Will County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Will County?

Public records in Will County are documents, files, recordings, and other materials created or maintained by government agencies that are accessible to the public according to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/1, public records are defined as "all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, recorded information and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business."

Will County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, family court cases maintained by the Will County Circuit Clerk
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments, and property transfers
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and civil union certificates
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax sale data
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Board and committee meetings, public hearings
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and audits
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with statutory limitations)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans

The Will County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, including vital records, voter registration, and election information. Property records are maintained by the Will County Recorder of Deeds, while court records are managed by the Will County Circuit Clerk.

Is Will County an Open Records County?

Will County adheres to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under 5 ILCS 140/3, "each public body shall make available to any person for inspection or copying all public records, except as otherwise provided in Sections 7 and 8.5 of this Act."

The Illinois FOIA statute explicitly states that "it is declared to be the public policy of the State of Illinois that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials and public employees consistent with the terms of this Act."

Will County has established specific procedures for handling public records requests in compliance with state law. The county maintains a FOIA Center that provides guidance on submitting requests and identifies FOIA officers for various county departments.

Will County also complies with the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for closed sessions. The County Board and its committees publish meeting agendas, minutes, and recordings as required by this "sunshine law."

How to Find Public Records in Will County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Will County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Submit a FOIA Request: Individuals may submit requests through the Will County FOIA Center. Requests must:
- Be submitted in writing (email, mail, or in person)
- Include requestor's name, contact information, and description of records sought
- Specify preferred format for receiving records
Visit County Offices: Many records may be inspected in person at the appropriate county office:

Will County Clerk's Office
302 North Chicago Street
Joliet, Illinois 60432
(815) 740-4615
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Will County Clerk

Will County Recorder of Deeds
58 E. Clinton Street, Suite 109
Joliet, Illinois 60432
(815) 740-4637
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Will County Recorder

Will County Circuit Clerk
14 W. Jefferson Street
Joliet, Illinois 60432
(815) 727-8592
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Will County Circuit Clerk
Access Online Databases: Will County provides several online portals for accessing public records:
- Property Tax Records through the Supervisor of Assessments
- Court Case Information through the Circuit Clerk
- Recorded Documents through the Recorder of Deeds
- Vital Records Information through the County Clerk
Request by Mail: Written requests may be sent to the appropriate county office with specific details about the records being sought.

The county is required to respond to FOIA requests within 5 business days, though this period may be extended for an additional 5 business days under certain circumstances as permitted by 5 ILCS 140/3(e).

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Will County?

Will County follows the fee structure established by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act for providing public records. Current fees for standard records include:

Paper Copies: First 50 pages are free; $0.15 per page thereafter for black and white copies
Color Copies or Oversized Documents: Actual cost of reproduction
Electronic Records: No charge when records are provided in electronic format, unless the request requires purchasing a storage device
Certified Copies: Additional certification fees apply

Specific record types have statutorily established fees:

Birth Certificates: $15 for the first copy, $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Death Certificates: $19 for the first copy, $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Marriage/Civil Union Certificates: $14 for the first copy, $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Recorded Documents: $10 for the first page, $2 for each additional page

The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (with processing fees) for most transactions. Some online services may require credit card payment.

Fee waivers may be granted when the request is made in the public interest by news media or non-profit organizations, as provided in 5 ILCS 140/6(c). Additionally, public bodies may not charge for the first 50 pages of black and white copies for any requester.

Does Will County Have Free Public Records?

Will County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost:

In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/3, all public records may be inspected without charge during normal business hours at the appropriate county office.
Online Access: The following records are available at no cost through county websites:
- County Board Agendas and Minutes
- Property Assessment Information
- Election Results and Voter Information
- County Budget Documents
- Basic Court Case Information (case numbers, parties, hearing dates)
First 50 Pages: As mandated by state law, the first 50 pages of standard black and white copies are provided free of charge for all FOIA requests.
Electronic Records: When records are maintained in electronic format and can be emailed, they are typically provided at no cost.

The Will County Clerk's Office provides free access to certain election information, including polling place locations, sample ballots, and election results. The Will County Recorder offers free online searching of property records, though obtaining official copies may incur fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Will County?

Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, any person may request public records from Will County government agencies. According to 5 ILCS 140/3(a), "Each public body shall make available to any person for inspection or copying all public records, except as otherwise provided in Sections 7 and 8.5 of this Act."

Key eligibility considerations include:

Residency: Illinois residency is not required to request public records
Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification for most records, though certain records may require verification of identity
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request, except in limited circumstances involving commercial requests
Commercial Use: Requests for commercial purposes must be disclosed, as different fee structures may apply under 5 ILCS 140/3.1

For certain record types, additional restrictions apply:

Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates are restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a documented direct interest
Medical Records: Access is limited to the individual or their authorized representative
Juvenile Records: Access is restricted by 705 ILCS 405/1-7
Criminal History Information: Complete criminal histories may require fingerprint verification

When requesting one's own records or records containing personal information, identification may be required to verify the requestor's identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.

What Records Are Confidential in Will County?

Will County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. 5 ILCS 140/7 exempts the following categories of records:

Personal Privacy Information: Private information including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, biometric identifiers, personal financial information, medical records, and home addresses of certain individuals
Law Enforcement Records: Records that would interfere with pending law enforcement proceedings, disclose confidential sources, endanger anyone's life or physical safety, or obstruct an ongoing investigation
Preliminary Drafts and Notes: Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, and memoranda in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated
Trade Secrets: Trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person or business where disclosure would cause competitive harm
Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order
Juvenile Records: Records related to juvenile offenders as protected by the Juvenile Court Act
Attorney-Client Privileged Information: Communications between the county and its attorneys
Employee Personnel Files: Personnel files and personal information of public employees, with certain exceptions for position, salary, and employment contracts
Security Information: Records containing security procedures, vulnerability assessments, or response plans
Examination Data: Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data

Additionally, specific statutes protect:

Mental Health Records: Protected under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act
Adoption Records: Confidential under the Adoption Act
Child Abuse Records: Protected under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record, as required by 5 ILCS 140/7(1).

Will County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Will County Recorder of Deeds
58 E. Clinton Street, Suite 109
Joliet, Illinois 60432
(815) 740-4637
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Will County Recorder

The Will County Recorder's Office is responsible for maintaining and providing access to property records including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, military discharge papers, and other documents affecting real property within Will County. The office records, indexes, and preserves these documents to establish an official public record.

Services provided by the Recorder's Office include:

Recording real estate documents
Providing copies of recorded documents
Searching property records
Recording military discharge papers (DD-214)
Processing property fraud alerts
Issuing Veteran's ID cards to qualifying veterans

Documents may be submitted for recording in person, by mail, or electronically through approved vendors. The recording fee for standard documents is $10 for the first page and $2 for each additional page, with additional fees for non-standard documents or special processing.

Lookup Public Records in Will County

Will County Courthouse - Twelfth Judicial Circuit

Vital Records - Will County Clerk