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.

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.