Cook County Criminal Court Records Search: Cases & Dockets

Find the responsible court and records office

Where Are Cook County Criminal Court Records Maintained?

Cook County operates one unified Circuit Court, but criminal cases are administered through different divisions and geographic districts.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains the official court records. The Sheriff’s Office handles jail and detention records, while the Illinois State Police maintains statewide criminal-history information.

Which court handles felonies?

The Criminal Division at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse handles felony trial cases occurring in Chicago.

Suburban felony cases are maintained in the relevant suburban district.

Which court handles misdemeanors?

The Criminal Department at the Daley Center handles Chicago misdemeanor and felony preliminary-hearing records.

Suburban misdemeanor cases are generally handled in the assigned municipal district.

Are Cook County court records and Illinois criminal history the same?

No.

A court docket records proceedings in a particular court case. An Illinois State Police criminal-history report provides available information maintained by the state’s criminal-history repository.

The two sources differ in reporting coverage, access restrictions and whether they include original court documents.

Important limits on public electronic case access

Can You Search Cook County Criminal Records Online for Free?

The Clerk offers an Online Case Information service, which provides available electronic docket summaries for public cases.

These summaries may include case status and court events, but they are not certified court records.

There is an important limitation for criminal records.

Can the public search every felony by name online?

Not necessarily.

The public Online Case Search and the restricted CCC Portal are different systems.

The Clerk’s official criminal division pages direct members of the public to criminal counter staff, name checks, phone services and courthouse kiosks when the needed criminal information is not available through remote public access.

Do not assume that registering for an attorney-focused portal will provide public access to every Cook County criminal record.

Can you download criminal case documents?

Document availability depends on the court, case, access authorization and type of filing.

Public online docket entries generally provide summaries, not guaranteed access to complete judgments, police reports, motions or exhibits.

For an official document, request it from the appropriate criminal records counter or Clerk’s repository.

Practical criminal court records walkthrough

How to Search Cook County Criminal Court Records by Name or Case Number

The most reliable process combines the Clerk’s available public online resources with direct Clerk assistance when criminal case access is limited.

Step-by-step Cook County criminal case lookup

1. Identify where the criminal case was filed

   Determine whether the arrest or prosecution occurred in Chicago or a suburban municipality.

   This helps identify the appropriate records counter.

2. Determine whether the case is a felony or misdemeanor

   Chicago felony trial records are handled by the Criminal Division.

   Chicago misdemeanors and felony preliminary hearings are maintained by the Criminal Department.

3. Open the Clerk’s Online Case Information page

   Visit the official Clerk website at cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/online-case-information.

4. Enter the public case-search application

   Follow the Clerk’s official link to its online case-information search.

5. Check whether the required case category is supported

   If the criminal case is available to public users, follow the interface’s name or case-number search options.

   If criminal searching is restricted, do not attempt to bypass attorney or justice-partner access controls.

6. Use a known case number when available

   A court case number is generally more precise than searching a common name.

   Look for the number on a summons, bond document, court notice or existing court filing.

7. Review any public docket information returned

   Check the court location, case status and available case-event information.

   Remember that online information may lag behind recent court activity.

8. Contact the criminal records counter if needed

   For a Chicago felony, call 773-674-3140.

   For a Chicago misdemeanor, call 312-603-4641.

   For a suburban case, contact the assigned district courthouse.

9. Provide identifying information to Clerk staff

   Prepare the defendant’s full name, available aliases, date of birth, approximate arrest date and case number if known.

10. Ask whether a public-access terminal is available

    Cook County provides courthouse public-access terminals for viewing available court records.

    Clerk personnel can explain whether a case is available through the terminal or requires an original file request.

11. Review the final disposition

    Check whether the case remains pending, ended in dismissal, resulted in acquittal or reached a judgment of conviction.

12. Request certified documents if necessary

    Use the appropriate criminal department or suburban district to request a certified disposition or judgment.

