Find McHenry County Court Records
McHenry County court records are held by the 22nd Judicial Circuit Clerk at the Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center in Woodstock, Illinois. The clerk's office maintains case files for all civil, criminal, traffic, family, small claims, and probate matters filed in the county. This page covers how to search those records online, how to visit the courthouse, and what services are available to help residents navigate the court system.
McHenry County Overview
| Population | 315,959 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Woodstock |
| Judicial Circuit | 22nd Judicial Circuit |
| Circuit Clerk | Katherine Keefe |
Circuit Clerk and Courthouse Details
Katherine Keefe is the McHenry County Circuit Clerk. Her office is on the third floor of the Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center in Woodstock. The building handles all McHenry County court operations, from new case filings to certified copy requests. A self-help center and law library are also on the third floor for those who need assistance with court documents.
| Circuit Clerk | Katherine Keefe |
|---|---|
| Address | 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Room 352, Woodstock, IL 60098 |
| Phone | (815) 334-4310 |
| Fax | (815) 338-8583 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mchenrycircuitclerk.org |
The Trial Court Administrator for the 22nd Judicial Circuit is Dan Wallis, reachable at (815) 334-4385. The courthouse has eight Circuit Judges and eleven Associate Judges. Spanish interpreters are available on-site. For other languages, the court arranges video or phone interpretation. The self-help center on the third floor is open 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on weekdays. The law library keeps regular courthouse hours, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Court Records Search
The McHenry County Circuit Court listing on the Illinois Courts directory, shown below, covers the 22nd Judicial Circuit courthouse in Woodstock.
The Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center houses all McHenry County court operations, including a self-help center and law library. For online case searches, visit re:SearchIL, the official Illinois court records portal. You can search McHenry County cases by name or case number and view case status, hearing dates, and party information. The circuit clerk's website also provides direct access to online case lookup and court calendars.
22nd Judicial Circuit
McHenry County forms its own judicial circuit, the 22nd. The county became a single-county circuit in December 2006, when it separated from the 19th Circuit. That separation gave the county dedicated circuit judges and allowed the court to set local rules tailored to McHenry County's caseload and procedures. The full circuit directory is on the Illinois Courts interactive map.
Eight circuit judges sit in the 22nd Circuit. Eleven associate judges handle misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, and other matters assigned by the chief judge. The chief judge also oversees the court's administrative operations and any standing orders that apply across all case types.
Types of Cases Filed
The McHenry County Circuit Clerk handles case filings for every type of court matter heard in the county. Civil cases include personal injury suits, contract disputes, and other civil claims. Criminal cases range from misdemeanor charges to Class X felonies. The clerk also processes traffic violations, small claims (for disputes under the state's dollar limit), and family law matters such as divorce, custody, and orders of protection.
Probate cases involving estates and guardianship go through the same clerk's office. Juvenile matters, though largely confidential, are also filed with the circuit clerk. If you are not sure what type of case you need to file or look up, call the clerk's office at (815) 334-4310 and describe your situation. Staff can point you to the right case category and the forms you need.
E-Filing Kiosks at the Courthouse
McHenry County has e-filing kiosks on both the first and third floors of the Sullivan Judicial Center. These kiosks let you file documents electronically without needing your own computer or printer. You can use them to access the eFileIL portal and submit new filings or add documents to existing cases. Staff in the self-help center on the third floor can help you use the kiosk if needed.
Illinois law requires attorneys to file electronically through eFileIL. Self-represented litigants may file in person at the clerk's office or use the kiosk. Either way, the filing is assigned a case number and entered into the court's record system that same day.
Getting Copies of Court Records
You can request copies of McHenry County court records in person at Room 352 during office hours. Bring the case number or the names of the parties if you have them. Staff will pull the file and process your copy request. Payment is accepted at the counter. Most in-person requests are filled the same day.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Circuit Clerk at 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Room 352, Woodstock, IL 60098. Include case details and a check or money order for the copy fee. Certified copies, which carry the clerk's official seal, are available for use in legal proceedings and government applications. The fee for certified copies is higher than for plain copies. Check the clerk's website at mchenrycircuitclerk.org for the current fee schedule.
Court Forms
Free court forms for common filings are on the Illinois Courts forms page. Forms cover small claims, eviction, orders of protection, name changes, and more. These standardized forms work in all Illinois circuit courts, including the 22nd Circuit. Check the clerk's website to see if there are any McHenry County-specific forms or local requirements before you file.
Legal Help and Self-Help Resources
The self-help center on the third floor of the Sullivan Judicial Center is open 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on weekdays. It provides assistance for people who do not have an attorney. Staff there can help you understand which forms to use and how the filing process works. They do not provide legal advice but can guide you through the procedural steps.
Illinois Legal Aid Online provides free legal guides for civil, housing, and family matters. The Illinois Court Help hotline at (833) 411-1121 is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Both services are free and do not require you to have a lawyer to use them.
Cities in McHenry County
Crystal Lake is the largest city in McHenry County, with a population of approximately 40,000. It does not meet the 50,000 threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Woodstock is the county seat and the site of the courthouse. For court record needs in any McHenry County city or town, use the clerk's office information above or the online tools listed on this page.