How do I search Lake County court records online?
Use the Lake County Circuit Clerk's Online Portal. The portal covers civil, criminal, and traffic public records of the 19th Judicial Circuit. You must register under Illinois Remote Access Policy before viewing case information. Attorneys must match their ARDC number and email to the Clerk's case-management directory. Party of record and public user requests may take one to two business days for staff review. For more on the workflow, see Lake County court records.
Can I search court records without registering?
For full online case access, no. Registration is required by the Clerk's portal. For a basic name-and-year background check, you can request a record search through the Clerk by mail or in person. That procedure asks for the name, years to search, case types, date of birth for an individual, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The fee is $6 per name per year, paid by money order, certified check, or cashier's check made out to "Clerk of the Circuit Court." Cash and credit cards are accepted in person only.
Where is the Lake County Circuit Clerk?
The Clerk of the Circuit Court sits at 18 North County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085, on the lower level of the main courthouse. The Clerk's main line for case information and filings is 847-377-3380. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. See Clerk of the Circuit Court for the full set of services.
Are juvenile court records public?
No, not in ordinary record searches. The Lake County Circuit Clerk's Record Searches page explicitly states that juvenile records are sealed and excluded from background search results. Access is controlled by the Juvenile Court Act at 705 ILCS 405 and court orders. For juvenile expungement or branch questions, the Clerk lists the Juvenile Branch Court phone as 847-377-7888.
How do I get a certified copy of a Lake County court document?
Use Clerk E-Certify at clerkecertify.com for eligible non-restricted cases and documents. No account or sign-in is required for the E-Certify storefront. Sealed cases are not available online. If an older file shows a bulk "Case Document Images" entry, you may request the whole image or submit a help ticket if you know the specific document name. The Records team aims for 48 hours.
How do I find an inmate in Lake County Jail?
Use the Locate an Inmate page, which links the Corrections Records Search. The search supports name, booking number, and booking date range modes. If you cannot determine whether someone is housed in Lake or McHenry County Jail, the Sheriff says to call 847-377-4107 first. For more on the lookup, see Lake County inmate records.
How do I post bond for an inmate?
Bond is accepted 24 hours a day at jail reception at 20 South County Street in Waukegan. The Sheriff accepts cash or certified cashier's check only. Cashier's checks must be payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court." Personal checks, credit / debit cards, and traveler's checks are not accepted for bond payment. Bonds of $10,000 or more, or certain drug, racketeering, or money-laundering cases, require additional source-of-bond information and Social Security numbers.
How do I visit an inmate?
Lake County Jail uses video visitation through ViaPath GettingOut and VisManager. The official Visit an Inmate page says all incarcerated individuals receive one free visit per week and remote visits cost $0.19 per minute. Currently all visits are conducted remotely unless Jail Command gives other instructions. Contact Jail Command at 847-377-4150 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. if you cannot visit remotely.
What ID do I need for jail visitation?
The visitation rules accept a state driver's license or ID card, valid military ID, student ID, Mexican Matricula card, passport with attached photo, government ID card, Illinois Bar Association card, or Court Services identification. Visitors may be searched and checked for active warrants. People under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and proof may be required.
Where do I send inmate mail?
Beginning May 27, 2025, personal inmate mail must be sent to TextBehind's centralized address: Lake County Jail, IL, Inmate's Full Name, Inmate Identifier, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. Include the full facility name and state, inmate name and identifier, and sender name and address. Legal mail, money orders, checks, and official or privileged correspondence must not go to the Phoenix address. The Sheriff implemented digital scanning to prevent contraband entering through postal service.
How do I search Lake County warrants?
Use the Sheriff's Warrant Information page and its Active Warrants link. The Sheriff says warrants directed by the Lake County Circuit Court remain active until the wanted subject is apprehended or a court order cancels the warrant. For warrant questions, the Sheriff's Warrants directory lists 847-377-4300. See Lake County warrant records for the full procedure.
What should I do if I missed court?
Check your case through the Circuit Clerk portal or contact the Circuit Clerk, and consider talking to an attorney immediately. Missing court can lead to a bench warrant. The courthouse FAQ includes "My court date was yesterday and I missed it, what do I do?" as a common issue; use official court and clerk instructions rather than assuming the date can be ignored. Read more on court dockets.
Where are marriage licenses issued?
Marriage licenses are issued by the Lake County Clerk at Room 101, 18 N County Street, Waukegan. Both applicants must apply together in person Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Applicants must complete and print the Marriage License Application and Record Request form before visiting, bring valid ID, and pay the $35 license fee. See marriage and divorce records for the full list of requirements.
How long is a Lake County marriage license valid?
The license must be obtained at least one day before the ceremony and is valid for 60 days beginning the day after issuance. If the ceremony does not occur within 60 days, the license is null and void. The license is for a marriage performed in Lake County, Illinois.
Where do I get a marriage record?
The Lake County Clerk maintains official records of marriages that occurred in Lake County. Certified copies are $10 for the first copy and $4 for additional copies purchased together. Walk-in service is available with ID, mail requests are processed after receipt, and online credit-card orders use VitalChek with additional service fees.
Where are divorce records kept?
