DeKalb County Probate Records

Probate court records in DeKalb County are maintained by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Sycamore, the county seat. DeKalb County is part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Kendall County. Lori Grunden Grubbs serves as the current Circuit Clerk. She is responsible for maintaining the records of court proceedings in the county. If you need to search for a probate case, the clerk's office provides access through the Judici online case search and in-person requests at the courthouse. This page covers how to find, search, and get copies of probate court records in DeKalb County, Illinois.

DeKalb County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk of DeKalb County is responsible for maintaining the records of court proceedings in the county, including all probate matters. Lori Grunden Grubbs holds this office. Her staff processes case filings, collects fees, and provides copies of probate court records to anyone who asks. The office is the main point of contact for anyone who needs to file a new probate case or look up an existing one.

The clerk's office is inside the DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore. You can walk in during business hours with a case number or party name, and the staff will look up the file and make copies at the counter. This is the most direct way to get probate court records if you live nearby. For certified copies, which include the clerk's official stamp and signature, let the staff know when you make your request. Certified copies cost a bit more but are needed for banks, real estate transactions, and legal proceedings.

Address: 133 W. State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178
Phone: 815-895-7131
Website: dekalbcounty.org/departments/circuit-clerk

The clerk's page on the DeKalb County website has details on services offered, contact info, and links to court forms. Check there before you visit or call so you know what to expect and what to bring. The page also links to the e-filing system and the online case search tool, which are both useful if you need to handle things remotely.

Search Probate Court Records Online

DeKalb County uses the Judici system for online case searches. Judici is a free tool used by many Illinois counties to give the public access to court case data. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. Results show the case type, parties, filing dates, and docket entries. No login or account is needed.

To find probate court records, go to the Judici search page for DeKalb County and enter the last name of the deceased or the name of any party tied to the case. You can filter by case type to narrow results to probate matters only. Click on a case to see the full docket, which lists every filing and court action in order. Some document images may be available depending on the case and what the clerk has uploaded.

The online search is useful for checking whether a case exists and getting the case number. For full copies of documents, particularly older filings or certified records, you may need to contact the clerk's office directly. But Judici is a solid first step that saves you a trip to Sycamore. If you are not sure whether the case was filed in DeKalb County or a nearby one, you can search Judici for multiple counties without leaving your desk.

Court Directory and Location

The Illinois Courts website lists the DeKalb County Courthouse with its full address, phone number, and judicial circuit assignment. The directory page is shown below.

The Illinois Courts directory page for DeKalb County confirms the courthouse location and circuit assignment.

The courthouse is at 133 W. State Street in Sycamore. This is where all probate cases are heard and where the Circuit Clerk maintains probate court records. If you drive to the courthouse, street parking is available in downtown Sycamore around the square. The courthouse is a historic building, so look for the main entrance and ask at the information desk for directions to the Circuit Clerk's office if you have not been before.

23rd Judicial Circuit Court

DeKalb County is part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Kendall County. The two counties share judges, but each has its own Circuit Clerk and maintains its own court records. Probate cases filed in DeKalb County stay at the Sycamore courthouse. The DeKalb County Circuit Clerk keeps those probate court records, not the Kendall County clerk.

If the deceased owned property in both DeKalb and Kendall counties, separate probate filings may be needed in each one. The case does not transfer between counties just because they are in the same circuit. Check with both clerks if you think filings might exist in either county. For Kendall County, that office is in Yorkville.

Filing Probate Court Records

All new probate filings in DeKalb County go through the eFileIL portal. This is the statewide electronic filing system required by Illinois for most court documents. Attorneys and self-represented parties use eFileIL to submit petitions, motions, and supporting paperwork. Once the clerk processes a filing, it becomes part of the official probate court records.

Original wills are the one exception. The state requires physical filing of original wills. You can bring the will to the clerk's office at 133 W. State Street in Sycamore or mail it in. Always make copies before handing over the original, because the court retains it permanently. After the clerk files the will, it enters the electronic case system and shows up in online searches. Mail the original to the Circuit Clerk at 133 W. State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178.

E-filing speeds up the process. Documents reach the court database faster than paper filings used to. You can check your filing status through Judici once the clerk processes it. If you have trouble with eFileIL, call the clerk's office at 815-895-7131 for help, or check the Illinois Courts website for e-filing guides and support contacts.

Probate Law in Illinois

Probate court records in DeKalb County are governed by the Illinois Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5). This is the state law that sets the rules for handling estates, appointing executors, notifying heirs and creditors, and distributing assets. It applies the same way in every Illinois county, DeKalb included.

Under the Probate Act, the Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all probate matters. This means the court handles admitting wills to probate, appointing personal representatives, resolving disputes among heirs, reviewing estate inventories, and approving final distributions. Each of these actions creates filings that become part of the probate court records. The Act also governs guardianship cases, which go through the same probate division and produce their own set of court records.

All probate court records are public in Illinois. You do not need to be a party to the case or show a reason for your request. Anyone can ask to see or copy probate filings, and the clerk must provide access. There are fees for copies, but no one can deny you access to the records themselves. The only exception is if a judge has specifically sealed a file, which is rare in probate cases.

Fees for Probate Records

DeKalb County follows the standard Illinois fee schedule for court filings and copies. Filing a will for safekeeping is free. Opening a new estate case comes with court fees that vary by estate value and type of administration. These amounts are set by state law.

Copy fees follow the standard pattern. Regular copies are $2.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Certified copies cost more because they include the clerk's official stamp. Letters of Office are $2.00 each. Plan on needing several copies of Letters of Office, since banks, title companies, insurance carriers, and other institutions each want their own copy as proof that you have legal authority over the estate.

If you need the clerk to search for a case and you do not have the number, a search fee applies per year searched. Call 815-895-7131 ahead of time to confirm current fee amounts so you send the right payment or bring enough cash or a check when you visit.

Statewide Court Resources

The Illinois Courts website has resources that apply to all counties, including DeKalb. You can find approved probate forms, self-help guides, and a directory of every courthouse in the state. The public resources section is shown below.

The Illinois Courts public resources page has forms, guides, and self-help tools that work in DeKalb County and every other county in the state.

For self-represented parties, the approved forms are especially useful. They include petitions for estate administration, guardianship forms, small estate affidavits, and other documents you might need in a probate case. Download them, fill them out, and file through eFileIL or bring them to the clerk's office in Sycamore. The site also has step-by-step instructions that walk you through the probate process from start to finish.

Types of Probate Court Records

Several kinds of cases create probate court records in DeKalb County. The Circuit Clerk maintains all of them in the same system.

• Decedent's estate cases with supervised or independent administration
• Small estate affidavits for estates under $100,000 in personal property
• Guardianship petitions for minors and disabled adults
• Will deposits where someone files a will for safekeeping
• Trust disputes and will contests filed through the probate division

Estate cases are the most common type of probate filing in DeKalb County. When a county resident dies, a family member or attorney files a petition to open the estate. The court appoints an executor if there is a will, or an administrator if there is not. Everything filed from that point forward, from the estate inventory to the final accounting, becomes part of the probate court records. The process can take months or even years for larger or contested estates.

Small estate affidavits give families a faster path when the personal property is valued under $100,000. No full court administration is needed. The heir files an affidavit, and the case closes quicker. These still produce probate court records that are searchable through Judici or at the clerk's office.

Get Copies of Records

You can get copies of probate court records in DeKalb County in person or by mail. In person is fastest. Visit the clerk's office at 133 W. State Street in Sycamore with the case number or party name. Staff will pull the file and make copies at the counter. Pay before you leave. This is the best option for certified copies that need the clerk's seal.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send a letter to the Circuit Clerk at 133 W. State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178. Include the case number or the full name of the party, a description of the documents you need, and your return address. Enclose a check or money order payable to the Circuit Clerk of DeKalb County for the estimated fees. The clerk will process the request and mail your copies back. Plan on a couple of weeks for turnaround. Call 815-895-7131 first if you need to confirm the fee amount.

For basic case information like docket entries and filing dates, try the Judici online search first. It is free and may give you what you need without a trip to the courthouse. But for actual document copies or anything that needs to be certified, you will need to go through the clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

If the probate case you need was filed in a different county, check these pages for Circuit Clerk info and case search tools.