Clerk's Office Corner

By The Honorable Dorothy Brown's Clerk's Office Corner

The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County’s web site offers myriad beneficial services. Although it is not the official record of the court, the Full Electronic Docket Search is a service that can be used to gain a general understanding of a case’s history and disposition. 

Upon entering the Clerk’s Office web site, you will click on the side bar topic On-line Case Info then highlight and click the Full Electronic Docket Search link to begin searching for cases filed in the Chancery, Civil, Domestic Relations, Law and Probate divisions. The cases are searchable by litigant name, case number or filing date. The search information is similar to that which is found on the Clerk’s Office public access terminals located in various courthouses.  

The following search tips will help you retrieve data effectively: 

• When conducting a search by division name, you must select a division from the provided drop-down box. The Civil Division will be selected if you do not pick another area.

• For case number searches, you should follow this format: YYYY (year) – division letter(s) – NNNNNN (case number).

• When searching by a litigant’s name, make sure that you first select Plaintiff or Defendant by clicking on the appropriate button. Upon clicking the button, a black dot will appear in the button then you can type the litigant’s name.

• Lastly, when searching by the date on which a case was filed, you must use the exact format: MM (month) – DD (date) – YYYY (year).

Please be mindful that court record data and information that is impounded, sealed or expunged pursuant to law or by court rule, order of court, or other applicable rule is excluded from public access in electronic form. Access and inspection of this information is governed by the existing court rules and laws for public access of the official court record. 

It is also important to note that the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County staff members are not responsible or liable for any financial or other type of loss, consequence or damage resulting directly or indirectly from use of the information. If you need more information about a case, please contact the Clerk’s Office at (312) 603-5030. 

Remember to visit this column in future issues of the Tort Reporter for more developments in the Clerk’s Office.