Jersey County Court Records Search
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Jersey County, Illinois sits in the southwestern part of the state, with Jerseyville as the county seat. Court records here document everything that comes before the Jersey County Circuit Court — criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law matters, probate estates, and more. Each record is created when a case is filed and updated throughout the proceedings, ultimately reflecting orders, motions, petitions, judgments, and appeals.
Tracking down court records in Illinois usually involves a mix of official court resources, clerk's office requests, public access terminals, and online search tools. If you're not sure where to start, IllinoisCourts.us can help you locate publicly available case information across the state. For Jersey County specifically, records are searchable directly through the Circuit Clerk's office or via the county's online search tools, described in detail below.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Jersey County?
Start with the Jersey County Circuit Clerk's Office, which maintains all case files and court documents for matters filed and heard in the county. Staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., by phone or in person.
Jersey County Circuit Court / Circuit Clerk's Office
Address: 201 West Pearl Street, Jerseyville, IL 62052
Phone: (618) 498-5571
Email: jerseyilcourt@jerseycounty-il.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Note: Bags are not permitted inside the courthouse.
Online Case Search via Judici
If you'd rather search remotely, the Judici platform for Jersey County gives you free public access to case information. When searching by name, enter the defendant's last name, followed by a comma and a space, then the first name — for example, "Smith, John". Judici also offers premium subscription services for attorneys and legal professionals who need to search across multiple Illinois counties or access docket notes and filings.
Options for Searching or Requesting Records:
- Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office in person at the courthouse
- Search cases online through the Judici portal at no charge
- Submit a written records request to the clerk's office by mail
- Contact the Criminal Division directly at ext. 120–122 for criminal case inquiries
- Contact the Civil Division at ext. 161 (Emily) or ext. 162 (Karen) for civil matters
Record Search Fees
The Circuit Clerk charges $6.00 per year for a record search. Copies cost $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 each for pages two through nineteen, and $0.25 per page beyond twenty. Certification of a document costs $6.00, and a certified judgment copy (after the first) is $10.00. The full fee schedule is published on the Circuit Clerk's website.
Are Court Records Public in Jersey County?
Court records in Jersey County are generally open to the public. Under 705 ILCS 105 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, the Circuit Clerk is required to maintain case records, which may exist in paper, photographic, microfilm, or electronic formats. It's worth noting that while the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) governs access to most state government documents, the judicial branch operates under its own public access rules — court records and proceedings are broadly open to the public under Illinois court rules independent of FOIA.
Records That Are Restricted or Exempt from Public Disclosure:
- Sealed or expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records
- Records containing sensitive information about vulnerable victims
- Confidential personal data (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers)
- Information that could compromise an active law enforcement investigation
- Adoption records, which are sealed by statute
If you want to expunge a criminal record in Jersey County, you can petition the court; the filing fee for an expungement petition is $60.00. Expungement and sealing procedures follow the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630), which also outlines automatic expungement provisions for certain qualifying offenses.
Jersey County Criminal Court Records
The Criminal Division of the Jersey County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment committed within the county. All criminal cases originate with the State's Attorney's Office before coming before the circuit court. The division handles felony and misdemeanor matters, and criminal fines and fees vary depending on the sentence and the arresting agency involved.
Criminal Division Contact:
Phone: (618) 498-5571
Julie – ext. 121
Heather – ext. 122
Kayla – ext. 120
How to Access Criminal Court Records:
- Search the Judici case portal using the defendant's name to find publicly available docket information.
- Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office in person to review physical case files or request copies.
- Contact the Criminal Division directly for information about specific case numbers or court dates.
Sheriff's Office and Arrest Records
Arrest records, incident reports, and booking information for Jersey County are maintained by the Jersey County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Records Unit can provide arrest records and related documentation, subject to applicable disclosure rules and fees.
Jersey County Sheriff's Office
Address: 114 North Washington Street, Jerseyville, IL 62052
Phone: (618) 498-6881
For complete statewide criminal history checks, contact the Illinois State Police (ISP), which is the central repository for all criminal history records in Illinois under 20 ILCS 2630. Statewide record requests typically require valid photo identification and applicable processing fees.
Jersey County Civil Court Records
All civil cases in Jersey County begin at the Jersey County Circuit Clerk's Office, which files, tracks, and maintains civil case documents. The Civil Division handles a broad range of case types — chancery matters, eminent domain, law and law magistrate cases, evictions (forcible entry and detainer), foreclosures, mental health proceedings, orders of protection, municipal corporation cases, and tax matters.
