Henry County, Illinois Court Records
IllinoisCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on IllinoisCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Henry County, Illinois sits within the 14th Judicial Circuit and runs its court system out of Cambridge, the county seat, with a second courthouse in Kewanee. The Circuit Court of Henry County handles the full range of legal matters — criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law proceedings, and probate administration — and all of those proceedings generate records maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Office. Those records are open to the public, subject to certain statutory limits, and knowing the county's filing structure, search tools, and request procedures will save you real time when you need to locate a case or retrieve a document.
If you're starting your research online, IllinoisCourts.us can help you identify the right court, locate contact information, and find relevant databases. For official copies and verified records, though, the Circuit Clerk's Office remains the authoritative source.
Henry County Circuit Court Locations:
| Division | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Courthouse (Cambridge) | 307 West Center Street, Cambridge, IL 61238 | (309) 937-3572 | Mon–Fri, 8 AM–4:30 PM |
| Kewanee Division | 401 East 3rd Street, Kewanee, IL 61443 | (309) 852-2507 | Mon–Fri, 8 AM–4:30 PM |
Court sessions begin at 9:00 AM Monday through Friday. Civil walk-in court runs from 8:30–9:00 AM on weekdays, and traffic walk-in court is held every Monday and Tuesday from 9:00–9:30 AM.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Henry County?
Start with the Henry County Records Search portal, available through the county's official website. You can search by case number, party name, or ticket number across criminal, civil, and traffic matters. The portal connects directly to Judici.com, which hosts Henry County's online court docket and is the most thorough electronic resource for tracking active and recently closed cases.
Beyond online searches, the Circuit Clerk's Office accepts requests several different ways:
- In person: Visit the Cambridge courthouse at 307 West Center Street during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4:30 PM). Public access computers may be available for on-site searching.
- By email: Criminal and traffic record requests go to the Criminal Division; civil record requests go to the Civil Division. Contact details are listed on the Records Search page.
- By fax: Documents can be faxed to (309) 937-3990. Fax fees are $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page.
- By mail: Send a written request with case details and payment to the Circuit Clerk's office at 307 West Center Street, Cambridge, IL 61238.
A general record search costs $6.00 per person, plus $1.00 per page for each additional page produced. Certified, exemplified, or authenticated copies cost $6.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page. Standard copy fees are $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 per page up to 20 pages, and $0.25 per page beyond that. The Circuit Clerk's Office cannot give legal advice. Anyone filing in or making requests of this court — whether an attorney, self-represented litigant, or researcher — should review the Rules of Practice of the 14th Judicial Circuit before submitting filings or requests.
Are Court Records Public in Henry County?
Illinois law presumes that court records are open to the public. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) controls access to records at most government agencies — but the Circuit Clerk's Office and Court Services are explicitly exempt from FOIA. Access to court records is instead controlled by Illinois Supreme Court rules and statutes that apply to specific record types.
Some categories of records are restricted or fully confidential and can't be accessed without a court order or a showing of eligibility:
- Sealed and expunged records — Once a court grants expungement or sealing under the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630), those records are removed from public view. Filing a petition to expunge costs $60.00.
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order.
- Juvenile records — Records involving minors in delinquency or status proceedings are generally closed to public inspection.
- Mental health commitment records — Treated as confidential (no filing fee applies).
- Family case confidential disclosures — The 14th Judicial Circuit's local rules require that sensitive personal details (dates of birth, Social Security numbers, children's identifying information) be filed under seal via a Confidential Disclosure Statement, separate from the publicly accessible docket.
FOIA requests for non-court county offices — including the Sheriff's Department, Assessor, Treasurer, and Coroner — go through each department separately. Sheriff's Department FOIA requests require a dedicated form available at the Sheriff's Office page and should be directed to FOIA Officer Elaine Helg at 311 W. Center Street, Cambridge, IL 61238, or by email at SheriffFOIA@henrycty.com. General county office FOIA requests go to the County Administrator's Office at 307 West Center Street, Cambridge, IL 61238, Phone: (309) 937-3400, or by email at foia@henrycty.com.
Henry County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Henry County — covering felonies, misdemeanors, petty offenses, business offenses, and ordinance violations — are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. These records reflect charges, case history, dispositions, and sentencing. You can search them through the Judici case search portal or by contacting the Criminal Division directly by email.