Divorce or dissolution cases are Circuit Court records maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, not the County Clerk vital records division. Use the Circuit Clerk portal, Clerk E-Certify for eligible certified copies, or record-search and request procedures. Divorce filings are civil cases and generally must be e-filed unless an exemption applies.
Where is Probate Court?
Lake County Probate Court is in the Main Courthouse at 18 N County Street, Waukegan. The Probate Division in the Circuit Clerk's Office can be reached at 847-377-3260. Probate covers decedent estates, disabled adults' estates, and minor estates and guardianships. See probate records for fee details and the Help Desk schedule.
How do I expunge or seal a criminal record?
Use Illinois Supreme Court standardized expungement and sealing forms and Lake County's expungement instructions. Lake County requires adult expungement requests to be e-filed as an MX case type with subtype Petition to Expunge (Adult). The instruction sheet lists a $152 filing cost unless a fee waiver is granted - $82 for the request, $60 for Illinois State Police, and $10 postage. Notices go to prosecutors, arresting agencies, and Illinois State Police, and parties have 60 days to object.
Does FOIA get me court case records?
Usually, court case records are requested through the Circuit Clerk, not through a generic FOIA request to the court. FOIA is useful for county agency records, Sheriff's administrative records, reports, policies, budgets, and similar public body records. The 19th Circuit public-records page says the court creates many records, but the Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains court files. See public records for the full framework.
Are cell phones allowed in the courthouse?
The Lake County Courthouse Security Brief lists electronics rules and says cell phones are prohibited from use in courtrooms unless expressly waived by the trial court. All visitors are screened by magnetometer and x-ray. Cameras and video recorders are prohibited items, and court security may determine that an unlisted item is dangerous or prohibited.
What parking is available?
Official court pages list the County of Lake Parking Garage, the City of Waukegan Parking Garage, City Lots D, E, and F, and limited street parking. The Criminal Court Tower page says the County of Lake Parking Garage is limited fee-based parking and the first two hours are free. Confirm current rates before arrival. Metered street parking sits on the east and west sides of the 18 N County Street administrative tower.
Who is the State's Attorney?
The Lake County State's Attorney is Eric Rinehart according to the official State's Attorney site. Illinois uses the title State's Attorney rather than District Attorney. The office prosecutes criminal cases, represents Lake County in civil matters, supports victims, and publishes a Data Dashboard. See criminal records for related links.
How do I get a public defender?
The Lake County Public Defender represents indigent criminal defendants charged with crimes punishable by incarceration. Appointment generally depends on financial eligibility and court appointment. The office is at 15 S County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085. Current represented clients can call 847-377-3360 to determine a next court date.
Where can self-represented filers get help?
Use the Center for Self-Representation in the William D. Block Memorial Law Library at the main courthouse. The center is not staffed by attorneys and cannot give legal advice, but it offers legal information, forms, e-filing guidance, and referrals. Prairie State Legal Services at 847-662-6925, Illinois Legal Aid Online, and the Lake County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at 847-244-3140 are also key resources.
Is a Lake County traffic ticket the same as an Illinois driving record?
No. A traffic ticket filed in Lake County is a court record maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. It can show the citation, charge, court date, plea, supervision, conviction, dismissal, fines, and payment history. An Illinois driving record abstract is maintained by the Secretary of State and shows driver history and license status. Court supervision remains in the Clerk's court record and may appear on a court-purposes abstract even when it is not on a public abstract. See traffic court records.
Can I request court supervision for a traffic ticket?
Possibly, but eligibility depends on the ticket and the driver. Lake County's Supervision and Court Diversion page says supervision is a way for the judge to withhold entry of conviction on a reportable moving violation after a guilty plea, conditioned on no new tickets during the supervision period and completion of traffic school if required. CDL holders are not eligible. Drivers under 18 must appear in court with a parent or legal guardian to request supervision.
What is the difference between the County Clerk official-record search and the Circuit Clerk court-record portal?
The County Clerk official-record search at lake.il.publicsearch.us is for recorded official records, such as land and recording-related documents. It exposes fields such as grantor, grantee, document type, book and page, parcel, property address, and date range. The Circuit Clerk portal is the court-case portal for the 19th Judicial Circuit and covers civil, criminal, and traffic case records. Use the Circuit Clerk for lawsuits, criminal cases, divorce files, probate cases, and traffic tickets. Use the County Clerk for marriage records, vital records, genealogical records, and recorded documents.
Does Lake County provide accommodations for disabilities?
Yes. The 19th Judicial Circuit has an ADA accessibility policy and identifies a Court Disability Coordinator. The court states it will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations at no charge so individuals with disabilities can participate in court proceedings, services, programs, activities, and employment. The coordinator is Elizabeth Bogie, CourtADACoordinator@lakecountyil.gov, 18 N County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085, phone 847-377-3810, TDD 847-360-2975. Requests should be made as early as possible before the court event.
What official source should I use for criminal-history searches outside Lake County?
For Lake County court cases, use the Circuit Clerk. For statewide prison custody, use the Illinois Department of Corrections individual-in-custody search. For sex-offender registration, use the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry. For custody notifications, use VINELink. For federal inmates, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. For official Illinois criminal-history background checks, use Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification resources rather than commercial people-search sites. Each system answers a different question: court case, jail custody, prison custody, sex-offender registration, notification status, federal custody, or criminal-history report.
