Kankakee County Family Court Records
Kankakee County family court records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk's office in Kankakee, Illinois. The clerk maintains files for divorce, child custody, child support, and all other domestic relations cases heard in Kankakee County. Online case search is available through the clerk's website. You can also visit the office at 450 E. Court Street for in-person requests, or send a written request by mail. Getting certified copies of family court orders and judgments requires going through the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk.
Kankakee County Quick Facts
Kankakee County Circuit Clerk
The Kankakee County Circuit Clerk is located at 450 E. Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901. The phone number is (815) 936-5500. This office handles all family court filings, record storage, and copy requests for the county. Every divorce petition, custody action, and support order filed in Kankakee County goes through this office.
Walk-in visits are the most direct way to access records. Bring a case number or party names. Staff will search the system and pull the file for you to review. Copies can be made on-site. The courthouse on Court Street is the only location for family court records in Kankakee County. Business hours follow a standard weekday schedule, but calling ahead to confirm is always a good idea. The office can get busy, especially on days when court is in session.
You can also make requests by mail. Send a letter to the clerk at 450 E. Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901 with case details and payment.
Search Kankakee County Records Online
The Kankakee County Circuit Clerk's website offers online case search. You can look up cases by party name or case number. Results show basic case data like docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. This is free for basic public searches.
The statewide Re:SearchIL portal is another way to access Kankakee County court documents. This system shows filings that went through the e-filing platform. Viewing costs $0.10 per page with a cap of $3 per document. For cases filed electronically, Re:SearchIL may let you read the actual petitions, motions, and orders. Not every case will be there, but it is worth checking.
You can visit the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk website to start your search. The screenshot below shows the clerk's online portal.
The Kankakee County clerk's site provides case search, fee information, and details about office services.
Note: Online records from Kankakee County may not include every document in a case file, especially for older cases filed before e-filing.
Kankakee County Court Record Fees
Fees for copies at the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk follow 705 ILCS 105. The first page of any document is $2. Pages two through twenty are $0.50 each. Each page after twenty costs $0.25. If you want a certified copy, that adds $6 per document for the certification stamp.
A record search fee of up to $6 per year may apply when you do not have a case number and the clerk has to search by name. Having the case number ready saves time and money. Browsing case information online is free.
Types of Family Court Records
Family court records in Kankakee County span several case types. Dissolution of marriage (divorce) makes up a significant share of the docket. Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5), divorce proceedings in Kankakee County follow state rules for filing, service, and resolution. A divorce case file typically contains the petition, response, parenting plan, financial affidavits, and the final judgment of dissolution.
Custody cases, formally called allocation of parental responsibilities, are common as well. Child support orders, paternity filings, and orders of protection also form part of the family court records at the Kankakee County clerk's office. Each case gets a unique file number and its own set of documents.
Some records are restricted from public view. Juvenile proceedings, adoptions, and sealed cases are off-limits. Sensitive information like Social Security numbers gets redacted. Standard divorce and custody files, though, are public records in Kankakee County.
Legal Resources for Kankakee County
Illinois Legal Aid Online is a free resource with guides on family law. Topics include divorce, custody, support, and how to get court records. If you are handling a Kankakee County case on your own, this site has forms and step-by-step instructions that can help.
Illinois Court Help has live chat support for court procedure questions. Kankakee County residents can use it to find forms, understand filing rules, and get pointed in the right direction. Prairie State Legal Services also operates in the Kankakee area and may provide free legal help for those who qualify based on income.
Note: Legal aid organizations in the Kankakee area may have limited capacity, so reach out early if you need assistance with a family court matter.
Accessing Kankakee County Family Records
Illinois law protects public access to court records. Under 5 ILCS 160, anyone can request to see public records. You do not need to be a party to a Kankakee County case. Visit the clerk at 450 E. Court Street, provide a case number or name, and ask to see the file.
Restrictions apply in certain situations. Judges can seal files. Domestic violence cases may have added protections. Juvenile and adoption records are not available to the public. For standard divorce, custody, and support cases in Kankakee County, the records are open. Final orders and judgments are available to anyone who asks. If you want copies by mail, send your request with payment details and allow time for the clerk to process it.
Nearby Counties
Kankakee County is south of the Chicago suburbs. Family court records from nearby counties are maintained by those counties' Circuit Clerks.