Aurora Probate Court Records Search

Probate court records for Aurora residents are handled primarily through the Kane County Circuit Clerk's office in St. Charles. Aurora is the second largest city in Illinois, and it sits across four counties, though most of the city falls within Kane County. The 16th Judicial Circuit Court serves Kane County and processes all probate filings for the area. You can search Aurora probate court records online through the Kane County case portal or visit the courthouse to request copies in person. This page walks you through the process, from online searches to fees, filing steps, and where to go for help.

Probate Court Records Office

The Kane County Circuit Clerk handles probate court records for most Aurora residents. Circuit Clerk Theresa Barreiro runs the office at 540 South Randall Road, St. Charles, IL 60174. You can call the office at (630) 232-3413 for general questions or email CivilSpecialist@KaneCountyIL.gov for help with civil and probate filings. The Kane County Circuit Clerk website has forms, fee schedules, and filing instructions.

Under the Illinois Probate Act (755 ILCS 5), the Circuit Court has the power to probate wills, appoint estate representatives, and settle estates. Kane County operates under the 16th Judicial Circuit, which covers all civil and probate matters in the county. The Probate Act sets the rules for how estates are opened, managed, and closed across Illinois, and the Kane County court follows these state-level rules while adding its own local procedures for things like hearing schedules and filing formats.

Aurora sits across four counties: Kane, DuPage, Will, and Kendall. The majority of the city falls in Kane County, so that is where most Aurora probate court records end up. But if the person who died lived in a part of Aurora that sits in DuPage County, the case would be filed with the DuPage Circuit Clerk in Wheaton instead. Residents in the Will County portion file in Joliet, and those in the Kendall County section file in Yorkville. This multi-county setup can be confusing, so it helps to know which county the person's home address falls in before you start searching for probate court records.

Search Probate Court Records Online

Kane County runs its own online case portal where you can search probate court records by name or case number. The Kane County case portal shows docket entries, filing dates, party names, and scheduled court dates. The portal is free to use and does not need a login. Keep in mind that the results show docket data. They are not full document images. To get actual copies of filings, you will need to contact the Clerk's office or go to the courthouse.

Probate cases in Kane County use a case number with a "P" prefix for probate and "GR" for guardianship. If you know the year the case was filed, that makes the search faster. Type in the party name or case number, and the system will pull up matching records. Click on a result to see more detail about filings and hearing dates.

The screenshot below shows the Kane County Circuit Clerk's contact page, which has office hours and phone numbers for the various divisions.

Use the contact info on that page if you run into trouble with your online search or need help finding a specific case.

Probate Court Records Case Types

Probate court records in Aurora cover several types of cases. Decedent estate cases are the most common. When an Aurora resident dies, a family member or attorney files a petition with the Circuit Court to open the estate. The court appoints an executor or administrator who handles the deceased person's assets, pays debts, and distributes what is left to heirs. Every document filed in that case becomes part of the probate court records, and the public can request copies. The Probate Act (755 ILCS 5) governs how estates move through the Illinois court system, from the initial petition all the way through to final distribution and closing.

Guardianship cases make up another big portion. An adult guardianship petition asks the court to name someone to care for a person who can no longer handle their own affairs. The file will include the petition, medical evaluations, and court orders. Minor estate cases are the third type. These deal with money or property held for a child, usually from an inheritance or a settlement. Each type generates probate court records that the Kane County Clerk stores at the courthouse in St. Charles.

Aurora Branch Court

Kane County runs a branch court in Aurora for certain types of hearings. The Aurora Branch Court is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Not all probate matters are heard at the branch court. Most probate court records filings go through the main courthouse in St. Charles. But some hearings and status dates may be set at the Aurora location, which is more convenient for residents who live on the east side of Kane County.

If you need to file new probate documents or pick up copies, the St. Charles courthouse is the place to go. The branch court handles a limited set of case types. Call the Clerk's office at (630) 232-3413 to find out if your matter can be heard at the Aurora branch or if you need to go to St. Charles.

Filing Probate Court Records

Kane County requires electronic filing for most court documents, including probate cases. Attorneys and self-represented parties use the eFileIL portal to submit petitions, motions, and supporting documents. Once filed, these become part of the official probate court records for that case. The document shows up in the Clerk's system and becomes searchable through the online portal shortly after.

Original wills are an exception. They must be filed as physical documents at the Clerk's office. There is no fee to file a will for safekeeping in Kane County. Bring the original to 540 South Randall Road in St. Charles, and staff will process it. After the will is entered into the system, it appears in online searches. Some other documents may also need to go in by hand, so check with the Clerk's office if you are not sure whether your filing can go through eFileIL.

Probate Court Records Fees

The Kane County Circuit Clerk charges standard fees for copies of probate court records. A regular copy costs $2.00 for the first page. Pages 2 through 20 are $0.50 each. Pages after page 20 cost $0.25 each. If you need the Clerk's office to research a case for you, the fee is $6.00 per case. These fees apply to all Aurora probate court records filed in Kane County.

Filing fees for new probate cases depend on the type of case. Estate administration petitions carry a filing fee that varies based on estate size, as set by state law under the Illinois Probate Act (755 ILCS 5) and related fee statutes. Small estate affidavits may have lower fees. Guardianship petitions have their own fee amounts. Call (630) 232-3413 for the current filing fee for your specific case type.

You can pay in person with cash, check, or money order. For e-filed documents, the eFileIL system collects fees at the time of submission.

How to Get Copies

You can get copies of Aurora probate court records in person at the Kane County courthouse. Go to 540 South Randall Road in St. Charles. Bring the case number or the full name of the person whose records you need. Staff will look up the file and make copies for you. The office is open weekdays during regular business hours. Plan for some wait time, especially if the office is busy.

Mail requests work too. Send a letter to the Circuit Clerk of Kane County at 540 South Randall Road, St. Charles, IL 60174. Include the party name, case number if available, and a description of which documents you need. Add a check or money order for the copy fees. The Clerk will process your request and send the copies back by mail. Allow extra time for delivery. Mail requests for probate court records can take a week or longer depending on volume.

The 16th Judicial Circuit website has information about court procedures and schedules that may help you plan your visit or request. The screenshot below shows the circuit court website.

That site lists court rules, local procedures, and links to forms used in Kane County probate cases.

Aurora City Resources

The City of Aurora website has general city services and contact information. While probate court records are handled at the county level, the city site can help you find local services like legal aid, social services, and community programs that may be useful during the probate process. The screenshot below shows the Aurora city website.

Aurora residents can also reach out to the Illinois State Bar Association for a lawyer referral. The ISBA connects people with attorneys who handle probate and estate matters. Many lawyers in the Aurora area offer a free or low-cost first meeting. The Illinois Legal Aid guide on getting court records is another helpful resource. It walks through the steps for requesting copies of probate court records from any Illinois county, including Kane.

Kane County Probate Court Records

Most of Aurora falls in Kane County. All probate court records for Kane County residents are filed at the Circuit Clerk's office in St. Charles. Visit the full Kane County guide for more on the courthouse, fees, and filing procedures.

Nearby Cities

These cities near Aurora also have probate court records guides. Some share Kane County's court system, while others fall in neighboring counties with their own Circuit Clerks.