mchenry county public records essentials and how to search

What these records include

Residents and researchers turn to mchenry county public records for a factual trail of local life, from land transfers to courtroom outcomes. Typical materials include property deeds, court dockets, marriage and birth indexes, business filings, tax assessments, building permits, sheriff incident logs, and county board minutes.

Where to look

Most requests start with the Recorder for land documents, the Clerk of the Circuit Court for cases, and the County Clerk for vital records and elections. Many indexes are searchable online, while certified copies usually require in‑person pickup or mail requests.

Access tips and rules

• Search by parcel or case number when possible; names can vary.
• Set date ranges and confirm the correct township or municipality.
• Expect fees for copies and certification; plain views may be free.
• FOIA applies, but certain identifiers are redacted for privacy.
• Older volumes may be on microfilm; allow time for retrieval.

Plan ahead, bring valid ID for restricted items, and verify whether you need a certified or informational copy. Some categories-such as juvenile, adoption, or sealed cases-are not publicly accessible.