This page helps users find Court Records in Cook County, Illinois by pointing to official case search, archive, and Clerk resources for active, historical, and older court matters.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County provides online case information for general case status, while official court records remain with the courthouse, Clerk repositories, or Archives Department when records are older.
Cook County Online Case Search
The main public tool for Cook County court records is the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Online Case Search. It provides electronic docket information for several case categories.
Search options include:
- Civil, Law, Chancery, and Domestic Relations/Child Support cases
- Probate docket cases involving estates and guardianships
- Probate will records filed with Cook County
- Traffic ticket cases, including moving violations, DUI, speeding, and suspended license matters
- County Division cases, including name changes, election matters, real estate tax matters, and related actions
- Court Call information for cases being heard today and during the next five business days
- Unclaimed child support checks
- Naturalization Declarations of Intention from 1906 through 1929
- Mortgage foreclosure surplus and equity money records
Online docket information is not the official court record. Use it to check general case status before requesting official files or copies.
Online case information limits
The Clerk provides online case information as a public service for the general status of historical and active court cases. The online database contains brief summaries of court documents and court events.
Official court records are maintained in hard copy paper files at the courthouse or in other official Clerk repositories. Updates may take a few days to appear online after a recent filing or court event.
If a recent filing or event is missing online, check the Clerk’s Public Access Terminals at the courthouses or try the online system later.
Archives Department records
The Archives Department handles non-current, pre-electronic records created by the Cook County court system. Its holdings date back to the 1871 Chicago Fire.
Archived court files are stored off-site and transferred to Archives for viewing. Researchers should allow 2 to 10 days for transfer. The Clerk’s Office began computerized indexing and docketing of court cases in the early 1980s.
For divorce decrees, name change decrees, or other older court files, Archives staff need specific details such as names, dates, case type, and preferably a case number. Broad searches are not handled.
Archive search and copy fees
The Archives Department lists separate charges for index searches, certified copies, and informational copies.
| Request type | Fee or charge |
|---|---|
| Index search | $6.00 for each year searched, payable in advance |
| Certified copy | $6.00 per certified document, plus photocopy and mailing charges |
| Informational uncertified copy | First page $2.00; next 19 pages $0.50 each; remaining pages $0.25 each |
Public records requests and court files
The Clerk’s Office handles several public records request paths, including Archives, Court Files, Court Data, and Media Requests. Use the Clerk’s public records request page to choose the request category that matches the record you need.
For older naturalization records, the Archives Department provides a Naturalization Declarations of Intention search and instructions for Naturalization Record Searches.
CCC Portal access
The CCC Portal is for justice partners and Illinois-licensed attorneys. Justice partners include authorized agencies such as the State Attorney’s Office, Public Defender, law enforcement, and Department of Social Services.
Private Illinois-licensed attorneys must have an active Illinois license. The portal registration notice directs attorneys to email helpdesk@cookcountycourt.com with their ARDC number and the username used to register.
Forms, e-filing, and payments
Illinois courts must accept the statewide standardized forms approved by the Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice. The approved statewide forms include Circuit Court forms for answer or response, appearance, divorce, child support, eviction, expungement and sealing, fee waivers, guardianship, identity theft, mortgage foreclosure, motions, name change, order of protection, small claims, summons, and other topics.
Civil e-filing has been mandatory in Illinois since July 1, 2018, except for Quasi-Criminal, Housing, and Wills. Cook County uses the statewide eFileIL system, and the Clerk provides an eFile information page for starting the process.
The Clerk also provides an approved online payment service for court fines, fees, and costs by district and division.
Cook County court records contacts
Use the contact that matches the record type or next step you need.
-
Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, 50 W. Washington, Suite 1001, Chicago, Illinois 60602-1305
Phone: (312) 603-5030 -
Archives Department, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington, Room 1113, Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 603-6601 -
Civil Division, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington St., Room 601, Chicago, Illinois 60602
Email: CivilDivservices@cookcountycourt.com
Phone: (312) 603-5116 -
Law Division, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington St., Room 801, Chicago, Illinois 60602
Email: LawDivservices@cookcountycourt.com
Phone: (312) 603-5426 -
Probate Division, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington St., Room 1202, Chicago, Illinois 60602
Email: ProbateDivservices@cookcountycourt.com
Phone: (312) 603-6441 -
Traffic Division, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington St., Lower Level, Chicago, Illinois 60602
Email: TrafficDivservices@cookcountycourt.com
Phone: (312) 603-2000 -
Domestic Relations Division, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington St., Room 802, Chicago, Illinois 60602
Email: DomesticRelDivservices@cookcountycourt.com
Phone: (312) 603-6300 -
Criminal Department, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Room 1006, Chicago, Illinois 60602
Email: CriminalMisdemeanorservices@cookcountycourt.com
Phone: (312) 603-4641
Common questions
Where can I search Cook County court records online?
Use the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Online Case Search for electronic docket information in supported case categories, including civil, law, chancery, probate, traffic, county division, and court call records.
Are online Cook County court records official court records?
No. The online electronic docket gives brief summaries of court documents and events. Official court records are maintained in courthouse files or other official Clerk repositories.
What should I do if a recent filing does not appear online?
Recent updates may take a few days to appear online. Check the Clerk’s Public Access Terminals at the courthouse or try the online search again later.
How do I find older Cook County court records?
Contact the Archives Department for non-current, pre-electronic court records. Archived files are stored off-site, so allow 2 to 10 days for records to be transferred for viewing.
Who can register for CCC Portal access?
CCC Portal registration is for justice partners and Illinois-licensed attorneys. Unauthorized registrations are denied.
Can I use Illinois statewide court forms in Cook County?
Yes. Illinois courts must accept approved statewide standardized forms, including many Circuit Court forms for civil, family, eviction, fee waiver, expungement, name change, and other matters.