Court records in Bureau County, Illinois can be searched through several channels. BureauCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also access records through the Bureau County Circuit Clerk's Office, the Illinois Courts directory, in-person visits to the clerk's office at the courthouse, and public terminals available during business hours.
Bureau County Court System & Jurisdictions
Bureau County is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, which also serves La Salle and Grundy counties. Illinois uses a unified circuit court system, so a single Circuit Court handles nearly all trial-level matters. There are no separate district, magistrate, or municipal courts at the county level — instead, cases are assigned to different divisions within the Circuit Court.
The Bureau County Circuit Clerk's case types page outlines the categories of cases processed locally. Key divisions include:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, and ordinance violations prosecuted in Bureau County.
- Traffic: Moving violations, DUI cases, and statutory summary suspensions.
- Civil: Lawsuits involving contracts, property disputes, and personal injury. Small claims cases (lower-value disputes) are also filed here.
- Family / Domestic Relations: Dissolution of marriage (divorce), child custody, child support, orders of protection, and paternity actions.
- Probate: Estate administration, guardianship proceedings, and mental health cases.
- Juvenile: Delinquency, abuse/neglect, and minor-requiring-authoritative-intervention petitions.
- Search warrants and other miscellaneous filings not tied to a pending case.
If you are unsure which division handles your matter, contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly — staff can confirm where a case was or would be filed.
Bureau County Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court schedules in Bureau County are managed by the 13th Judicial Circuit. To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's hearings:
- Check the 13th Judicial Circuit website. The 13th Judicial Circuit Court site publishes calendar and scheduling information for Bureau County courtrooms.
- Contact the Circuit Clerk. Call (815) 872-2001 to ask about a specific case's next court date or to confirm a hearing time.
- Visit the courthouse. Daily docket sheets are typically posted near the courtroom entrances at the Bureau County Courthouse in Princeton.
Keep in mind that hearing dates can change on short notice. If you are a party to a case or need to appear, confirm the date and time with the clerk's office the day before.
How to Get a Copy of a Bureau County Court Document
The Bureau County Circuit Clerk maintains all court files and is the office to contact for copies of court documents. You can request either certified or uncertified copies depending on your needs — certified copies bear the official court seal and are typically required for legal proceedings, while uncertified copies work for personal reference.
Ways to Request Documents
- In person: Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office on the main floor of the Bureau County Courthouse (Room 100). Bring the case number or the full names of the parties involved so staff can locate the file.
- By mail: Send a written request that includes the case number (if known), the names of the parties, the type of document needed, and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy. Include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- FOIA requests: Certain records may also be requested under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The Circuit Clerk's office has a FOIA information page with details on how to submit a request.
Mail requests to:
Some records are restricted by law. Juvenile cases, certain mental health proceedings, sealed or expunged records, and adoption files are generally not available to the public. Ask the clerk whether the document you need is accessible before submitting payment.
Related Records at Other Offices
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Contact the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder's Office.
- Dissolution of marriage records: Certified copies of divorce decrees come from the circuit clerk in the county where the dissolution was granted. The Illinois Department of Public Health does not issue certified copies of these records.
- Criminal history reports: A complete Illinois criminal history can be obtained through the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification.
Bureau County Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record services in Illinois are set by statute (primarily 705 ILCS 105/27.2) and may be supplemented by local administrative orders. The table below reflects standard fees commonly charged by Illinois circuit clerk offices. Contact the Bureau County Circuit Clerk at (815) 872-2001 to confirm current amounts before submitting payment.
| Service | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a court document | $2.00 per page (first two pages); $0.50 each additional page, plus certification fee |
| Certification / court seal | $6.00 per document |
| Uncertified photocopy | $0.50 per page |
| Case record search (by clerk staff) | $6.00 per name searched |
| Filing an appearance or answer | Varies by case type |
| FOIA request copies | $0.15 per page (black-and-white, standard size) per Illinois FOIA statute |
Payment methods: Contact the clerk's office to confirm accepted forms of payment. In-person requests are typically payable by cash, check, or money order. Mail-in requests should include a check or money order made payable to the Bureau County Circuit Clerk.
Fees are subject to change. For the most current fee schedule, call the Circuit Clerk's Office or visit the Bureau County Circuit Clerk's website.