Henry County Criminal Filing Fee Schedule:
| Case Type | Clerk Fee |
|---|---|
| Felony | $75.00 |
| Misdemeanor | $55.00 |
| Business Offense | $55.00 |
| Petty Offense | $55.00 |
| Minor Traffic or Ordinance | $10.00 |
| Court Appearance Required | $15.00 |
| Motion to Vacate or Amend Final Order | $40.00 |
| Motion to Vacate Bond Forfeiture / Failure to Appear | $40.00 |
| Petition to Expunge | $60.00 |
| Jury Demand (Ordinance Violations) | $100.00 |
| Writ of Habeas Corpus | $100.00 |
| Record Search (Per Person) | $6.00 |
Appeals cost $60.00 for under 100 pages, $150.00 for 101–200 pages, and $150.00 plus $0.25 per page over 200, plus postage.
The Henry County Sheriff's Office — at 311 West Center Street, Cambridge, IL 61238, Phone: (309) 937-3616 — is the county's primary law enforcement agency. Its Records Division archives incident reports and arrest documentation in compliance with the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program and the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS). Sheriff's Office records are not accessible through the Circuit Clerk; they require a separate FOIA request using the Sheriff's Department FOIA form.
If you're looking to clear a criminal record in Illinois, you may be able to petition for expungement or sealing under the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630). Eligibility turns on the type of offense, how the case was resolved, and how much time has passed since the sentence was completed. File the petition with the Circuit Clerk; the $60.00 petition fee applies.
Henry County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Henry County cover a wide range — small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, personal injury claims, contract actions, foreclosures, and administrative proceedings. All of them are filed with and maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Office. Civil records are searchable through the Judici portal by selecting the Civil Division option on the Records Search page.
Henry County Civil Filing Fee Schedule (Selected Case Types):
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Answer/Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Small Claims (up to $2,500) | $109.00 | $0 |
| Small Claims ($2,500.01–$10,000) | $284.00 | $0 |
| Arbitration (under $15,000) | $284.00 | $129.00 |
| Arbitration ($10,000–$75,000) | $334.00 | $209.00 |
| Possession Only (Eviction) | $109.00 | $129.00 |
| Law Claim (over $50,000) | $334.00 | $209.00 |
| Foreclosure | $334.00 | $209.00 |
| Miscellaneous Remedy | $334.00 | $209.00 |
| Eminent Domain | $334.00 | $209.00 |
Additional costs to budget for: summons served by certified mail ($20.44), by registered mail ($28.84), a 6-person jury demand ($106.25), a 12-person jury demand ($212.50), garnishment fees ($15.00–$50.00 depending on amount), and alias summons or citations ($5.00 each). Petitions to vacate, modify, intervene, or reopen a case cost $50.00 if filed within 30 days of judgment, or $75.00 if filed after that point.
Civil cases in Henry County proceed under the Rules of Practice of the 14th Judicial Circuit. These rules require initial case management conferences, govern motion practice, set briefing schedules, and establish pre-trial conference requirements. All civil motions brought under substantive procedural statutes must be noticed for the 9:00 AM walk-in call. Summary judgment motions must be filed no later than 90 days before trial.
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats — are maintained by the Henry County Clerk/Recorder's Office at 307 West Center Street, Cambridge, IL 61238. The Recorder's office offers online land record access through Laredo Anywhere for professional users, and through Tapestry for occasional access. Property tax and parcel assessment data are searchable through the Henry County Property Tax Inquiry system, which has free guest-level access and a paid tier for more detailed data.
Henry County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Henry County are part of the Circuit Court's civil docket and fall under Part 9 of the 14th Judicial Circuit's Rules of Practice. These proceedings include dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, parentage actions, allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, child support, post-decree modifications, and orders of protection.
Divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Office and are searchable through the Judici civil division portal. Filing dates, party names, and case status are generally public. However, sensitive information filed under the local rules' Confidential Disclosure Statement — including children's dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and driver's license numbers — is sealed and not available publicly without a court order.
To obtain divorce records:
- Visit the Records Search page and select the Civil Division option on Judici to search by party name or case number.
- For certified copies, contact the Circuit Clerk's office in person at 307 West Center Street, Cambridge, IL 61238, or by phone at (309) 937-3572.