Chicago felony court • Leighton Criminal Courthouse

Cook County Felony Criminal Court Records Search

The Criminal Division handles felony trial cases occurring within the City of Chicago.

These cases can involve offenses carrying a possible sentence of more than one year of imprisonment.

The division also handles qualifying post-conviction proceedings, petitions to seal or expunge records, habeas corpus matters, notices of appeal and other felony-related motions.

What documents are in a Cook County felony case?

The Clerk identifies documents such as:

• Court appearances and event records.
• Orders and judgments.
• Affidavits.
• Filed motions and petitions.
• Certificates.
• Bond-related documents.
• Notices.
• Other qualifying filed records.

Some documents are restricted or impounded by court order and cannot be reviewed without specific judicial authorization.

How to locate a felony case at Leighton Courthouse

1. Gather the defendant’s identifying details

   Prepare the name, aliases, approximate birth date and any known criminal case number.

2. Call the Criminal Division

   Contact the office at 773-674-3140.

3. Ask for a case or court-date search

   The Clerk states that staff can check the case number or search names in the computer for available hearing information.

4. Use the courthouse kiosk when needed

   The Criminal Division has self-service information kiosks in the first-floor lobby.

5. Identify the case and courtroom

   Confirm the assigned judge, case number and scheduled appearance.

6. Review public case documents

   Ask the Clerk which documents can be inspected and whether the original file must be retrieved.

7. Determine the final disposition

   Review the relevant judgment and any later court orders.

8. Request certification if necessary

   Ask the Clerk for the appropriate certified disposition, sentence or judgment.

Can a felony case start in another court?

Yes.

Felony preliminary hearings can occur in branch courts or suburban courts before the case proceeds to the relevant felony trial court.

When researching an arrest, check where the final prosecution was filed instead of relying only on the first appearance or preliminary hearing.

How do I find a felony court date?

The Clerk provides telephone assistance and courthouse kiosks.

With a case number or defendant’s name, call the Criminal Division or use the recorded information line.

Always confirm the hearing date close to the scheduled appearance because court calendars can change.

Chicago misdemeanor court • Daley Center

Cook County Misdemeanor Criminal Records Search

The Criminal Department maintains records for misdemeanor criminal, quasi-criminal and felony preliminary-hearing cases occurring within Chicago’s First Municipal District.

It operates branch court services and coordinates records associated with first appearance and bond proceedings.

What documents can a misdemeanor file contain?

• Arrest reports filed with the court.
• Criminal complaints.
• Warrants.
• Bond slips.
• Appearances and affidavits.
• Motions and court orders.
• Petitions.
• Notices.
• Other publicly available filed documents.

How to find a Chicago misdemeanor case

1. Contact the Criminal Department

   Call 312-603-4641.

2. Provide the person’s name

   The department’s official instructions request names, aliases, date of birth, year of arrest and charges for case inquiries.

3. Ask for the criminal case number

   Determine whether the case is pending, closed or maintained in an older file.

4. Visit the Daley Center when documents are needed

   Go to the Criminal Department’s Court File Request Counter in Room 1006.

5. Bring valid photo identification

   The Clerk requires identification to inspect a criminal department case file.

6. Review the available public file

   Check the complaint, court orders and disposition.

7. Request certified copies if appropriate

   Provide the required identifying information and ask about the current fees.

How quickly can you review a misdemeanor file?

The Clerk states that Criminal Department files from approximately the preceding four years are generally stored on-site.

They may be available for review on the day requested unless the file is being used in court.

Older files may require retrieval.

How do I obtain a certified misdemeanor disposition?

The Criminal Department requires:

• Defendant’s name.
• Date of birth.
• Date of arrest.

It provides certified dispositions for Chicago cases handled by that department.

For cases filed in suburban Cook County, contact the suburban municipal district that maintained the case.

Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview and Markham

Cook County Suburban Criminal Court Records Search

Cook County’s suburban municipal districts maintain records for criminal cases heard at their assigned courthouses.

