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Court Records in Chicago, Illinois
At our Chicago facility, you can review closed bankruptcy, civil, and criminal case files from U.S. District and Bankruptcy courts in:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Ohio (District)
- Ohio (Bankruptcy to 1990)
- Sixth Court of Appeals (Cincinnati)
- Seventh Court of Appeals (Chicago)
- Wisconsin
In general (and with some exceptions), records more than 30 years old are held by the Regional Archives, and less than 30 years old at the Federal Records Center. The following order instructions apply to all court records held in Chicago.
You can order copies of court case files:
- Online
- Order Forms:
- You can also schedule an appointment to visit the Chicago facility. (Requests cannot be made by telephone.)
Visiting The Chicago Facility
You must make an appointment before visiting the Chicago facility. To do so, follow the steps below:
Step 1 - Acquire case information from the Federal court.
For each case, obtain the following information from the court where the case was closed. Your request cannot be processed without this information.
- City where the court is located
- Case file name(s)
- Case file number
- Transfer number
- Agency box number
- NARA location number
Step 2 - Schedule an appointment.
Call 773-948-9030 between 8:00 a.m.. and 4:00 p.m. weekdays, except Federal holidays, to schedule an appointment with us. You will need to provide the following information:
- The case information from Step 1.
- Your name and daytime telephone number.
Appointments are scheduled on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. You will usually be given an appointment on the first or second business day after your call.
Step 3 - Arrive at the appointed time.
The facility has a "clean" research room policy. Only paper and pencil, laptop computers, or portable audio recording devices may be used for note taking. Briefcases, pocketbooks, bags, and other personal items must be checked in a locker or returned to your vehicle. Eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted in the research room. The facility is handicapped accessible.
Step 4 - Obtain Copies of Documents.
You must identify the pages you wish to have copied. The research room staff is not trained in court procedures and can provide only limited assistance in identifying pages that you need. All questions regarding file contents must be directed to the appropriate Federal court.
Please note:
- Certified and uncertified copies are available. Certifications are $15.00 each.
- Payment is due before the copies are made.
- Payment may be made by cash, money order, personal check (payable to the National Archives Trust Fund, valid identification required), or by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA.
- No copies will be made after 4:00 p.m.
- Photocopy requests of more than 100 pages may not be available for pick-up the following day, or may be mailed to you.
What to Send Us
1. Case information from the Federal court.
Please use One Page Per Case for each court case identified in Step 1 above.
2. Select what types of copies you'd like:
- Identify whether you want the ENTIRE CONTENTS of the case file photocopied or a PACKAGE of selected documents:
The ENTIRE CONTENTS of the case file includes all the documents in the case file and costs $70.00 for up to 150 pages (uncertified) or $85.00 for up to 150 pages certified. If the case file exceeds 150 pages, a labor charge billed in 15-minute increments will be added. - For Bankruptcy case files only, a PACKAGE contains the commonly requested documents listed below. This option includes one or more of the documents listed below (no substitutes accepted). Note that some bankruptcy case files do not contain all the documents listed. If you chose the PACKAGE, you will receive only the copies of the documents found in the file.
All questions concerning file contents should be directed to the appropriate bankruptcy court. The PACKAGE costs $25.00 (uncertified) or $40.00, certified.
- Final Decree, Order of Dismissal, or Order of Discharge
- Debtor's Voluntary Petition
- Statement of All Liabilities of Debtor
- Summary of Assets
3. So that we can send your copies, include your:
- Name and address including zip code
- Daytime telephone number (if we have a problem with your request)
- Fax number (only if you want your copies faxed to you. Certified copies cannot be faxed.)
4. Pay for your copies:
Make payment by money order, personal check (payable to the National Archives Trust Fund), or by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA. Provide type of credit card, account number, expiration date, and cardholder's authorized signature.
Mail payment or credit card information to:
* Please do not send credit card information via e-mail. See our Privacy Policy.
NARA, Great Lakes Region- FRC, AIS Operation
7358 S. Pulaski Road
Chicago, Illinois 60629OR
Fax your request and credit card information to: 773-948-9051 *
Your photocopies will be sent to you as soon as workload permits. If you want express mail service, please prepay the charges or provide your account number and name of the express mail company.
YOUR REQUEST, AND ANY FEES SUBMITTED, WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU IF:
- The information supplied in Step 1 is incorrect or incomplete.
- The name on the case file does not match the name requested.
- You fail to enclose full credit card information or the amount of your enclosed payment is incorrect.
- Charges to your credit card are not approved.
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