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How to Find Public Records in Jo Daviess County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, online portals, and authorized request channels. The Jo Daviess County official website serves as the primary digital gateway for locating government-held documents, and the third-party directory JodaviessRecords.us may also assist users in identifying relevant record sources. Available records may include, but are not limited to, the following categories:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Property tax and assessment records
Arrest logs and law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
Business licenses and permits
Zoning and land use documents
County board meeting minutes and agendas

Online Access: The county's online services portal provides access to court record searches through the Judici platform, property tax inquiries, and email notification sign-ups. Court records may be searched without prior registration through the Judici system. Vital records dated 1916 and later are accessible through the county's vital records and land records page via an independent processing service. Property and parcel data are available through the Jo Daviess County GIS mapping portal, which offers a public map portal for parcel searches and geographic data.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Jo Daviess County Courthouse. The Circuit Clerk's office maintains court records and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The County Clerk's office handles vital records and land records during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office at 330 N. Bench Street, Galena, IL 61036. Requests must include the requester's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, public bodies are required to respond within five business days of receiving a written request.

Phone/Email: The Jo Daviess County Clerk's office may be reached at (815) 777-0161. The Circuit Clerk's office is reachable at (815) 777-0037.

What Are Public Records in Jo Daviess County?

Public records in Jo Daviess County are defined under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/2, as all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, recorded information, and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business. The following record types are maintained by county offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Circuit Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	County Clerk/Recorder
Birth, death, marriage, divorce records	County Clerk
Property tax and assessment records	County Assessor / Treasurer
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk
Zoning and land use records	County Planning & Zoning
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Administrator
Budget and financial documents	County Finance Office
Arrest logs and incident reports	Jo Daviess County Sheriff

The Jo Daviess County Circuit Clerk is designated as the Keeper of Records for all court proceedings and is required by law to attend all sessions of the court, preserve all court records, and issue process as required. The Jo Daviess County Courthouse houses the trial court and several government offices that maintain public documents.

Is Jo Daviess County an Open Records County?

Jo Daviess County fully complies with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at 5 ILCS 140, which governs public access to government records throughout the state. Under this statute, all public bodies in Illinois are required to make their public records available for inspection and copying upon request, subject to enumerated exemptions.

As stated in the Act, "it is the public policy of the State of Illinois 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 and public employees." This policy reflects the state's commitment to government transparency and accountability.

Jo Daviess County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance; the county operates in full accordance with state sunshine law requirements. Each county department designates a FOIA officer responsible for processing requests and ensuring compliance with statutory response deadlines.

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

The fee structure for public records in Jo Daviess County is governed by 5 ILCS 140/6, which sets limits on what public bodies may charge for fulfilling records requests. Current standard fees are as follows:

Fee Type	Amount
Black-and-white paper copies (letter/legal size)	$0.15 per page
Color copies	Actual cost
Certification of records	Varies by office
Electronic format (where available)	No charge in many cases
Search fees	Not permitted under state law
Inspection of records	No charge

The first 50 pages of black-and-white, letter- or legal-size copies are provided at no charge. Fees beyond that threshold are capped at $0.15 per page. Public bodies may charge the actual cost of reproducing records in other formats. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order payable to the respective county office. Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and the requester is not seeking the records for a commercial purpose.

Does Jo Daviess County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public under Illinois law, which prohibits charging a fee solely for inspecting records. The following resources provide free access to Jo Daviess County records:

The county online services portal provides free court record searches through the Judici platform and free property tax inquiries.
The Jo Daviess County GIS mapping site offers free public access to parcel maps, property boundaries, and geographic data without registration.
In-person inspection of records at county offices is provided at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
The Illinois Department of Corrections maintains a free individual in custody search tool for locating individuals currently held in state correctional facilities.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public have the right to view records at no cost, while reproduction fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested beyond the first 50 pages.

Who Can Request Public Records in Jo Daviess County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Jo Daviess County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under 5 ILCS 140/3, public bodies are not permitted to require requesters to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving specific record categories.

Residency: Requesters are not required to be Illinois residents.
Identification: Identification is not required for general public records requests, though it may be required for certain vital records (e.g., certified copies of birth or death certificates) to verify eligibility.
Purpose: Requesters are not required to state a purpose for most records requests.
Non-residents: Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under state law.
Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records may be required to provide identifying information to verify identity and protect against unauthorized disclosure.

Certain record categories, such as certified vital records, impose eligibility restrictions. Access to birth and death certificates is limited to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest, as governed by the Illinois Vital Records Act.

What Records Are Confidential in Jo Daviess County?

Not all government-held records are subject to public disclosure. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act enumerates specific categories of exempt records under 5 ILCS 140/7. The following records are currently withheld from public access in Jo Daviess County:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or abuse proceedings are confidential under the Juvenile Court Act.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled during active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with proceedings.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical records: Health and medical information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
Child welfare records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for public officials' compensation and performance records.
Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected from disclosure.
Security plans: Infrastructure protection plans and security-related documents are exempt from public release.

Public bodies applying exemptions are required to redact only the exempt portions of a record and release the remainder, rather than withholding an entire document on the basis of a partial exemption.

Jo Daviess County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Jo Daviess County Clerk and Recorder
330 N. Bench Street
Galena, IL 61036
(815) 777-0161
Jo Daviess County Clerk and Recorder

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays

Jo Daviess County Circuit Clerk
330 N. Bench Street
Galena, IL 61036
(815) 777-0037
Jo Daviess County Circuit Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays

As noted by the Circuit Clerk's office, "The Clerk is required to attend all sessions of the Court, keep and preserve all records of the Court, issue process as required by law, and is also the Keeper of Records." Court records may be searched in person at the public access terminal located within the courthouse or remotely through the Judici online platform.

Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office
201 W. Prospect Street
Elizabeth, IL 61028
(815) 858-2326
Jo Daviess County Sheriff

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Jo Daviess County Assessor
330 N. Bench Street
Galena, IL 61036
(815) 777-0169
Jo Daviess County Assessor