LaSalle County, Illinois State Court Records
LaSalle County court records are the official filings and documents generated by legal proceedings and cases heard in the county courts. These cases include criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits, probate matters, traffic cases, family law proceedings, and other legal actions. Court records generally include case documentation, such as complaints, petitions, motions, judgments, dockets, and court orders.
These records are generated by the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, and the LaSalle County Circuit Clerkserves as the keeper of records, responsible for preserving them and providing access to case files and information from the county's court system.
Court records are often connected to other public records maintained by separate government agencies. Divorce and adoption cases may reference vital records, such as marriage and birth certificates maintained by the county clerk, and criminal case files may reference arrest records generated by local law enforcement, like the sheriff's office. Probate matters may also refer to information contained in death records/certificates.
Are LaSalle County Court Records Public?
LaSalle County court records are generally considered public records and can be accessed, inspected, and copied by the public via requests to the county circuit clerk. Courts in Illinois operated under the presumption that court records, including case files, dockets, court orders, judgments, and other legal records, are public information unless restricted by a law, judicial ruling, or court order.
Illinois statutes and court rules, such as the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and the Clerk of Courts Act, support public access to court records. The Freedom of Information Act makes records maintained by government agencies, such as the courts, public information unless restricted by law, while the Clerk of Courts Act specifically mentions that records maintained by circuit court clerks are open to public inspection.
However, not all court records are available to the public. As mentioned previously, information restricted by law, court order, or judicial ruling is exempt from public access. These records may be restricted for different reasons, such as release would cause the violation of privacy rights, conflict with state or federal law, or jeopardize ongoing/confidential proceedings. Examples of such information include the following.
- Juvenile records
- Adoption information
- Cases sealed by court order
- Grand jury records
- Medical records or mental health evaluations
- Sealed or expunged criminal records
What Information is Available in LaSalle County Court Records?
The contents of LaSalle County court records typically include the following information, depending on the type of case and any applicable restrictions.
- Names of the parties involved
- Case type (criminal, civil, probate, traffic, family, etc.)
- Case number
- Attorneys on record
- Dockets, court calendars, and hearing dates
- Petitions and Complaints
- Answers, responses, and counterclaims
- Summons
- Motions and other support documents/filings
- Court orders
- Warrants (arrest, bench, etc.)
- Criminal charges
- Bail and bond details
- Judgments and final disposition
- Wills and estate inventories
- Guardianship records
- Child custody and parenting plans
- Court fees, fines, restitution, and payment histories
LaSalle County Court Records Search
Individuals seeking LaSalle County court records have several options to obtain them, including online searches, in-person visits, and mail-in requests. Availability of a record for request may vary depending on the case type and whether the record is confidential or restricted by law.
Online Access
LaSalle County circuit court provides online access to court information via the Online Court Records Search tool on the circuit court clerk's website. Users may access the online portal to access public case information from criminal, civil, family, and probate court cases. Access levels may differ by case type, and sensitive or confidential court records from juvenile or adoption cases are not accessible online. Case searches on the portable require a case number or party name to use the search tool.
In-Person Access
The LaSalle County Circuit Court Clerk's office is open for members of the public to inspect records or obtain records during regular office hours. Record seekers may visit the office to view the record or obtain certified copies. The clerk's office also maintains public viewing terminals in both courthouses, where visitors may search on their own for free. Office staff may also aid in searches for a search fee.
Mail and Phone Requests
Mailed requests for LaSalle Court records must be in writing and contain as much information as possible to locate the record. The requester may also be required to provide contact information. Certified copies are available upon request by mail.
