Lake County Clerk (IL): Records, Services & Office Information

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Lake County, Illinois Clerk Guide

Lake County Clerk (IL): Records, Services & Office Information

The Lake County Clerk in Illinois is the county office many residents need for vital records, marriage and civil union licenses, election services, public filings, tax extension records, county board records, and recorded land documents through the Recording Division.

This guide explains which Lake County Clerk service to use, where the Waukegan office is located, how to search official land records, how to request birth, death, marriage, and civil union records, and when your issue may belong with the Lake County Circuit Clerk instead.

Open Official County Clerk Website Search Official Land Records Open Office in Google Maps

Independent guide last reviewed September 2026. Always confirm current office hours, fees, election deadlines, and record-access rules on the official Lake County website before visiting or ordering.

Quick Facts: Lake County Clerk Office in Waukegan

Official office Lake County Clerk, Lake County, Illinois.
County Clerk Anthony Vega is listed by Lake County as the County Clerk.
Main address 18 N. County Street, Room 101, Waukegan, IL 60085.
Main phone 847-377-2400.
Office hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Marriage license hours Marriage and civil union license applications are listed as 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Vital records phone 847-377-2411 for birth, death, marriage, and civil union records.
Recording Division phone 847-377-2575 for recorded documents and land record questions.
Most important distinction: the Lake County Clerk handles vital records, elections, public filings, tax extension services, and recorded land records. Court case records are handled by the Lake County Circuit Clerk, not the County Clerk.

Lake County Clerk Address, Phone, Hours, and Google Map

The main Lake County Clerk office is in the Lake County administrative complex in downtown Waukegan. This is the key location for many in-person services, including vital records, marriage and civil union license questions, public filings, and Clerk office assistance.

Because some services have different counters, forms, or time cutoffs, check the official page before visiting. Marriage and civil union license application hours end earlier than the general public counter hours.

Lake County Clerk Main Office

Address: 18 N. County Street, Room 101, Waukegan, IL 60085

Phone: 847-377-2400

Fax: 847-984-5822

General hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Marriage and civil union license application hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Open in Google Maps

Official contactLake County Clerk Contact Page

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm the office address, room number, phone number, and public counter hours.
  2. Use the department directory to choose Vital Records, Marriage License, Recording, Elections, Tax Extension, or County Board records.
  3. Call the specific department number if your question is about a certificate, recording, voter service, or tax extension issue.
  4. Check for closure notices before visiting during holidays, election periods, severe weather, or county emergency updates.

What the Lake County Clerk Does

The Lake County Clerk is not only a records counter. The office serves as Lake County’s chief election authority, maintains vital records, handles public filings, supports tax and real estate services, records Lake County Board proceedings, and operates the Recording Division for documents submitted for public record.

This means the correct Clerk service depends on the record type. A birth certificate, marriage record, assumed business name, voter service, and deed recording all start with different Clerk office divisions or official pages.

Vital records Birth, death, marriage, and civil union records for events that occurred in Lake County, Illinois.
Marriage and civil union licenses License application information, eligibility, ID requirements, and certified marriage or civil union copies.
Elections Voter registration, vote by mail, early voting, election judges, candidate services, and election records.
Recording Division Recording, archiving, and retrieving land and public record documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and UCC filings.
Public filings Assumed business names, solicitor registrations, statements of economic interests, and other Clerk-maintained filings.
Tax and county records Tax extension and redemption support, levies, ordinances, and County Board proceeding records.

Official overviewLake County Clerk Official Welcome Page

After opening this link:

  1. Review the office mission and list of services to confirm the Clerk handles your request.
  2. Use the quick links for candidate services, tax information, vital records, or Clerk office resources.
  3. If your issue is a court case, ticket, divorce filing, or court judgment, switch to the Lake County Circuit Clerk instead.

Birth, Death, Marriage, and Civil Union Records in Lake County

The Lake County Clerk is the official record-keeper for birth, death, marriage, and civil union records that occurred in Lake County, Illinois. Vital records are not the same as court records, property tax records, or state criminal-history records.

Access rules depend on the record type. Birth records are restricted to eligible people such as the person named on the record if at least 18, a parent, a legal guardian with proof of appointment, or an authorized agent with notarized authorization. Death records may require proof of legal, personal, or property interest.

Birth records Maintained for births that occurred in Lake County. Certified birth copies are commonly used for travel, Social Security, insurance, pension, employment, and official identification needs.
Death records Maintained for deaths that occurred in Lake County. Some requesters must show a legal, personal, or property interest.
Marriage records Maintained for marriages that occurred in Lake County. Certified copies may be needed for name changes, benefits, banking, passport, driver’s license, or government ID updates.
Civil union records Maintained for civil unions that occurred in Lake County. Use the Clerk’s official forms and eligibility instructions before ordering.
$10 Birth certificate first certified copy, as listed by the Clerk.
$4 Each additional certified birth copy, as listed by the Clerk.
$4 Genealogical non-certified records when eligible and marked for genealogical purposes only.
Confirm first Death, marriage, and civil union fees should be confirmed on the current official form before mailing payment.

