DuPage County Public Records

Public records in DuPage County are held by several offices at the county government center in Wheaton. With a population over 930,000, DuPage is the second largest county in Illinois. The county clerk, recorder of deeds, and circuit court clerk each manage different sets of records. Most land records are searchable online for free. Vital records like birth and marriage certificates are available through the clerk's office, while court case files go through the circuit clerk. Requests can also be filed under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act for records not posted online.

DuPage County Clerk Office

The DuPage County Clerk handles vital records, elections, and business filings. Jean Kaczmarek is the current clerk. The office keeps birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates for events that took place in DuPage County. It also runs business name registration, liquor licenses for areas outside city limits, raffle licenses, tobacco licenses, and amusement device permits. The clerk acts as secretary of the county board and the Emergency Telephone System Board.

You can visit the clerk's office at 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 630-407-5500 for general questions about DuPage County public records. The office also handles tax extension and rate calculations, along with statements of economic interests for public officials in the county.

All vital record requests need current and valid ID. The office will not process orders by phone, email, or fax. You must go in person, order by mail, or use the online VitalChek service. Under Illinois State Law (410 ILCS 535, the Vital Records Act), only certain people have legal access to birth, death, or marriage certificates. The clerk's office issues certificates to those who qualify and will not release them to others.

DuPage County Vital Records

The county clerk issues birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates for events that occurred in DuPage County. The first copy of any certificate costs $14. Each additional copy of the same record is $2. These are some of the lowest vital record fees in the Chicago suburbs. Genealogy copies for older records cost just $1 per record. Records must be 75 years old for birth, 25 years for death, or 50 years for marriage to qualify for genealogy pricing.

Birth records in DuPage County are not public. Only the person named on the record, a parent, or a legal guardian can get a certified copy. Death certificates are also restricted. You need to be a direct relative or show a financial interest. Marriage certificates, on the other hand, are open to the public. Anyone can request a copy of a marriage certificate from DuPage County.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek, but there is an extra $10 service fee on top of the certificate cost. You can also order by mail using the certificate request form from the clerk's website. In-person requests at the Wheaton office are usually the fastest option.

Note: The clerk cannot process vital record orders over the phone, by email, or by fax under state law.

Land Records in DuPage County

The DuPage County Recorder of Deeds stores all land records for the county. Elizabeth Chaplin is the current recorder. The office records deeds, mortgages, liens, UCC filings, military discharge records, and plats. It is at the same address as the clerk's office: 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187.

You can search DuPage County land records online through the recorder's search portal. Basic index searching is free. You can look up documents by name, date, or other fields. If you need the actual document images, there is a fee. The office also supports E-Recording for those who submit documents electronically.

The recorder's search portal lets you find deeds, mortgages, and other land documents filed in DuPage County. You can see the DuPage County recorder search page below.

The recorder also runs a Property Fraud Alert system to warn homeowners if someone files a suspicious document against their property. For research help, call the research line at 630-407-5401 or email recorderresearch@dupagecounty.gov. The main office number is 630-407-5400.

Note: DuPage County veterans can get free copies of their DD214 military discharge records from the recorder's office as of 2025.

DuPage County Court Records

The DuPage County Circuit Clerk keeps all court case files. DuPage County is part of the 18th Judicial Circuit. The circuit court handles civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and other types of cases. You can reach the circuit clerk through the main county number at 630-407-5500 for a referral.

The DuPage Circuit Clerk website provides online access to court records. You can look up case information, check filing dates, and find case status updates. E-filing is available for many case types. The circuit clerk's website is shown below.

Keep in mind that online court data is not the official record. The actual case files are paper copies held at the courthouse. If you need a certified copy of a court record, you will have to contact the clerk's office directly or visit in person.

FOIA Requests for DuPage Records

Any person can file a FOIA request for DuPage County public records. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) requires public bodies to respond within 5 business days. You do not need a special form. Just put your request in writing and send it to the right department.

For DuPage County, you can email FOIA requests to foiarequest@dupagecounty.gov. You can also send them by mail or drop them off in person at the county offices in Wheaton. Be as specific as you can about what records you want. Include names, dates, and case numbers if you have them. This helps the office find the records faster.

If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Public Access Counselor at the Illinois Attorney General's office. The appeal hotline is 877-299-3642. The counselor reviews denials and can order the release of records if the denial was not valid under the law.

Note: FOIA requests for court records should go to the circuit clerk, not the county FOIA officer.

DuPage County Veterans Records

The recorder's office offers special services for veterans. DuPage County Recorder Elizabeth Chaplin announced that the office would get rid of fees for veterans who need copies of their military discharge records. This took effect in 2025. Previously, veterans had to pay the same fees as everyone else for DD214 copies.

The recorder's office also runs an Honor Rewards program for veterans. This program gives added benefits and recognition to those who served. If you are a veteran living in DuPage County, contact the recorder at 630-407-5400 to learn more about what is available to you. Bring your DD214 or other proof of service when you visit.

Cities in DuPage County

DuPage County has dozens of cities and villages. All of them use the DuPage County circuit court system and county clerk for vital records. The recorder of deeds handles all land documents for the county. Select a city below for local public records resources.

Nearby Counties

These counties border DuPage County. If you live near the edge of DuPage County, your records may be filed in a neighboring county depending on your exact address.