The Marion County Legal Self-Help Center is located in Room 204 of the Marion County Courthouse.
The Self-Help Center is equipped with computers, scanners, pre-printed forms, free access to the Westlaw online law library, e-filing instructions, and a copier/printer.
The Self-Help Center is open 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday is available to all Marion County court users.
No appointment is necessary to access the Self-Help Center.
Copy fees may apply to use the copier/printer.
Access to Justice Website
Information on how to start a case, respond to a case, appeal a case and court forms
American Association of Law Libraries “How to Research a Legal Problem: A Guide for Non-Lawyers” publication
Guide to help self-represented litigants find legal rules
American Association of Law Libraries Public Legal Resources
Links to additional public legal resources
American Association of Law Libraries Public Library Toolkit
Guide to assist public librarians and patrons in the process of legal research
American Bar Association Free Legal Answers
Free legal for those who qualify
Fourth Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois Self-Help Links
Includes links to a glossary of legal terms, lawyer referral services, Consumer Guide to Legal Help, Legal Explanations, Illinois Vehicle Code and more
Illinois Legal Aid Online Marion County Self-Help Center Locations
List of physical self-help centers in Marion County
Illinois Legal Aid Online Forms Library
Illinois Attorney General University Provided Legal Services
List of law schools providing legal services in Illinois
Illinois State Bar Association – “Need Legal Help?”
Find a lawyer, learn about lawyers, self help and more
Illinois Office of the State Appellate Defender
Information on Expungement/Sealing, health care waivers, executive clemency & more
Illinois Secretary of State
Online services, publications/forms and contact information for the Illinois Secretary of State
Illinois Department of Public Health Adoption Registry
Resources, forms, laws & rules regarding the Illinois Adoption Registry
Click on the links below for the following short videos:
Navigating the Court System without a Lawyer
https://www.ncsc.org/consulting-and-research/areas-of-expertise/access-to-justice/a2j-videos
Legal Language 101
https://www.ncsc.org/consulting-and-research/areas-of-expertise/access-to-justice/a2j-videos
Understanding Small Claims Court
https://www.ncsc.org/consulting-and-research/areas-of-expertise/access-to-justice/a2j-videos
Filling Motions
https://www.ncsc.org/consulting-and-research/areas-of-expertise/access-to-justice/a2j-videos
Civil cases V. Criminal cases
https://www.ncsc.org/consulting-and-research/areas-of-expertise/access-to-justice/a2j-videos
What to do after you’ve been served [court papers]
https://www.ncsc.org/consulting-and-research/areas-of-expertise/access-to-justice/a2j-videos
Understanding Common Procedural Terms
https://www.ncsc.org/consulting-and-research/areas-of-expertise/access-to-justice/a2j-videos
The who, what, when, where and how of State courts
https://www.ncsc.org/consulting-and-research/areas-of-expertise/access-to-justice/a2j-videos
How to file into an existing case (01:46)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN5Ryk144aw
Upload Filings (Upload documents that you want filed in the court file)(03:30)