Appearance Form

This Appearance form is used in the Illinois Circuit Court to officially notify the court and other parties that you are participating in a civil case.

This guide will help you complete the Appearance (Civil) form required by the Illinois Circuit Court.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. County Information

• County: Write the name of the county where you are filing the case. This is typically found on your other court documents.

2. Case Information

• Plaintiff/Petitioner or In Re: Enter the full name or business name of the person or entity who started the case.

• Defendants/Respondents: Enter the full name(s) or business name(s) of the person(s) or entity(ies) the case is filed against. Use separate lines for each defendant/respondent.

• Case Number: Write the case number as it appears on your court documents.

3. Name & Information

• Name: If you do not have a lawyer, enter your full name. If you are a lawyer, enter your client’s full name.

  • Pronouns (Optional): Check the appropriate box for your pronouns or write your preferred pronouns.

  • Prefix (Optional): Check the appropriate box for your prefix or write your preferred prefix.

4. Appearance

• Check the appropriate box to indicate your status:

  • Self-Representation: Check this box if you are representing yourself. This indicates to the court that you are participating in the case without a lawyer.

  • Lawyer Representation: Check this box if you are a lawyer entering an appearance for a client. Provide the name of your law firm or attorney.

5. Signature

• Sign: Sign the form to certify that you have read the document, believe it to be true, and are not filing it for improper reasons.

• Print Your Name: Clearly print your name.

• Your Address: Provide your full address, including street, apartment number (if any), city, state, and zip code.

• Your Phone Number: Provide your phone number.

• Attorney Number (if any): If you are a lawyer, provide your attorney number.

• Your Email: Provide your email address. Check this email regularly for court communications.

6. Proof of Delivery

• Recipient’s Information: Fill out the name and address of the person or lawyer you are sending this document to.

  • Name: Provide the full name of the recipient.

  • Address: Provide the recipient’s full address.

  • Email Address: Provide the recipient’s email address if applicable.

• Delivery Method: Indicate how you are delivering the document by checking the appropriate box:

  • Electronically: Check if sending via email or an approved electronic filing service provider (EFSP).

  • Mail or Third-Party Carrier: Check if sending by mail or third-party carrier and provide the location of the mailbox or carrier.

  • Personal Hand Delivery: Check if personally delivering and provide the address.

  • From Prison or Jail: If applicable, provide the name of the prison or jail.

• Date and Time: Write the date and time you are sending the document.

7. Additional Proof of Delivery (if applicable)

• If you are sending documents to more than two people, fill out an Additional Proof of Delivery form.

Next Steps

• File the Forms: Submit the completed forms to the Circuit Clerk’s office in the county where your case is taking place.

• Send Copies: Ensure copies of the forms are sent to all parties involved in the case.

• Check Resources: Use the provided links for more information on each step, filing instructions, and legal aid.

Additional Resources

• Circuit Clerk Information: Find your Circuit Clerk.

• Filing Instructions: Appearance Instructions.

• Court Help: Call or text Illinois Court Help at 833-411-1121 or visit Illinois Court Help.

• Legal Terms: Visit Illinois Legal Aid Online Glossary.

• Self-Help Centers: Find your local legal self-help center at Legal Self-Help Center Directory.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your Appearance form is correctly filled out and submitted, helping you to effectively participate in your civil case.