Search Cook County Illinois Probate Court Records, Estates, Wills & Guardianship Filings
Use official Cook County, Illinois Probate Division and Clerk of the Circuit Court resources to search probate case information, access forms, file or deposit a will, request copies, check guardianship resources, and find the correct Daley Center office.
Choose what you need below. Cook County probate users usually need case lookup, estate records, will filing, probate forms, guardianship information, certified copies, or the Probate Division Clerk location.
📂 Search probate case records or docket information
Use this for: probate case lookup, estate docket information, party search, and general filing status.
Best official path: Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court online case information and Probate Division resources.
Important: online docket information is a summary and is not the official court record.
Cook County Illinois Probate Court Quick Facts
Cook County probate matters are handled in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. The Probate Division courtrooms are located on the 18th floor of the Richard J. Daley Center, while the Clerk of the Circuit Court Probate Division office is located in Room 1202.
What This Cook County Probate Court Guide Covers
Official Cook County Probate Court Path in Illinois
For Cook County, Illinois probate matters, start with the Circuit Court of Cook County Probate Division and the Clerk of the Circuit Court Probate Division. The Probate Division handles probate-related court matters, while the Clerk’s Probate Division handles filing, case records, will filing, and probate document processing.
Do not confuse Cook County, Illinois with Cook County, Georgia. A search for “Cook County Probate Court” may show a Georgia probate court website, but Illinois probate users should use Cook County, Illinois Circuit Court and Clerk resources.
Use the Circuit Court of Cook County Probate Division for probate courtrooms, judges, contact information, remote court details, and division resources.
Use the Clerk of the Circuit Court Probate Division for filings, case records, wills, copies, and filing assistance.
Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602. Probate courtrooms are on the 18th floor; Clerk Probate Division is Room 1202.
For filing new probate cases or checking pending estate status, call the Clerk Probate Division at 312-603-6441.
How to Search Cook County Probate Court Records Online
Cook County provides online case information through the Clerk of the Circuit Court. This online information can help users check general case status, docket entries, and case details. However, the Clerk explains that online case data is a brief electronic docket summary and is not the official record of the court.
Start with official case information
Open the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court online case information page and use the available case lookup options.
Search with strong details
Use the probate case number, estate name, decedent name, guardian name, disabled adult/minor name, attorney name, or filing year if available.
Remember online data is not the official record
The online docket may not show every document, and recent filings may take time to appear online.
Request copies from the Clerk when needed
If you need certified documents, letters, orders, or file copies for official use, contact the Probate Division Clerk rather than relying only on a screen print.
Opening an Estate or Filing Probate Documents in Cook County
Cook County probate filings can involve decedent estates, supervised or independent administration, letters of office, claims, inventories, accountings, heirship issues, petitions, orders, and related estate documents. Probate filing rules can be technical, so review official forms and court resources before preparing documents.
Use this path when an estate must be opened for assets, debts, title transfer, claims, or court-supervised administration.
Financial institutions, title companies, and agencies may require current certified letters or court orders before releasing assets.
Estate files may include creditor claims, notices, motions, orders, receipts, inventories, reports, and accountings.
Probate estates can be legally complex. Court staff can provide procedural information but cannot give legal advice.
Filing or Depositing a Will in Cook County Probate Division
The Clerk of the Circuit Court Probate Division explains that there is no fee for filing a will. The Clerk lists three ways to file a will: in person at the Daley Center Probate Division office, by mail to the Probate Division, or in person at one of the Clerk’s office locations.
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Probate Division, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Room 1202, Chicago, IL 60602.
The Clerk page lists mailing to the main office, ATTN: Probate Division, Clerk of Circuit Court of Cook County, Daley Center, Room 1202.
The Clerk page states that there is no fee for filing a will. Confirm the current process before mailing original documents.
Before mailing an original will, confirm Clerk instructions, tracking method, cover information, and any required will card or filing details.
Cook County Guardianship and Disabled Adult or Minor Probate Cases
The Probate Division handles guardianship-related matters involving minors and disabled adults. Guardianship cases may involve petitions, reports, care decisions, property management, surety issues, bonds, accountings, court orders, and ongoing supervision.
Use Probate Division resources and Clerk forms for minor guardianship filings, assistance desk information, and court process guidance.
Use this path for adult guardianship matters involving personal or estate decision-making authority.
Cook County court and Clerk pages provide probate forms, but every case is unique and standard forms may not perfectly fit every situation.
Guardianship can affect important rights and responsibilities. Consider legal help when the matter is contested, urgent, or complex.
Cook County Probate Forms and eFiling Resources
Cook County provides probate forms through the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Circuit Court Probate Division. The Probate Division forms page explains that the listed forms are common probate forms, but there are many more, and standardized forms may not fit every circumstance.
Cook County eFiling information explains that Illinois civil filings generally use the statewide eFileIL system, with exceptions including wills. Save completed forms to your computer before uploading them to the eFiling portal.
Probate Division Forms
Common forms used in the Cook County Probate Division.
Open Probate FormsClerk Court Form Search
Search Clerk of the Circuit Court forms for probate and other case types.
Open Form SearchCook County eFiling
Official eFiling information and links for Cook County court filings.
Open eFiling InfoCertified Copies, Probate Orders and Official Court Records
Online case information may help locate a probate case, but official use often requires a certified copy or a court-issued document. Cook County explains that official court records are maintained in hard copy paper files in the courthouse or other official Clerk repositories.
Ask the Probate Division Clerk whether you need certified letters of office, letters of administration, guardianship letters, or another official document.
Some estate funds, title transfers, and institutional requests may require certified court orders.
Online docket updates may take a few days, so very recent filings may not appear immediately.
If a recent online result is missing, Cook County directs users to courthouse public access terminals or to check online again later.
Official Cook County Probate Court Links
Probate Division
Main Circuit Court of Cook County Probate Division page.
Open Probate DivisionClerk Probate Division
Clerk information for probate filings, wills, guardianship and office details.
Open Clerk Probate PageCourt Records & Archives
Cook County information about official court records and online docket limitations.
Open Records InfoCook County Probate Court Map and Location
The Cook County Probate Division is located at the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602. Probate courtrooms are on the 18th floor, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court Probate Division is in Room 1202.
Cook County Illinois Probate Court FAQs
Where is Cook County Probate Court located?
Cook County probate matters are handled at the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602. The Probate Division is on the 18th floor, and the Clerk Probate Division is in Room 1202.
What is the Cook County Probate Division phone number?
For Probate Division Clerk inquiries, including filing new cases or checking pending estate status, the listed phone number is 312-603-6441.
How do I search Cook County probate records?
Start with the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court online case information page. Search by case number, estate name, decedent name, party name, or filing details when available.
Is Cook County online case information the official court record?
No. The Clerk explains that online case data is an electronic docket summary and is not the official court record. Official records are held by the Clerk in courthouse files or official repositories.
How much does it cost to file a will in Cook County?
The Clerk Probate Division page states there is no fee for filing a will. Confirm the current process before mailing or delivering original documents.
Where do I file a will in Cook County?
The Clerk lists the main Probate Division office at the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Room 1202, Chicago, IL 60602. The Clerk also lists mail and other office-location options.
Where can I find Cook County probate forms?
Use the Circuit Court Probate Division forms page and the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court form search page. Standard forms may not fit every case, so verify before filing.
Can I eFile Cook County probate documents?
Illinois civil filings generally use the statewide eFileIL system, but wills are listed as an exception. Check Cook County eFiling and Clerk Probate Division instructions before submitting documents.