Stephenson County Court Records Search
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Stephenson County, located in the northwest corner of Illinois with its county seat in Freeport, operates a unified court system through the Stephenson County Circuit Court. That single trial court handles the full range of legal matters — felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes, family law proceedings, probate administration, juvenile matters, and traffic violations — through its various internal divisions. For anyone trying to locate a case file, request a copy of a court document, or understand what records are accessible, knowing which office to contact and which access rules apply is the necessary starting point.
Illinois court case information, including records from Stephenson County, can be researched through official clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and online databases. IllinoisCourts.us may assist in locating county-level court information and publicly available case data across the state. The sections below cover each major record type, how they are maintained, what access rules govern them, and the practical steps required to obtain specific documents.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Stephenson County?
The primary online tool for searching Stephenson County court records is Judici, a court case search platform used by participating Illinois circuit courts. Stephenson County is a Judici member, and the public can search case records there at no cost by entering a case number, party name, or charge. The search returns docket entries and case summaries for publicly accessible files.
How to search Stephenson County records on Judici:
- Go to the Judici Stephenson County page.
- Click the “Cases” link on the county court’s homepage.
- Select the “Search” option.
- Enter a case number, party name, or charge to retrieve results.
For in-person searches or record requests, contact the Stephenson County Circuit Clerk’s Office directly. Public access computers are also available at the Clerk’s Office for those who prefer on-site searching. A record search fee of $6.00 per search applies for requests handled by Clerk’s staff (civil and criminal); mail-in search requests must include the fee along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a contact number. Searches are not conducted by phone.
Stephenson County Circuit Court and Clerk:
Stephenson County Circuit Court / Circuit Clerk’s Office
Address: 15 N. Galena Avenue, 2nd Floor, Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 235-8266 | Fax: (815) 233-1576
Email: sbardell@stephensoncountyil.gov
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Self-Help Center, also located on the 2nd floor of the courthouse at 15 N. Galena Avenue, offers public access computers and links to legal resources including Illinois Court Help and Illinois Legal Aid Online, both of which assist self-represented litigants navigating the court system.
Are Court Records Public in Stephenson County?
Illinois law presumes that public records are open to inspection. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) requires government agencies to make records available upon request, with specific exemptions carved out for sensitive or legally protected information. For court-specific records, Illinois Supreme Court Rules and the Illinois Compiled Statutes further define what is publicly accessible from the clerk’s files.
The following categories of records are generally restricted or excluded from public access in Stephenson County:
- Juvenile proceedings and records — protected by statute and not open to general public inspection
- Sealed or expunged records — inaccessible after a court order to seal or expunge is granted
- Grand jury proceedings — confidential under Illinois law
- Mental health records — protected under state and federal law
- Adoption records — sealed by statute
- Certain family law matters — financial affidavits, custody evaluation reports, and documents containing sensitive personal details are restricted even within otherwise public case files
- Social Security numbers and personal financial identifiers — redacted from any public-facing copies
It is also worth noting that vital records — including birth, death, and marriage certificates — are governed separately under the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) and are not subject to FOIA. These records may only be released to authorized individuals.
Stephenson County Criminal Court Records
The Criminal Division of the Stephenson County Circuit Court handles felony and misdemeanor charges filed within the county. Docket entries, case filings, orders, and final dispositions for criminal matters are maintained by the Circuit Clerk’s Office and are searchable online through Judici for non-confidential records.
Arrest records and incident reports — Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office:
The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Stephenson County and processes public records requests under the Illinois FOIA. Note that incidents occurring within the City of Freeport fall under Freeport Police Department jurisdiction, and Lena incidents are handled by the Lena Police Department; FOIA requests for those records must go to the respective city agency.
Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 15 N. Galena Ave., 3rd Floor (FOIA requests), Freeport, IL 61032
Jail Address: 1680 E. Singer Dr., Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 235-8252 | FOIA Fax: (815) 235-8306
FOIA Officer: Alyssa Wales
FOIA copy fees (Sheriff’s Office):
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Black & white copies — first 50 pages | No charge |
| Black & white copies — additional pages | Up to $0.15 per page |
| Color or oversized copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Electronic records | Provided electronically when available |
The Sheriff’s Office must respond to FOIA requests within five (5) business days, with a possible five-day extension for complex requests. Sheriff’s Office requests should wait 5–7 days after an incident before submission to allow reports to be finalized and approved.
Statewide criminal history — Illinois State Police:
For a complete statewide criminal background check, contact the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification, which is the appropriate agency for full criminal history records. FOIA is not the appropriate channel for obtaining comprehensive criminal history data.
Expungement and sealing:
To seal or expunge a criminal record in Stephenson County, the filing fee is $60.00 plus a separate $60.00 Illinois State Police fee, for a total of $120.00. The Illinois Appellate Defender’s Office provides forms and eligibility information. Cannabis-related expungements may be initiated through New Leaf Illinois.
Stephenson County Civil Court Records
The Stephenson County Circuit Court handles a broad range of civil matters, including personal injury claims, property disputes, contract litigation, evictions, foreclosures, small claims, and chancery matters. Civil case records are maintained by the Stephenson County Circuit Clerk’s Office and searchable online through Judici.
