Form Finder: Introduction/Search Tips

This guide provides an overview of the many sources of legal forms available to patrons at the Louis L. Biro Law Library at the UIC Law School.  If the Library has the title in print, the call number and location is provided.  Otherwise, the user will see links to the corresponding database.  Access to many of these databases will require a valid Lexis or Westlaw username and password.

Not every source of forms is listed in this guide. What follows are general tips for locating sources that go beyond the scope of this Guide.

• Subject search:  one can locate formbooks under a variety of subject headings in the Library catalog, such as:
  • civil procedure -- united states -- forms
  • instructions to juries -- illinois -- forms
  • estate planning -- illinois -- forms 
• Keyword search:  one can also execute a broader search for books containing forms by simply searching the subject as a keyword.  For example: “commercial law AND forms.”  A keyword search will also reveal titles of Westlaw and Lexis databases that contain forms.
• Many of the topical books on Illinois law also include forms. These books can be found in the catalog by author, title, or subject.
• Westlaw and LexisNexis also have many form books. Some of these are discussed in greater detail on the following pages. If West or Lexis is listed as the publisher of any print sources below, they will also be accessible online.
• One can search the library catalog directly for treatises with forms on a particular topic.  For example, one might search for keywords 'employ*' (employee, employment, etc.) and 'forms.'
• Many print sources include forms or templates. Be sure to check the Library catalog or ask a reference librarian for such information.
• Encyclopedic sets like Am.Jur. Pleading and Practice and Current Legal Forms are an excellent source for forms if more specific titles do not have the form you seek.

For assistance with legal research questions, research strategies, print research, or legal databases questions, contact the UIC Law reference librarians via law-library@uic.edu or "Make an Appointment" via the online scheduler. Please book your appointment 48 business hours in advance. Alternatively, you can stop by the reference desk for immediate help with a quick research question.