Clinton County Court Records Search
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Clinton County, Illinois is served by a single trial court — the Clinton County Circuit Court — which handles the full spectrum of legal matters arising within the county’s borders. Seated in Carlyle, the county seat, the Circuit Court is the sole judicial forum for criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law proceedings, probate matters, and juvenile cases. Court records generated through these proceedings include case numbers, party names, attorney information, event and filing dates, judicial rulings, and associated documentation that collectively form the official record of how cases were handled.
Residents and researchers seeking court records in Illinois can work through several channels — clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, court websites, and online tools. IllinoisCourts.us may assist in locating publicly available case information across the state. Whether a user needs a routine copy of a filed document or a certified record for legal proceedings, understanding the right office and process to contact is essential.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Clinton County?
The Clinton County Circuit Clerk’s Office maintains all court case records for the county and provides two main avenues for searching them. The first is online access through the Judici case search portal, which allows users to search Clinton County cases by name or case number from any location. Judici also supports online fine and cost payments through its ePay system. The second option is an in-person visit to the clerk’s office during regular business hours.
To request records in person or by mail:
- Gather the case number or full name of a party involved in the case
- Visit the courthouse Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or prepare a written request
- Submit the request to the clerk’s office and pay applicable copy fees at the time of the request
- For certified copies, specify certification at the time of request and expect an additional fee
An e-filing kiosk is also available inside the Circuit Clerk’s office for attorneys and self-represented litigants who need to file documents electronically.
Clinton County Circuit Court
Address: 850 Fairfax Street, Room 220, Carlyle, IL 62231
Phone: (618) 594-6615
Circuit Clerk: Rod Kloeckner
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Are Court Records Public in Clinton County?
Court records in Clinton County are presumptively open to the public under two governing frameworks. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 8 establishes the right of public access to court case information and documents. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) reinforces transparency obligations for public bodies, including court clerks.
Despite this broad public access presumption, certain record categories are withheld from general disclosure:
- Adoption records and related proceedings
- Juvenile court records
- Unexecuted arrest warrants
- Wills deposited with the Circuit Court prior to the testator’s death
- Drafts, notes, and work product prepared by judges and court staff
- Personal identifying information of jurors in criminal cases — including questionnaires and voir dire transcripts
- Financial account information that could identify individuals or businesses
Standard copy fees charged by the Circuit Clerk:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Reproduction of document (non-certified) | $0.50 per page |
| Certification or Authentication | $10.00 each + $0.50/page |
| Certification of a Will | $6.00 + $0.50/page |
| Record Search or Background Check | $10.00 each |
| Hard copy print from automated system | $6.00 per page |
| Petition to Expunge | $120.00 (+ $4.00 per certified copy) |
All fees must be paid at the time of filing or at the time of the records request. Self-represented litigants who cannot afford fees may apply for a waiver using the Fee Waiver for Civil Cases form available through the Illinois Courts.
Clinton County Criminal Court Records
The Clinton County Circuit Court handles all criminal prosecutions in the county, from felonies down to ordinance violations and traffic offenses. Criminal court records include charging documents, orders of detention, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and post-conviction filings such as motions to expunge or seal.
Criminal case information is searchable online through the Judici portal by party name or case number. Individuals who need certified copies of criminal case documents must request them directly from the Circuit Clerk’s Office, where a $10.00 certification fee applies per document in addition to the per-page copy rate.
Expungement of criminal records is available under Illinois law for eligible offenses. The filing fee for a Petition to Expunge through the Circuit Court is $120.00, plus $4.00 for each certified copy of the expungement order. The Illinois Courts provide Expungement and Sealing forms for self-represented filers.
For arrest records, warrant information, and law enforcement-held records that exist independently of court case files, the appropriate contact is the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office:
Clinton County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 810 Franklin Street, Carlyle, IL 62231
Phone: (618) 594-4555
Corrections/Jail: (618) 594-4556
Fax: (618) 594-5574
Email: sheriff@clintonco.illinois.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sheriff Dan Travous oversees the office. Criminal warrant information passes through the Circuit Court at the Clinton County Courthouse, and bench warrants issued by the court may be verified through the Judici portal or by contacting the clerk’s office directly. The Sheriff’s Office also maintains jail and inmate records, including booking information, which are separate from court case files.
Clinton County Civil Court Records
Clinton County’s Circuit Court handles the full civil docket, from small claims disputes through major litigation. Illinois e-filing has been mandatory for civil cases since January 1, 2018. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file through eFileIL, the state’s certified electronic filing platform, or by using the e-filing kiosk located inside the Circuit Clerk’s Office at the courthouse.