Official vital recordsFind or Request Lake County Vital Records

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the correct record type: birth, death, marriage, or civil union.
  2. Read the eligibility requirements before ordering because some records are restricted.
  3. Download the correct request form and complete it before visiting or mailing the request.
  4. Include a photocopy of required identification if the official instructions require it.
  5. Use check or money order payable to Lake County Clerk when mailing a request, unless the official page gives another method.

Birth recordsLake County Birth Records

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm the birth occurred in Lake County, Illinois.
  2. Check whether you are eligible to request the birth record.
  3. Download and complete the Birth Record Request Form before visiting for faster service.
  4. Bring or include required identification and the listed payment.
  5. If the record is for family history, check whether it qualifies for genealogical access instead of certified official use.

Marriage recordsLake County Marriage Records

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm the marriage took place in Lake County.
  2. Use the official marriage record request form if you need a certified copy.
  3. Prepare names, date of marriage, ID, and payment before visiting or mailing the request.
  4. If you need the copy for a legal name change, request a certified copy rather than a plain informational copy.
Genealogy tip: Lake County’s genealogical index is meant for older birth, death, and marriage records dated before January 1, 1916. These uncertified copies are for family-history research, not official identification or legal proof.

Marriage and Civil Union Licenses

If your ceremony will take place in Lake County, review the Clerk’s current marriage or civil union license instructions before applying. The office lists marriage and civil union license application hours as 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., which is earlier than the general office closing time.

Do not wait until the last minute. Couples should confirm age requirements, identification requirements, waiting period rules, license validity, fees, and return instructions on the official Lake County Clerk page before making ceremony plans.

Apply in the right county For Illinois ceremonies, confirm the county where the ceremony will occur before applying for a license.
Bring identification The Clerk’s forms page notes that applicants must appear in person and present state ID or driver’s license for license services.
Check the cutoff time License application hours are listed as 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Return after ceremony Make sure the completed original license is returned for recording according to the Clerk’s instructions.

Official formsLake County Clerk Forms

After opening this link:

  1. Look for marriage license, civil union, and vital records forms.
  2. Open the form that matches your service request.
  3. Read identification, appearance, fee, and eligibility requirements before visiting.
  4. Print and complete fillable forms when the Clerk recommends doing so for faster service.

Land Records, Deeds, Mortgages, Liens, and the Recording Division

The Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk’s Office records, archives, and retrieves documents submitted to become public record. This includes many real estate and public record documents such as deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens, plats of subdivision, ordinances, annexations, articles of incorporation, UCC filings, and recorded military discharge papers.

Lake County also provides an online Official Records Search for recorded land records. The search can be useful for grantor or grantee names, subdivisions, document types, document numbers, date ranges, and recorded-date filtering.

Official land records searchLake County Official Records Search

After opening this link:

  1. Start with Quick Search if you know a grantor, grantee, subdivision, document type, or document number.
  2. For name searches, enter names in last name first name order, such as SMITH JOHN.
  3. Use quotation marks for an exact phrase or exact name search when needed.
  4. Use Advanced Search when you need more control over party names, grantor, grantee, or document filters.
  5. Choose whether to search the index only or index plus full text if the system offers that option.

Recording divisionLake County Clerk Recording Division

After opening this link:

  1. Use this page for recording services, land record information, and Recording Division resources.
  2. Check whether your document needs a cover sheet, municipal transfer stamp, PTAX form, or other supporting document.
  3. Call 847-377-2575 before submitting a time-sensitive or unusual recording.
  4. Confirm whether to submit in person, by mail, or through an approved eRecording provider.
$70 Standard document recording fee listed by the Clerk.
$50 Standard exempt government-agency document fee listed by the Clerk.
$43 Federal/state lien or lien-release filing fee listed by the Clerk.
$58 UCC-1 and certain UCC-3 filing fee listed by the Clerk.
$1/page Recorded document copy fee listed by the Clerk.
Extra taxes State, county, and local real estate transfer taxes may apply to some recordings.

