Stephenson County Court Records

Stephenson County court records refer to files generated during legal proceedings within the Stephenson County Circuit Court. These documents include Stephenson County arrest records, civil records, and files on criminal trials. Stephenson court records are legal evidence of lawsuits, judgments, and resolutions. They also ensure transparency and accountability of the Stephenson County trial system. Generally, court records contain documents and information such as transcripts, judgments, evidence, exhibits, names of parties involved, orders, appeals, summons, and Pleadings.

Are Court Records Public in Stephenson County?

Yes, court records are public in Stephenson County. Per Illinois Supreme Court Rules and the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS), interested individuals may access Stephenson County court records upon request from their custodians. However, Illinois laws do not grant public access to records that relate to minors, sealed or expunged records, some family law cases, grand jury proceedings, medical and mental health, and sensitive personal and financial details.

Stephenson County Court Records Search

Interested individuals searching for Stephenson County court records should call, visit, or send a written request to the Stephenson County Circuit Clerk's Office at:

15 N. Galena Ave.
2nd Floor
Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 235-8266
Email: sbardell@stephensoncountyil.gov.

Also, Stephenson County is a participating member of the Judiciary System. As such, interested parties may subscribe, log into the Judici Case Search Portal, and use the online tools to look for Stephenson County's court records. Furthermore, record seekers may search for Stephenson County court records online through third-party websites. Requesters should note that there may be applicable fees and access restrictions to some Stephenson County court records.

Stephenson County Courts

Stephenson County Circuit Court is the only trial court in Stephenson County, IL. This court has several divisions that handle various case types; these include the Criminal, Civil, Probate, Family law, Juvenile, and Traffic Divisions. Interested individuals may contact the Stephenson County Circuit Court at:

Stephenson County Courthouse
15 North Galena Avenue
Second Floor
Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 235-8266
Fax: (815) 233-1576

Stephenson County Criminal and Civil Records

Stephenson County criminal and civil records are accessible to members of the public unless they are undisclosable by law. These records include case files on criminal and non-criminal trials.

Stephenson County criminal records refer to Stephenson County arrest records and other documents relating to criminal prosecutions within the Stephenson County Circuit Court. On the other hand, Stephenson County civil court records are documents relating to cases such as personal injury lawsuits, probate adjudications, small claims, property disputes, landlord-tenant disagreements, and business litigations.

Individuals seeking access to Stephenson County criminal or civil court records should:

• Visit, call, or mail the Stephenson County Circuit Clerk’s Office and request access to specific case files.
• Call or visit the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office and request access to Stephenson County arrest records and other crime-related documents at:

15 N Galena Ave,
Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 235-8252

• Search for Stephenson County criminal and civil records through third-party websites.

Stephenson County Marriage Records

In Stephenson County, marriage records are public. Nonetheless, access to certified copies of Stephenson County marriage certificates is restricted to the individuals named in the documents, their legal representatives, immediate family members, and individuals with legitimate direct interests. Members of the public seeking access to Stephenson County Marriage Records should call, visit, or send a mail to the Stephenson County Clerk’s Office at:

Stewart Centre
50 W. Douglas St.
Suite 500
Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 235-8289

Stephenson County Divorce Records

Stephenson County divorce records are public documents. However, public access to divorce case information relating to child custody, domestic violence, settlement agreements, social security numbers, and financial details is restricted.

Interested persons should request Stephenson County divorce records through the Stephenson County Circuit Clerk's Office during business hours. Record seekers may also access Stephenson County divorce records online through third-party platforms.

Stephenson Birth Records

According to the Illinois Vital Records Act, birth records are confidential documents; access is limited to the record owners ( if 18 years or older), immediate family members, and legally authorized persons. However, Stephenson County birth certificates become public 75 years after the birth of their owners.

Stephenson County birth certificates are legal identification documents; they serve as proof of identity and citizenship.

Eligible persons seeking to access Stephenson County birth certificates should download Stephenson County Request for Birth Record Forms:

• Complete the forms
• Enclose valid photo ID and check/money orders to cover applicable fees
• Mail the requests to the Stephenson County Clerk's Office.

Alternatively, requesters should order Stephenson County birth certificates through mail requests to the Illinois Department of Public Health at:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave-2737,
Springfield,
Illinois 62702.

Also, members of the public may access Stephenson County birth records through Illinois Department of Public Health-affiliated third-party websites.

Stephenson Death Records

Stephenson County death records are confidential. Under Illinois state law, only the immediate families of the deceased, authorized legal representatives, and individuals with court orders may access them within the first 20 years after death. Stephenson County death records older than 20 years are available for genealogical research.

Generally, death records are crucial for settling estates and claiming life insurance Social Security benefits. Individuals seeking access to Stephenson County death records may call or visit the Stephenson County Clerk's Office. Alternatively, interested persons should download and complete Stephenson County Request for Death Record Forms, enclose the necessary documents and checks/money orders, and mail them to the Stephenson County Clerk’s Office. Record seekers should note that accessing Stephenson County Vital Records may require fee payments and valid proof of identity.

Stephenson County Probate Court Records

Stephenson County probate records are case files on trials within the Probate Division of the Stephenson County Circuit Court. These documents relate to guardianship, trust administration, conservatorship, Will contest, and other probate-related cases.

The Stephenson County Circuit Clerk’s Office is the custodian of Stephenson County probate records. Interested persons should call, mail, or visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office during office hours and request access to probate records.

Also, Stephenson County probate records may be accessible through third-party websites that have databases of Stephenson County probate court-related documents.

Stephenson County Property Records

Stephenson County property records refer to official documents on real estate ownership and transactions within Stephenson County, IL. Property records include mortgages, deeds, parcel numbers, property sales and transfer history, building permits, zoning, land use information, liens, and encumbrances.

Stephenson County property records seekers should:

• For property-related documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and encumbrances, contact the Stephenson County Clerk and Recorder's Office.
• Visit, call, or send an email request to the Stephenson County Assessment Office at:

50 West Douglas
5th Floor
Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 235-8260
Email: adieterman@stephensoncountyil.gov.

Stephenson County Court Records Online

Record seekers may log into the Judici Case Search Portal, and use the online tools to look for Stephenson County's court records. Stephenson County court records may also be accessible through private online repositories. Third-party websites such as illinoiscourtrecords.us gather information from different jurisdictions and make them accessible to members of the public through advanced search tools. These platforms provide round-the-clock access to Stephenson County public records from various locations. However, users should be aware that information from third-party services may not be up-to-date or complete.