Adams County Court Records
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Adams County sits along the western edge of Illinois on the Mississippi River, with Quincy as the county seat and center of local government. The Adams County Circuit Court — part of the Eighth Judicial Circuit — is the county's single trial court of general jurisdiction, handling all criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters. Housed in a historic downtown Quincy courthouse, the court has maintained continuous records for over a century through the Circuit Clerk's office.
If you're looking for court records in Illinois, you can start through several official channels: clerk of court offices, in-person public terminals, and web-based case lookup tools. IllinoisCourts.us lists state courts, may help you locate publicly available case information, identify the right court for a given county, and find links to relevant filing and fee resources.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Adams County?
The Adams County Circuit Clerk's Office is the official keeper of all court case records filed with the Circuit Court. You can search for cases online, in person, by phone, or by mail.
Online Case Search via Judici
The Circuit Clerk offers online case searching through Judici, a third-party platform used by many Illinois circuit courts. You can search by party name or case number to view docket entries, hearing dates, dispositions, and other publicly available case information. The system is available around the clock at no charge.
The Circuit Clerk's website links directly to the search interface under the Search Court Records option. The daily court docket is also published online, so you can check scheduled hearings for any given day.
In-Person Visits
You can visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the Adams County Courthouse during regular business hours. Staff can help locate records using a party name, case number, or other identifying details.
Adams County Courthouse
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 521 Vermont Street, Quincy, IL 62301 |
| Phone | (217) 277-2100 |
| Fax | (217) 277-2116 |
| circuitclerk@adamscountyil.gov | |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Trial Court Administrator | Sharon Main |
Copy Fees
Fees for obtaining copies of court documents are set by the Circuit Clerk's Miscellaneous Fees Schedule. Key copy and search charges include:
- Document reproduction — $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 per page for the next 19 pages, $0.25 per page thereafter
- Certified copy of a judgment (after the first copy) — $10.00
- Certification or authentication — $6.00
- Record search — $6.00 per year searched, per division
- Hard copy printout from automated records — $6.00 per page
- Mailing — $10.00 plus actual postage
Mail requests should include payment, the case details needed to identify the record, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Contact the Circuit Clerk's office for specific mailing instructions.
Are Court Records Public in Adams County?
Most court records maintained by the Adams County Circuit Clerk are open to public inspection. Two primary Illinois laws establish this right of access.
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives the public a broad right to access government records. The Clerks of Courts Act, 705 ILCS 105, goes further by specifically requiring that all records, dockets, and books maintained by circuit clerks be open to inspection, and that the public have access to papers on file in the clerk's office.
That said, certain records are exempt from public disclosure. These include records sealed, suppressed, or impounded by court order, as well as records protected by specific statutes. Juvenile proceedings are confidential by law. The Judiciary Privacy Act also restricts access to certain personal information in court filings. When you search through Judici or at the courthouse, suppressed or impounded records simply won't appear in your results.
If you believe you should have access to a restricted record — for instance, because you're a party to a sealed case — contact the Circuit Clerk's office to ask about the process, which may require filing a motion with the court.
Adams County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Adams County run the full range from misdemeanors and DUI charges to serious felonies, all prosecuted through the Circuit Court. Looking at the court schedule, felony matters are heard in Courtroom 2B on most weekdays, and misdemeanors are typically scheduled in Courtroom 1A. A specialized DUI court operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and Drug Court sessions are held on Thursdays.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal court filings, docket entries, and dispositions can be searched through the Judici online portal or by contacting the Circuit Clerk's office directly. Having the defendant's name or case number ready will make the search much faster.
Adams County Sheriff's Office
The Adams County Sheriff's Department generates and maintains arrest records, warrant records, and incident reports. These are generally considered public, though some are restricted under Illinois data practices provisions. You can reach the Sheriff's Department at:
Adams County Sheriff's Department
Address: 535 Vermont Street, Quincy, IL 62301
Phone: (217) 277-2200
Jail: (217) 277-2202
Warrant inquiries: (217) 277-2209
The Sheriff's Office also provides online search tools for certain records. The county jail daily population sheet and current inmate information are available on the Sheriff's website.
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification maintains statewide criminal history records under the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act (UCIA). Two types of background checks are available:
- Name-based checks can be run online through the CHIRP (Criminal History Information Response Process) portal. You'll need to register for a digital ID first through the State of Illinois enrollment system. The fee is up to $16.
- Fingerprint-based checks must be submitted electronically through a licensed live-scan vendor. You can find licensed vendors through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The fee is up to $20.
The ISP fee schedule has complete pricing information for both types of checks.
Expungement
To have criminal records sealed or expunged in Adams County, you must file a petition with the Circuit Court. The filing fee is $60.00 through the Circuit Clerk, with an additional $4.00 for each certified copy of an expungement order.
Adams County Civil Court Records
Civil cases filed in Adams County cover contract disputes, personal injury claims, foreclosures, evictions, and other non-criminal matters. The Eighth Judicial Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all civil actions. Civil motion hearings are regularly scheduled in Courtroom 2A, while small claims matters are heard in Courtrooms 2D and 2B on Mondays. Foreclosure hearings take place on Monday mornings, and eviction cases are scheduled for Wednesday afternoons.
