Winnebago County Court Records

In Winnebago County, courts collect, produce, and preserve important documentary information during legal proceedings. This could be for small claims, felonies, or misdemeanors within the legal limits of a county court. All official documents created during this process are primarily termed “court records”. Generally, these records are filed and preserved in different formats by the local court clerk's offices, like printed paper, audio/video recordings, microfilm, magnetic tapes, and photographs.

A typical Winnebago County court record provides detailed information on legal cases, including evidentiary materials, trial exhibits, indictments, summons, warrants, subpoenas, orders, petitions, motions, judgments, dockets, pleadings, motions, and legal papers filed by the plaintiff and the defendant or generated by the court during the proceedings.

Further, these records serve as educational tools for the general public, providing insight into the Winnebago County justice system. Court records encourage public transparency and accountability within the judiciary and guarantee the public that justice is blind to status and class.

Are Court Records Public in Winnebago County?

Yes. In line with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, Winnebago County court records are publicly accessible. Individuals may send a request to the local courthouse for public court records.

However, the judicial branch is not subject to the provisions of the FOIA. Per 705 ILCS 86/5 (Court Record and Document Accessibility Act), the court clerk may impound or limit access to case documents and information with access codes restricting access. Likewise, the Illinois Supreme Court Remote Access Policy remotely controls access to court records.

Confidential Winnebago County court records may include:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Expunged or sealed court records
• Personal information, including social security numbers and financial information like credit/debit cards and PINs.
• Records containing mental health evaluations
• Proprietary business data, like trade secrets and business tax returns
• Personal information of potential or sworn jurors in a criminal case
• Drafts, notes, and work products collected by a judge or for a judge by court staff

Winnebago County Court Records Search

Interested parties have various methods to search for and gain access to court records from Winnebago County courts. Some of these include:

• The local courthouse where the case was heard
• The office of the county court clerk.
• A remote portal managed by the court.
• A third-party public records website.

Winnebago County Court Records Search by Name

Individuals must provide the case party’s first and last name or company details to perform a Winnebago County court records search by name. To facilitate the search, requesters must provide relevant information like the filling date and document name. They may visit the circuit clerk’s office or file a copy request form to find cases associated with the name.

Researchers may be required to pay a nominal fee for plain or certified copies of any public record per page or document. The Winnebago County Circuit Clerk also provides remote access to persons who cannot visit the courthouse for a name search.

The civil case public database provides docket information for all cases, including small claims, probate, family law, case participants, case numbers, filing dates, appearance history, and imaged documents. Researchers may be required to visit the courts in person for extensive case records.

Winnebago County Courts

The Winnebago County court system comprises a Circuit Court, a Criminal Justice Center, and a Juvenile Justice Center. Winnebago County Circuit Court is the Illinois 17th Judicial Circuit Court, which occupies three courthouses. Its main location is the Winnebago County Courthouse, where it hears civil, traffic, and some criminal cases. Other criminal cases are heard in the Criminal Justice Center, while the Juvenile Justice Center courthouse only hears juvenile cases.

Winnebago County Circuit Court
Winnebago County Courthouse
400 West State Street, Rockford, IL 61101
Phone: (815) 319-4500
Fax: (815) 319-4571

Winnebago County Circuit Court - Criminal
Criminal Justice Center
650 West State Street, Rockford, IL 61101
Phone: (815) 319-4500

Winnebago County Circuit Court - Juvenile
Juvenile Justice Center
211 South Court Street, Rockford, IL 61101
Phone: (815) 319-4500

Winnebago County District Court Records

The Winnebago County Circuit Court is the main trial and district court equivalent. It holds the most prominent jurisdiction and is responsible for most of the significant court cases in the county. The other courts have limited jurisdiction over some instances or handle specific cases. The types of cases handled by the Winnebago County Circuit Court include the following:

• Criminal cases
• Civil cases
• Family law and Juvenile cases
• Probate cases
• Some traffic cases
• Some small claims cases

Records generated from these cases may be requested from the Winnebago County Circuit Court.

Winnebago County Criminal Records

According to the Uniform Conviction Information Act (UCIA) and 5 ILCS 140/2.15, members of the public may query the authorized criminal justice agencies for copies of Winnebago County criminal records. This includes the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, Illinois State Police, and Bureau of Identification, typically responsible for creating, maintaining, and disseminating this criminal history record conviction information.

Generally, conviction information is an individual’s Winnebago County criminal record, which contains one’s judgment of guilt or nolo contendere issued by a judge/magistrate of a reputable court of law. Researchers may submit a Uniform Conviction Information Act (UCIA) request form to the State Police's Bureau of Identification (BOI). The BOI receives inquiries via:

Illinois State Police, Bureau of Identification
260 North Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432
Phone: (815) 740-5160
isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification

Further, individuals may obtain rap sheets and Winnebago County arrest records for free by following the Record Access and Review Process. Subjects of records may visit any locally authorized fingerprint vendor to submit a set of fingerprints to their rap sheet.

Local vendors are typically the county sheriff’s office or local police departments. Most fingerprint vendors charge nominal processing fees. Notably, members of the public cannot obtain criminal records on behalf of someone. The relevant fees and instructions are available on the Illinois State Police (ISP) website.