- Have the full names of both parties and, if possible, the approximate year of filing ready when you call or visit.
- Pay the applicable copy fees ($2.00 for the first page, $0.50 per additional page up to 20, $0.25 per page thereafter; $6.00 for certified copies).
In all contested child custody and parenting time cases, the 14th Judicial Circuit requires both parties to complete a four-hour parenting education program covering the impact of custody and visitation arrangements on children. Cases involving contested custody, allocation of parental responsibilities, or relocation filed on or after January 1, 2007 are generally subject to mandatory mediation before a judicial hearing can proceed.
Marriage records in Henry County are maintained by the County Clerk/Recorder's Office, not the Circuit Clerk. Marriage licenses are issued there and are county-specific — the license can only be used in the county where it was issued. Key requirements include:
- Both parties must appear in person; appointments should be made before 4:00 PM
- Both parties must present valid photo ID
- The license must be applied for at least one day before the ceremony and is valid for 60 days
- Persons 18 and older may marry without parental consent; those aged 16–17 require both parents to appear and sign consent
- Fee: $50.00 for all applicants (as of March 1, 2016)
- Certified copies of issued marriage licenses cost $15.00 for the first copy and $7.00 per additional copy of the same license
You can also apply for a marriage license through the County Clerk's online application portal. Certified copies of vital records, including marriage certificates, can be ordered online through Official Records Online or in person at the courthouse.
Birth and death records in Henry County are restricted to the individual named, immediate family members, legal guardians, and authorized representatives. Certified copies cost $15.00 each; additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $7.00 each. The Birth Application form and a separate form for deceased individuals are available on the county website. Death record requests can also be submitted using the death record request form. Mail requests require a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order payable to the Henry County Clerk — personal checks are not accepted. The Illinois Department of Public Health also maintains statewide vital records and can verify dissolution of marriage records (divorce) from 1962 forward, but IDPH does not issue certified copies of divorce records — those must come from the Circuit Clerk.
Orders of protection are filed without a filing fee through the Circuit Court. Domestic violence matters involving protective orders may have certain details restricted from public access under Illinois Supreme Court rules on confidential filings.
Henry County Probate Court Records
Probate in Henry County runs through the Circuit Court under Part 8 of the Rules of Practice of the 14th Judicial Circuit, which governs probate proceedings specifically. The court has jurisdiction over estate administration, construction and probate of wills, guardianships of minors and persons with disabilities, conservatorships, missing person petitions, and wrongful death actions. Probate filings use standardized forms numbered p-1A through p-145, established by the 14th Judicial Circuit and subject to periodic updates.
Probate and Guardianship Filing Fees:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Administration of Decedent's Estate | $284.00 |
| Administration of Estate of Disabled Adult | $284.00 |
| Administration of Estate of Minor | $284.00 |
| Construction of Will | $284.00 |
| Guardianship of Person with Disability | $284.00 |
| Guardianship of a Minor | $0.00 |
| Action of Ward – No Administration | $284.00 |
| Adult Protective Services Act | $284.00 |
| Missing Person | $384.00 |
| Wrongful Death / Collection of Judgment | $284.00 |
| Will Contest | $60.00 |
| Letters of Office (each) | $10.00 |
| Petition to Sell Real Estate | $50.00 |
| Filing of Account (other than final) | (see schedule) |
| Entry of Appearance – Probate | $209.00 |
Claims against estates are filed on a sliding fee scale: claims up to $149.00 cost $25.00 to file; $150.00–$500.00 costs $40.00; $501.00–$10,000.00 costs $60.00; and claims over $10,000.00 cost $15.00.
Under the local rules, all legal representatives of estates in the 14th Judicial Circuit must file an annual report or accounting. The first report is due by the first Monday of the month following one year from issuance of Letters of Office, with subsequent reports filed annually on each anniversary until the estate closes. Each report must include the attorney's and representative's names, addresses, and phone numbers, along with a schedule for closing the estate and an explanation of any delays.
Probate records are searchable through the Records Search portal using the Judici civil division option. To request probate case documents in person, visit the Circuit Clerk's Office at 307 West Center Street, Cambridge, IL 61238, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4:30 PM). For historical estate and will records, the Henry County Archive & Genealogy Library maintains genealogical and vital records collections and accepts written queries for records related to specific individuals.