Dekalb County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Dekalb County?

Public records in DeKalb County, Illinois, are documents, data, and other recorded information created or received by government agencies in the course of conducting official business. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, codified at 5 ILCS § 140/2, a "public record" encompasses any document, report, letter, book, map, photograph, microfilm, magnetic tape, electronic data, or other recorded information relating to the transaction of public business by a public body.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained and accessible through various DeKalb County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files are maintained by the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk at the DeKalb County Courthouse
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are held by the DeKalb County Recorder's Office
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates are maintained by the DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder
Business records — Assumed business name filings and related permits are recorded with the County Clerk
Tax records — Property tax bills, assessment records, and payment histories are administered by the DeKalb County Treasurer and Supervisor of Assessments
Voting and election records — Voter registration data, election results, and precinct maps are maintained by the County Clerk's Elections Division
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of the DeKalb County Board and its committees are available through the County Administrator's Office
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are published by the DeKalb County Finance Department
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, variance applications, and land use permits are maintained by the DeKalb County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Dekalb County an Open Records County?

DeKalb County fully operates under Illinois open records law and is subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Under 5 ILCS § 140/1, the General Assembly declared 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. This foundational provision establishes a strong presumption in favor of disclosure.

Key provisions of the Act currently in force include:

Public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five business days of receipt, with a possible five-business-day extension under specified circumstances
Denial of a request must be made in writing and must cite the specific statutory exemption relied upon
Requestors who are denied access may seek review by the Illinois Public Access Counselor within the Office of the Attorney General

DeKalb County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law; all county offices comply with the statewide FOIA framework. The county's compliance with Illinois sunshine laws extends to the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS § 120), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that agendas and minutes be made available.

How to Find Public Records in Dekalb County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain DeKalb County public records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the office that maintains it.

To submit a FOIA request to a county office:

Identify the specific public body that maintains the record (e.g., County Clerk, Sheriff's Office, Circuit Clerk)
Prepare a written request describing the records sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate them
Submit the request by mail, in person, or via the designated email address published on each office's official website
The public body must acknowledge and respond within five business days under state law

To access records online:

Property records and recorded documents may be searched through the DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder's online portal at dekalbcountyclerkil.gov
Court case information is accessible through the Illinois Courts system via the DeKalb County Courthouse directory
Individuals in custody at Illinois correctional facilities may be located through the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search
Registered sex offenders residing in DeKalb County may be searched through the Illinois State Police sex offender registry

To access records in person:

Visit the relevant county office during public counter hours
Present a valid government-issued photo identification if required by the specific office
Staff will assist in locating responsive records or direct the requestor to the appropriate department

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

Current fees for public records in DeKalb County are governed by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and vary by office and record type. Under 5 ILCS § 140/6, public bodies may charge fees for copies of records but may not charge for the first 50 pages of black-and-white, letter- or legal-size copies.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

Paper copies (black and white, letter/legal size): No charge for the first 50 pages; subsequent pages may be charged at the actual cost of reproduction, not to exceed $0.15 per page for most public bodies
Color copies or non-standard sizes: Charged at the actual cost of reproduction
Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Fees are set by statute and are currently $15.00 per certified copy through the County Clerk's Office
Recorded document copies: Fees for copies of deeds, mortgages, and other recorded instruments are set by the Recorder's Office schedule
Electronic records: May be provided at no charge or at the cost of the recording medium

Accepted payment methods at county offices generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card, though accepted methods may vary by office. Fee waivers are available under state law when the requester is a news media organization or when disclosure is in the public interest and the primary purpose is not commercial.

Does Dekalb County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in DeKalb County, consistent with the requirements of Illinois law. Members of the public are entitled to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours at the office that maintains them; fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following free public record resources are currently available through official government sources:

Online property and recorded document searches are available at no cost through the DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder's official website at dekalbcountyclerkil.gov
Court case information may be reviewed at no charge through the public terminals available at the DeKalb County Courthouse
Inmate status and custody information is available at no cost through the Illinois Department of Corrections offender search portal
Sex offender registry information is provided free of charge to the public through the Illinois State Police offender registry
Election results, voter registration information, and meeting minutes are published at no cost on the County Clerk's website

Who Can Request Public Records in Dekalb County?

Any person may submit a public records request in DeKalb County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act does not restrict access to Illinois residents; non-residents and out-of-state individuals retain the same rights to request records as county residents.

Under current law, requestors are generally not required to:

Demonstrate residency in DeKalb County or the State of Illinois
Provide personal identification when submitting a written FOIA request (though in-person inspection at some offices may require ID for administrative purposes)
State the purpose for which the records are sought, with limited exceptions for commercial requestors

Certain record types carry additional access requirements:

Vital records (certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates) are restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest, pursuant to the Illinois Vital Records Act
Juvenile court records are accessible only to authorized parties as defined by the Juvenile Court Act
Individuals requesting their own records held by law enforcement or other agencies may be subject to identity verification procedures

Commercial requestors are subject to a distinct fee structure and must identify themselves as such in their FOIA request, as provided under 5 ILCS § 140/3.1.

What Records Are Confidential in Dekalb County?

Not all government-held records in DeKalb County are subject to public disclosure. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act enumerates specific categories of exempt information under 5 ILCS § 140/7, which public bodies are authorized — and in some cases required — to withhold.

Records currently exempt from disclosure include:

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 criminal investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled in connection with active investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with the investigation or endanger individuals
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records
Medical and health records — Protected health information is exempt under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — Sealed adoption records are accessible only through court order or as provided by the Illinois Adoption Act
Child welfare and protective services records — Records of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services relating to abuse and neglect investigations are confidential
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain disciplinary records of public safety officers
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted in connection with license or permit applications, such information is protected from disclosure
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Records describing the security of public buildings or infrastructure are exempt to prevent potential harm

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the severability provisions of 5 ILCS § 140/7.

Dekalb County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder serves as the principal custodian of property records, vital records, election records, and other official county documents. Members of the public may visit the office in person or submit requests by mail or online.

DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder 110 E. Sycamore St., Sycamore, IL 60178 (815) 895-7149 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder

DeKalb County Courthouse (Circuit Clerk) 133 W. State St., Sycamore, IL 60178 (815) 895-7131 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. DeKalb County Courthouse

DeKalb County Sheriff's Office 150 N. Main St., Sycamore, IL 60178 (815) 895-2155 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

DeKalb County Treasurer's Office 110 E. Sycamore St., Sycamore, IL 60178 (815) 895-7112 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.