Joliet Civil Court Records

Joliet civil court records are maintained by the Will County Circuit Court, which serves the 12th Judicial Circuit. Joliet is the county seat of Will County and the main civil courthouse for the area is right in downtown Joliet at 100 W. Jefferson Street. The Will County Circuit Clerk, Andrea Lynn Chasteen, oversees all civil case filings and records for Joliet. Small parts of the city also fall into Kendall and Grundy counties, though most Joliet civil cases go to Will County.

Which County Handles Joliet Civil Court Filings

Joliet is the county seat of Will County, and the Will County Circuit Court handles almost all civil court filings for the city. The clerk's office is at 100 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL. The clerk is Andrea Lynn Chasteen. Phone is (815) 727-8592. Will County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit. For a full breakdown of the Will County court system, fees, and resources, visit the Will County Civil Court Records page.

Joliet also has very small areas in Kendall and Grundy counties. If a civil case arose in one of those parts of the city, you would file in that county's circuit court. Kendall County uses Judici.com for online case search. Grundy County also participates in the Judici system. If you are not certain which county applies to your matter, check any court papers you have received. The county is always listed on official court documents. You can also call the Will County Circuit Clerk at (815) 727-8592 for guidance.

Searching Joliet Civil Court Records Online

The Will County Circuit Court operates its own public access portal for Joliet civil court records at ipublic.il12th.org. This portal covers the 12th Judicial Circuit and is one of the most direct ways to look up cases. The site notes it "contains unofficial records of the Circuit Court of the 12th Judicial Circuit, Will County, Illinois." You can search by name or case number. Results show docket entries, party names, case type, and hearing dates.

The statewide re:SearchIL database at researchil.tylerhost.net is another free search option for Joliet civil court records. You can also use the Judici multicounty search at judici.com to check Kendall or Grundy county records if you think your case might be in one of those jurisdictions.

The screenshot above shows the Will County public access portal at ipublic.il12th.org. This is the primary tool for searching Joliet civil court records online. The portal is free to use. Online access fees were suspended by the Illinois Supreme Court as of May 1, 2025, under Rule 313.

What Joliet Civil Court Records Contain

Civil court records for Joliet cases show the standard information found in all Illinois court files. Each record includes the case number, all party names, case type, date filed, and the assigned judge. The docket is a running list of case events. It shows when documents were filed, when hearings took place, and what orders the judge signed. The docket gives you a clear picture of where a case has been and where it stands now.

The paper file at the Will County courthouse contains the actual documents: complaints, responses, motions, and court orders. Judgments and final orders are part of the file. If a case went to trial, transcripts may be available through the court reporter's office. Not all records are open. Sealed cases, juvenile records, and adoption files are closed. Personal data like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from public copies. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), civil court records in Illinois are public during office hours.

Filing a Civil Case in Joliet

All civil filings in Joliet must go through eFileIL at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. This is the mandatory Illinois electronic filing system and it applies to all case types in Will County. You register for an account and submit documents through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider. The system runs 24/7 so you can file whenever you need to.

Some filers qualify for eFiling exemptions. People who are incarcerated cannot be required to efile. Will filings are exempt. People with disabilities that prevent electronic filing may also qualify. Good cause exemptions are available. If you need to file in person at the Will County courthouse on Jefferson Street, bring your completed forms and a form of payment for any filing fees. Forms approved by the Illinois Supreme Court are at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms. Call (815) 727-8592 before visiting to confirm what documents are required for your case type.

Fees for Joliet Civil Court Records

Will County follows the standard Illinois fee schedule for civil court records under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. Copy fees run $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 per page for pages 2 through 20, and $0.25 per page after that. A record search costs up to $6.00 per year searched. These fees cover paper copies obtained in person or by mail. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call (815) 727-8592 to ask the clerk about current certified copy fees before making a trip.

The public access portal at ipublic.il12th.org is free to use. The Illinois Supreme Court suspended the electronic access fee under Supreme Court Rule 313, effective May 1, 2025. Online search through the Will County portal or the re:SearchIL statewide system costs nothing. This applies to basic docket searches and case status lookups. Fees for paper copies or certified records still apply and are paid at the clerk's office on Jefferson Street.

Legal Help in Joliet

Joliet residents dealing with civil court matters can find free and low-cost help through statewide and local organizations. The Will County Clerk's office cannot give legal advice, so if you need guidance on your case, these resources are a good place to start.

Illinois Court Help provides free legal guidance by phone at (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff speak over 200 languages and can help you understand civil court procedures, find records, and locate resources in the Joliet area. The website is at ilcourthelp.gov. Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org covers common civil issues and has a guide on getting copies of court records at illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-copies-your-court-records. The Illinois Courts self-help page at illinoiscourts.gov/self-help has forms and step-by-step help for people who represent themselves in civil cases in Joliet.

Nearby Cities

These qualifying Illinois cities are near Joliet and each has its own civil court records page.