Civil Filing Fees
Filing fees for civil actions in Adams County are published on the Circuit Clerk's filing fees page:
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Appearance/Answer Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chancery | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Law (L) over $50,000 | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Law Magistrate (LM) over $15,000 | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Law Magistrate (LM) $15,000 or less | $256.00 | $109.00 |
| Eviction (possession only) | $89.00 | $109.00 |
| Small Claims over $2,500 | $256.00 | $181.00 |
| Small Claims $2,500 or less | $89.00 | $109.00 |
| Miscellaneous Remedy | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Name Change | $306.00 | $181.00 |
Additional miscellaneous fees apply for specific services. Garnishment, wage deduction, and citation proceedings range from $15.00 to $50.00 depending on the amount in controversy. Jury demand fees are $212.50, and a change of venue costs $40.00.
Requesting Civil Court Records
Civil records can be searched online through the Judici portal or requested in person or by mail from the Circuit Clerk's office. The standard document reproduction fees apply, starting at $2.00 for the first page. Have the case number or the names of the parties ready when making a request.
Self-represented litigants can find resources through the Help for Self-Represented Litigants section of the Circuit Clerk's website.
Adams County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Adams County include dissolution of marriage (divorce), child custody and parenting time disputes, child support actions, orders of protection, and other domestic relations matters. Divorce and family hearings are regularly held in Courtroom 2C throughout the week, with first appearances for new family cases typically on Thursday mornings. Orders of protection are heard on Wednesdays and Thursdays, uncontested divorce proceedings on Thursday afternoons, and emergency orders of protection on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons. Child support hearings are scheduled on Thursday afternoons.
Filing Fees for Family Cases
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Appearance/Answer Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dissolution of Marriage | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Family (general) | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Adoption | $89.00 | No fee |
Accessing Divorce and Family Records
Divorce decrees, custody orders, and other family court filings are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Many of these records are searchable through the Judici online system, though certain domestic relations files may be partially restricted. You can also request copies from the Circuit Clerk's office in person, by mail, or by phone at (217) 277-2100.
Marriage Records
The Adams County Clerk's Office — not the Circuit Clerk — maintains official marriage records dating back to 1825. Certified marriage certificates are generally available only to the bride, groom, or a parent listed on the certificate. You'll need a government-issued photo ID and $25.00 for the first certified copy, or $15.00 for each additional copy. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or online (with a $10.00 convenience fee for online orders).
Adams County Clerk's Office
Address: 507 Vermont Street, Quincy, IL 62301
Phone: (217) 277-2164
Email: vitalrecords@adamscountyil.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
For genealogy searches, marriage records 50 years or older can be researched through the County Clerk's Office. A non-refundable search fee of $4.00 covers the first five-year period searched, with an additional $1.00 for each additional year.
Birth and Death Records
The Adams County Clerk's Office holds birth certificates dating back to 1878 and death certificates from the same period. Certified birth certificates are limited to the registrant (age 18 or older), a parent named on the certificate, a legal guardian with a court order, or a legal representative. Death certificates are available to individuals who can demonstrate a genealogical, personal, or financial interest in the record.
| Record Type | First Copy | Additional Copies |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $22.00 | $10.00 each |
| Death certificate | $25.00 | $16.00 each |
Requests may be submitted in person, by mail using the official Birth Certificate Request Form or Death Certificate Request Form, or online (with a $10.00 convenience fee). Mail-in requests should include the completed form, a check payable to the Adams County Clerk, a photocopy of your ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope, sent to 507 Vermont Street, Quincy, IL 62301. The Clerk's Office fax number for ID copies is (217) 277-2155.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also processes requests for Illinois birth and death records as a statewide alternative.
Adams County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Adams County are handled by the Circuit Court, with hearings scheduled in Courtroom 2D on Monday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Cases cover administration of decedents' estates, will contests, trust proceedings, and guardianship or conservatorship petitions for both adults and minors.
Probate Filing Fees
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Appearance/Answer Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Probate adult | $356.00 | $181.00 |
| Probate minor | $256.00 | $181.00 |
Additional probate-related fees from the miscellaneous schedule include:
- Filing an estate or ward account (other than one final account) — $25.00
- Filing a claim ($150.01–$500) — $25.00
- Filing a claim ($500.01–$10,000) — $40.00
- Filing a claim (over $10,000) — $60.00
- Filing a claim or petition seeking equitable relief — $60.00
- Jury demand in probate — $137.50
- Certified copy of letters of office or court orders — $2.00 per page
- Exemplification — $2.00 plus certification fee
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched on Judici by selecting the appropriate case type. In-person requests can be made at the Circuit Clerk's office. To locate a specific probate file, have the decedent's or ward's name ready, or the case number if you know it. Standard document reproduction fees apply to all copies.
Wills filed with the court as part of an estate proceeding become part of the public case record unless otherwise sealed. Letters of office, inventories, accountings, and final distributions are typically accessible to interested parties. If you need certified copies of probate documents for use in financial transactions or real estate matters, ask the Circuit Clerk for certified copies at $2.00 per page for probate certifications, or at the standard $6.00 authentication rate for other instruments.
For questions about probate filings or procedures, call the Circuit Clerk's office at (217) 277-2100 or visit the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court page for general court information and scheduling.