DuPage County Criminal Records Search

DuPage County criminal records are held by the Circuit Clerk of the 18th Judicial Circuit in Wheaton, Illinois. The clerk records all trial court cases in DuPage County, which means every felony and misdemeanor charge goes through that office. If you want to look up a criminal case filed here, you can start with the court records portal or visit the clerk in person at the county courthouse. DuPage County is the second most populated county in Illinois with over 937,000 residents, so the volume of criminal cases is large. This page walks through how to search those records and what to expect from the process.

DuPage County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit Clerk is the main source for criminal records in DuPage County. This office is elected by county residents and has a wide set of duties. The clerk records all trial court cases. That includes traffic, misdemeanor, felony, law (civil), chancery, juvenile, and domestic relations cases. For criminal matters, the clerk keeps files on charges, court dates, plea entries, and sentencing outcomes. You can get copies of criminal case documents by visiting the office or calling them to ask about the process.

The DuPage County Circuit Clerk office sits at 505 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton, IL 60187. Call them at (630) 407-8700 with questions about case records. Their website has more details on services they offer. The clerk can help you find case numbers, pull up filings, and tell you the status of a case. Walk-ins are welcome during normal business hours. Bring a valid ID if you plan to request copies of criminal records in DuPage County.

The DuPage County Circuit Clerk homepage lists office services and gives access to court forms and fee information.

You can also find directions and parking details on the website. The courthouse campus is on the north side of Wheaton, just off County Farm Road. Parking is free for visitors at most county lots.

Search DuPage County Criminal Records Online

The 18th Judicial Circuit provides an online court records portal for DuPage County cases. This is the quickest way to look up a criminal case without leaving your home. You can search by name, case number, or other details. The system shows case type, filing date, charges, and status updates. Not every document is viewable online, but the case index gives you enough info to know where a case stands. The portal covers felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and other case types handled by the circuit court.

Visit the 18th Judicial Circuit court records page to start a search for DuPage County criminal records.

Results from the portal show basic case data. If you need a full copy of a document, you may still have to go to the clerk's office or submit a written request. Some records are restricted from online view. Sealed cases, juvenile matters, and certain confidential filings do not show up in the public search. DuPage County follows state rules on what can and cannot be released to the public, as outlined in the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630). That law sets guidelines for which records stay public and which can be sealed or expunged.

Note: Online results may not include the most recent filings if there is a processing delay at the clerk's office.

Criminal Records in DuPage County Courts

DuPage County is part of the 18th Judicial Circuit. The Illinois Courts directory page for DuPage County lists the courthouse address and phone numbers for different divisions.

The courthouse handles criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Criminal cases in DuPage County go through arraignment, pre-trial hearings, and trial in this building. If a case results in a conviction, the clerk records that outcome and it becomes part of the public record. The courtrooms, clerk windows, and self-help center are all located on the County Farm Road campus in Wheaton.

Illinois uses a unified court system, so the same circuit court handles both felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in DuPage County. Felonies carry sentences of more than one year in prison. Misdemeanors carry up to one year in county jail. Both types of criminal records are stored by the DuPage County Circuit Clerk. You can look up either type using the same search tools mentioned above.

DuPage County Criminal Records Access

Public access to criminal records in DuPage County is governed by Illinois state law. The Uniform Conviction Information Act, found at 20 ILCS 2635, says that conviction data collected by the Illinois State Police must be available to the public. This means anyone can request conviction records. You don't need to give a reason. The act only covers convictions, though. Arrests that did not lead to a conviction are not released under this law.

For DuPage County court records specifically, you go through the Circuit Clerk. Fees for copies vary. Most counties in Illinois charge per page for standard copies and add a fee for certified copies. Call the clerk at (630) 407-8700 to confirm the current rates for DuPage County criminal record copies. Certified copies are often needed for legal proceedings. Standard copies work fine for personal use or research.

