Macon County Court Records
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Macon County sits in central Illinois, with its county seat in Decatur, and its court system holds nearly two centuries' worth of judicial records. The Macon County Circuit Court operates within the Sixth Judicial Circuit and handles everything from felony prosecutions and civil lawsuits to family disputes and probate estates. The Circuit Clerk of Macon County is the official keeper of these records — responsible for filing, indexing, and preserving every document that passes through the court.
If you're looking for Illinois court records, you have a few options: clerk offices, online case-lookup tools, and state archival databases. The statewide resource at IllinoisCourts.us can help you identify publicly available records and understand how the state's unified court structure works. In Macon County specifically, online access runs through the Judici public portal, and in-person research is available at the Macon County Courthouse in Decatur during regular business hours.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Macon County?
You can search for a Macon County court case in several ways, depending on what type of record you need and whether a certified copy is required.
Online through Judici
The main electronic search tool for Macon County is Judici, a platform used by more than 80 Illinois circuit courts. Searching by party name or case number is free. Results typically show the case type, filing date, party names, upcoming hearings, and docket entries. The system covers traffic, criminal, civil, and other case types filed in Macon County. The Circuit Clerk's website links directly to this portal from its search page.
In person at the Circuit Clerk's Office
If you need certified copies or want to review physical case files, visit the clerk's office at the Macon County Courthouse:
Macon County Circuit Clerk
Address: 253 East Wood Street, Room 129, Decatur, IL 62523
Phone: (217) 624-4442
Fax: (217) 424-1350
Email: general@court.co.macon.il.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding legal holidays)
When requesting records in person, bring as much identifying information as you can — a full party name, case number, or approximate filing date all help. The clerk's staff will conduct a record search for $6.00 per year searched. Copy and certification fees are listed in the table below.
Through the Illinois State Archives
For historical records that predate the modern court system, the Macon County Circuit Court Case Files Index maintained by the Illinois State Archives contains 6,818 indexed records from 1829 to 1861. You can search by plaintiff or defendant name. To request copies of archived records, call (217) 206-6520 or write to:
Illinois Regional Archives Depository
LIB 144, University of Illinois at Springfield
One University Plaza, MS BRK 140
Springfield, IL 62703-5407
E-filing for new documents
All civil filings in Illinois circuit courts must be submitted electronically through eFileIL, the statewide e-filing system run by Tyler Technologies. If you're self-represented and can't e-file, you can request a good-cause exemption using forms on the Circuit Clerk's forms page.
Copy and certification fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Record search (per year) | $6.00 |
| Certification (per document) | $2.00 |
| Regular copies (first page) | $2.00 |
| Regular copies (pages 2–20) | $0.50 each |
| Regular copies (pages 21+) | $0.25 each |
| Fax copies (first page) | $1.50 |
| Fax copies (pages 2–20) | $0.50 each |
| Hard copy printout from automated system | $6.00 |
Are Court Records Public in Macon County?
Court records filed in Macon County are generally open to public inspection under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This law gives anyone the right to examine and copy public records held by government bodies — including court clerks and law enforcement agencies — within reasonable limits.
Access is also shaped by Illinois Supreme Court Rule 8, which sets out three categories of restricted access:
- Impounded records are accessible only to the parties in the case or by court order. A judge may impound a file or specific documents when public access could cause harm or compromise a proceeding.
- Confidential records are restricted to the individual who filed the document and to anyone specifically authorized by court order.
- Sealed and expunged records can only be accessed by court order. Once sealed or expunged, a record is removed from standard public search results.
Certain types of records are routinely withheld from public view, including juvenile delinquency and abuse and neglect proceedings, adoption files, mental health commitment petitions, and documents containing sensitive personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers. The Circuit Clerk's office must redact protected information before releasing any record to the public.
Effective May 1, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court approved free remote public access to reviewing court documents filed in circuit courts statewide. This expanded the ability to view case documents electronically at no cost, though restrictions on confidential and impounded materials remain in effect.
Macon County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Macon County — felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses — are all handled by the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk's Criminal/Traffic Division maintains the associated case files. You can reach the division directly at criminal@court.co.macon.il.us.
