Find Will County Public Records

Public records in Will County are managed by the county clerk, recorder of deeds, and circuit court clerk based in Joliet. With a population over 701,000, Will County is the fourth largest county in Illinois and one of the fastest growing in the state. The county clerk issues vital records. The recorder of deeds stores land documents at two locations. The circuit clerk manages all court files. Most Will County public records are available online, by mail, or in person at the offices in downtown Joliet. A satellite recorder office in Bolingbrook also serves the western part of the county.

Will County Clerk Office

Annette Parker is the Will County Clerk. The main office sits at 302 North Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach the clerk at (815) 740-4615. The fax number is (815) 740-4699.

The clerk's office handles vital records, marriage licenses, elections, and business name filings for Will County. Birth certificates are available for births that happened in Will County. You can also get death records and marriage certificates here. Orders can be placed in person or by mail.

The Will County government website provides links to all county departments and public services.

The site is a starting point for finding any Will County office or public record resource you might need.

Note: Birth records in Illinois are restricted by law. Only the person named on the certificate, a parent, or legal guardian may obtain a certified copy.

Will County Recorder of Deeds

Karen A. Stukel is the Will County Recorder of Deeds. The main office is at 158 N. Scott Street, Joliet, IL 60432. That office is in downtown Joliet on the southeast corner of Cass and Scott Streets. Free parking is available on site, though spaces are limited.

The recorder's office stores deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, UCC filings, and military discharge records. You can search Will County deed records online through the recorder's website. The office also keeps archive records going back many years.

The recorder's site gives you access to the online search tool as well as forms and fee info for recording new documents.

Will County has a second recorder location in Bolingbrook at 241 Canterbury Lane, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. That branch is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, but closes from 1:00 to 2:00 PM for lunch. Keep in mind that the Bolingbrook office does not accept plat filings and has no public search station. For full services, go to the Joliet office.

Note: The Bolingbrook branch does not accept plats and has no public search terminal. Use the main Joliet office for full access to Will County land records.

Court Records in Will County

The Will County Circuit Clerk is responsible for all court case files. Will County sits in the 12th Judicial Circuit. The circuit court handles traffic, civil, and criminal cases filed in the county. The circuit clerk is a state constitutional officer elected by Will County voters for a four-year term.

Free court case lookup is available online through the circuit clerk's website. You can search by case number, party name, or date. Attorneys also have access to an availability calendar for scheduling.

The circuit clerk's site also has information on e-filing, jury duty, and how to pay tickets and fines for Will County cases.

Keep in mind that the online system is a convenience tool. It may not show the most recent filings. The official record is the paper file at the courthouse. For certified copies or the most up to date case info, contact the clerk's office or visit in person during business hours.

Will County Vital Records

The county clerk issues birth, death, and marriage certificates for events that happened in Will County. You can make a request in person at the Joliet office or send it by mail. Online ordering is also an option through VitalChek.

Marriage records are open to the public. Death records need proof of a personal or property interest. Birth certificates are the most tightly controlled. Only the named person, a parent, or a legal guardian can get one. Genealogy copies may be available for records that are old enough, usually 75 years or more for birth records.

The vital records page on the Will County Clerk website explains how each type of record works and what forms to use.

FOIA Requests in Will County

You can file a FOIA request for any Will County public record. Illinois law (5 ILCS 140) requires all public bodies to answer within 5 business days. There is no special form needed. Write to the FOIA officer at the specific Will County department holding the records you want.

If your request is denied, appeal to the Public Access Counselor at the Illinois Attorney General's office. The phone line is 877-299-3642. Most simple requests get filled fast, but ones that involve a large number of documents may take more time.

Note: FOIA applies to government records only. Court records go through the circuit clerk's office, not through a FOIA request.

Cities in Will County

Will County has dozens of cities and villages. All use the Will County circuit court for case records and the county clerk for vital records. The largest city is Joliet, the county seat. Several other major cities also fall in Will County. Select one below for local public records details.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Will County. Records may be filed in a neighboring county if your address is near the county line.