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Lake County, Illinois public records

In Lake County, deeds are recorded by the Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk; property values come from the Chief County Assessment Office; court files are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County, 19th Judicial Circuit.

Last checked against official sources on .

On this page
  1. Where to get each record
  2. Deeds and land records
  3. Property values, owners and tax bills
  4. Court records: which clerk keeps which case
  5. Marriage records
  6. Divorce records
  7. Birth certificates
  8. Death certificates
  9. Probate records and wills
  10. Business names (DBA)
  11. Historical records
  12. Good to know about Lake County records
  13. Office addresses, phones and hours
  14. Records that are not online: public records requests
  15. Questions people ask
  16. Official copies vs look-alike sites
  17. Sources

Where to get each record

RecordOfficeSearch onlineFee
Deeds and land recordsRecording Division of the Lake County Clerk's Office4Search deeds2Recorded documents $1 per page; plats $5 per page; PTAX forms $1 per form; military discharges free to the veteran3
Property values and ownersChief County Assessment Office5Property search6—
Property tax billsLake County Treasurer, County Collector7Tax bill search7—
Court casesClerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County, 19th Judicial Circuit8Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit9Copies from a court file $0.25/page; certification or seal $6.00 per certification; exemplification $8.00; record search $6.00 per name, $6.00 per year; certified mail request (incl. seal) $16.0010
Marriage recordsLake County Clerk - Vital Records Department12—$10 first certified copy, $4 each additional; $4 non-certified genealogy copy (75+ years old); $1.50 no-record certificate11
Divorce recordsClerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County, 19th Judicial Circuit - General/Civil Division13—Copies $0.25/page; certification $6.0010
Birth certificatesLake County Clerk - Vital Records Department12—$10 first certified copy, $4 each additional; $4 genealogy copy (record 75+ years old); $1.50 no-record certificate14
Death certificatesLake County Clerk - Vital Records Department12—$14 first certified copy, $8 each additional; $4 genealogy copy (record 20+ years old); $1.50 no-record certificate15
Probate and willsClerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County, 19th Judicial Circuit - Probate Division16—certified Letters of Office additional copies $2.00 per copy (up to 3 pages)10
Business names (DBA)Assumed business names (sole proprietorships, general partnerships) registered with the Lake County Clerk17——

Deeds and land records

Deeds, mortgages and other land documents for property in Lake County are recorded by the Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk's Office (the Clerk is the county's recorder).4

Who runs it
GovOS publicsearch.us ("Official Record Search - Lake County, Illinois County Clerk"), linked by the Recording Division18
Copy fee
Recorded documents $1 per page; plats $5 per page; PTAX forms $1 per form; military discharges free to the veteran3
Recording fee
Standard document $70; non-standard document $82; federal/state liens and UCC terminations $43; UCC-1/UCC-3 $58 (government-exempt from Rental Housing Surcharge: $50 standard / $62 non-standard)3
How to order
Call or e-mail the Recording Division (847-377-2575); staff can e-mail, fax or mail documents the same day. FOIA not needed for recorded documents.19

How deeds work in Illinois

Property values, owners and tax bills

The Chief County Assessment Office (township assessors value property; the county office supervises assessment) sets property values5; the Lake County Treasurer, County Collector bills and collects the tax7.

Property search
tax.lakecountyil.gov/… (Assessment and Tax Info, Tyler iasWorld Public Access)6
Tax bill search
tax.lakecountyil.gov/… ("View Current or Prior Tax Bills", Treasurer)7
Parcel map (GIS)
maps.lakecountyil.gov/mapsonline (Maps Online); Tax Parcel Viewer maps.lakecountyil.gov/taxparcelviewer; Historic Parcel Viewer maps.lakecountyil.gov/historicparcels20
Appealing a value
Lake County Board of Review (18 N County Street, 7th Floor, Waukegan; 847-377-2100); exemptions and assessment appeals filed through the Tyler Smartfile E-Filing Portal lakecountyilpaefile.tylertech.com/…6

How property tax works in Illinois

Court records: which clerk keeps which case

CourtCasesRecords kept byCase search
Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit (Lake County, a single-county circuit)Criminal, traffic, civil, family/dissolution, probate and guardianship, small claims, juvenile (sealed)Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County, 19th Judicial Circuitprod-portal-ecourt-lakecounty-il.journaltech.com/… Lake County Circuit Clerk's Online Portal, Journal Technologies; an account is required to access court information; no price stated9
Fees
Copies from a court file $0.25/page; certification or seal $6.00 per certification; exemplification $8.00; record search $6.00 per name, $6.00 per year; certified mail request (incl. seal) $16.0010
How to order
Submit a Document Copy Request Form (name, firm, case number, phone, e-mail); Clerk eCertify for electronic certified copies, or certified copies by mail/in person21

