Fulton County Court Records Search
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Fulton County, Illinois sits in the west-central part of the state, with Lewistown serving as the county seat. All court proceedings — felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes, family law matters, and probate administration — take place at a single courthouse in Lewistown. Records generated by those proceedings are maintained by the Fulton County Circuit Clerk and are subject to Illinois’s statutory framework for public access to court documents.
Under the Illinois Court Record and Document Accessibility Act, all records and documents held by a court or clerk of court are presumed accessible unless a specific statute, court rule, or judicial order restricts them. This presumption of openness shapes how requests are handled at the county level and sets the baseline for what the public can expect to find when searching Fulton County case files.
For those beginning their search, IllinoisCourts.us can help users navigate publicly available Illinois court case information. Records can also be accessed through the Circuit Clerk’s Office in person, online case search platforms, the statewide e-filing system, and written mail requests — each method described in detail below.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Fulton County?
The most direct way to locate a Fulton County case is through Judici, a public court case search platform used by the Fulton County Circuit Court and dozens of other Illinois counties. The Judici portal provides free basic access to case information from participating courts, including case numbers, party names, and hearing schedules. Searches can be filtered by name, case number, or filing date.
For electronic filings and docket access, Illinois courts use the statewide eFileIL system, which supports mandatory e-filing in civil cases across all circuit courts, including Fulton County. The platform is accessible to both attorneys and self-represented litigants.
In-Person and Written Requests
For certified copies, sealed case inquiries, or documents not available through online portals, contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office directly:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Fulton County Circuit Clerk |
| Address | 100 N. Main Street, Room 207, Lewistown, IL 61542 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 152, Lewistown, IL 61542 |
| Phone | (309) 547-3041, Ext. 206 |
| Fax | (309) 547-3674 |
| cmarkley@9thjudicial.org | |
| Circuit Clerk | Charlene Markley |
| Office Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Written requests should include the full names of all parties, the case number if known, the approximate filing year, and the specific documents being requested. Copy fees apply to most requests and should be confirmed with the Clerk’s Office before submitting payment.
Historical Records
For cases predating modern digital systems, the Illinois Secretary of State’s Archives Division maintains a searchable index of Fulton County Circuit Court case files from 1825 through 1876. These records include summonses, affidavits, depositions, decrees, and orders from chancery, criminal, and common law proceedings.
Are Court Records Public in Fulton County?
Illinois law presumes that court records are public. The Illinois Court Record and Document Accessibility Act (705 ILCS 86) directs clerks of court to make records available unless access is specifically restricted by statute or court order. This framework operates alongside the broader Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at 5 ILCS 140, which governs access to records held by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies that maintain arrest and criminal history data.
Records That Are Restricted
Not all court files are open for public inspection. The following categories are commonly withheld or redacted in Fulton County:
- Juvenile court records — proceedings involving minors are confidential under Illinois statute
- Adoption, paternity, and child custody records — sealed to protect the parties, particularly minors
- Expunged and sealed criminal records — treated as if they do not exist once expunged under 20 ILCS 2630
- Social Security numbers, financial account details, and medical records — redacted from public versions of documents under privacy protections
- Records sealed by court order — any document subject to a specific sealing order is withheld until the order is vacated
- Records related to ongoing criminal investigations — withheld when disclosure would compromise law enforcement activity
When a file contains both public and restricted information, the Clerk redacts the non-public portions before releasing a copy to the requester.
Fulton County Criminal Court Records
Felony prosecutions in Fulton County are handled by the Circuit Court, which is part of Illinois’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, serving Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties. Misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and ordinance infractions fall within the Circuit Court’s jurisdiction as well, though at a lower classification level.
Criminal court records typically include charging documents, arraignment orders, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and any post-conviction motions. These documents are accessible to the public unless the case involves a minor, has been sealed, or is subject to an active court order restricting access.
Searching Criminal Cases
- Online: Use Judici to search Fulton County criminal case records by party name or case number.
- In-person: Visit the Circuit Clerk’s Office at Room 207, 100 N. Main Street, Lewistown, during business hours.
- Written request: Mail a request to P.O. Box 152, Lewistown, IL 61542, with the party’s full name and case details.
Criminal History Background Checks
For a comprehensive statewide criminal history report, the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification manages the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP). Name-based searches are available online through the CHIRP portal. For more thorough results — particularly when common names are involved — fingerprint-based submissions are recommended and can be completed through licensed Live Scan vendors across the state. Fee schedules vary based on the type of check and the statutory authority under which it is requested.
Arrest Records
Arrest records and detention-related documents maintained by local law enforcement are held separately from court case files. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office handles public records requests for arrest data under FOIA:
Fulton County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 268 West Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 269, Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-2277
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
FOIA requests to the Sheriff’s Office can be submitted in person at the address above and should identify the type of record sought, including arrest and detention records or incident reports.
