LaSalle County Court Records Search
LaSalle County court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Ottawa and cover civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate cases filed in the 13th Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to search for LaSalle County court records online and in person, how to request copies, and what free legal resources are available to residents.
LaSalle County Quick Facts
LaSalle County Circuit Clerk
Circuit Clerk Greg Vaccaro's office is located at 119 W. Madison Street, Room 201, in Ottawa. The office is the official keeper of all court records filed in the 13th Judicial Circuit for LaSalle County. Cases in the system include civil suits, criminal felonies and misdemeanors, family law matters, traffic citations, small claims, and probate proceedings. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), most of these records are open to the public without a court order.
The clerk's phone number is (815) 434-8671. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. If you plan to visit in person, bring the case number or the full name of a party. Staff can run a search and help you request copies once they locate the case. For complex requests involving older cases or large files, call ahead so staff can prepare.
| Circuit Clerk | Greg Vaccaro |
|---|---|
| Address | 119 W. Madison Street, Room 201, Ottawa, IL 61350 |
| Phone | (815) 434-8671 |
| Fax | (815) 433-9198 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Online Case Search for LaSalle County
LaSalle County court records are available through Judici, a statewide case search database used by many Illinois circuit courts. Judici at judici.com covers LaSalle County and lets you search by party name or case number at no cost. The results show docket entries, which are logs of case activity including filings, hearings, and orders. Docket entries are not the full case file, but they are enough to confirm whether a case exists and track its status.
Judici results are unofficial. Use them for reference, then request certified copies from the clerk's office if you need official documents. The clerk can provide plain copies for personal use and certified copies when needed for legal purposes.
Judici is a good starting point for LaSalle County record searches, particularly for civil and traffic cases. Criminal case dockets are also available on the platform, though full criminal case files require an in-person visit.
Judici provides public case docket search for LaSalle County and many other Illinois counties at no cost.
Statewide Search Tools
The re:SearchIL portal at researchil.tylerhost.net is a free statewide case search system that has been available since May 2025. It covers cases filed from April 1, 2025 onward. If your LaSalle County case was filed before that date, use Judici or contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly.
The Illinois Courts directory at illinoiscourts.gov lists the 13th Circuit and can help you find current contact information and jurisdiction details for LaSalle County. The state site also has links to the court forms library, which includes standard forms accepted in LaSalle County courts.
E-filing for civil case types is available through efile.illinoiscourts.gov. Check the state e-filing portal for current LaSalle County case types that accept electronic submissions. Some case types may still require paper filing at the Ottawa courthouse.
What LaSalle County Court Records Contain
Court records in LaSalle County cover a wide range of case types. Civil cases include contract disputes, personal injury claims, evictions, and small claims matters under the dollar threshold set by state law. Criminal cases include felony charges handled by the State's Attorney and misdemeanor matters. Family law cases cover divorce proceedings, custody and visitation, child support, and adoption. Traffic cases include citations issued in Ottawa, Streator, Peru, and other LaSalle County communities.
Probate cases handle estates and wills for LaSalle County residents who pass away. Guardianship matters, both for minors and adults, are also part of the probate docket. Orders of protection are filed through the Circuit Clerk and are generally public unless sealed by a judge. Juvenile records and mental health cases are sealed under state law and are not available to the public.
If you are not sure what type of record you need or whether it is public, call the clerk at (815) 434-8671 before making the drive to Ottawa. Staff can confirm what is available without requiring you to appear in person first.
Requesting Copies of LaSalle County Records
Copies can be requested in person at Room 201, 119 W. Madison Street, during regular business hours. Mail requests are also accepted. For a mail request, write to the clerk's office with the case number or party names, your contact information, and a check or money order for the applicable copy fee. Address it to the LaSalle County Circuit Clerk at 119 W. Madison Street, Ottawa, IL 61350.
Certified copies carry the court's official seal and signature. They are required for most legal uses, including filings in other courts, passport applications, and other official purposes. Plain copies are less expensive and work for personal reference. The clerk's office can tell you the current fee schedule when you call or visit.
Processing times vary. In-person requests at the clerk's window are generally handled the same day for cases that are already indexed in the system. Older archived cases may take longer. Call ahead if your case is from many years ago.
Illinois Law and Record Access in LaSalle County
Public access to LaSalle County court records is governed by 705 ILCS 105/16(6). This statute gives anyone the right to inspect and copy court records maintained by the circuit clerk. You do not have to be a party to the case and you do not have to explain why you want the record. Sealed records, adoption cases, juvenile files, and certain mental health filings are not public.
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140/ applies to administrative records held by the clerk's office rather than to court case files. The Illinois Records Preservation Act at 5 ILCS 160/ covers how older court records must be preserved, which is relevant if you are searching for historical cases from LaSalle County.
Free Legal Help for LaSalle County Residents
Illinois Legal Aid Online has free guides for civil, family, and criminal legal topics that apply to LaSalle County courts. The site includes a document builder for common court forms and links to legal aid organizations in the region. It is a good first stop if you are handling a legal matter without an attorney.
The Illinois Court Help line is available at (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The website at ilcourthelp.gov also has written guides and answers to common questions about court procedures in Illinois. Staff do not provide legal advice but can explain how things work at the LaSalle County courthouse.
Cities in LaSalle County
LaSalle County includes Ottawa, Streator, Peru, Oglesby, and other communities. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Court records for all LaSalle County communities are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Ottawa.