Court records in Cook County, Illinois, can be searched through several channels. CookCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also access records through the Clerk of the Circuit Court's online case information system, the Circuit Court of Cook County website, in person at the clerk's offices, or at public access terminals located in courthouse buildings throughout the county.
Cook County Court System & Jurisdictions
Cook County is part of the Illinois unified court system. All trial-level cases are handled by the Circuit Court of Cook County, which is the largest single unified court system in the world. The circuit court is divided into specialized divisions, each responsible for specific case types:
- Criminal Division — Felonies, misdemeanors, habeas corpus petitions, extradition proceedings, and petitions to expunge or seal records.
- Municipal Division — Misdemeanor and ordinance violation cases filed in suburban districts, as well as DUI, traffic, and quasi-criminal matters heard at six suburban courthouse locations and the Daley Center.
- Domestic Relations Division — Divorce and dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment (invalidity of marriage), and related post-decree matters.
- Law Division — Civil lawsuits exceeding $50,000 in claimed damages, including personal injury, medical malpractice, and tax objection cases.
- Chancery Division — Equity matters such as injunctions, mortgage foreclosures, mechanics' liens, and class actions.
- Probate Division — Decedent estates, guardianship of minors and disabled adults, and mental health proceedings.
- County Division — Tax sale cases, election contests, eminent domain, and certain adoption proceedings.
- Child Protection Division — Abuse, neglect, and dependency cases involving minors.
There is no separate small claims court. Small claims cases (generally $10,000 or less) are heard within the First Municipal District or the applicable suburban Municipal District. Traffic and ordinance violations are also handled by the Municipal Division.
Cook County Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars and hearing schedules for Cook County cases can be checked through several methods:
- Online case search — The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides online case information where you can look up a case by number or party name. Case detail pages typically display upcoming court dates, the assigned courtroom, and the presiding judge.
- Circuit Court website — The Circuit Court of Cook County's official site publishes division-specific information, including courtroom assignments and any schedule changes.
- Courthouse public terminals — Self-service kiosks at the Richard J. Daley Center and suburban courthouses display daily call sheets and room assignments.
- Clerk's office counters — Staff at any clerk's office location can look up a case and confirm the next hearing date.
If you need to verify a court date, have the case number ready. Searching by party name is possible but may return many results given the volume of cases in Cook County.
How to Get a Copy of a Cook County Court Document
The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County maintains official court records. You can obtain copies through three channels:
In Person
Visit the clerk's office at the courthouse where your case is assigned. The main location is:
Bring a valid photo ID and your case number. Staff will locate the file and produce copies while you wait, depending on the volume and age of the records. Older or archived files may take longer to retrieve.
By Mail
Send a written request to the address above. Include:
- Full case number
- Names of the parties
- A description of the specific document(s) you need
- Whether you need certified or uncertified copies
- A check or money order for the estimated fees (payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court)
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Online
The clerk's online system provides case information and docket entries. Downloadable document images are available for some case types, subject to the Illinois Supreme Court's Electronic Access Policy. Certain records — including those involving juveniles, mental health, and sealed or expunged cases — are restricted from online access.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Uncertified copies are plain photocopies of court documents, suitable for personal reference.
- Certified copies bear the clerk's seal and signature, confirming authenticity. These are typically required for legal proceedings, government agencies, and official transactions.
For divorce records, the Domestic Relations Division of the clerk's office holds dissolution files. The Illinois Department of Public Health can also verify that a dissolution was granted in the state.
Cook County Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record services are set by Illinois statute (705 ILCS 105/27.2a) and the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The following are common fee amounts — confirm current rates with the clerk's office, as fees may be adjusted by legislative action:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a document (first page) | $6.00 |
| Certified copy — each additional page | $2.00 |
| Certification of a previously copied document | $6.00 |
| Uncertified photocopy (per page) | $0.50 – $2.00 |
| Record search (by clerk staff) | $6.00 |
| Exemplification of a record | $10.00 |
| Filing an appearance or other standard filing | Varies by case type |
Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card (at most locations).
- By mail: Check or money order payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court."
- Online: Credit or debit card, where electronic payment is accepted through the clerk's e-filing or payment portal.
If you are unsure of the exact cost, call the clerk's office at (312) 603-5030 before mailing a request. Overpayments by check are generally refunded; underpayments will delay processing. For bulk data requests, the clerk follows a separate Bulk Electronic Data Dissemination Policy with its own fee structure.