FAQs

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Judicial Operations

1. Where and when am I scheduled to go to court?: In Lake County, call or visit the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 847-377-3380. You should be able to provide the clerk with the name of the case (abc vs. xyx) and the case number.

2. When is my next court date?: In Lake County, call or visit the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 847-377-3380. You should be able to provide the clerk with the name of the case (abc vs. xyx) and the case number.

3. Where do I pay court fees?: Court fees are paid in the Lake County Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

4. Which courtroom do I need to report to?: If you are given or have received any paperwork, it should have the courtroom number, date, and time that you are scheduled to appear written on it. If you do not have this paperwork and were told to be here, one of the receptionists can help you find the correct courtroom. You must know: What or for whom you are you here for?; or what are the charges against you? (i.e., traffic, misdemeanor, divorce, etc.).

5. What do I do if I am very late for my hearing?: You need to check-in with the Court Clerk in the courtroom assigned to your case.

6. My court date was yesterday and I missed it, what do I do?: In Lake County, call or visit the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 847-377-3380. You should be able to provide the clerk with the name of the case (abc vs. xyx) and the case number.

7. How do I pay a fine, file a lawsuit, file an answer to a lawsuit, pick up court forms, or review a court file?: You need to go to the Lake County Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

8. How do I respond to a subpoena or to an order to appear?: Go to the courtroom shown on the subpoena or order.

9. How do I request an Emergency Order of Protection?: Find out how to make a request by visiting the Emergency Order of Protection page.

10. Is there someplace my kids can go while I'm in or awaiting court?: Children, ages 2 to 12, who are in the Lake County courthouse to testify in court or whose parents or guardians are conducting court business may utilize the Kids' Korner Waiting Room located on the main level of the Courthouse Complex near courtroom C-101.

11. What do I do when my attorney is not here?: Let the Court Clerk in the courtroom know as soon as possible before your case is called. This way the clerk can possibly move your case back until your attorney arrives.

12. Who is the defendant?: The defendant is the party sued in a civil lawsuit or the party charged with a crime in a criminal prosecution.

13. Where can I park while visiting the Lake County Courthouse downtown?: TO find out where you can park, visit the Parking page.

14. Where can I obtain a passport?: You need to go to the Lake County Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Passport page.

15. What office do I need to go to obtain a birth certificate?: You can obtain a copy of a birth certificate in the County Clerk's Office. For more information, please visit the Birth Records page.

16. What office do I need to go to obtain a marriage license and/or copies of my marriage certificate?: You can obtain these documents at the County Clerk's Office or on the Marriage Licenses page.

17. Where do I file court papers?: Court papers are filed in the Lake County Office of the Circuit Clerk on the E-Filing page.

18. Where can I get a copy of my divorce decree?: You need to go to the Lake County Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

19. Where can I get a copy of a will?: You need to go to the Lake County Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

20. Where do I go to get my bond refund?: You need to go to the Lake County Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

21. Please tell me how I can access court records?: You may access court records through the Lake County Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court via the Internet. You may also research court cases and view the same at the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk in the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, IL. The office hours are 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contact the Lake County Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court for more information on the Clerk of the Circuit Court website.

22. Is there a library where the public can do legal research?: The public is welcome to do legal research in Lake County in the William D. Block Memorial Law Library located in the lobby of the Courthouse. For more information, visit the Law Library website.

23. If I need to fax something to a judge, where do I send it?: In Lake County, we have a fax service through our Law Library. Please call 847-377-2800 for further information or visit the Law Library website.

24. CPWhat time does court end?: That depends on the length of the court call.