Civil Filing Fees:
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Answer Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Law Magistrate (LM) $10,001–$15,000 | $266.00 | $119.00 |
| Law Magistrate (LM) $15,001–$50,000 | $316.00 | $191.00 |
| Law (L) Over $50,000 | $316.00 | $191.00 |
| Chancery (CH) | $316.00 | No Fee |
| Miscellaneous Remedy (MR) | $316.00 | $191.00 |
| Foreclosure Tier I | $866.00 | No Fee |
| Foreclosure Tier II | $616.00 | No Fee |
| Foreclosure Tier III | $416.00 | No Fee |
| Possession Only (Eviction) | $99.00 | No Fee |
| Civil Jury Demand | $212.50 | — |
Small Claims Division
Small claims cases covering disputes valued up to $10,000 are filed with the Circuit Clerk. Filing fees are $99.00 for claims of $1.00–$2,500 and $266.00 for claims of $2,501–$10,000. Small claims jury demands cost $12.50 for a six-person jury and $25.00 for a twelve-person jury.
Civil records are available for public inspection or copying through the clerk's office. The eFileIL system maintained by the Illinois courts is available for attorneys and authorized court officials to file and access documents statewide, though general public access to that platform is limited and requires registration with the appropriate credentials.
Jersey County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Jersey County go through the Civil Division of the Circuit Court, with dedicated staff managing dissolution of marriage, adoption, paternity, child support enforcement, and related proceedings. All of these records are filed with and maintained by the Jersey County Circuit Clerk's Office.
Family Division Filing Fees:
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Answer Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dissolution of Marriage (Contested) | $316.00 | $191.00 |
| Dissolution of Marriage (Uncontested) | $507.00 | No Fee |
| Adoptions | $89.00 | No Fee |
| Paternity/Other | $316.00 | $191.00 |
| Child Support | $36.00/year | No Fee |
| Marriage in Court | $10.00 | No Fee |
Divorce Records
Divorce records document the legal dissolution of a marriage and typically include the final decree, child custody arrangements, spousal support terms, and property division agreements. To request a divorce record, visit the Circuit Clerk's Office in person, send a written request by mail, or search for publicly available case details through the Judici case search. Certified copies require a formal application and applicable copy fees.
The clerk's office also provides forms and basic procedural guidance for simplified dissolutions of marriage. A Joint Simplified Dissolution of Marriage is available to couples who meet specific criteria — a marriage of fewer than eight years, combined annual income below $35,000, total marital property under $5,000, and no children born or adopted during the marriage. Required forms include the Joint Affidavit Regarding Separation of the Parties, the Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, and the Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage. For specific questions about dissolution cases, contact Emily at ext. 161.
Marriage Records
Marriage records are held by the Jersey County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds — not the Circuit Clerk. Certified copies of marriage licenses can be requested in person or by mail. The County Clerk's Office is at 200 N. Lafayette, P.O. Box 216, Jerseyville, IL 62052, reachable at (618) 498-5571, Option 6. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for Jersey County fall under the County Clerk's Office and are governed by the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535). The County Clerk has recorded births since 1875 — some dating to 1845 — and deaths since 1878, with some records going back to 1835.
To request a birth record, provide the subject's full name, date and place of birth, parents' names, and a valid government-issued photo ID. For death records, a $20.00 search fee covers the first certified copy; each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $12.00. Vital records can also be ordered online through the County Clerk's portal at jerseycountyclerk-il.gov.
Jersey County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the Jersey County Circuit Court oversees the administration of decedent estates, supervision of individuals with severe mental or physical disabilities, and financial oversight for minors under eighteen years of age. Probate records include wills, letters of office, petitions to sell real estate, guardianship orders, and related filings — all maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Office.
Probate Filing Fees:
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Administration of Decedent's Estate | $366.00 |
| Guardianship of Ward/Minor | $266.00 |
| Probate Jury Demand | $137.50 |
| Petition to Sell Real Estate | $50.00 |
| Letters of Office | $3.00 |
Accessing Probate Records
To search or request probate records, visit the Circuit Clerk's Office in person and provide the name of the deceased along with the case number if you have it. Staff can help locate estate files, guardianship records, and related documents. For probate-specific inquiries, contact the Probate Division at (618) 498-5571, ext. 162 (Karen).
Jersey County Circuit Clerk's Office
Address: 201 West Pearl Street, Jerseyville, IL 62052
Phone: (618) 498-5571
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Illinois Courts directory listing for Jersey County confirms the courthouse location and trial court administrator contact information. Additional courthouse forms for various court divisions, including probate, are available through the Circuit Clerk's website. Online payments for fines, costs, and other court obligations can be submitted through CourtMoney or via the Judici platform.