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act under 5 ILCS 140 also supports public access to government records. FOIA covers a wide range of documents held by public bodies. If the Circuit Clerk has a record that is not otherwise restricted, you can file a FOIA request to get it. Agencies have five business days to respond. DuPage County departments follow the same FOIA rules as every other county in Illinois.

State Police Records for DuPage County

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification holds criminal history data from all 102 counties, including DuPage County. If you need a statewide check rather than just local court records, the ISP Bureau of Identification is where you go. They maintain fingerprint files and conviction data that gets reported up from local law enforcement agencies. A name-based check costs $10 for electronic or $16 for paper. Fingerprint-based checks cost $15 to $32 depending on the type.

You can run a name-based search through the CHIRP system online. CHIRP stands for Criminal History Information Response Process. You need an Illinois driver's license or state ID to set up an account. Once registered, you submit a name and get results based on statewide conviction data. This covers DuPage County records that have been reported to the state police. Not all court records flow up to the state database right away, so a CHIRP search and a local court search can return different results.

Note: CHIRP only returns conviction records, not pending charges or arrests without a conviction.

Clearing Criminal Records in DuPage County

Illinois law allows certain criminal records to be expunged or sealed. In DuPage County, you file a petition with the 18th Judicial Circuit Court. Expungement is available for arrests that did not lead to a conviction, certain types of supervision, and some specific offenses. Sealing is broader. It applies to many cases where expungement is not an option. Sealed records are hidden from the public but still visible to law enforcement and some licensing agencies.

Waiting periods apply under the Criminal Identification Act. Two years must pass after supervision ends. Five years for qualified probation. Once you meet the waiting period, you file your petition with the DuPage County Circuit Clerk. The court fee for an expungement or sealing order is $60. You also need to serve copies of your petition on the State's Attorney and the arresting agency. The Office of the State Appellate Defender has a guide that covers the full process step by step. It explains what qualifies, what forms you need, and what to expect at the hearing.

DuPage County has legal aid groups that can help with expungement petitions. If you cannot afford a lawyer, look into free legal clinics in the area. The self-help center at the courthouse in Wheaton also has forms and basic guidance for people who want to file on their own.

Other Ways to Search DuPage County Criminal Records

Several statewide tools can help you find criminal case data from DuPage County. The Judici portal covers 82 counties in Illinois with free public access to court records. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. Judici shows case details, hearing dates, and dispositions. Check whether DuPage County participates in Judici or uses its own portal through the 18th Judicial Circuit instead.

Each search tool has its own strengths. The local 18th Judicial Circuit portal gives you the most direct access to DuPage County criminal records. The CHIRP system gives you statewide conviction data. Judici covers many smaller counties. For the most complete picture, you may want to search more than one of these sources. Criminal records in DuPage County can appear in the local court system, the state police database, or both. The records do not always match because each system updates on its own schedule.

• 18th Judicial Circuit court records portal for DuPage County case data
• CHIRP for statewide name-based conviction checks
• ISP Bureau of Identification for fingerprint-based criminal history
• FOIA requests to DuPage County departments for other public records
• Circuit Clerk office for in-person record requests and certified copies

Getting Copies of DuPage County Criminal Records

There are a few ways to get copies. In person is the most straightforward. Visit the Circuit Clerk at 505 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton. Bring the case number if you have it. The clerk staff will pull up the file and print what you need. Fees are charged per page. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. You can pay at the clerk window.

By mail is another option. Send a written request to the DuPage County Circuit Clerk with the case details and a check or money order for the expected fees. Include your return address. Phone requests work for basic information. Call (630) 407-8700 and the clerk can look up case status and tell you what documents are on file. They can walk you through how to request copies if you cannot come in. Some records may also be available through the 18th Judicial Circuit online portal, though full document downloads may not be free.

Cities in DuPage County

Several major cities sit within DuPage County. Each uses the DuPage County Circuit Clerk for criminal court records. Select a city below for local criminal record details.

Nearby Counties

These counties border DuPage County. If a case was filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, check that county's circuit clerk for criminal records.