Will County Court Records Search
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Will County, located in northeastern Illinois with its county seat in Joliet, is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state and home to a busy court system within the 12th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court of Will County handles a broad caseload that spans criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, family law disputes, probate matters, juvenile proceedings, and traffic violations. The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court is responsible for filing all cases and maintaining official records of every proceeding heard across the county’s courthouses and branch locations. Whether you need to verify a case disposition, obtain certified copies of a judgment, or research property and vital records, Will County provides several pathways for public access — both online and in person.
Residents and attorneys in Illinois can search for court case information through a combination of official clerk resources, in-person terminal access, and web-based lookup tools. The 12th Judicial Circuit Court maintains a public access case lookup system, and the statewide re:SearchIL portal hosted through IllinoisCourts.us provides cross-jurisdictional access to electronic court records and documents. Requests can also be directed to the Circuit Clerk’s office by mail, email, or in person during business hours.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Will County?
Will County offers multiple methods for locating court case information. The primary online resource is the iPublic application, a free case lookup portal operated by the Circuit Clerk’s Office. To use it:
- Navigate to the iPublic portal.
- Agree to the terms and conditions (the site contains unofficial records of the 12th Judicial Circuit and is intended for private, non-commercial use only).
- Enter an email address to receive a one-time security code.
- Input the security code and proceed to the search page.
- Search by party name or case number.
For statewide document access, re:SearchIL is available to individuals who hold an eFileIL account. Registered users can search Will County records alongside filings from other participating Illinois circuits.
In-person access is available at the main courthouse during regular business hours. The Circuit Clerk’s Office maintains public access computer terminals on site for reviewing filed documents.
Will County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Address: 100 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: (815) 727-8592
Fax: (815) 740-8074
TTY: (800) 526-0844 (Illinois TTY users) / 711 (all other TTY users)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed on court holidays)
Ordering copies of case documents can be done online through i2File, a third-party vendor approved by the Illinois Supreme Court for e-filing. After registering, users can request copies that are typically uploaded within two business days. Copy fees are identical whether ordering online, by mail, or in person:
- First page: $2.00
- Pages 2–20: $0.50 per page
- Pages 21 and beyond: $0.25 per page
- Certification/Seal of Office: $6.00 per document
- Certified copy of judgment (after first certified copy): $10.00
A record search through the Clerk’s Office costs $6.00 per name, per year.
Are Court Records Public in Will County?
Court records in Will County are generally open to public inspection. While the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) governs access to government records held by state and local agencies, it is important to note that the judicial branch in Illinois is not subject to FOIA. Instead, public access to court records is addressed through Illinois Supreme Court rules, local circuit court policies, and individual statutory provisions.
The following categories of records are typically restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile court records
- Sealed and expunged records
- Adoption records
- Records subject to attorney-client privilege
- Mental health proceedings
- Certain law enforcement investigative files
- Records that could jeopardize public safety
- Financial account information protected by statute
- Trade secrets
- Records shielded by other state or federal law
When requesting copies, the Circuit Clerk’s Office may require identification, registration for online systems, or payment of applicable fees. Persons seeking records that may be restricted should contact the Clerk’s Office at (815) 727-8592 to determine eligibility before submitting a request.
Will County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Will County are prosecuted in the Circuit Court and heard at the Will County Courthouse and several branch court locations. The Circuit Clerk’s Office maintains records of all criminal filings, including felony, misdemeanor, criminal traffic, and DUI cases.
Online criminal case searches can be conducted through the iPublic case lookup using a defendant’s name or case number. The Will County Sheriff’s Office also provides public search tools:
- Inmate Search Portal: The inmate inquiry system allows searches by name, subject number, or booking number. Users can also filter by date range and housing facility for in-custody inmates.
- Warrants Search: Active warrants can be viewed at willcountywarrants.com. The warrant list is searchable by name and displays offense and issuance date.
For statewide criminal history checks, the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification operates the CHIRP (Criminal History Information Response) system. Access requires either a law enforcement account or a State of Illinois Digital ID. Name-based background check information is available through the ISP Bureau of Identification page.
Expungement and Sealing
Under Section 5.2 of the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2), qualifying arrests, supervisions, and convictions may be eligible for expungement or sealing. Key details for Will County:
- Expungement and sealing forms are available through the Circuit Clerk’s website and must be filed electronically.
- Hearings are held in Courtroom 403 at the Will County Courthouse, 100 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, on Fridays at 10:00 a.m.
- Filing fee for a petition to expunge or seal an adult record: $103.12 (includes a $60.00 filing fee plus $43.12 mailing fee).
- Order to expunge (if granted): $119.12.
- Total initial cost: approximately $222.24 ($119.12 is refundable subject to the court’s ruling; $103.12 is non-refundable).
- Agencies have 60 days to file an objection. The Clerk sets a status appearance date roughly 70 days after the initial filing.
Additional informational resources and required forms are available through the Illinois Courts expungement page and the State Appellate Defender’s Office. The Expungement & Sealing Unit can be reached at (866) 787-1776.
Will County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Will County — including contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disputes, small claims, evictions, and foreclosures — are heard by the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk files and maintains all civil case records.
Searching civil records can be done through the iPublic portal or re:SearchIL (for eFileIL account holders). In-person file reviews are available at the Will County Courthouse during business hours using public access terminals.