Also, subjects of records may query the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a nationwide rap sheet for $18. Additional directions and ordering guides are published on the ISP website.

Note: Public access to Winnebago County arrest records may vary depending on local laws.

Winnebago County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Individuals may visit the local courthouse where the criminal case was filed to look up criminal court cases in Winnebago County. The Circuit Clerk generally manages and assists interested persons in accessing important case information.

Alternatively, the circuit court’s Criminal Court Records Search Portal provides online access to criminal court cases, including charges, arraignments, bond, and incarceration information. Individuals may search by defendant name, case number, or ticket number. They must provide relevant information, including the defendant’s first and last name, date of birth, case number, case type, year, ticket number, or arresting agency.

Search results include defendant information, case summary (type of offense and date filed), case history (date, offense, case disposition history, charge class, defense attorney, complaint type, case status, case appearance history. arrest, and offense date) upcoming appearances and assessment history.

Get Winnebago County Civil Court Records

To get Winnebago County civil court records, interested persons may contact the Circuit Courthouse where the case was filed and proceeded. As the chief custodian of court records, the Circuit Clerk is the first point of call for all court record inquiries. Hence, it is necessary to contact the office to verify availability and understand the procedure for making requests.

Often, the office requests a case number to search for and retrieve civil case information. Individuals who do not know their case number may explore the court’s Search portal.

The Online Case Search Portal allows anyone to find civil court records. Access is free for all users. However, users may contact the Winnebago Circuit Clerk’s office at:

Winnebago County court
400 W State St,
Rockford, IL 61101
Phone: (815) 319-4500

Winnebago County Family Court Records

Family court records cover various case types in Winnebago County, Illinois. These include divorce, child custody cases, adoptions, paternity disputes, protective orders for domestic violence, and guardianship matters. The Circuit Court handles these matters, and the Clerk's Office is the central repository for these records in Winnebago County. Requesters may send their requests to the Winnebago County Courthouse on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Winnebago County Marriage and Divorce Records

In Winnebago County, marriage records consist of marriage licenses and certificates. A marriage license grants a couple permission to get married, while a marriage certificate serves as proof of the legal union. The town clerk's office in each town is responsible for maintaining these records for marriages licensed through their office.

A certified true copy of the Winnebago County marriage certificate is available to:

• The Groom, bride, or spouse
• A person with notarized authorization from the groom, bride, or spouse
• Individuals empowered by a court order or who have documented judicial authority.

The County Clerk issues marriage licenses in Winnebago County and may provide certified copies of these vital records. Complete a Request for Certified Copy of Marriage License form to obtain this record. Bring or mail this to:

Winnebago County Clerk
404 Elm Street, Suite 104
Rockford, IL 61101

Winnebago County Divorce records include divorce decree and divorce certificate. The County Clerk’s Office maintains the divorce decree, while the State Vital Records Department maintains Winnebago County divorce certificates. Applicants for divorce certificates in Winnebago County may obtain their divorce certificates during office hours at the State Vital Records office.

Winnebago County Birth and Death Records

Record seekers may obtain copies of birth and death records from the Winnebago County Clerk. Six months after the event, eligible individuals may request these vital records. However, requests must be directed to the Illinois State Vital Records after six months. Birth and death records are critical vital records that contain helpful information to determine an individual’s identity, parentage, nationality, and age.

To get birth and death certificates, individuals typically need to complete a Birth Certificate Request Form or a Death Certificate Request Form and send or mail this, along with a valid photo ID, to:

Winnebago County Clerk
404 Elm Street, Suite 104
Rockford, IL 61101

Winnebago County Probate Court Records

In Winnebago County, probate cases and probate records fall under the purview of the Circuit court. These records concern estates, wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. The Winnebago County Circuit Court Clerk is the custodian of all probate records. Individuals may call (815) 319-4500 on weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm or visit the courthouse at:

Winnebago County Courthouse
400 W State St, Rockford, IL 61101
Phone: (815) 319-4500

Winnebago County Property Records

Property Records include information about the County's real estate and land ownership. Property-related information contains details about property ownership, assessments, tax information, legal descriptions, transaction history, and liens or encumbrances.

The Winnebago County Recorder's office is responsible for providing access to property records in the county. Individuals interested in searching for land records in person may visit the Recorder's office at:

County Administration Building
404 Elm Street, Room 405
Rockford, IL 61101
recorder@recorder.wincoil.gov
(815) 319-4325

The County recorder’s office may assist with searches at the front desk, and copies are available for $0.50 per page. Certified copies are available at $35.00 per document. Individuals who prefer to request records by mail may do so with specific fees based on the type of document they seek.

Winnebago County Court Records Online

Public Winnebago County Court records may be accessible through third-party websites like Illinoiscourtrecords.us. These third-party sites are typically preferred because they aggregate information from different jurisdictions and expedite the search process.

Users are usually required to provide information to search third-party sites, such as the name of the person involved in the record, the location of the subject, and information about the record of interest.

However, third-party sites are not controlled by government sources or sponsored by law enforcement agencies. Thus, information available on these sites may vary. Furthermore, some records may be sealed or exempt from public disclosure, and their availability on these sites is not guaranteed.