Circuit Court civil filing fees (effective January 1, 2022):
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Appearance/Answer Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chancery | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Law (over $50,000) | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Law Magistrate ($10,001–$15,000) | $256.00 | $181.00 |
| Law Magistrate ($15,001–$50,000) | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Eviction | $256.00 | $181.00 |
| Eviction (possession only) | $89.00 | $109.00 |
| Small Claims ($0.01–$2,500) | $89.00 | $109.00 |
| Small Claims ($2,500.01–$10,000) | $256.00 | $181.00 |
| Order of Protection | No fee | No fee |
Document copy fees:
| Copies | Fee |
|---|---|
| First page | $2.00 |
| Pages 2–20 | $0.50 each |
| Pages 21 and up | $0.25 each |
| Certified copy (certification) | $10.00 each |
| Exemplified copy | $8.00 each |
| Alias summons | $5.00 each |
Small claims: Cases up to $10,000 may be filed in the small claims division. Filing fees range from $89.00 to $256.00 depending on the amount claimed. Forms are available through the Illinois Supreme Court’s standardized forms page and the courthouse Self-Help Center.
Stephenson County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Stephenson County are handled through the Family/Custody/Visitation Division of the Circuit Court. These include divorce and dissolution of marriage, child custody and visitation, child support, orders of protection, guardianship of minors, adoption, and paternity proceedings.
Key filing fees for family matters:
- Divorce/Dissolution (with or without children): $306.00 filing fee; $181.00 appearance/answer fee
- Family/Custody/Visitation: $306.00 filing fee; $181.00 appearance/answer fee
- Guardianship (minor or person with disability): $256.00 filing fee; $181.00 appearance fee; Letters of Office cost $2.00 each
- Adoption: $89.00 filing fee; no appearance fee
- Order of Protection: No filing fee
Divorce records are generally public in Stephenson County, though portions of case files touching on child custody evaluations, domestic violence facts, settlement financial details, and Social Security numbers are restricted. To request copies of divorce decrees or family court orders, contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office directly in person or by mail with the case number, party names, and applicable copy fees.
Domestic violence resources:Voices of Stephenson County supports survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the county. For Order of Protection filings, there is no court filing fee, and assistance is available through the Stephenson County Legal Self-Help Center.
Marriage records: Marriage records in Stephenson County are maintained by the Stephenson County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, not the Circuit Clerk. Marriage records date back to 1837 and are open to anyone — no identification required.
Marriage record fees and request options:
- In person or by mail: $16.00 for first copy; $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record at the same time
- Online: Request through Official Records Online
- Preliminary search: Use the Stephenson County records search portal to verify a record exists before requesting
- Mail requests: Send the fillable mail-in marriage record form with the bride and groom’s names, marriage date, and payment to the Stephenson County Clerk’s Office, 50 W. Douglas St., Suite 500, Freeport, IL 61032
Birth records (under the Illinois Vital Records Act, 410 ILCS 535) are restricted and available only to the person named on the record (if 18 or older), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians with court-signed guardianship papers, legal representatives, or individuals with a court order. The fee is $16.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy. Requests can be submitted online, in person, or by mailing the birth record request form with valid identification to the Stephenson County Clerk’s Office. Birth records on file date back to 1878. Records 75 years or older may be purchased for genealogical purposes at $10.00, stamped “For Genealogical Purposes Only”.
Death records are available to anyone — no identification is required. The fee is $20.00 for the first copy and $7.00 for each additional copy. Requests can be submitted online through Official Records Online, in person, or by mailing the death record request form to the Stephenson County Clerk’s Office. Death records on file also date to 1878.
Stephenson County Clerk and Recorder’s Office (Vital Records):
Address: Stewart Centre, 50 W. Douglas St., Suite 500, Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 235-8289
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Stephenson County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Stephenson County are administered through the Probate/Estate Division of the Stephenson County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk’s Office serves as custodian of all probate case files, including estate administrations, will proceedings, guardianship of adults and minors, conservatorships, and trust-related matters.
Probate filing fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Administration of Decedent’s Estate (Testate or Intestate) | $356.00 |
| Appearance/Answer Fee for Estate | $181.00 |
| Guardianship (Minor or Person with Disability) | $256.00 |
| Letters of Office — Probate/Estate | $2.00 each |
| Claims ($0.01–$150.00) | No fee |
| Claims ($150.01–$500.00) | $25.00 |
| Claims ($500.01–$10,000.00) | $40.00 |
| Claims ($10,000.01 or more) | $60.00 |
| Each accounting (other than final) | $25.00 |
| Jury demand — Probate, 6 Person | $68.75 |
| Jury demand — Probate, 12 Person | $137.50 |
Probate case records are generally public and can be searched through Judici. Records pertaining to guardianships involving mental health adjudications may carry additional confidentiality protections. To request copies of probate filings, wills, letters of office, or estate inventories, contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office at (815) 235-8266 in person during business hours or by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope, the applicable search fee of $6.00, and copy fees as outlined above. Small estate matters may be handled through a Small Estate Affidavit — forms and instructions are available through Illinois Legal Aid Online and the courthouse Self-Help Center.