Court records of Will County, Illinois, are available through several channels. WillCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the official online portals of the state court system, directly at the office of the Circuit Court Clerk, or through public terminals in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide to searching, requesting, and obtaining court documents in Will County.
Will Court System & Jurisdictions
Will County is part of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Illinois. The state operates a unified system of Circuit Courts, which handle cases of general jurisdiction. There are no separate "District Court" or "Magistrate Court" at the county level; instead, the Circuit Court is divided into divisions by case type.
Main Divisions and Case Types
- Criminal Division — felonies, misdemeanors, probation violations. Information about individuals in state custody can be checked through Individual in Custody Search.
- Civil Division — claims for damages, contract disputes, cases with a claim amount over $50,000, as well as smaller civil claims.
- Small Claims Division — disputes with an amount typically not exceeding $10,000.
- Family Division — divorces, child custody, alimony, protection orders. Certified copies of divorce decrees are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk where the decision was made.
- Probate Division — wills, estate administration, adult guardianship.
- Traffic Division — traffic violations, fines, driver's license suspensions.
If you're unsure which division your case belongs to, call the court clerk's office — they will guide you on where to find the necessary record.
Will Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be viewed in several ways. The fastest is to use the Circuit Clerk's online system, accessible through the Will County Courthouse page on the Illinois courts portal (section "Online Records").
What you need to know:
- Go to the Will County Circuit Clerk's website and open the case search or court calendar section.
- Enter the case number or party's last name. The system will show scheduled hearing dates.
- If you need a full daily list of a specific judge's hearings, contact the office directly — public terminals in the courthouse display the current schedule.
The office operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM. Note: some hearings may be rescheduled without prior notice on the website, so for critical dates, it's better to confirm information by phone.
How to Get a Copy of a Will Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: certified and uncertified. A certified copy has the official seal of the clerk and is accepted by other institutions as evidence. An uncertified copy is suitable for review.
How to Obtain a Copy
In Person. Visit the Circuit Clerk's office in the courthouse. You will need the case number or enough identifying information (party names, approximate filing date). The clerk will locate the case, make a copy, and certify it if needed.
By Mail. Send a written request specifying:
- case number (if known);
- names of the parties;
- type of document you need;
- whether a certified copy is required;
- check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Online. Some documents are available through the Circuit Clerk's online records portal. Certified copies usually require in-person or mail requests.
Birth, marriage, and death records are not court documents. They are maintained by the County Clerk's office, located at 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432, phone: (815) 740-4615.
State-level criminal history is maintained by the Bureau of Identification of the Illinois State Police. Requests are processed through the CHIRP system.
Will Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to Illinois state law (specifically, 705 ILCS 105/27.2) and may change. Confirm current rates with the Circuit Clerk's office before payment.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Court record search (by name) | Depends on the type of request; confirm with the clerk's office |
| Uncertified copy of a document (per page) | $0.50–$2.00 |
| Certified copy of a document | $5.00–$10.00 per document (first page); additional pages — less |
| Certification fee | $5.00–$7.00 |
| Criminal history record (through ISP) | $20.00+ (submitted separately through CHIRP) |
Acceptable forms of payment at the clerk's office typically include cash, checks, and money orders. Some online services accept credit cards — a convenience fee may apply.
If you are sending a request by mail, include a check or money order payable to "Will County Circuit Clerk." Personal checks are not always accepted — it's best to confirm in advance.
Additional resources for the public are available on the Illinois court system's website, and a statewide public records search can be started through the state portal.