Lake County Circuit Court Case Search

Lake County Circuit court records are maintained for various reasons, including general records of court cases and academic and research material. Record seekers may require a court case search for personal records, probate matters such as inheritance, and background checks. In Lake County, there are no superior courts. Under the Illinois court system, the general trial court and superior court equivalent is the Lake County Circuit Court.

What Kinds of Cases Are heard in the Lake Circuit Court?

The Lake County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over most civil and criminal court cases. The types of cases heard by the Lake County Circuit Court include felonies, misdemeanors, small claims, evictions, arbitrations, domestic, juvenile, probate, and traffic cases. Typically, the circuit court is organized into several divisions to handle different types of cases. These divisions include the criminal(felony and misdemeanor), civil, traffic, family, and juvenile divisions.

Lake County Circuit Court

In Illinois, the county court system is divided into Circuit courts, the Court of Claims, and Administrative Adjudication. The Circuit Courts are the main trial courts and have jurisdiction over most trials except cases specifically handled by the other two. Most towns and villages will have their cases handled by the adjudication systems in place, while the claims court will handle contract disputes, recoupments, and claims for unjust prison sentences.

The following are all the Circuit Court locations operating within Lake County.

Lake County Circuit Court - Main Branch
18 North County Street,
Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: (847) 377-3380

Lake County Circuit Court - Juvenile Branch
24647 North Milwaukee Avenue,
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Phone: (847) 377-7888

Lake County Circuit Court - Mundelein Branch
105 East Route 83,
Mundelein, IL 60060
Phone: (847) 377-3300

Lake County Circuit Court - North Branch
1792 Nicole Lane,
Round Lake, IL 60073
Phone: (847) 377-3400

Lake County Circuit Court - Park City Branch
301 Greenleaf Street,
Park City, IL 60085
Phone: (847) 377-3500 (Main Line)
Phone: (847) 377-3260 (Probate)

Lake County Case Lookup

Lake County court case records can be obtained from their custodian, the Lake County Circuit Court Clerk. Interested parties may make record requests in person, by mail, or online. The result of a record search by the circuit court clerk will include records from all the divisions within the circuit court. The following methods are available for requesting Lake County court records from the county circuit court.

Online Searches

Record seekers may request online searches for Lake County court records by filling out and submitting the online forms available on the Request a File or Document page on the Circuit Clerk’s website. Using this online form, users may request record searches and copies of cases heard in the court, including civil, criminal, probate, and domestic cases. Searches can be made by inputting search criteria such as case numbers, case name/title, document name, and filing date. For assistance using the online request form, record seekers may call (847) 377-3211 or email ccfilerequests@lakecountyil.gov.

Online record searches can also be made using the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Online Portal. This online database provides access to public records of civil, criminal, and traffic cases heard at the circuit court. To access court information and request copies, record seekers must Register for an account on the website.

Walk-in Requests

Record seekers may visit the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Office Locations in person to request record searches and copies. All locations are open from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Requesters may be required to provide a valid government-issued photo ID when requesting certain court records. During a request, record seekers must provide enough details to locate the record, such as names of parties to the case, case numbers, and filing dates. Copies cost $1 per page, and payment during walk-in requests can be made using cash, check, credit, and debit cards.

Mail Requests

Interest parties may mail in a written request for court records to the Lake County Circuit Court mailing address at:

Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court
ATTN: Record Search
18 North County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085

Mailed records requests should include the following information for an accurate search.

• Name of person or business
• Years you would like searched
• Types of cases you would like searched (criminal, traffic, or civil)
• Date of birth if the request is for an individual
• Self-addressed stamped envelope for delivering the record

Fees for copies are $1 per page, payable in a money order, certified check, or cashier’s check payable to the clerk of the circuit court.

Lake Circuit Court Case Search by Name

Record seekers may perform name-based court case searches using the resources provided by the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The option for name-based searches is available to requesters in person, by mail, or online. The full name of the parties to the case or subject of the record is an important criterion for a record search. The name must be accurate and free of spelling errors so the search may be performed correctly. Other identifying criteria, such as filing date, court location, case number, and case title, may be required to speed up or refine the search effectively.

Lake Circuit Court Docket Search

A docket is a record that documents all the steps in a court case. It contains everything from a court calendar showing court dates to records of filings such as motions, rulings, and judgments. Generally, a docket is important as it helps interested parties monitor the timeline and keep up with what is happening in a court case. Record seekers may request docket information at the Court Location where the case is heard or call the Circuit Clerk’s Office at (847) 377-3380. Basic information such as court calendars and scheduling can also be found on the Scheduling Section of the Circuit Clerk’s website.

Lookup Lake County Circuit Court Online

Lake County Circuit Court records are available online using the Circuit Clerk’s Online Portal. This is the official option for access to public civil, criminal, and traffic court records. On the other hand, third-party websites such as Illinoiscourtrecords.us may offer another option for obtaining Lake County court records online. Generally, third-party websites allow users to look up and download or print out court records across jurisdictions with fewer restrictions. Users of such websites should note that they are not government-affiliated; hence, the accuracy of the records they provide must be verified via government sources.

Supreme Court vs. Circuit Court

The Illinois Supreme Court is generally the highest court in the state. It is mainly in charge of handling case appeals and constitutional issues within the state. On the other hand, the Lake County Circuit Court serves as the county's superior court. The circuit court in Lake County handles trials and litigation for criminal, civil, probate, and family law cases. While decisions made in the Supreme Court affect cases and judicial matters across the entire state, issues handled in the circuit court only affect the parties involved with the exact county.