Official feesLake County Recording and Copy Fees

After opening this link:

  1. Review the current Recording Division fee schedule before preparing payment.
  2. Check whether your document is a standard document, lien, UCC filing, or exempt government-agency document.
  3. Remember that transfer taxes can be added when real estate transfers are involved.
  4. Contact the Recording Division before recording a deadline-sensitive deed, lien, release, or transfer document.

eRecordingLake County Clerk eRecording Information

After opening this link:

  1. Review the approved eRecording provider options listed by the Clerk.
  2. Check whether your document type can be submitted electronically.
  3. If recording a deed, confirm whether municipal revenue stamps or exemption certificates are required.
  4. Pay attention to municipalities such as Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Mettawa, and North Chicago, where special municipal stamp or exemption requirements may apply.
  5. Wait for the returned official image with the digital recordation stamp before treating the recording as complete.
Do not guess on deed transfers: recording a deed can affect ownership, taxes, homestead exemptions, estate planning, and title. The Clerk records documents but does not replace legal or tax advice.

Election Services, Voter Registration, Early Voting, and Vote by Mail

The Lake County Clerk is the chief election authority for Lake County. The office administers elections, supports voter registration, provides vote-by-mail and early voting information, works with election judges, and supports candidate services.

Election dates, polling places, ballot availability, early voting sites, and vote-by-mail deadlines can change by election cycle. For anything election-related, always use the official Lake County Clerk elections pages and verify the current date.

Voter registration Registration help, status checks, address updates, deputy registrar information, and voter records where allowed by law.
Vote by mail Vote-by-mail applications, ballot tracking, return instructions, signature review, and deadline guidance.
Early voting Early voting locations, dates, hours, and election-cycle updates.
Candidate services Candidate filing, petition information, election calendars, and candidate resources.
Election judges Election judge applications, training, pay information, and election-day support.
Election records Election results, voter data rules, public election records, and campaign-related filings where applicable.

Official electionsLake County Voting and Elections

After opening this link:

  1. Select the current election or voter service you need.
  2. Check registration deadlines, early voting dates, vote-by-mail deadlines, and polling-place instructions.
  3. Use the official voter lookup tools rather than relying on a third-party election reminder.
  4. For candidate filings, read the candidate packet and calendar for the specific election cycle.

Tax Extension, Public Filings, Assumed Business Names, and County Board Records

The Lake County Clerk also supports tax extension and redemption records, receives budgets and levies, records ordinances, maintains certain public filings, and records County Board proceedings. These services are separate from court case records and separate from the Treasurer’s tax-payment functions.

Tax extension and redemption Questions about levies, tax extensions, redemptions, and related Clerk records may go to the Clerk’s tax extension service area.
Assumed business names Business-name filings are handled through the Clerk’s public filings resources.
Statements of economic interests The Clerk directory lists this as a department contact area.
County Board records The Clerk records County Board proceedings and helps with board-related public records.

Official records directoryRecords Maintained by Lake County Offices and Departments

After opening this link:

  1. Find the record type you need, such as election records, property-related records, recorded land records, tax documents, or county records.
  2. Check which Lake County office maintains that record before submitting a request.
  3. Use the linked department page or phone number for that record type.
  4. If the record is not listed under the County Clerk, do not send the request to the Clerk first.

Official FOIALake County Clerk Recording Division FOIA Requests

After opening this link:

  1. Read whether your request is actually a FOIA request or a standard record/copy request.
  2. For Recording Division FOIA questions, use the FOIA officer contact shown on the page.
  3. Remember that land records may follow a separate fee structure and are not always handled like ordinary FOIA copies.
  4. Describe the record clearly, including document number, recording date, party names, or subject when available.

Lake County Clerk vs Lake County Circuit Clerk: Do You Need Court Records?

Many people search for “Lake County Clerk” when they actually need the Lake County Circuit Clerk. In Illinois, the Circuit Clerk is the office that handles court case records, court filings, copies of court documents, court payments, and many case-related services.

If your task involves a lawsuit, criminal case, traffic case, divorce case, family case, probate court case, name change case, court filing, court docket, or court case copy, use the Lake County Circuit Clerk instead of the Lake County Clerk.

Use Lake County Clerk for

  • Birth, death, marriage, and civil union records.
  • Marriage and civil union license services.
  • Recorded land documents, deeds, mortgages, liens, and UCC filings.
  • Election services, voter registration, early voting, and vote by mail.
  • Assumed business names, tax extension records, public filings, and County Board records.

Use Circuit Clerk for

  • Court case records and court dockets.
  • Civil, criminal, traffic, family, probate, and juvenile case filings.
  • Copies of court-filed documents.
  • Court payment questions and court appearance records.
  • Appellate record preparation and court division contacts.

Court records officeLake County Circuit Clerk Official Website

After opening this link:

  1. Use this website if your question involves a court case, court filing, court copy, court payment, or court docket.
  2. Look for case search, divisions, locations, forms, or court-record copy instructions.
  3. Contact the Circuit Clerk records division if the case is not available online or if you need a certified court copy.
  4. Return to the County Clerk only for vital records, elections, recording, public filings, or County Board records.