Requests for civil court records may be mailed, emailed, or faxed to the civil division at:
LaSalle County Circuit Clerk
119 W. Madison Street, Room 201
Ottawa, IL 61350
Email: CopyRequests@lasallecounty.com
Fax: (815) 433-9198
Requests for criminal court records should be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the criminal division at:
LaSalle County Circuit Clerk
Criminal and Traffic Division
707 Etna Road, Room 141
Ottawa, IL 61350
Fax: (815) 434-8299
Email: CriminalCopies@lasallecounty.com
Requests are typically processed in 1 to 5 business days, depending on office workload and any extenuating circumstances, and payment is typically made through the accepted Payment Options. For any questions about obtaining copies, record seekers may call the civil division or criminal division at (815) 434-8671 or (815) 434-8271, respectively.
Fees for Court Records in LaSalle County
Typically, inspecting public records is free; however, obtaining any copies will incur a fee. The fees for copying court records in LaSalle County are as follows.
- Standard copies cost $2 for the first page, $0.50 per page up to the 20th page, and $0.25 per page for all remaining copies.
- Certified or exemplified copies with a seal cost an extra $6 (plus any per-page copy fees)
- Staff-aided searches cost $6 per name searched per year.
LaSalle County Courthouse Locations
Listed below are the courthouses serving LaSalle County.
LaSalle County Circuit Court - Civil Division
LaSalle County Courthouse
119 West Madison Street, Room 201, Ottawa, IL 61350
Phone: (815) 434-8671
Fax: (815) 433-6647
Phone: (815) 433-0774 (Child Support)
Fax: (815) 433-9198 (Child Support)
This location handles civil, small claims, family, probate, and child support matters.
LaSalle County Circuit Court - Traffic/Criminal Division
Criminal Justice Center
707 Etna Road, Room 141, Ottawa, IL 61350
Phone: (815) 434-8271
Fax: (815) 434-8299
Criminal Records Access in LaSalle County
Criminal history records and court case records are different records maintained by separate agencies. The Bureau of Identification of the Illinois State Police handles official statewide criminal histories/background checks. Interested parties may create an account and register to perform simple name-based background checks through the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP) or submit fingerprints electronically to the ISP for more comprehensive Fingerprint-based Background Checks.
On the other hand, the countywide criminal court case records are maintained by the LaSalle County Circuit Clerk. The clerk's office maintains criminal case records and provides access to the public in person, by mail, and online. Record seekers may visit the clerk's office to use the public terminals for a self-search or request a staff-assisted search. Online searches are also available using the Online Court Records Search.
LaSalle County Probate Records
LaSalle County probate records are the documents recording probate cases heard in the local courts. Probate cases typically involve a deceased person's estate administration, assets, and certain protective arrangements, such as guardianships, commitments, and conservatorships. The probate division of the LaSalle County circuit court maintains these records, which may include wills, estate inventory, guardianship applications, evaluations, and other related documentation. These records may be useful to heirs, beneficiaries, genealogists, creditors, and other citizens seeking information about the deceased estate.
LaSalle County Family Court Records
LaSalle County family court records are court case records involving domestic issues, including divorce, spousal maintenance, paternity, adoption, child support, visitation, and child custody. These cases are handled by the Family Division of the circuit court, and the county circuit clerk maintains the records and answers record requests.
Many family court records are available for inspection through the circuit court's online records search database. Searches on the online database can be made by party name or case number. Results from the online search typically include basic case information, docket entries, filing dates, and the scheduled case proceedings.
To obtain certified copies of family court records, record seekers may make their request in person or by mail from the circuit clerk's office. Certified records bear the court seal and clerk's certification, making them suitable for legal purposes. Requests typically require sufficient identifying information for the record, including a case number or the names of parties involved. Orders for certified copies require the payment of the applicable copy and certification fees. Some records may also be restricted to eligible requesters and require valid identification when requested.
Federal Court Records in LaSalle County
Federal court records are generated by cases heard within the federal court system. These include bankruptcy cases, federal prosecutions, cases involving the U.S. Constitution, civil lawsuits between citizens of different states, and patent/trademark disputes.
Federal court cases that originate in LaSalle County fall under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. This court hears cases and generates the records concerning each case. Federal court records are typically accessible online through the judiciary's Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) database. The database allows users to search for federal cases and docket information using party name or case number.