Searching criminal court records
Start your search on the Judici online portal, where you can look up a criminal case by defendant name or case number for free. Docket entries, hearing dates, and case dispositions are typically available there. If you need certified copies of judgments, sentences, or court orders, submit a request to the Circuit Clerk's office. Certification costs $2.00 per document, plus standard copying fees.
Obtaining criminal history records from the Sheriff's Office
The Macon County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and background check files. Contact the Records Department at:
Macon County Sheriff's Office Records Department
Address: 333 South Franklin Street, Decatur, IL 62523
Phone: (217) 424-1321
Background Check Unit: (217) 424-1321
Fax: (217) 424-6010
Email: foiainformation@sheriff-macon-il.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
A criminal background check through the Sheriff's Office costs $10.00. For other records, submit a written request using the Sheriff's FOIA request form. You can submit by mail, in person, by fax, or by email. The office must respond within five business days of receiving your request. The first 50 pages of black-and-white copies are free; additional legal-size pages cost no more than $0.15 each.
Sheriff's Office service fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Background check | $10.00 |
| Accident report copy | $5.00 |
| Fingerprinting (up to 2 sets) | $15.00 |
| Additional fingerprint sets | $10.00 each |
| Civil paper service | $35.00 + $1.00 per mile |
| Judgment/eviction order service | $50.00 (nonrefundable) |
The Sheriff's Office also offers an online inmate search tool for looking up individuals currently held at the Macon County Jail. Crash reports are available separately through the LexisNexis eCrash portal.
Macon County Civil Court Records
The Circuit Court handles all civil matters in Macon County — chancery actions, contract disputes, personal injury claims, evictions, foreclosures, small claims, and tax cases. The Civil Division of the Circuit Clerk's office manages these filings and can be reached at civil@court.co.macon.il.us.
Filing fees for civil cases
Filing fees vary by case type and the amount in dispute. The table below summarizes common civil filing costs from the Circuit Clerk's fee schedule:
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Answer Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chancery (CH) | $326.00 | $201.00 |
| Foreclosure (FC) | $426.00 | $201.00 |
| Law over $50,000 (LA) | $326.00 | $201.00 |
| Law $15,001 to $50,000 (LM) | $326.00 | $201.00 |
| Law under $15,000 (LM) | $276.00 | $201.00 |
| Small claims under $2,500 (SC) | $109.00 | $129.00 |
| Small claims over $2,500 (SC) | $276.00 | $201.00 |
| Eviction possession only (EV) | $109.00 | |
| Eviction possession & money (EV) | $276.00 | $201.00 |
| Miscellaneous remedy (MR) | $326.00 | $201.00 |
| Tax cases (TX) | $326.00 + $60.00/additional parcel | |
| Expungement — no prior case filed (MX) | $146.00 |
Additional civil fees include $137.50 for a six-person jury demand or $212.50 for a twelve-person jury. Post-judgment garnishment fees range from $15.00 to $50.00 depending on the amount at issue.
Searching civil records
Civil case records can be searched on Judici by selecting the appropriate case-type filter. In-person research is available at the clerk's office, where public access terminals are open during regular hours. If you're handling a civil matter without an attorney, the Circuit Clerk's website also links to self-help resources including Illinois Legal Aid Online and SIU School of Law self-help materials.
Property-related records
Civil judgments and liens are filed with the Circuit Clerk, but land records — deeds, mortgages, and plats — are held separately by the Macon County Recorder:
Macon County Recorder
Address: 141 South Main Street, Room 201, Decatur, IL 62523
Phone: (217) 424-1359
Email: meaton@maconcounty.illinois.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Recorder's office offers several online land-record search tools, including a free data-only Direct Search and paid subscription options (Laredo and Tapestry) that include document images. Property tax assessment data is searchable by name, address, or parcel identification number through the Macon County Property Tax portal.
Macon County Family Court Records
Macon County doesn't have a standalone family court. All family law matters — dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, orders of protection, and adoptions — are handled through the Circuit Court's civil division. Filing fees for family cases break down as follows:
- Dissolution of marriage with children (DC): $326.00 filing; $201.00 answer. A $250.00 Guardian ad Litem fee also applies.