Civil case filing fees at Clinton County Circuit Court:
| Case Type | Complaint/Petition | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Law (over $50,000) | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Law Magistrate (up to $15,000) | $256.00 | $109.00 |
| Law Magistrate ($15,000.01–$50,000) | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Small Claims (up to $2,500) | $89.00 | $109.00 |
| Small Claims ($2,500.01–$10,000) | $256.00 | $181.00 |
| Chancery | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Eviction (possession only) | $89.00 | — |
| Foreclosure | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Jury Demand (12-person, civil) | $212.50 | — |
| Jury Demand (6-person, civil) | $106.25 | — |
Self-represented parties can access a library of standardized civil forms through the Circuit Clerk’s court forms page, which links to Illinois Supreme Court statewide approved forms covering small claims, eviction, mortgage foreclosure, motions to dismiss, and post-judgment collection. Free legal assistance for self-represented litigants is available through Illinois Legal Aid Online and the Illinois Court Help service, reachable by calling or texting (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Access to Justice Commission (ATJ) offers additional resources, programs, and referrals specifically designed to help self-represented litigants and limited English proficient individuals navigate civil court proceedings.
Clinton County Family Court Records
Family law cases — including divorces, parentage matters, orders of protection, child support, and parenting plan modifications — are filed with the Clinton County Circuit Clerk as part of the Civil Division. The courthouse serves as the repository for all of these records.
Filing fees for family cases:
| Case Type | Petition/Complaint | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Dissolution with Children (DC) | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Dissolution without Children (DN) | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Family (FA) | $306.00 | $181.00 |
| Guardianship (GR) | $256.00 | $181.00 |
| Adoption (AD) | $89.00 filing fee | — |
Approved family law forms available through the Circuit Clerk include divorce, child support, and maintenance forms, parenting plans, financial affidavits, orders of protection, and motions to modify allocation of parental responsibilities. The Clinton County Circuit Clerk also provides local forms for motions to extend or modify orders of protection and motions to terminate orders of protection.
Mediation services for family cases are available through the Fourth Judicial Circuit’s programs — details are listed on the Fourth Circuit programs and services page.
Divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and are searchable online via Judici or by in-person request at the courthouse during regular business hours. The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Marriage records in Clinton County are maintained by the County Clerk and Recorder, a separate office from the Circuit Clerk. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, submit a completed Request for Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate form along with a copy of a driver’s license. Fees are $15.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 for each additional copy. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail. The office also partners with an approved third-party vendor for online orders. Marriage records 50 years old or older may be requested by submitting an Application for Search of Genealogy Record form and a $10.00 fee.
Clinton County Clerk and Recorder
Address: 850 Fairfax Street, Carlyle, IL 62231
Phone: (618) 594-6620
Fax: (618) 594-0195
Clerk and Recorder: Vicky Albers
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Certified copies of birth and death certificates are also issued through this office. Birth certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy. Certified death certificates are $17.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy. A downloadable Certified Birth Certificate Request form is available on the County Clerk’s website. Contact the office directly for the death certificate request form. Only eligible individuals — those named in the record, immediate family members, legal guardians, and authorized representatives — may obtain certified vital records copies.
Clinton County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Clinton County are handled through the Circuit Court, with records maintained by the Circuit Clerk. The court administers decedent estates, guardianships of minors and disabled adults, and conservatorship matters. Probate case information that is part of the public record can be searched through Judici or reviewed in person at the clerk’s office.
Probate filing fees:
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Administration of Decedent’s Estate or Missing Person | $356.00 |
| Each account other than final account | $25.00 |
| Claim/petition seeking equitable relief | $60.00 |
| Letters of Office | $2.00 each |
| Certified copy of will | $6.00 + $0.50/page |
| Exemplification | $12.00 each |
| Certification to Secretary of State | $5.00 |
| Estate Claim ($150.01–$500.00) | $25.00 |
| Estate Claim ($500.01–$10,000.00) | $40.00 |
| Estate Claim (over $10,000.00) | $60.00 |
| Jury Demand (12-person) | $137.50 |
| Jury Demand (6-person) | $68.75 |
Self-represented individuals navigating guardianship can access locally prepared packet forms through the Circuit Clerk, including the Guardianship of Disabled Adult Packet, the Guardianship of Minor Packet, and the Guardian’s Current Account form. For smaller estates that may not require full probate administration, a Small Estate Affidavit form is also available through the clerk’s office. Note that wills deposited with the Circuit Court prior to the testator’s death are restricted from public disclosure under Illinois law; they become accessible as part of the probate record only after formal estate proceedings are opened.