financial statements
- Medical and mental health records
- Social Security numbers and other personal identity information
- Victim names (adults and minors) in sexual assault cases
Police reports and court transcripts (Reports of Proceedings) are not part of court files. Police reports must be obtained from the arresting agency, and transcripts must be requested through Court Administration at (815) 334-4385.
McHenry County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in McHenry County are heard by the 22nd Judicial Circuit and divided among felony, misdemeanor, DUI/traffic, and ordinance violation dockets. The Circuit Clerk handles criminal case records at the courthouse. The Criminal/Traffic division customer service counter is in Room 136 on the first floor.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case information is available through the same Case Search portal used for civil cases. Users can search by a defendant’s name, case number, or ticket number. Results display case status, charges, sentences, court dates, and judgments. For a certified statement of charge and disposition, the clerk’s office charges $8.00; a non-certified version costs $2.00.
Expungement and Sealing
Individuals seeking to clear their criminal records may file petitions through the clerk’s office. Under the current fee schedule (revised January 21, 2025):
- Petition to Expunge (Adult): $215.00
- Petition to Seal (No Existing Case – Adult): $215.00
- Petition to Expunge (Juvenile or Governor’s Pardon): No Fee
Expungement filing fees include the $60.00 petition filing fee, copy and mailing costs, postage, and a $60.00 fee for the Illinois State Police. If the petition is denied, the $60.00 State Police fee is refunded.
Arrest Records and Inmate Information
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records and operates the county correctional facility. Current inmates can be searched through the Sheriff’s online inmate roster, which is updated hourly and searchable by name or booking date.
McHenry County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: (815) 338-2144
Crime victims can register for custody-status notifications through the VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system or by calling the Illinois Statewide VINE number at (866) 566-8439.
For statewide criminal history searches, the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification operates the CHIRP (Criminal History Information Response Process) portal, which supports name-based background inquiries.
McHenry County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division of the Circuit Clerk’s Office manages all civil case files, including chancery, law (magistrate and over $50,000), arbitration, eviction, small claims, tax, foreclosure, and miscellaneous remedy proceedings. Customer service for civil matters is located in Room 136 on the first floor of the Judicial Center.
Key Civil Filing Fees (effective January 21, 2025)
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Small Claims ($2,500 or less) | $89.00 |
| Small Claims ($2,500.01–$10,000) | $264.00 |
| Arbitration ($10,000.01–$15,000) | $264.00 |
| Arbitration ($15,000.01–$50,000) | $314.00 |
| Law Magistrate (up to $50,000) | $264.00–$314.00 |
| Law (over $50,000) | $314.00 |
| Chancery | $314.00 |
| Eviction – Residential | $264.00 |
| Eviction – Possession Only | $89.00 |
| Foreclosure | $314.00 |
| Appearance (most civil) | $189.00 |
The complete fee schedule is available as a PDF from the Circuit Clerk’s website.
Small Claims Procedures
Claims up to $10,000 are filed in the small claims division. The Circuit Clerk can serve summons by certified mail for $27.58 per defendant. Cases involving self-represented parties are typically scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month under the 22nd Circuit Small Claims Mediation Program. Statewide small claims forms are approved by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice.
E-Filing
Electronic filing is mandatory for all civil and family cases through the statewide eFileIL platform. Criminal, traffic, and juvenile documents are accepted through i2File using the non-EFM option. Self-represented litigants who cannot e-file may apply for an exemption under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9©(4) by completing a Certificate for Exemption from E-Filing form and including it with their paper filing in Room 136. Public e-filing stations with computers and scanners are available on the first and third floors of the courthouse.
McHenry County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the 22nd Judicial Circuit handles dissolution of marriage, legal separation, parentage, allocation of parental responsibilities, child support, orders of protection, and adoptions. Family case records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and accessed through the same methods available for civil records — in person, online, by email, or by mail.
Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)
Divorce filings carry a $314.00 filing fee regardless of whether children are involved. The 22nd Circuit offers an Early Resolution Program (ERP) for self-represented litigants in uncontested divorces without children. When both parties agree to attend, ERP sessions are typically held one Thursday afternoon per month. Cases resolved during the session can receive a judgment of dissolution the same day; a $60.00 court reporter transcript fee applies. Contact the ERP Coordinator at (815) 334-4166 for scheduling.
Statewide divorce, child support, and maintenance forms are available through the Illinois Supreme Court. Free guided-interview tools on Illinois Legal Aid Online and Odyssey Guide and File help users complete and e-file the required paperwork.
Parenting Class Requirement
McHenry County mandates a four-hour parenting class (“Focus on the Kids”) at McHenry County College for any parent involved in a divorce or parentage action with minor children. Registration costs $90.00 per person, paid directly to the college. Both parents must complete the class before a judgment of dissolution is entered. Rescheduling carries a $25.00 fee.
Orders of Protection
Filing an order of protection — emergency, interim, or plenary — carries no fee. Under the fee schedule, no charges may be assessed for filing, modifying, withdrawing, certifying, or photocopying petitions or orders of protection.
Family Mediation
Disputes involving parenting time, custody, visitation, removal from Illinois, or parental access generally must be mediated before proceeding to hearing. The 22nd Circuit’s Family Mediation Program uses court-approved neutral mediators to assist parents in reaching agreements.
Confidentiality Considerations
Many family case documents — particularly those involving child abuse, domestic violence, and adoption — are restricted. Adoption case files are entirely confidential. Financial statements, medical records, and personal identifiers within family files are also not available for public inspection.
Vital Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the McHenry County Clerk’s Office at (815) 334-4242. Verification of marriage and dissolution records is available through the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records for a $5.00 verification fee, with requests accepted by fax, mail, or in person at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737.
McHenry County Probate Court Records
McHenry County does not maintain a separate probate court. Probate matters — including estate administration, wills, guardianships of minors, guardianships of persons with disabilities, and guardianships of estates of living persons — fall under the Civil Division of the 22nd Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk’s probate page outlines local procedures. The deceased must have been a McHenry County resident for the case to be filed here.
Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Administration of Decedent’s Estate | $364.00 |
| Missing Person | $364.00 |
| Wrongful Death / Collection of Judgment | $264.00 |
| Guardianship (Minor, Person with Disability, Estate) | $264.00 |
| Letters of Office (each) | $2.00 |
| Estate Claim ($0–$149.99) | No Fee |
| Estate Claim ($150–$499.99) | $25.00 |
| Estate Claim ($500–$9,999) | $40.00 |
| Estate Claim ($10,000+) | $60.00 |
| Petition to Reopen Estate (31+ days) | $75.00 |
| Transfer Will (fee + certified mailing) | $59.68 |
| Appearance (Executor, Administrator, Guardian, GAL) | No Fee |
Filing Requirements
All probate filings must be submitted electronically through eFileIL unless the filer qualifies for an exemption. Original wills, however, cannot be filed electronically — they must be presented at the Civil customer service windows in Room 136. Under 755 ILCS 5/6-1, any person possessing a testator’s will must file it with the clerk immediately upon the testator’s death; failure to do so may result in a court attachment order.
Accessing Probate Records
Most probate records are not public. Images of publicly available probate documents can be viewed at the courthouse terminals in Rooms 136 and 353. Case parties and their attorneys generally have broader access to probate files. For records not available online, contact the Civil Division of the Circuit Clerk’s office at (815) 334-4310.
The 22nd Circuit Legal Self-Help Center (Room 346, open 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) and the Law Library (Room 353, open 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) offer self-represented litigants access to probate forms, legal research tools, and general filing guidance. The McHenry County Bar Association also provides a free Attorney Help Desk every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the second floor of the courthouse.