Criminal records and background checks

How Illinois courts keep their files

Marriage records

Kept by the Lake County Clerk - Vital Records Department.12

Fee
$10 first certified copy, $4 each additional; $4 non-certified genealogy copy (75+ years old); $1.50 no-record certificate11
Who may order
Those named, their child, a family member, or an agent/legal representative11
How to order
Walk-in same day (Room 101), by mail with check/money order and ID copy (two business days), or online via VitalChek (credit card)11
Marriage license fee
$35 marriage license; apply together in person, Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Room 101; valid 60 days starting the day after issue22
Online ordering
VitalChek (the Clerk's only third-party affiliate): $7 handling, UPS Next Day $19.00 / 2nd Day $16.5023

Illinois marriage records, statewide

Divorce records

Clerk of the Circuit Court (General/Civil Division files Dissolution of Marriage; Records Division provides copies)13

Fee
Copies $0.25/page; certification $6.0010

Illinois divorce records: decree or state record

Birth certificates

Kept by the Lake County Clerk - Vital Records Department.12

Fee
$10 first certified copy, $4 each additional; $4 genealogy copy (record 75+ years old); $1.50 no-record certificate14
Who may order
Registrant 18+, parent, court-appointed guardian, or agent with notarized authorization14
How to order
Walk-in (usually under 30 minutes), mail (two business days), or VitalChek online14
What it covers
Births that occurred in Lake County14

Ordering an Illinois birth certificate

Death certificates

Kept by the Lake County Clerk - Vital Records Department.12

Fee
$14 first certified copy, $8 each additional; $4 genealogy copy (record 20+ years old); $1.50 no-record certificate15
Who may order
Persons with a personal or property interest; non-relatives must document it15
How to order
Walk-in, mail (two business days) or VitalChek online15

Ordering an Illinois death certificate

Probate records and wills

Circuit Clerk Probate Division keeps wills, decedent estates and guardianships13

Fees
Administration of Decedent's Estate filing $284.00; certified Letters of Office additional copies $2.00 per copy (up to 3 pages)10

Business names (DBA)

Assumed business names (sole proprietorships, general partnerships) registered with the Lake County Clerk; LLCs, LPs and corporations file with the Illinois Secretary of State17

Historical records

Genealogy index online for births, deaths and marriages before January 1, 1916: marriage licenses from 1839, births from 1871, deaths from 187724

Good to know about Lake County records

  • Recorded documents at the Clerk date back to 1844; the office holds over seven million documents (28.5 million pages)25
  • Military discharge papers recorded with the Clerk are released only to the veteran or a designated representative26
  • Lake County Clerk partnered with the Lake County Genealogical Society to preserve fragile records dating as far back as 183924
  • The Clerk warns that third-party vital-record websites may charge ten times its fees; VitalChek is its only affiliate23

Office addresses, phones and hours

Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk's Office (the Clerk is the county's recorder)

Address
Recording Division, 18 N County Street, 6th Floor, Waukegan, IL 600853
Mail
18 N County Street, 6th Floor, Waukegan, IL 600854
Phone
847-377-2575 (fax 847-984-5860)3
Hours
Walk-in service 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday; marriage/civil union license applications 8:30 am - 4:00 pm27

Chief County Assessment Office (township assessors value property; the county office supervises assessment)

Address
18 N County Street, 7th Floor, Waukegan, IL 6008528
Phone
847-377-2050 (fax 847-984-5931)28

Lake County Treasurer, County Collector

Address
18 N County Street, Room 102, Waukegan, IL 6008529
Phone
847-377-2323 (fax 847-984-5899)29
Hours
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.29

Lake County Clerk

Vital records, marriage licenses, assumed business names, tax extension/redemption, elections

Address
18 N County Street, Room 101, Waukegan, Illinois 6008527
Mail
18 N County Street, Room 101, Waukegan, Illinois 6008527
Phone
847-377-2400 (fax 847-984-5822)27
Hours
Walk-in service 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday; marriage/civil union license applications 8:30 am - 4:00 pm27

Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County, 19th Judicial Circuit

Criminal, traffic and civil records

Address
Lower level, south end of the Lake County Courthouse and Administrative Complex, 18 N County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085 (Main Branch)31
Mail
Clerk of the Circuit Court, 18 North County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085 (record searches: "ATTN: Record Search")32
Phone
847-377-3380 (Waukegan main branch); Records Division 847-377-3211; Certified Copies 847-377-323613
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 513

Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County, 19th Judicial Circuit - General/Civil Division (civil, family, dissolution of marriage)

Address
Lower level, south end of the Lake County Courthouse and Administrative Complex, 18 N County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085 (Main Branch)31
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 513

Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County, 19th Judicial Circuit - Probate Division

Address
Lower level, south end of the Lake County Courthouse and Administrative Complex, 18 N County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085 (Main Branch)31
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 513

Lake County Clerk - Vital Records Department

Address
Vital Records, 18 N County Street, Room 101, Waukegan, IL 6008512
Mail
Lake County Clerk, Vital Records Department, 18 N. County Street, Room 101, Waukegan, IL 6008514
Phone
847-377-2411 (fax 847-984-5826)12
Hours
Walk-in service 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday; marriage/civil union license applications 8:30 am - 4:00 pm27

Lake County Sheriff's Office - Records Division (incident and accident reports, FOIA)

Address
Lake County Sheriff's Office, Attention: FOIA, 25 S Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Waukegan, IL 6008533
Mail
Lake County Sheriff's Office, Attention: FOIA, 25 S Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Waukegan, IL 6008533
Phone
847-377-4200 (Records Division)33

Lake County Mapping division (GIS/Mapping)

Address
18 N County Street, 7th Floor, Waukegan, IL 6008520

Records that are not online: public records requests

Where to send it
Each department answers its own FOIA requests (FOIA Officer Directory on lakecountyil.gov/2640/FOIA); copies: first 50 pages free, then $0.15/page (black & white)30

How to write a public records request

Questions people ask

How do I get a copy of a deed in Lake County?

The Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk's Office (the Clerk is the county's recorder) keeps deed records. To order copies: Call or e-mail the Recording Division (847-377-2575); staff can e-mail, fax or mail documents the same day. FOIA not needed for recorded documents. Plain copies: Recorded documents $1 per page; plats $5 per page; PTAX forms $1 per form; military discharges free to the veteran.4193

How much is a birth certificate in Lake County?

$10 first certified copy, $4 each additional; $4 genealogy copy (record 75+ years old); $1.50 no-record certificate.14

Where do I get a divorce decree in Lake County?

Divorce decrees are court records; ask the Clerk of the Circuit Court (General/Civil Division files Dissolution of Marriage; Records Division provides copies).13

How much does a marriage license cost in Lake County?

$35 marriage license; apply together in person, Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Room 101; valid 60 days starting the day after issue.22

How do I look up who owns a property in Lake County?

Use the property search of the Chief County Assessment Office (township assessors value property; the county office supervises assessment): tax.lakecountyil.gov/…6

Official copies vs look-alike sites

A certified copy comes only from the office that holds the record; reports and "research copies" sold by commercial sites are not issued by any Lake County office. How to tell an official record source from a paid look-alike.

Other counties in Illinois with a full guide: Champaign County, Cook County, DeKalb County, DuPage County, Kane County, Kankakee County, Kendall County, LaSalle County, Macon County, Madison County, McHenry County, McLean County, Peoria County, Rock Island County, Sangamon County, St. Clair County, Tazewell County, Will County, Winnebago County. Every county in the state: Illinois county list. Looking for another Lake County? Lake County, California; Lake County, Florida; Lake County, Indiana; Lake County, Ohio.

Sources

Every fact above links to the official page it comes from; all 34 sources were checked on November 4, 2026. Fees and rules change, so check the office's own page before you pay or travel.

  1. Government Units List 2026US Census Bureau
  2. Lake County Clerk's Office
  3. Lake County Clerk's Office
  4. Lake County Clerk's Office
  5. Lake County Board of Review
  6. Lake County Chief County Assessment Office
  7. Lake County Treasurer
  8. Public Records - 19th Judicial Circuit CourtCircuit Court of the 19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County, Illinois
  9. Lake County Circuit Clerk's Online PortalLake County Circuit Clerk (Journal Technologies portal linked by the Clerk)
  10. Clerk's Office Fee Schedule (Effective September 16, 2026) (PDF)Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County
  11. Lake County Clerk
  12. Lake County Clerk
  13. Locations & HoursClerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County
  14. Lake County Clerk
  15. Lake County Clerk
  16. Probate RecordsClerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County
  17. Lake County Clerk
  18. Official Record Search - Lake County, Illinois County Clerk (GovOS publicsearch.us)Lake County Clerk (vendor portal)
  19. Lake County Clerk's Office
  20. Lake County Mapping
  21. Request a File or DocumentClerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County
  22. Lake County Clerk
  23. Lake County Clerk
  24. Lake County Clerk
  25. Lake County Clerk's Office
  26. Lake County Clerk's Office
  27. Lake County Clerk
  28. Lake County Chief County Assessment Office
  29. Lake County Treasurer
  30. Lake County
  31. Contact Us & HoursClerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County
  32. Record SearchesClerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County
  33. Lake County Sheriff's Office
  34. County population totals: Vintage 2025 (July 1, 2025)US Census Bureau