Bureau County Court Records

According to the Illinois Manual on Recordkeeping, court records are official documents generated during legal proceedings to provide an official account of the judicial process. In keeping with the Illinois Supreme Court Rules provisions, these records are managed by the courthouse clerk where the hearing took place.

Bureau County Court records encompass information such as the names of the involved parties, case numbers, filing dates, charges, dispositions, and hearing details. These records are vital to maintaining transparency in the legal system, assisting legal practitioners in research, guiding employers in background checks, and supporting the work of policymakers and advocates.

Are Court Records Public in Bureau County?

Yes, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) guarantees public access to most court records generated within the judiciary. Thus, Bureau county court records may be presumed open for public inspection and copying unless classified as confidential. However, access is restricted for certain types of records, including:

• Records pertaining to adoption and juvenile proceedings (705 ILCS 405/1-7, 705 ILCS 405/1-8)
• Unexecuted arrest warrants
• Identifying information of victims or witnesses
• Sensitive and personal identifying information, e.g., Social Security Numbers
• Personal identifying information of the members of the jury
• Financial information relating to probate, the execution of estates, wills, etc.

Bureau County Court Records Search

There are three primary options for conducting a Bureau County court records search. They include:

• In-person searches: This may be done at the county courthouse during business hours
• By phone: Inquirers may call the Clerk's Office
• Online: Through the Illinois E-Access Portal or third-party aggregate sites.

Bureau County Courts

The Circuit Court of Bureau County handles both civil and criminal matters. Its address is as follows:

Bureau County Circuit Court
Bureau County Courthouse
700 South Main Street,
Room 100,
Princeton, IL 61356
Phone: (815) 872-2001
Fax: (815) 872-0027

Bureau County Criminal and Civil Records

The Bureau County Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over various case types:

• Civil Division: Handles cases such as divorce, probate, small claims, evictions, and guardianships.
• Criminal Division: Deals with felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, DUIs, and domestic violence cases.

Requesters may access Bureau County criminal and civil records records by contacting the Bureau County Circuit Clerk's Office or via the third-party online database that the office partners with. In-person copy requests may be made to:

Bureau Co. Circuit Clerk's Office
Bureau County Court House
Room 100
700 S. Main St
Princeton, IL 61356

On the other hand, copy requests can be made to dreglin@bureaucounty-il.gov or over the phone at (815) 872-2001. Online searches may also be performed using the record-holder's name, the case number and/or details of the hearing.

Interested members of the public may also access Bureau county arrest records, warrant information, arrest and crime reports and similar criminal history information

Bureau County Marriage Records

Bureau county marriage records are under the purview of the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder. This category of records encompasses all documents pertaining to the marital union of two persons, including marriage licenses, certificates, and court-issued decrees. Inquirers may obtain these records by completing and submitting an Application for Vital Records form. The completed application, along with the requestor's valid ID and associated fees, may be sent to:

Bureau County Clerk
700 South Main Street
Room 104
Princeton, IL 61356
Email: vitals@bureaucounty-il.gov

Bureau County Divorce Records

Interested members of the public may obtain Bureau County divorce records by also querying the Bureau County circuit court or the Illinois Department of Public Health. In either case, the inquirer will need to provide details of the event, the parties involved, and the case number and/or filing date. Divorce record verification requests may be addressed to the Illinois DPH at:

Division of Vital Records
Illinois Department of Public Health
925 East Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702

Bureau County Birth Records

Bureau County birth records are managed and disseminated by the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder. While the clerk's office maintains records from 1878 to the present, records before 1942 are classified as genealogical records and may also be accessed through the genealogical department.

Eligible persons may request Bureau county birth records by sending and submitting an Application for Vital Records form to the custodian. Inquirers will be charged a fee of $22 for a certified record and $4 for each additional record. The form, the amount charged and the requestors ID may then be submitted in person or via mail to the county clerk's office.

Bureau County Death Records

The process and requirements for obtaining Bureau County death records and the County's birth records are closely related. Requestors may download and complete the Application for Vital Records form, then proceed to submit to the County clerk's office along with the required ID and payment.

Bureau County Probate Court Records

The Bureau County Circuit Clerk's office operates a probate department that oversees matters relating to the administration of trusts, guardianships, and estates. This includes maintaining records of probate cases, wills, and inventories. To obtain probate court records, inquirers may submit a written request to the Circuit Clerk's office featuring their name, phone number, and case details, including the case number and the parties' names. Inquirers may send their requests via mail or contact the Bureau County Circuit Clerk's Office at (815) 872-2001 or at dreglin@bureaucounty-il.gov.

Bureau County Property Records

The Bureau County Clerk and Recorder manages property records such as deeds, liens, and plats. Interested members of the public may access Bureau county property records by querying the county clerk's office in person or via mail. The office, however, offers users options for accessing records remotely, including a pay-as-you-go land record database and a subscription-based service. In either case, the inquirer will be required to provide information about the real estate property, the document of interest, and the property owner.

It is worth noting that while property records are generally presumed publicly accessible, some documents may be restricted or exempt from public disclosure.

Bureau County Court Records Online

Several third-party platforms like Illinoiscourtrecords.us compile court records from Bureau County and other jurisdictions for public access. These platforms offer users the convenience of remote access and ease of access to records from various judicial districts. However, most third-party aggregate sites will charge users a small fee to access their database. Since they operate independently of official government sources, records retrieved from them should be cross-referenced with official court databases to ensure accuracy.