What are Bureau County Public Records?
Bureau County public records are written documents or recordings created, received or cataloged by government agencies. Therefore, the term "public records" may cover architectural plans, symbols, videotapes, charters, statistical tables, graphs, audio recordings, emails, memoranda, notes, photographs, and SMS. Per the Illinois State Records Act, public agencies have the right to restrict the disclosure of public records if it contains the following information:
- Documents containing an individual's social security number, credit/debit card number, driver’s license, passwords, personal contact details, and insurance information;
- Preliminary notes, drafts, inter or intra-agency memoranda which are not used or retained by a public agency in decision-making;
- Minutes of the meeting of public entities closed to the public;
- Architectural and official building plans of government-owned buildings;
- Medical records that contain personal information about a patient;
- Voters’ registration information, such as email address, home address, and other identifying information;
- Trade secrets or negotiations filed with a public agency for licensing purposes;
- Information about attorney-client privilege;
- Data on law enforcement investigation techniques and strategies;
- Juvenile records and information compiled by law enforcement agencies;
- Data about pending litigation that involves a public agency or entity;
- Drafts and preliminary notes of policy-making documents;
- Data about competition or bidding;
- Location of archeological sites and information on endangered species;
- Voters' registration data detailing a voter's contact details;
- Public documents containing information about the identity of informants in a law enforcement investigation;
- Information security records that may reveal vulnerabilities to a public agency's information technology system;
- Government-owned proprietary computer programs, source codes, and passwords.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Bureau County Crime Statistics
The Bureau County Sheriff's Office documents all arrests conducted by local law enforcement personnel. Furthermore, it creates yearly crime statistics from all collated index crimes. Persons or entities can access Bureau County crime statistics via the Illinois State Police's online platform. In the 2018 Index Crime Report, Bureau County reported a total number of 436 index crime offenses. The county did not report any criminal homicide, arson, or human trafficking. Reported index crimes include; 17 rapes, three robberies, 32 aggravated assaults, 80 burglaries, 291 thefts, and 13 motor vehicle thefts. Meanwhile, Bureau County reported 417 index crimes in 2014. Compared to the 2014 index crime statistics, crime rates increased slightly by four percent.
Are Bureau County Criminal Records Public?
According to the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act, Bureau County criminal records are publicly-accessible. However, custodian agencies may restrict access to criminal records containing confidential information. For example, juvenile criminal records are not publicly-accessible: only the record subject, parent/guardian, and other authorized persons can receive juvenile criminal records. Also, custodian agencies restrict access to information on crime victims, complainants, or witnesses.
The Illinois State Police is the custodian of criminal records. Furthermore, it provides access to these records via the Criminal History Information Response (CHIRP). Thus, requesters may conduct name-based searches on the CHIRP to obtain criminal records. Note that each search costs $16, payable by a credit card or an eCheck.
The ISP may also provide request forms for mail requests. Persons interested in fingerprint searches may visit an approved live scan fingerprint vendor. A fingerprint search costs $20 plus additional fingerprinting fees charged by each vendor. Residents may contact the ISP by email at ISP.CONTACT@illinois.gov or send mails to:
Illinois State Police
Bureau of Identification
P.O. Box 88727
Chicago, IL 60680-1727
How to Obtain Bureau County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Public members can obtain copies of police reports or arrest records from the Bureau County Sheriff's Office. Persons seeking to retrieve Bureau County arrest records or police reports can visit the County Sheriff's office at:
Bureau County Sheriff's Office
attn: FOIA Officer
22 Park Avenue West
Princeton, IL 61356
Phone: (815) 872-3091
Email: bcso.foia@bureaucounty-il.gov
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Bureau County
The ISP's Sex Offender Registry contains information on all sex offenders registered and residing in Bureau County. Thus, public members seeking to obtain Bureau County sex offenders' information must fill out these options on the sex offender registry:
- The offender's county, city, and zip code;
- The offender's release date or time range.
Furthermore, record seekers may opt to view the search results via the offender's name, IDOC number, zip code or city.
How to Find Bureau County Inmate Records
The Illinois Department of Corrections maintains an online database of all inmates incarcerated within Bureau County. Thus, interested persons can find Bureau County inmate records on the database via these options:
- Search by Last Name;
- Search by IDOC number;
- Search by birth date.
Bureau County Court Records
Bureau County Court records are documents containing information about court proceedings in the county. The Bureau County Circuit Clerk's Office is responsible for recording all court proceedings in the county. Court records include data on affidavits, dockets, transcripts, and other court case files. Thus all requests for court documents must be directed to the Clerk of the Circuit Court at:
Bureau County Circuit Clerk's Office
Bureau County CourtHouse
Room 100
700 South Main Street
Princeton, IL 61356
Phone: (815) 872-2001
Email: cdreglin@bureaucounty-il.gov
Location of All Courts in Bureau County
Bureau County Circuit Court
Bureau County Courthouse
700 South Main Street
Room 100
Princeton, IL 61356
Phone: (815) 872-2001
Fax: (815) 872-0027
Are Bureau County Court Records Public?