Forms, Redaction Requests, DD214 Records, and Property Alert

The Clerk’s forms page is useful for people who need a record request form, recording cover sheet, deed packet, DD214 request, redaction request, or receipt request. Forms help reduce delays because Clerk staff can process complete requests more quickly.

Recording cover sheet Useful for non-standard documents that need recording stamp space or re-recording information.
Quitclaim deed packet Includes recording requirements, fee schedule, sample deed, transfer tax information, and related guidance.
Document image redaction Use the form when requesting removal of Social Security numbers or other personal numbers from recorded document images.
DD214 request Military discharge records recorded in Lake County have special request rules and are not ordinary public copies.

Official formsLake County Clerk Recording Forms

After opening this link:

  1. Select the form that matches your task, such as cover sheet, deed packet, redaction request, DD214 request, or eReceipt request.
  2. Read the form instructions before signing or mailing anything.
  3. Include all required supporting documents, especially for deeds, transfer tax, DD214, or redaction requests.
  4. Call the Recording Division before submitting a complex or time-sensitive document.

Official alertLake County Property Alert

After opening this link:

  1. Review how the alert service works before registering.
  2. Use the property owner name or recording-related details the system requests.
  3. Remember that an alert is not a fraud-prevention guarantee; it helps notify you when matching records are recorded.
  4. If you receive an unexpected alert, check the official record and contact the Recording Division or a qualified professional if needed.

Official Lake County Links Used in This Guide

Use these official resources for the most current fees, forms, hours, service notices, voter deadlines, and record-search access.

Lake County Clerk Official Website County Clerk Contact Page Find or Request Vital Records Birth Records Death Records Marriage Records Official Records Search Recording Division Recording and Copy Fees eRecording Information Voting and Elections Lake County Circuit Clerk

Before You Visit or Order a Record

  • Confirm the record happened in Lake County, Illinois before ordering a vital record.
  • Use the County Clerk for vital records, elections, land recordings, and public filings.
  • Use the Circuit Clerk for court cases, court records, traffic cases, and court filings.
  • Bring valid identification for restricted records, marriage/civil union services, and in-person requests.
  • Print and complete the official form before visiting when the Clerk recommends it.
  • Do not send sensitive identity or payment information through an ordinary email or contact form unless the official instructions specifically allow it.
Legal-use notice: this page is an independent informational guide. It is not the Lake County Clerk, not a legal-advice service, and not a consumer reporting agency. Verify official records directly with the county office before using them for legal, title, employment, tenant, credit, insurance, or government purposes.

Lake County Clerk IL FAQs

1. What does the Lake County Clerk in Illinois do?

The Lake County Clerk maintains vital records, handles marriage and civil union license services, administers county elections, supports public filings, manages tax extension and redemption records, records County Board proceedings, and operates the Recording Division for recorded documents.

2. Where is the Lake County Clerk office located?

The main Lake County Clerk office is located at 18 N. County Street, Room 101, Waukegan, IL 60085. General office hours are listed as Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

3. What is the Lake County Clerk phone number?

The main Lake County Clerk phone number is 847-377-2400. Vital records questions may use 847-377-2411, and Recording Division questions may use 847-377-2575.

4. How do I get a Lake County birth certificate?

Use the Lake County Clerk birth records page. Confirm the birth occurred in Lake County, check whether you are eligible to request the record, complete the birth record request form, provide required identification, and pay the listed fee.

5. How do I get a Lake County marriage record?

Use the Lake County Clerk marriage records page if the marriage occurred in Lake County. Complete the official marriage record request form and request a certified copy if the document is needed for a legal name change, benefits, banking, passport, or ID update.

6. Does the Lake County Clerk handle marriage licenses?

Yes. The Lake County Clerk handles marriage and civil union license services. The office lists marriage and civil union license application hours as 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., so confirm current requirements before visiting.

7. How do I search Lake County IL land records?

Use the Lake County Official Records Search. You can search by grantor or grantee name, subdivision, document type, document number, date range, and recorded date. For better name results, enter last name first name, such as SMITH JOHN.

8. What documents are recorded by the Lake County Clerk Recording Division?

The Recording Division records many public documents, including deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens, plats, ordinances, annexations, articles of incorporation, UCC filings, and recorded military discharge papers.

9. Is the Lake County Clerk the same as the Lake County Circuit Clerk?

No. The County Clerk handles vital records, elections, recording, and public filings. The Circuit Clerk handles court case records, court filings, court document copies, traffic cases, and court payments.

10. Can I use this page as the official Lake County Clerk website?

No. This is an independent guide. For official records, fees, forms, deadlines, office hours, voter information, and recording requirements, use the official Lake County Clerk links provided in this article.

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