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Circuit court forms are the official legal documents required to initiate, respond to, or advance proceedings in state circuit courts. In Illinois, these forms cover a wide range of civil matters, with landlord-tenant and eviction cases being among the most common. Whether you're a landlord seeking to remove a non-paying tenant or a property owner dealing with an occupant who refuses to leave, having the right paperwork filed correctly is essential to moving your case forward. Forms like the Illinois Eviction Summons (E-S 3507.3) and the Affidavit for Service by Publication/Posting (CCG 0013 A/B) play critical roles in ensuring defendants are properly notified and that the court has the documentation it needs to proceed.
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About circuit court forms
These forms are typically used by landlords, property managers, attorneys, and self-represented litigants navigating the Illinois court system. Mistakes on court forms — even minor ones — can delay proceedings, result in dismissed filings, or give opposing parties grounds to challenge service. Understanding which form applies to your situation and completing it accurately under the relevant Illinois statutes (such as 735 ILCS 5/2-206 for constructive service) is crucial.
For those who need to complete these forms quickly and without errors, tools like Instafill.ai use AI to fill out circuit court forms in under 30 seconds, handling the data accurately and securely — a practical option whether you're filing one form or managing multiple cases.
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How to Choose the Right Form
Not all circuit court situations are the same — the two forms in this category serve very different stages and purposes in the legal process. Here's how to quickly identify which one you need.
Starting an Eviction Case
If you're a landlord or property owner looking to remove a tenant or occupant from your property, you need the Illinois Circuit Court Eviction Summons and Proof of Service (Form E-S 3507.3). This is your starting point for filing an eviction lawsuit in any Illinois Circuit Court. Use this form if:
- You need to formally notify a tenant of an eviction lawsuit
- You want to document how and when the summons was delivered (via the built-in Proof of Service section)
- You're filing in Cook County (note the 7-day service rule) or anywhere else in Illinois
This is an Illinois Supreme Court-approved form accepted in all Illinois circuit courts.
When You Can't Locate the Defendant
If you've already initiated a case but are unable to personally serve the defendant — because they're out of state, in hiding, or cannot be found after a diligent search — you'll need the Affidavit for Service by Publication/Posting (CCG 0013 A/B). This form is specific to the Circuit Court of Cook County and is used to:
- Explain why personal service isn't possible
- Provide the defendant's last known residence (or explain why it's unknown)
- Satisfy the legal requirements for constructive service under Illinois statutes
> ⚠️ This affidavit is sworn under penalty of law, so accuracy is critical — errors can delay your case or result in a legal challenge to service.
Quick Summary
- Filing a new eviction? → Use Form E-S 3507.3
- Can't find the defendant to serve them? → Use CCG 0013 A/B
Form Comparison
| Form | Purpose | Who Files It | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affidavit for Service by Publication/Posting (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois) (CCG 0013 A/B) | Authorize serving defendant via publication or posting | Plaintiff or attorney unable to personally serve defendant | When defendant cannot be located or served personally |
| Illinois Circuit Court Eviction Summons and Proof of Service of Eviction Summons & Eviction Complaint (Form E-S 3507.3) | Notify defendant of eviction lawsuit and court date | Landlord or property owner initiating eviction | At start of eviction process, served before court date |
Tips for circuit court forms
Illinois circuit court forms vary by county and case type — a form accepted in Cook County may differ from one used in other Illinois counties. Always confirm that the form you're using is approved for your specific court and case before filling it out. Using an outdated or incorrect version can result in rejection at the clerk's office.
For eviction summons forms, Illinois law requires defendants to be served at least 3 days before the court date — or 7 days in Cook County. Missing this window can force you to reschedule your hearing and restart the service process. Always calculate your service deadline carefully before scheduling your court date.
If you're filing an Affidavit for Service by Publication or Posting, courts require proof of diligent effort to locate and personally serve the defendant first. Keep detailed records of dates, times, locations, and methods used in your attempts to serve the defendant. Vague or incomplete affidavits can be challenged and may delay your case significantly.
The Proof of Service section of the eviction summons must be completed by the sheriff or a licensed process server — not the plaintiff. Ensure the server records the exact date, time, location, and method of service to create a legally defensible record. Errors in this section are one of the most common reasons eviction cases face delays or dismissals.
AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can fill out Illinois circuit court forms — including eviction summons and affidavits — in under 30 seconds with high accuracy, saving you significant time especially when handling multiple filings. Your data stays secure throughout the process, so you don't have to worry about sensitive case information. This is especially useful for landlords or property managers dealing with several eviction cases at once.
The Affidavit for Service by Publication/Posting is a sworn statement made under penalty of law pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/1-109, meaning false statements can carry serious legal consequences. Read every statement carefully before signing, and make sure all facts — especially the defendant's last known address or your explanation for why it cannot be found — are accurate. When in doubt, consult an attorney before submitting.
