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Will County, Illinois Court Records

In Will County, Illinois, court records refer to official documents generated by the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, which serves as the trial-level court for the region. These records include filings, dockets, orders, judgments, and other documents from civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and other case types.

Generally, the Will County Circuit Court Clerk, an elected official, acts as the custodian of these records, maintaining them in accordance with Illinois law, including the Illinois Court Record and Document Accessibility Act (705 ILCS 86/) and Illinois Supreme Court policies on public access.

Records are created as cases are filed and progress through the court system, and the clerk’s office digitizes and stores them. Many are maintained electronically through systems like iPublic or re:SearchIL. Court records may also relate to other public records: birth, death, and marriage (vital records) are handled by the Will County Clerk’s Office; arrest information is handled by law enforcement agencies like the Will County Sheriff’s Office; and the U.S. District Court handles federal cases.

While interconnected, court records focus on judicial proceedings rather than investigative or administrative matters outside the court’s jurisdiction.

Are Will County Court Records Public?

Yes, under Illinois law, court records are presumptively public to promote transparency and accountability in the judicial system. The Court Record and Document Accessibility Act and Illinois Supreme Court Remote Access Policy state that records are accessible unless restricted by statute, court order, or rule. Most case types, civil, criminal (adult cases), traffic, probate, and family, are generally public.

However, restrictions apply to sensitive matters. Juvenile cases, adoption proceedings, mental health commitments, certain family cases involving minors or abuse, and records sealed or expunged by court order are not publicly accessible. Some documents may be redacted to protect privacy, such as Social Security numbers or victim information. The public can access non-restricted records via online portals, but confidential files require in-person verification or court approval.

What Information is Available in Will County Court Records?

Will County court records typically contain detailed case information. Common elements include:

  • Case number
  • Party names
  • Filing date
  • Case type
  • Judge assigned
  • Docket entries
  • Pleadings
  • Motions
  • Orders, judgments, and dispositions
  • Hearing transcripts

Criminal case records may show charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentences, and probation details. Civil records include complaints, answers, discovery summaries, settlements, and judgments. Family cases often detail petitions for dissolution, custody arrangements, support orders, and modifications. Probate files cover wills, estate inventories, claims, and distributions. Additional details can include exhibits, affidavits, witness lists, and court minutes.

Not all records are digitized; older cases may require physical review. Mugshots or photos are typically not part of court records but may be available through law enforcement.

Will County Court Records Search

  • Online Access - The primary portal is the 12th Judicial Circuit’s iPublic system, offering free case lookup for many civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases. It’s unofficial but provides case summaries, dockets, and some documents. Will County also maintains an online Court Records Search. re:SearchIL provides statewide access for some electronic records. Access varies by case type-juvenile or sealed cases are excluded.
  • In-Person Access - Visit the Will County Courthouse to use public terminals or request files from the clerk’s office:

Will County Courthouse

100 W. Jefferson St.

Joliet, IL 60432

100 West Jefferson Street,

Joliet, IL 60432

Staff assist with searches, but users can view physical or digital files during business hours (typically 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding holidays).

  • Mail and Phone Requests - Contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office by mail or phone for searches or copies. Provide case details (name, case number, approximate dates). Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return and payment (check or money order). Phone inquiries are limited to basic status; detailed searches may require written requests.

Fees for Court Records in Will County

Obtaining Will County court records involves fees to cover processing and materials. Copy costs may be up to $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 per page for pages 2-20, and $0.25 per page thereafter. Certification adds $6.00 per document. Probate-certified copies are $2.00 per page, with an additional charge fee for each additional certification page. These fees apply to online orders via i2File, in-person requests, or mail.

No fee for viewing records on public terminals. Online portals like iPublic are free for basic searches, but document downloads or copies incur charges. Payment via i2File (credit card) or in-person/mail (check/money order).

Vital records (e.g., marriage certificates) handled by the County Clerk have separate fees (e.g., $12 for birth certificates). Turnaround for online copies is about 2 business days.

Will County Courthouse Locations

The 12th Judicial Circuit Court operates from multiple locations in Will County and handles various case types.

  • Main Will County Courthouse:

Full-service for civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and most divisions.

  • Will County Court Annex:

57 North Ottawa Street,

Joliet, IL 60432.

Limited services (appearances, fees, motions for civil cases).

  • River Valley Juvenile Justice Center:

3208 West McDonough Street,

Joliet, IL 60431.

Handles Juvenile cases.

The Circuit Clerk can be contacted at (815) 727-8592 or by visiting in person.

Criminal Records Access in Will County

Local criminal records in Will County are available through the Circuit Court Clerk for cases filed in the 12th Judicial Circuit. These include felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and DUI matters, accessible via online portals like iPublic, in-person at the courthouse, or by request. Records show charges, dispositions, and sentences for public adult cases.

Official statewide criminal history background checks (rap sheets) are handled by the Illinois State Police, not the county court. Requests go through the ISP Bureau of Identification. Local court records do not provide a comprehensive criminal history but detail specific cases.

Restricted cases, such as juvenile and expunged records, are not public. For local searches, persons can use the clerk’s tools or visit the courthouse.

Will County Probate Records

Will County probate records handle the legal process for managing a deceased person’s estate, including wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. These estate records ensure that assets are distributed according to the will or state law, that debts are paid, and that vulnerable individuals are protected.

Will County probate records include filings like wills admitted to probate, estate administrations, inventories, accountings, claims against estates, guardianships for minors or disabled adults, and conservatorships for financial management. Common examples are opening an estate after death, appointing guardians, or handling small estates via affidavit (no full probate needed for smaller amounts).

More recent filings are often available online through the Circuit Clerk’s portals, allowing searches by case number or name. Older or detailed files may require an in-person visit to the clerk’s office or archive center.

Will County Family Court Records

The Circuit Clerk’s Office manages access to most family court records in Will County. Such records, including divorce, child support, and custody summaries, are accessible through the Public Access Case Lookup portal. This system allows users to view docket entries and hearing dates for free, though document images are generally restricted from public online viewing.

Online and In-Person Access

  • Public Portal: Users can search by name or case number via the Will County Circuit Clerk website.
  • Courthouse Terminals: For more comprehensive access, including viewing specific document images, individuals must use onsite public terminals at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet.
  • Restricted Records: Adoption and juvenile cases are strictly confidential. These files are sealed and require a court order or specific legal authorization for access.

To obtain certified copies of divorce decrees or support orders, you must visit the Circuit Clerk’s office in person or submit a request via their approved third-party vendor, like i2File. Standard fees apply, typically including a per-page cost and a certification fee (often around $1.00 per record plus copying costs).

Federal Court Records in Will County

Federal cases originating in Will County, Illinois, fall under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Specifically, Will County is part of the court’s Eastern Division, with primary proceedings held at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. This federal court handles matters involving federal laws, constitutional issues, and "diversity" cases involving parties from different states.

For those seeking federal court records, there are two primary methods:

  • PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records): This is the standard national portal for electronic access to federal dockets and documents. Users must register for an account. While there is a nominal fee per page viewed, it may be waived if quarterly usage remains below a specific threshold.
  • The Clerk’s Office: Physical case files and electronic records can be accessed in person at the Clerk’s Office in the Dirksen Courthouse. Public terminals are typically available for searching cases without the remote PACER fees, though charges apply for printed copies.
Will County Court