Everybody has the right to represent themselves in court. However, please be aware filing any legal action can be a complicated procedure for those not trained in doing so. The Circuit Clerk’s office recommends all litigants seek legal advice before filing any documents with the court. Staff of the Circuit Clerk’s office are not attorneys and are strictly prohibited from providing legal advice under Title 28 U.S.C. Section 955.
Access to Justice
The ATJ Commission focuses on improvements, resources, and programs within the judicial system that help self-represented litigants and limited English proficient litigants access our courts, assist legal aid and pro bono attorneys in representing their clients, and support the judiciary and other court staff in ensuring justice for all.
Are you representing yourself in court and need help? Find legal information, court forms, and referrals to free or low-cost legal help here. This website does not give legal advice and is not a substitute for having a lawyer.
Illinois Legal Aid
Illinois Legal Aid is a resource for self-represented persons to understand their legal options, make informed decisions, and when necessary represent themselves in court. The site also provides a free form library that offers easy form programs to fill out the forms or download a blank form and use a pen.
Legal Answers
Need legal answers? Legal Answers is a secure website where low-income people can get free advice about their civil legal problems.
Statewide Forms
The Illinois Supreme Court has set out a formal process for the development, review and approval of standardized forms in areas of law and practice where there is a high volume of self-represented litigants. The forms are more user-friendly and required to be accepted by all courts in the state.
Illinois Court Help connects you to the information you need to go to court. It’s a free service from the Illinois Courts. Call or text 833.411.1121 Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Our court guides help you understand and go through the court process, wherever you are in Illinois.
Below are interactive forms that can be completed, printed for scanning or saved, and electronically filed, by attorneys or self-represented litigants to streamline the judicial process. Please note that while we provide a number of forms for our filers, some documents are not standardized and must be created by the filer.
General Documents
- Subpoena Duces Tecum
- Subpoena
- Subpoena for Deposition
- Application for Waiver of Court Fees-Civil
- Application for Waiver of Criminal Court Assessments
- Petition for Rule to Show Cause
- Order for Rule to Show Cause
- Court Order – Blank
- Job Search
- Notice of Hearing
- Application for Court Supervision
- Motion
- Foreign Subpoena Attestation
Eviction
Small Claims
Divorce/Family
- Petition for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
- Visitation – Order for Modification
- Visitation – Petition for Modification
- Modify – Suspend – Terminate Support
- Certificate of Dissolution
- Dissolution of Marriage/Civil Union (Divorce No Children) – Odyssey Guide and File
- Divorce, Child Support, and Maintenance Forms
Guardianship of a Minor
- Petition for Guardian of Minor
- Motion for Appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem
- Order Appointing Guardian Ad Litem of Minor
- Order Appointing Guardian of Minor
- Current Account for Minor
- Current Report for Minor
- Letters of Office – Minor
- Getting Guardianship of a Minor Information
Guardianship of a Disabled Adult
- Petition for the Appointment of a Guardian
- Motion for Appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem
- Order Appointing Guardian Ad Litem
- Summons for Appointment of a Guardian
- Order of Adjudication of Disability and Appointing Guardian
- Letters of Office- Disabled Adult
- Current Report
- Current Account
- Getting Guardianship of an Adult Information