This includes qualifying felony, misdemeanor and traffic proceedings within their jurisdiction.

The Clerk expressly states that suburban districts maintain records for felony cases heard at those locations.

Official Cook County suburban courthouse directory

Direct suburban criminal records email contacts

How to request suburban criminal court records

1. Identify the original courthouse

   Use the court location shown on the summons, arrest paperwork, citation or earlier court document.

2. Contact the district’s Criminal Services office

   Use the relevant telephone number or email address above.

3. Provide the identifying information

   Include the defendant’s name, case number if known, approximate arrest date and the document requested.

4. Ask whether public inspection is available

   Find out if a file can be inspected at the courthouse or must be retrieved.

5. Request a certified disposition where necessary

   Confirm the certification charge, payment method and delivery options with the district Clerk.

Recognize criminal case classifications

Cook County Criminal Court Case Numbers Explained

Cook County uses court case numbers to identify proceedings within the Circuit Court.

A case number may indicate the year and category of the proceeding, but the exact format depends on the court system and case type.

Common case-number prefixes

Not every historical or specialized case follows the same numbering presentation.

Use the official Clerk to verify the case number, especially when an arrest occurred several decades ago.

What if I do not know the case number?

Contact the relevant Criminal Department or suburban criminal records counter.

Provide the defendant’s full name, date of birth, known aliases and approximate arrest date.

The Chicago Criminal Department expressly accepts this identifying information for case and court-date inquiries.

Understand the court case history

What Information Appears in Cook County Criminal Court Dockets?

A criminal docket records the progression of a court case.

The Clerk describes the electronic docket as a summary of court filings and court events rather than the full original record.

Information a public docket may contain

• Case number.
• Court or division.
• Defendant’s publicly available name.
• Filing date.
• Case type.
• Charges.
• Court appearance dates.
• Orders and docket events.
• Case status.
• Disposition and sentencing information where reported.
• Related court proceedings.

Data availability varies by case and electronic access level.

How to interpret common dispositions

Why a public docket may not be current

The Clerk warns that electronic docket updates can take several days.

A recent hearing, filing or disposition may not immediately appear online.

For urgent matters, call the criminal court or use courthouse terminals to verify current information.

Hearing dates and courthouse locations

How to Find a Cook County Criminal Court Date

The correct procedure depends on the type and location of the criminal case.

Chicago felony court dates

The Criminal Division provides:

• Case-number and name checks through Clerk staff.
• Telephone information at 773-674-9255.
• First-floor courthouse information kiosks.

The main Criminal Division office can be reached at 773-674-3140.

Chicago misdemeanor court dates

Call the Criminal Department at 312-603-4641.

The Clerk asks callers to have:

• The person’s name and aliases.
• Date of birth.
• Year of arrest.
• Charge information.
• Case number if available.

Suburban court dates

Contact the relevant suburban district courthouse.

Use the district directory earlier in this guide.

Do not assume a Skokie hearing or Markham felony case will appear on a Chicago Criminal Division calendar.

Official dispositions, judgments and sentencing documents

How to Obtain Certified Cook County Criminal Court Records

A certified disposition is an official court document showing how a criminal charge or case was resolved.

It can be required for immigration applications, professional licensing, legal proceedings and other matters.

For Cook County, the proper office depends on the filing court.

Step-by-step certified disposition request

1. Identify the location of the prosecution

   Determine whether the case was heard in Chicago or a suburban Cook County courthouse.

2. Determine whether the case was a felony or misdemeanor

   For Chicago cases, this helps distinguish the Criminal Division from the Criminal Department.

3. Gather the defendant’s identifying information

   Prepare the full name, date of birth and date of arrest.

4. Find the case number if possible

   Use public case information, original court notices or assistance from the Clerk.

5. Identify the document needed

   Examples include a final disposition, judgment of conviction, order of dismissal, sentencing order or relevant docket document.

6. Contact the original records office

   Use the Daley Center, Leighton Criminal Courthouse or assigned suburban district.

