All records processed through the dependency department are confidential and can only be seen by parent, legal guardian and/or child with proper picture identification. NONE OF OUR CASES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND/OR PRESS. Court appointed and private attorneys also have access to the court files only if they have filed their notice of appearance in the particular case.

This department processes all dependency actions that are affiliated with the Department of Children and Families, all truancy cases, all CINS/FINS cases (children and families in need of services) and adoptions cases where the Termination of Parental Rights is sought through the dependency court.

This department does not give information over the telephone as records processed in this office are confidential and access requires proper identification as described in paragraph one. Anyone wishing specific information regarding a dependency case must come in to the office with proper picture identification.

All juvenile dependency proceedings are recorded. The parent, child and/or attorney may obtain a copy of their particular hearing for a fee. Please notify the department two days prior to needing the recording as the tape must be edited to obtain a particular hearing and there are numerous hearings on each tape. Again, picture identification will be required when tapes are picked up from in this division.