Cook County Civil Court Records Search

Understanding Cook County Civil Court Records

Civil court records are non criminal court cases that include a variety of civil legal matters including lawsuits, personal injury claims, probate cases, and a variety of other legal disputes. In Cook County Illinois, they are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Access to these records is publicly available upon request, creating transparency and accountability in the legal system. They are a valuable resource for understanding civil law matters, and can be used for research, reference, or legal purposes.

How to Lookup Cook County Civil Court Records

Accessing Cook County civil court records can be done in multiple ways. You can either search online or visit the courthouse in person. You can also use third party court record websites that offer public access. Some records however, may not be publicly available such as those that are sealed or for certain privacy restrictions. Here are the basic methods to obtain copies of Cook County civil court case records:

Clerk of the Courts: Running an online search is the most convenient way to access civil court records. You can use the online portal provided by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. To use this service you will need to know the names of the parties involved or the respective case number. This is the resources you want to use for official documentation of any civil case, official transcripts, and certified copies of records.

Third Party Websites: Since civil cases are considered public records, anyone can access these via third party resources that are non-government sites. This information is made available to anyone upon request and third party court record website offer quick and easy access to civil and criminal records for a fee. These resources are intended for reference and research purposes, which means that you cannot use the information obtained in an official capacity.

Can I Access Civil Court Records For an Ongoing Court Case?

You can access ongoing case information if you are directly involved with the respective case, or if you obtain a court-order from a judge. Otherwise they are not a published public records until the case is wrapped up. Then it will be made publicly available and can be requested by anyone, as long as there are no privacy restrictions.

Are Cook County Civil Records Considered Public Record?

Yes, they are considered public record. Both civil and criminal court records are part of the state of Illinois public records system that can be obtain upon request. There are some restrictions however, so check with the Clerk of the Courts to find out what is available.