7. Ask whether the file is available

   Some older records require off-site retrieval.

8. Confirm the copy and certification fees

   The Clerk’s published miscellaneous fee schedule lists a $6 certification charge for criminal dispositions.

9. Follow the Clerk’s payment and delivery instructions

   Ask whether the document can be collected in person or delivered through another approved method.

10. Check the certification

    Verify that the document identifies the correct defendant, case number, disposition and Clerk certification.

Cook County criminal certified copy fee

The Clerk’s published Miscellaneous Fees schedule, form CCG-0140, lists:

• $6: Certification with the Clerk’s seal for criminal dispositions.
• $12: Certification and exemplification.
• $10: Additional certified copy of a judgment after the first copy, under the applicable schedule.
• $4: Certified copy of an expungement order.

Separate copying or document production charges may apply. Confirm the exact total with the Clerk before paying.

What if I need a Chicago misdemeanor file in person?

Visit:

Richard J. Daley Center
50 West Washington Street
Room 1006
Chicago, IL 60602

Bring valid photo identification.

The Clerk states that files from approximately the previous four years are generally kept on-site unless being used in court.

What if the case is from a suburb?

The Criminal Department at the Daley Center provides certified dispositions for Chicago cases.

For suburban proceedings, contact the Clerk at Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview or Markham, as applicable.

Published Cook County and Illinois fees

Cook County Criminal Court Records Search Fees in 2026

Cook County amounts are based on the Clerk’s published fee schedules and Archives instructions. Illinois State Police figures include the applicant fee schedule effective October 1, 2026. Charges depend on the record, requester and service. Verify the total before payment.

Cook County Sheriff’s Office • Current custody search

Cook County Jail Inmate and Booking Records Search

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office operates the Cook County Jail and provides an official Individual in Custody Locator.

Use this service when trying to find someone who is currently detained.

It is separate from the Circuit Court’s criminal docket and final disposition records.

How to search Cook County jail inmates

1. Open the Sheriff’s official inmate locator

   Visit the Cook County Individual in Custody Locator through the Sheriff’s Office or county government.

2. Enter the person’s identifying details

   Use the name or other fields supported by the current official interface.

3. Review the available matches

   Check identifying details carefully.

4. Open the custody information

   The system may show a booking number, assigned housing location or other custody information.

5. Confirm current detention when necessary

   Jail status may change quickly. For urgent confirmation, contact the Sheriff’s Department of Corrections.

6. Check the criminal prosecution separately

   Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court for the criminal case status or certified disposition.

Cook County jail telephone numbers

Why can’t I find a recently arrested person?

The Sheriff’s Office explains that inmate locator results are typically published approximately four to six hours after booking and processing.

Someone released before being fully booked may not appear.

Other possible explanations include transfer, release, an incorrect name or custody at another facility.

Can you find older booking photos?

The Sheriff’s communications office states that readily available archived digital booking photographs generally date from 2009 onward.

For a booking photo request, the Sheriff directs requesters to the arresting agency in the first instance.

Some records are not public because of legal restrictions or the circumstances of the case.

Sheriff’s Police, Chicago Police and suburban departments

How to Request Cook County Police Arrest and Incident Reports

Police incident reports are created by the investigating law-enforcement agency.

The Clerk may hold copies of certain police documents filed in criminal cases, but it does not necessarily maintain the complete police investigation.

Which agency should you contact?

How to request an incident report

1. Identify the investigating department

   Check the original incident, arrest or citation paperwork.

2. Gather the report information

   Prepare the date, location, report number and type of record requested.

3. Open the agency’s official records-request page

   For Sheriff’s Police records, use the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

4. Submit a specific public-records request

   Identify the record as precisely as possible.

5. Check for applicable restrictions

   Juvenile, investigative, victim or other protected information may be withheld or redacted.

6. Follow payment and delivery instructions

   The agency will explain any applicable fees and release procedures.