Civil filing fees (effective October 1, 2025) vary by case category:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Small Claims ($0.01–$2,500) | $139.00 |
| Small Claims ($2,500.01–$10,000) | $314.00 |
| Arbitration (up to $15,000) | $314.00 |
| Arbitration ($15,000.01–$75,000) | $364.00 |
| Chancery | $364.00 |
| Eviction (possession only) | $139.00 |
| Eviction (possession and rent) | $314.00 |
| Foreclosure (residential) | $514.00 |
| Law (damages over $50,000) | $364.00 |
| Law Magistrate (up to $15,000) | $314.00 |
Appearance fees depend on the filing fee schedule for the case type. For cases with a $364 or higher filing fee, the appearance fee is $239.00. For cases with a $314 filing fee, it is also $239.00. Cases with a $139 filing fee carry a $159.00 appearance fee. Cases with $0 filing fees (such as Guardianship of a Minor) have no appearance fee.
Additional civil-related fees include:
- Change of venue to another jurisdiction: $50.00 (includes certified mail receipt)
- Alias summons: $5.00
- Certified mail: $20.48
- Certified mail with restricted delivery (small claims): $15.58
- Jury demand (6 persons, civil): $106.25
- Jury demand (12 persons, civil): $212.50
The current fee schedule is posted on the Circuit Clerk’s website and is updated periodically.
Will County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Will County are handled by the Circuit Court and include dissolution of marriage (with and without children), parentage actions, child custody and support disputes, domestic violence petitions, orders of protection, adoption proceedings, and name changes.
Filing fees for family cases (effective October 1, 2025):
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of Marriage (with children) | $364.00 |
| Dissolution of Marriage (without children) | $364.00 |
| Adoption | $89.00 |
| Family – Parentage Act (challenge or petition for confidential intermediary) | $0.00 |
| Family (all other case types) | $364.00 |
| Order of Protection | $0.00 |
Appearance fees for family cases with a $364 filing fee are $239.00. Cases with $89 or $0 filing fees carry no appearance fee.
Family court records are largely confidential, although final orders and judgments are generally accessible to the public. Individuals seeking access to family case files may need to demonstrate direct interest in the matter or present proper authorization. Searches can be run through the iPublic system or by contacting the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage and civil union licenses are issued by the Will County Clerk’s Office by appointment only at the following locations:
- Will County Clerk’s Office: 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432 — (815) 740-4615 — Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Crete Township Office: 1367 Wood St., Crete, IL 60417 — (708) 672-8279
- DuPage Township Office: 241 Canterbury Ln., Bolingbrook, IL 60440 — (630) 759-1317
- Plainfield Township Office: 22525 W. Lockport St., Plainfield, IL 60544 — (815) 436-8308
The license fee is $35.00. Licenses become effective the day after issuance and are valid for 60 days. Courthouse ceremonies are available Monday–Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Saturdays (arrive by 8:30 a.m.) for a $10.00 fee at Room 102, Will County Courthouse, 100 W. Jefferson St., Joliet.
Birth and Death Certificates
Birth certificates for births that occurred in Will County are available through the Will County Clerk’s Office. Certificates cost $12.00 for the first certified copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Death certificates cost $16.00 for the first certified copy and $8.00 for additional copies. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or by email to vitalrecords@willcounty.gov (with phone payment at (815) 740-4615). Expedited online ordering is also available through VitalChek.
Illinois law restricts access to birth records for 75 years and death records for 20 years, except for authorized individuals such as the person named on the record (if 18 or older), immediate relatives, legal guardians, and legal representatives.
Will County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Will County — including estate administration, will contests, guardianship of disabled persons, guardianship of minors, guardianship of the estate of a living person, conservatorships, trust administration, and mental health proceedings — are heard by the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk’s Office maintains all probate filings.
Probate filing fees include:
- New probate case filing: $364.00 (or $414.00 for administration of a decedent’s estate or of a missing person, per 705 ILCS 105/27.3f)
- Guardianship of a Minor: $0.00 (filing and appearance fees waived pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court M.R. 29741)
- Will filing (safekeeping): $0.00
- Accounting (annual or current): $25.00
- Claim fees: $0.00 (under $150), $20.00 ($150–$499.99), $40.00 ($500–$9,999.99), $60.00 ($10,000 or more)
- Supplemental proceedings (including petitions to recover assets): $60.00
- Will contest or construction (per case, after estate is opened): $60.00
- Petition to reopen estate (within 30 days): $0.00; (31+ days): $75.00
Certified probate copies cost $2.00 per page. Certified copies of wills include an additional certification page that should be factored into the total. Certified Letters of Office are $2.00 each, and exemplification costs $2.00 per document.
Guardianship forms, including packets for Guardianship of a Disabled Person and Guardianship of a Minor, are available on the Circuit Clerk’s website. A Small Estate Affidavit form is provided for cases that may not require court-supervised probate, and a Decedent Estate Packet containing all necessary forms for probating a decedent’s estate can be downloaded as well.
Guardianship filings for disabled persons and estate guardianships are processed at the River Valley Justice Center, which maintains a limited-service Circuit Clerk window specifically for guardianship cases:
River Valley Justice Center
Address: 3200 W. McDonough St., Joliet, IL 60431
Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.)
For all other probate case types, filings should be directed to the main courthouse at 100 W. Jefferson Street. The Nicholson Archive Center at 806 N. Nicholson, Joliet, IL 60435, provides access to archived records by appointment only and can be reached at (815) 774-7494.
Probate records can be searched through the iPublic portal or reviewed in person at the courthouse. Copies may be ordered online through i2File or requested at the Clerk’s customer service window.