Per the Illinois State Records Act, Bureau County court records are public documents. Hence, record seekers can obtain copies of their preferred court document from the Clerk of the Bureau County Circuit Court. Nevertheless, custodian agencies may restrict public access to court records containing confidential information.
For example, juvenile, adoption, and civil harassment court records are often redacted from public view. However, the county court may release these confidential court records to persons or entities with a legitimate interest in the document. Juvenile court records are only accessible to the offender, parent/guardians, and authorized government agencies.
Also, criminal court records that may harm or damage the confidentiality of record subjects are often excluded from public disclosure. In some cases, court records are only accessible for a limited timeframe. For example, bankruptcy records are open records for a limited period, depending on the type of bankruptcy filed.
How to Obtain Bureau County Civil Court Case Records
Record seekers can obtain civil court cases from the Bureau County Circuit Clerk’s Office. The Bureau County Circuit Clerk's Office enables public access to civil court case records via in-person or online requests. To receive civil court case records in-person, requesters must visit the Circuit Clerk's Office at:
700 South Main Street
Room 100
Princeton, IL 61356
Phone: (815) 872-2001
Fax: (815) 872-0027
Email: dreglin@bureaucounty-il.gov
In contrast, requesters can view civil court records on an online search portal maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Office. Requesters must register or sign-in on the platform to search and get copies of court documents.
How to Obtain Bureau County Criminal Court Case Records
The Bureau County Circuit Clerk's office maintains all criminal records documented within the county. Thus, record seekers can obtain civil court cases from the office of the Bureau County Circuit Clerk. Furthermore, it provides access to criminal court case records via in-person or online requests. Interested persons or entitled can access Bureau County criminal records in-person at:
700 South Main Street
Room 100
Princeton, IL 61356
Phone: (815) 872-2001
Fax: (815) 872-0027
Email: dreglin@bureaucounty-il.gov
Likewise, online copies of Bureau County criminal records are accessible to interested persons via an online search portal. Requesters must register or sign-in on the platform to search and get copies of court documents.
What are Bureau County Vital Records?
Bureau County vital records are government-verified documents on all life events within the county. Vital records provide information on life events, such as birth, death, marriage, or divorce events. Furthermore, these vital records are under the purview of local and state government agencies. For example, the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder documents and maintains all vital records at the county level. However, the Illinois Department of Health is the custodian of vital records at the state level.
Bureau County Divorce Records
Bureau County divorce records contain information on all dissolution of marriages in the county. Persons or entities interested in accessing the records may contact the record custodian at the state or local level. To obtain divorce records from the Clerk of the Circuit Court, requesters must visit the Bureau County Circuit Court at:
700 South Main Street
Princeton, IL 61356.
Phone: (815) 872-2001
For divorce records verification, requesters contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at:
Division of Vital Records
Illinois Department of Public Health
925 East Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702
Bureau County Marriage Records
Bureau County marriage records are official documents that verify all marriage licenses issued within the county. The Bureau County Clerk and Recorder is the record custodian of all marriage records. Furthermore, it maintains Bureau County marriage records from 1837 to the present. Thus, interested persons can access marriage records via in-person or mail requests.
That said, record seekers must send an Application for Vital Records form and a proof of identity via mail or in-person to:
Bureau County Clerk
700 South Main Street
Room 104
Princeton, IL 61356
Email: vitals@bureaucounty-il.gov
Marriage records preceding 1967 are under genealogical records. Requesters for genealogy records are to contact the County Clerk to make an order. Alternatively, they can also get a copy online by visiting the official Bureau County genealogy platform. Non-certified genealogy copies cost $10.00.
Bureau County Birth Records
The Office of the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder dispenses birth records to eligible persons. Requesters can find birth records from 1878 to present at the County Clerk's Office. Each copy of a certified birth record costs $22.00. Additional copies cost $4.00. Bureau County birth records are accessible upon mail or in-person requests. Irrespective of the requester method, requesters must send an Application for Vital Records form and a valid ID to:
The Bureau County Clerk
700 South Main Street
Room 104
Princeton, IL 61356
Email: vitals@bureaucounty-il.gov
Note that birth records before 1942 are classified as genealogical records. Requests for genealogical records must be directed to the Bureau County Clerk.
Bureau County Death Records
Bureau County death records provide information on all documented death events. The Office of the Bureau County Clerk and Recorder dispenses death records to eligible persons. Requesters can find birth records from 1878 to present at the County Clerk's Office.
Bureau County death records are accessible to eligible persons via in-person or mail-in orders. To obtain death records via mail or in-person orders, requesters must fill out an Application for Vital Records form and attach a proof of identity before sending the request to:
Bureau County Clerk
700 South Main Street
Room 104
Princeton, IL 61356
Email: vitals@bureaucounty-il.gov
Each copy of a certified death record costs $22.00. Additional copies cost $4.00.