Illinois State Police • Statewide criminal-history information

How to Search Illinois Criminal History Outside Cook County

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification maintains criminal-history information for the state.

Its available services include name-based conviction information requests, authorized fingerprint checks and personal access-and-review procedures.

These services are different from Cook County Circuit Court dockets.

Uniform Conviction Information Act (UCIA) requests

Illinois State Police lists the following fees:

• $16: Paper name-based inquiry.
• $10: Electronic name-based inquiry under applicable procedures.
• $20: Paper fingerprint card request.
• $15: Electronic fingerprint request.

The information available depends on the governing law, request type and criminal-history records maintained by the state.

Can anyone use CHIRP?

No.

The Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP) uses restricted authentication and approved access arrangements.

Illinois State Police states that online CHIRP access is limited to law-enforcement agencies and organizations with an appropriate User Agreement.

Ordinary members of the public should not assume they can create an account and view unlimited criminal-history records.

Personal Access and Review

Illinois provides a process for an individual to review their own criminal-history record and challenge possible errors.

The Illinois State Police fee schedule lists no ISP fee for Access and Review / Record Challenge.

An authorized fingerprinting provider may have a separate charge.

Illinois State Police fingerprint applicant fees effective October 1, 2026

These checks require appropriate legal authorization and are not unrestricted public searches of someone else’s FBI history.

Why a name-based match may be incorrect

Two people may share the same or similar names.

Illinois State Police explains that fingerprint-based identity verification is more reliable for linking a criminal-history entry to an individual.

If a consequential record appears inaccurate, obtain the court’s official disposition and follow the ISP record-challenge procedure.

Older criminal records and pre-electronic cases

How to Find Historical Cook County Criminal Court Records

The Cook County Circuit Clerk’s Archives Department maintains historical court records, including pre-electronic case files.

The Archives collection includes records dating back to the period following the 1871 Chicago Fire.

The Clerk states that computerized indexing and docketing began in the early 1980s.

How to request an older criminal case

1. Gather the historical details

   Prepare the defendant’s name, approximate filing year and case type.

2. Look for a case number

   A case number is especially useful because Archives staff search indexes by name, date and case category.

3. Contact the Archives Department

   Ask whether the relevant file falls within its historical holdings.

4. Confirm the historical search period

   The Archives Department charges $6 per year searched in its indexes.

5. Request the archived file

   Files generally require off-site transfer to Archives.

6. Allow retrieval time

   The Clerk advises allowing approximately two to ten days for archived file transfers.

7. Inspect the available public file

   Visit the office or follow the Clerk’s document-copy procedure.

8. Order relevant copies

   Request certified or ordinary documents as needed.

Cook County Archives fees

The Clerk’s Archives Department publishes:

• $6: Search for each year in the historical index.
• $6: Certification per document, plus copying charges.
• $2: First photocopied page.
• $0.50 each: Next 19 pages.
• $0.25 each: Subsequent pages.

Illinois criminal-record relief

Can Cook County Criminal Court Records Be Expunged or Sealed?

Illinois allows qualifying criminal records to be expunged or sealed under applicable law.

The legal effect of expungement differs from sealing.

Examples of records that may qualify for relief

Depending on the circumstances, Illinois law provides relief for certain:

• Dismissed criminal charges.
• Acquittals.
• Arrests not resulting in charges.
• Qualifying completed supervision dispositions.
• Specified probation outcomes.
• Eligible misdemeanor convictions.
• Certain eligible felony convictions.

Eligibility depends on the charge, disposition, statutory exclusions, waiting period and criminal history.

How to start a Cook County expungement or sealing request

1. Identify every case to be reviewed

   Gather the arrest date, case number, charge and final disposition.

2. Request your criminal-history information

   A personal criminal-history review can help identify cases that need evaluation.

3. Check statutory eligibility

   Review the Illinois laws and instructions for expungement or sealing.

4. Use the correct petition forms

   The Clerk publishes criminal and traffic expungement and sealing resources.

