The papers, entries and records of courts may be proved by a copy thereof certified under the signature of the clerk having the custody thereof, and the seal of the court, or by the judge of the court if there is no clerk.
8-1202.Court records.
Article VIII. Evidence · Part 12. Records and Patents · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceA court's papers, entries, and records may be proved by a copy certified under the signature of the clerk who has custody of them and the court's seal, or by the judge if the court has no clerk.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/8-1202
Plain-English Summary
This section sets the standard method for proving the papers, entries, and records of a court: a certified copy rather than the original document.
Certification requires the signature of the clerk who has custody of the record, along with the court's seal. If the court has no clerk, the judge of the court may certify the copy instead.
This certified-copy approach is the model the following sections build on, extending to municipal and corporate records in Sections 8-1203 and 8-1204, spelling out what the certificate itself must state in Section 8-1205, and attaching a penalty for a knowingly false certificate in Section 8-1207.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a party prove the contents of a court record?
By a copy certified under the signature of the clerk having custody of it, along with the court's seal.
What happens if the court has no clerk?
The judge of the court may certify the copy instead.
Must the certifying person have custody of the record?
Yes. The certifying clerk must be the one having custody of the papers, entries, or records.
Is the court's seal required on the certified copy?
Yes, along with the clerk's signature, or the judge's certification if the court has no clerk.
How does this section relate to Section 8-1205?
Section 8-1205 spells out what the certificate itself must state, including a statement that there is no seal if none exists.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 83-707.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: certified copy of court records illinoisproving court records as evidence illinoisclerk certification court records illinois