Lake County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Lake County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Lake County, Illinois may access a broad range of publicly available information through LakeCountyRecords.us as well as through official county offices and online portals. The county maintains records across multiple departments, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law. Records that may be accessible include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, election records, meeting minutes, and land use documents, among others. Availability and completeness of records vary by category, and certain documents are subject to statutory exemptions.

Records in Lake County, Illinois may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county government.

Online Access:

The Lake County open data portal provides access to financial data, property tax information, public meeting records, and web mapping applications without requiring registration.
The Lake County eSearch platform allows members of the public to search land and property records maintained by the County Clerk's office. The platform notes that searching land records can be complex, particularly for older documents.
Vital records requests and court record inquiries may be initiated through the Find or Request portal on the official county website.
The county's FOIA request portal accepts online submissions for records held by Lake County government agencies.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Lake County Clerk's Office at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, Illinois 60085. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification when requesting certified copies of vital records.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Lake County Clerk's Office at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085. Requests should include the full name of the subject, the type of record sought, the approximate date of the event or document, the requestor's contact information, and any applicable fee payment. Under 5 ILCS 140/3, public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five business days of receipt.

Phone/Email: The Lake County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (847) 377-2400. General inquiries regarding FOIA submissions may be directed to the county's designated FOIA officer through the online portal or by written correspondence to the address above.

What Are Public Records in Lake County?

Public records in Lake County, Illinois are defined under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/2, as all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, recorded information, and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business. The following record types are currently maintained by Lake County government offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the Lake County Circuit Court Clerk
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments) — maintained by the Recording Division of the County Clerk's Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, civil union, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the County Clerk's Office
Business records (licenses, permits, and assumed name filings) — maintained by the County Clerk
Tax records (property tax and assessment records) — accessible through the open data portal
Voting and election records — maintained by the County Clerk's Elections Division
Meeting minutes and agendas (county board, committees, and commissions) — available through the county website
Budget and financial documents — accessible via the Lake County open data hub
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Lake County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department

Is Lake County an Open Records County?

Lake County, Illinois operates in full compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access records held by state and local government bodies. Under this statute, all public records are presumed open unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Act states that "all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials and public employees."

Lake County government agencies are required to designate a FOIA officer, respond to requests within five business days, and provide written notice if an extension is needed. The county currently maintains a dedicated FOIA submission portal through which members of the public may submit requests electronically. The portal instructs requestors to "be as specific as possible when describing the records being sought," which assists the county in processing requests efficiently. County departments are individually responsible for responding to requests pertaining to records within their custody.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Lake County?

The fee structure for public records in Lake County is governed by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and varies by record type and custodial office. The following standard fees apply under current county and state policy:

Record Type	Standard Fee
Black-and-white paper copies (first 50 pages)	No charge
Black-and-white paper copies (pages 51 and beyond)	$0.15 per page
Color copies or non-standard size copies	Actual cost
Certified copy of birth certificate	$15.00 per copy
Certified copy of death certificate	$19.00 per copy
Certified copy of marriage certificate	$15.00 per copy
Electronic records (where available)	No charge or actual cost of reproduction
Document recording fees	Vary by document type

Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may not charge fees that exceed the actual cost of reproducing records, and no fee may be charged for the first 50 pages of black-and-white, letter- or legal-size copies. Fees for certified vital records are set by the Illinois Department of Public Health and are subject to change by legislative action. Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's Office include cash, check, money order, and major credit cards. Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and the request is not made for a commercial purpose.

Does Lake County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under Illinois law, which requires that public bodies allow inspection of records without charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records at a public office or through an online portal carries no cost, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

The following resources currently provide free access to Lake County public records:

The Lake County open data portal provides free access to financial data, property tax records, public meeting information, and geographic data without registration.
The Lake County eSearch tool allows free online searching of land and property records maintained by the County Clerk.
Members of the public may inspect records in person at the County Clerk's Office, the Recording Division, and the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at no charge during regular business hours.
Meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and other administrative documents are posted on the county's official website at no cost.

Who Can Request Public Records in Lake County?

Any person may request public records from Lake County government agencies under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Requestors are not required to be Illinois residents, to provide identification for non-certified records, or to state the purpose of their request. The Act defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, firms, organizations, associations, and other legal entities.

Specific provisions apply to certain record categories:

Vital records (birth, death, marriage): Certified copies are restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest. Requestors must provide valid identification and, in some cases, documentation of their relationship to the subject.
Court records: Most civil and criminal court records are open to the public. Sealed records, juvenile records, and certain family court documents are restricted by court order or statute.
Personal records requests: Individuals requesting their own records may be required to provide proof of identity. Requests for records pertaining to another individual are subject to the same general access rules, except where statutory exemptions apply.

Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under state law, and no county ordinance currently imposes additional residency requirements for general public records access.

What Records Are Confidential in Lake County?

Certain categories of records held by Lake County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and related statutes. The following records are currently withheld from public access in whole or in part:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or abuse proceedings are confidential under the Juvenile Court Act.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for investigative purposes, where disclosure would interfere with a pending proceeding, are exempt.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory procedures.
Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
Personnel records: Employee performance evaluations and certain disciplinary records are exempt, with limited exceptions for public officials.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.

These exemptions are codified primarily at 5 ILCS 140/7, which enumerates the categories of information that public bodies are authorized or required to withhold. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Lake County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk's Office serves as the official custodian of real property records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and related instruments. As stated on the division's official page, its mission is fulfilled "by promptly recording, preserving, and providing access to public records in the most accurate, efficient, responsible and professional manner."

Lake County Clerk's Office — Recording Division
18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-2575
Recording Division — Lake County, Illinois

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays.

Lake County Clerk's Office — Vital Records and General Records
18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-2400
Records — Lake County, IL

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Lake County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-3380
Lake County Circuit Court Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Lake County Sheriff's Office (for law enforcement records)
25 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-4000
Lake County Sheriff's Office

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM