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DeKalb County, Illinois Court Records

DeKalb County court records contain all the information generated during proceedings in the county courts. This involves all the official documents, files, and transcripts used in the administration of justice. Under the Illinois Clerks of Courts Act (705 ILCS 105/16), the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk serves as the custodian for official court records. Court records are also linked to other public records. For instance, since arrests lead to court cases, the County Sheriff's Office's arrest records are linked to criminal court records. Vital records may also be linked to court cases that involve births, deaths, and marriages.

Are DeKalb County Court Records Public?

Yes. DeKalb County court records are usually open to public inspection under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). In addition, the Illinois Supreme Court Rule 8 promotes transparency by allowing interested members of the public to inspect many court files. Public access is limited, though. When safety, privacy, or legal concerns are involved, access to some records or information may be restricted by court regulations, state law, and judicial orders. Court documents might not be accessible when:

  • The record has been sealed by a court.
  • The record contains adoption information.
  • Information about minors are involved.
  • Private medical information is included in the file.
  • The record is confidential under state or federal law.
  • A judge has issued a court order that limits access.

What Information is Available in DeKalb County Court Records?

DeKalb County court records contain a wide range of information about court cases and the persons involved. These records may contain the following details:

  • Case number and filing date.
  • Names of the parties involved.
  • Type of case or charge.
  • Court dates.
  • Filed motions and pleadings.
  • Orders and judgments issued by the judge.
  • Case dispositions or final outcomes.
  • Sentencing information.
  • Names of attorneys.

DeKalb County Court Records Search

There are definite methods for locating DeKalb County court records. Records for civil, criminal, probate, traffic, divorce, and other cases are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. A records request can be made by phone, mail, in person, or through an online search. The accessibility of records usually depends on the nature of the case and specific legal regulations.

Online Access

  • To look up local court cases, interested persons can use the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk Online Records Portal.
  • Enter the name of a party or the court case number to search records.
  • Civil, probate, traffic, divorce, misdemeanor, and criminal cases are generally open to the public.
  • Juvenile cases, adoption records, child protection matters, erased records, and sealed cases are not publicly visible on the internet.

In-Person Access

  • Visit the Circuit Clerk's office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during regular business hours.
  • Provide a case number or the names of the relevant parties. If the case number is unknown, ask the counter staff to do a name search.
  • Request that the counter staff perform a name search if the case number is unknown.
  • A valid government-issued photo ID is required if searching for restricted records.
  • Request copies of available court documents directly from the clerk's office.

Mail and Phone Requests

The Circuit Clerk's office also allows mail requests for court records. Requests should be sent to:

DeKalb County Circuit Clerk

133 West State Street

Sycamore, IL 60178

  • Names, the requested documents, the case number if known, and the requestor's current contact details should all be included in the request.
  • For return delivery, include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
  • After receipt, processing typically takes three to five business days.
  • Money orders, personal checks, and cash are the accepted forms of payment.
  • Before submitting a request, interested parties may call the Circuit Clerk's office for assistance.

Fees for Court Records in DeKalb County

In DeKalb County, all court records are free to view. The fees stated below only cover the work required to copy, search (staff-assisted), or certify a document (705 ILCS 105/16).

  • Copy of the first page: $2.00 (705 ILCS 105/27.1b).
  • $0.50 per page for pages 2 through 20.
  • $0.25 per page after page 21.
  • $6.00 per page for an automated printout from the case database.
  • Document certification or seal: $6.00 each.
  • $10.00 for a certified copy of a verdict.
  • The cost of mailing is $10.00 plus postage, or $16.30 for certified mail.

DeKalb County Courthouse Locations

DeKalb County uses a unified Circuit Court system that consists of one Circuit courthouse and four other locations for Administrative Hearing and Adjudication. Below are all the courthouse addresses and their contact information:

DeKalb County Circuit Court

DeKalb County Courthouse

133 West State Street

Sycamore, IL 60178

Phone: (815) 895-7131 (Civil)

Phone Traffic: (815) 895-7138 (Criminal and Traffic)

City of DeKalb Administrative Hearing Process

700 West Lincoln Highway

DeKalb, IL 60115

Phone: (815) 748-8415

Genoa Administrative Adjudication

Genoa City Council Chambers

333 East First Street

Genoa, lL 60135,

Phone: (815) 784-6633.

Kingston Adjudication Court

Village of Kingston

101 East Railroad Street

Kingston, IL 60145,

Phone: (815) 784-5572.

Sycamore Adjudication Hearings

2nd-floor City Council Chambers

308 West State Street

Sycamore, IL 60178,

Phone: (815) 895-4515.

Criminal Records Access in DeKalb County

A formal statewide criminal history check is a separate matter from a county court record search and falls outside the scope of the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk's office. TheIllinois State Police are often in charge of processing and maintaining those. The Circuit Clerk does not provide official criminal history information, only local case filings.

There are two primary options available to concerned individuals seeking local criminal case records in DeKalb County:

  • Online search: Requestors can use a party's complete name or a specific case number to search the County Circuit Clerk Online Records Portal. Although juvenile records are restricted, felony and misdemeanor case records are usually accessible to the public.
  • In-person search: The county courthouse is open to requestors. The staff can help make a search by case number or by the names of the parties involved.

DeKalb County Probate Records

DeKalb County probate records are all the formal court documents produced during the processing of trusts, estates, and protection cases for disabled individuals and minors. Per the Clerks of Courts Act (705 ILCS 105/16), the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk keeps these documents as part of the permanent court record. In general, the public can access these records. The courts offer free physical inspections during work hours. The Circuit Clerk's records portal offers an online search for more recent filings.

Examples of probate records include the following:

  • Wills (755 ILCS 5/6-1 et seq.)
  • Court filings that relate to trusts
  • Records of guardianship for minors
  • Records of guardianship for persons with disabilities
  • Guardianship or conservatorship of the estate documents
  • Procedures for estate administration

Some probate documents are not public. According to 755 ILCS 5/11a-9(c) and Supreme Court Rule 138, these include disability evaluations, protected minor records, and personally identifiable information.

DeKalb County Family Court Records

Access to family law records in DeKalb County depends on the type of case involved:

  • Basic information in divorce documents is public and available for free examination (705 ILCS 105/16). Sensitive financial or custody information within divorce records are redacted and can not be viewed by the public.
  • Child custody files are not public. Also, under 750 ILCS 5/506, reports from a guardian designated by the court are sealed.
  • Child support dockets are open (705 ILCS 105/16). However, some filings may be publicly unaccessible in child support cases that involve an unmarried couple's unresolved paternity issue in order to safeguard the kid's identity (Illinois Parentage Act of 2015, 750 ILCS 46/).
  • Adoption records are kept fully confidential under the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/18) and are accessible only to parties of record.

The County Circuit Clerk Online Records Portal allows users to search publicly available family records online. During business hours, the Circuit Courthouse's physical files are accessible. To obtain a certified copy:

  • Send a request to the Circuit Clerk by mail or in person.
  • Make the necessary statutory payments.
  • When obtaining restricted records, present a legitimate government picture ID.

Federal Court Records in DeKalb County

Federal court records are created when the federal court system handles a matter. These records may include civil lawsuits, bankruptcy cases, federal criminal cases, immigration matters, constitutional claims, and disputes involving federal laws.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois tackles the majority of federal matters from DeKalb County. Interested persons may access many federal court records online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system or in person by visiting the appropriate federal courthouse and requesting access at public court terminals or through the clerk's office.

DeKalb County Court