Fulton County Civil Court Records
The Fulton County Circuit Court handles civil disputes across several categories: general civil actions (contract disputes, personal injury, property disagreements), small claims, domestic relations, and traffic matters. Civil case records include complaints, answers, motions, orders, and final judgments. These documents are generally public and accessible through the Circuit Clerk’s Office or online through Judici.
Small Claims
Illinois Small Claims Court, governed by Illinois Supreme Court Rules 281–289, is available for civil claims of $10,000 or less, exclusive of court costs and interest. Any individual may file a small claims case without an attorney. The guide published by the Fulton County Circuit Clerk provides step-by-step instructions for completing the process, including how to serve the opposing party and what to expect at the hearing.
Filing Fees
Filing fees in Fulton County vary by case type and claim amount. Common fee categories include:
| Case Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Small Claims (up to $10,000) | Fees scale with claim amount; confirm current amount with Clerk |
| Civil Actions (general) | Separate schedule applies; confirm with Clerk’s Office |
| Divorce/Dissolution | See Family section below |
| Counterclaims | Separate filing fee required |
To confirm the current fee applicable to a specific case type, contact the Circuit Clerk at (309) 547-3041, Ext. 206, or review the Circuit Clerk Court Costs page on the Fulton County website. Parties who cannot afford filing fees may petition the court for a fee waiver.
e-Filing
Civil filings in Fulton County are subject to mandatory electronic filing requirements for represented parties. Self-represented litigants may also use the eFileIL platform and can access legal self-help resources through the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s Legal Resources page.
Fulton County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Fulton County — including dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, orders of protection, and adoptions — are filed with the Circuit Court. The Children and Families Division of the Fulton County Circuit Court, designated under the Ninth Judicial Circuit, handles these proceedings.
Divorce and Dissolution
Divorce petitions are filed with the Circuit Clerk and processed through the family law division. The Ninth Judicial Circuit’s forms library provides downloadable forms for various family law proceedings, including financial affidavits required in most dissolution cases. Self-represented parties can also access step-by-step instructions through the Circuit’s legal self-help resources.
Divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and can be searched through Judici or requested in writing. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available from the Clerk’s Office at the applicable copy fee. Financial affidavits, Social Security numbers, and certain custody-related documents are subject to redaction before release to third parties.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Fulton County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage license or civil union certificate, requesters must complete the Marriage/Civil Union Certificate Application. The fee is $17 for the first certified copy. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail, along with a copy of the requester’s photo ID:
Fulton County Clerk and Recorder
Address: 100 N. Main Street, P.O. Box 226, Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3041 (Ext. 118 for vital records appointments)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) also processes requests for marriage verifications for events occurring from 1962 to the present. IDPH verifications cost $5 and can be requested by mail or fax. Mail requests go to:
IDPH Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records in Fulton County are not public. Birth records are restricted to the subject (if an adult), their parents, and legal guardians. Death records may be accessed only by relatives of the deceased or persons who can demonstrate a tangible interest. The fee for a certified copy is $17 for the first copy and $9 for each additional copy of the same certificate requested at the same time.
Requests can be submitted to the Fulton County Clerk and Recorder using the Birth Certificate Application or the Death Certificate Application, along with the applicable fee and a valid photo ID. The IDPH Division of Vital Records processes requests for events recorded statewide.
Orders of Protection
Petitions for orders of protection against domestic violence, harassment, or stalking are filed with the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk’s Office can provide procedural guidance, and forms are available through the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s forms and rules page.
Fulton County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Fulton County are handled within the Circuit Court — Illinois does not operate a separate standalone probate court. The Circuit Clerk maintains all records generated by probate proceedings, which typically include wills, estate inventories, letters of office, claims against estates, and final orders of distribution. These records are generally open to the public unless a specific document has been sealed by court order.
Common Probate Matters
The Fulton County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over:
- Formal administration of decedent estates (testate and intestate)
- Probate and admission of wills to record
- Appointment of independent and supervised administrators
- Guardianships for minors
- Guardianships and conservatorships for disabled adults
- Estate inventories and final accountings
Searching and Requesting Probate Records
Probate case information for currently active and recently closed cases is searchable through Judici. Older historical probate records — including guardian and chancery proceedings dating to the mid-1800s — are indexed in the Illinois Secretary of State’s Archives database for cases through 1876. For records outside those ranges, in-person or written requests to the Circuit Clerk’s Office are typically necessary.
To request specific probate documents, provide the Circuit Clerk’s Office with the decedent’s full name, the approximate year of death or filing, and the type of document needed (e.g., will, letters of office, inventory). Certified copies carry a per-page fee that should be confirmed directly with the Clerk. The Clerk can be reached at (309) 547-3041, Ext. 206, or by mail at P.O. Box 152, Lewistown, IL 61542.