5. Determine the filing district

   For Chicago arrests, use the applicable Chicago filing location.

   For suburban arrests, the Clerk instructs applicants to file in the suburban district with jurisdiction.

6. Prepare the petition and case details

   Include all qualifying arrest or case information required by the form.

7. Check filing fees and fee waivers

   Ask the Clerk for the current total charge. A court fee waiver may be available to qualifying applicants.

8. File the request

   Follow the Clerk’s submission and service procedures.

9. Attend a hearing if required

   The process may require judicial review or a hearing.

10. Confirm the signed court order

    A filed petition alone does not establish that records were expunged or sealed.

Cook County expungement assistance

The Clerk provides an Adult Expungement Advice Desk at the Daley Center.

The current adult expungement page lists:

Location: Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, Room 1006, Chicago, IL.

Published advice desk hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Confirm service availability before traveling.

Common Cook County case lookup problems

Why Cook County Criminal Court Records May Not Appear Online

How do I correct an inaccurate Cook County disposition?

1. Find the original criminal court and case number.
2. Obtain the final certified judgment or dismissal.
3. Determine whether the error appears in the Circuit Clerk’s records or the Illinois State Police repository.
4. Contact the agency that maintains the incorrect entry.
5. Follow its official correction or challenge procedure.
6. Retain supporting documents and the agency’s response.

For inaccurate personal statewide criminal history, use Illinois State Police Access and Review procedures.

Responsible public-record use

Can Cook County Criminal Court Records Be Used for Employment Background Checks?

Public criminal court information may assist with identifying a court case and understanding its outcome.

However, an ordinary online docket search is not a complete or automatically legally compliant employment or housing background report.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act can apply when a consumer reporting agency provides background information for regulated decisions.

Illinois law also imposes restrictions on certain uses of criminal-history information.

Before relying on a criminal record

• Confirm the case belongs to the correct person.
• Verify the court and geographic district.
• Distinguish arrests from convictions.
• Check the disposition of each relevant charge.
• Determine whether later orders changed the result.
• Check for sealing, expungement or applicable restrictions.
• Follow authorized screening procedures where required.
• Respect applicable notice, authorization and dispute rights.

Common Cook County criminal records questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Cook County Criminal Court Records

Verified court, sheriff and state sources

Official Cook County Criminal Court Records Search Links

Use these official government resources rather than unrelated commercial people-search websites for court records, certified dispositions, current custody information and historical criminal files.

Cook County Circuit Court Clerk

• Cook County Clerk — Online Case Information Search
• Cook County Clerk — Official Public Case Search Application
• Cook County Clerk — CCC Portal Access for Registered Attorneys
• Cook County Criminal Division — Chicago Felony Cases
• Cook County Criminal Department — Chicago Misdemeanor Cases
• Cook County Clerk — Suburban Courthouse Addresses and Contacts
• Cook County Clerk — All Court Records Services
• Cook County Circuit Court — Case and Hearing Information

Certified Copies and Historical Court Files

• Cook County Clerk — Archives and Historical Record Searches
• Cook County Clerk — Published Miscellaneous Fees
• Cook County Circuit Clerk — Official Court Forms
• Cook County Clerk — Adult Expungement and Sealing Instructions
• Cook County Clerk — Criminal Record Relief Forms

Cook County Sheriff’s Office

• Cook County Sheriff — Individual in Custody Locator
• Cook County Government — Official Inmate Locator Access
• Cook County Sheriff’s Office — Contact and Records Information
• Cook County Department of Corrections — Telephone Directory
• Cook County Sheriff — Booking Photo and Media Requests
• Cook County Sheriff — Public Records and Service Requests

Illinois Statewide Criminal History

• Illinois State Police — Current Criminal History Fees
• Illinois State Police — Restricted CHIRP Access Information
• Illinois State Police — Official Website
• U.S. Courts — Federal Criminal Case Search
• FBI — Personal Identity History Summary Checks