- Dissolution of marriage without children (DN): $326.00 filing; $201.00 answer.
- Family cases (FA): $326.00 filing; $201.00 answer.
- Adoption (AD): $89.00 filing fee.
- Petitions to modify child support or custody: No charge for spousal or child support modifications.
The Bookkeeping/Child Support Division of the Circuit Clerk's office handles the collection and disbursement of child support payments, including those routed through the State Disbursement Unit. For questions, contact booksupport@court.co.macon.il.us.
Dissolution of marriage records
Divorce records from court proceedings are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Access is generally open to the public unless both spouses have petitioned the court for confidentiality. The Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records maintains a statewide index of dissolution records but does not issue certified copies. Instead, IDPH can provide marriage verification or divorce verification letters.
Marriage licenses and certificates
The Macon County Clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Both parties must appear in person to apply. A license costs $75.00 (cash or check only) and must be obtained at least one day before the ceremony. It's valid for 60 days and must be returned to the clerk within 10 days of the ceremony.
Macon County Clerk (Vital Records)
Address: 141 South Main Street, Room 104, Decatur, IL 62523
Phone: (217) 424-1305 or (217) 424-1307
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Certified copies of marriage certificates are available in person, by mail, or through an online vendor. The fee is $23.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Mail requests require a money order; in-person requests accept cash or check. A downloadable Marriage or Civil Union Record Request Form is available on the county website. Online orders placed through VitalChek carry a $10.00 service charge plus UPS delivery costs.
Birth and death certificates
The County Clerk also issues certified birth and death certificates, though eligibility is restricted. Birth certificates can only be obtained by the named individual (age 18 or older), a parent listed on the record, or a legal guardian. Death certificates are available only to immediate family members, the informant listed on the certificate, or persons with a documented personal or property interest.
| Record Type | First Copy | Additional Copies | Genealogical Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $23.00 | $10.00 each | 75+ years old |
| Death certificate | $27.00 | $14.00 each | 20+ years old |
| Death (unknown date search fee) | $5.00 |
Requests can be submitted in person (cash or check), by mail using a downloadable birth or death request form (money order only), or through the county's partnered VitalChek service online.
Macon County Probate Court Records
Macon County doesn't have a separate probate court. The Circuit Court handles all probate matters, and the Circuit Clerk's Probate/Juvenile Division manages the filings. Reach the division at probate@court.co.macon.il.us.
Types of probate cases
The court handles decedents' estates, guardianships of minors and disabled adults, conservatorships, will contests, and related proceedings. Local procedures follow the Sixth Judicial Circuit Rules of Practice, Part 9 — Probate Proceedings, which cover will admission, periodic accounting, guardian expenditure petitions, claim disposition, and dismissal for inactivity.
Filing fees for probate cases
- Decedent's estate (PR): $376.00 filing fee; $201.00 answer fee.
- Guardianship — minor or disabled adult (GR): $276.00 filing fee.
- Guardian ad Litem fee (GAL): $250.00.
- Current accounts for decedent or ward (non-final): $25.00.
- Claim in an estate ($150–$499): $25.00.
- Claim in an estate ($500–$9,999): $40.00.
- Claim in an estate ($10,000 or more): $60.00.
- Letters of Office: $2.00.
- Petition to withdraw minor's funds: $2.00.
Searching probate records
Probate case files can be searched on Judici using a decedent's name or case number. In-person access is available at the Circuit Clerk's office during business hours. A record search costs $6.00 per year, and copies are priced at the standard rates listed earlier in this guide.
Key probate rules
Under the Sixth Judicial Circuit's local rules, executors and administrators must file their first periodic account within 60 days after the first year of letters of office, with annual accounts required after that. Guardians must file accounts within 30 days after the first year of letters and annually thereafter. Estates with no activity for one year or more may be scheduled for a status call, and the court can dismiss the matter for want of action if it appears dormant. Independent administration cases receive an automatic 14-month status date. These requirements help ensure that estates and guardianships move toward timely resolution and that the court maintains oversight of fiduciary responsibilities.