Always make copies of completed court forms before submitting them to the clerk's office, including any stamped or filed-endorsed versions you receive back. These copies serve as your record if a defendant disputes service or if the court needs verification of what was submitted. Organizing these documents by case name and date will save you time if issues arise later.
Frequently Asked Questions
This category currently includes two key Illinois Circuit Court forms: the Affidavit for Service by Publication/Posting (CCG 0013 A/B) used in Cook County, and the Illinois Eviction Summons and Proof of Service (Form E-S 3507.3) used statewide. Both forms are used in civil court proceedings involving landlord-tenant disputes and service of process requirements.
These forms are primarily used by landlords, property owners, and their attorneys who are initiating eviction proceedings or attempting to serve defendants who cannot be located for personal service. Tenants and occupants named in eviction cases may also need to review these documents to understand their legal rights and court appearance obligations.
The Eviction Summons (Form E-S 3507.3) is the primary document used to formally notify a tenant of an eviction lawsuit and must be served directly on the defendant before the court date. The Affidavit for Service by Publication/Posting (CCG 0013 A/B) is used only when a defendant cannot be found or personally served, allowing the court to authorize an alternative method of service such as publication in a newspaper or posting at the property.
A landlord should file the Eviction Summons after the required notice period has passed and the tenant has not complied with the notice to pay rent, vacate, or correct a lease violation. The summons must be served on the defendant at least 3 days before the scheduled court date, or at least 7 days in Cook County, so timing the filing correctly is important to avoid delays.
This affidavit is needed when a defendant cannot be served personally because they are out of state, their whereabouts are unknown, or they are actively concealing themselves to avoid service. The affiant must demonstrate that a diligent effort was made to locate the defendant before the court will authorize constructive service through publication or posting.
The Illinois Eviction Summons (Form E-S 3507.3) is an Illinois Supreme Court-approved form and must be accepted in all Illinois Circuit Courts statewide. The Affidavit for Service by Publication/Posting (CCG 0013 A/B) is specific to the Circuit Court of Cook County and may not be the required form in other counties, so users outside Cook County should verify local court requirements.
Completed forms are generally filed with the clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the property or case is located. For Cook County cases, forms are submitted to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, while cases in other Illinois counties are filed with the respective county circuit court clerk's office.
Yes, AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can fill out these Illinois circuit court forms in under 30 seconds by accurately extracting and placing data from your source documents. Instafill.ai can also convert non-fillable PDF versions of these forms into interactive fillable forms, making the process faster and reducing the risk of errors.
Manually filling out circuit court forms can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the complexity of the information required. Using an AI tool like Instafill.ai, the same forms can be completed in under 30 seconds, with data automatically extracted and placed into the correct fields from your existing documents.
Errors in completing these forms or improper service of process can have serious consequences, including delays in your case, dismissal of the action, or the opposing party successfully challenging the validity of service. It is important to fill out each form accurately and follow all statutory requirements, and consulting an attorney is advisable if you are unsure about any part of the process.
While these forms can be completed and filed without an attorney, legal proceedings involving eviction and service of process can be complex, and mistakes may negatively impact your case. Many landlords and tenants choose to consult with an attorney, especially for contested evictions or situations requiring alternative service methods like publication or posting.
Filing fees for circuit court forms vary by county and case type, and are set by the individual circuit courts or Illinois statute. You should contact the clerk of the circuit court in your county for the most current fee schedule before submitting your forms.
Glossary
- Eviction Summons
- An official court document that notifies a tenant or occupant that an eviction lawsuit has been filed against them and requires them to appear in court on a specified date.
- Service of Process
- The legal procedure of officially delivering court documents (such as a summons or complaint) to the defendant to notify them of legal action against them.
- Constructive Service
- A court-approved method of notifying a defendant of a lawsuit through publication in a newspaper or posting in a public location, used when the defendant cannot be located or personally served.
- Affidavit
- A written statement of facts that the signer swears or affirms to be true under penalty of law, often required to support a legal request or action in court.
- Service by Publication/Posting
- A specific form of constructive service where notice of a lawsuit is published in a newspaper or physically posted in a public place, permitted only after diligent efforts to locate the defendant have failed.
- Affiant
- The person who signs and swears to the truthfulness of an affidavit; in these forms, typically the plaintiff or their attorney.
- Proof of Service
- A section of a court form completed by the sheriff or process server documenting exactly how, when, and where the court documents were delivered to the defendant.
- Diligent Inquiry
- A reasonable and thorough effort made to locate a defendant before the court will permit alternative methods of service such as publication or posting.
- 735 ILCS 5/2-206
- An Illinois statute that governs the rules for serving defendants through publication or posting when personal service is not possible.
- Plaintiff
- The party who initiates a lawsuit — in eviction cases, this is typically the landlord or property owner filing against the tenant or occupant.