Madison County Court Records Search
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Madison County is situated in southwestern Illinois, with Edwardsville serving as the county seat. The county is part of the Third Judicial Circuit, which also includes Bond County, and falls within the Fifth Appellate District headquartered in Mt. Vernon. Court records produced by proceedings in Madison County are maintained by the Circuit Clerk’s office, which files and processes state and local court cases, collects fines and fees, and certifies official court documents. Individuals seeking case information in Illinois can begin their research through IllinoisCourts.us for statewide court directory resources, or through the Circuit Clerk’s online case search tool, the statewide re:SearchIL document repository, electronic filing portals, in-person visits to the courthouse, or written requests by mail, email, or fax.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Madison County?
Madison County provides multiple channels for accessing court case information. The primary online resource is the Circuit Clerk’s Court Records Search portal, where users can look up specific cases by participant name or case number. This tool covers civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims matters. For technical difficulties with the search website, contact (800) 250-9884.
A second statewide option is re:SearchIL, which provides cross-jurisdictional access to electronic court records and documents filed throughout Illinois.
Requesting Copies of Court Records
The Circuit Clerk’s Archives department fulfills all copy requests. Copies cannot be ordered by phone. Available methods include:
- Online form: Complete the submission form on the Court Copy Request page.
- Email: Send your request details to courtcopy@madisoncountyil.gov.
- Downloadable form: Download the fillable Circuit Clerk Copy Request Form, then email or mail it to the Clerk’s office.
- In person: Visit Document Storage / Record Search in the lower level of the courthouse at 155 N. Main Street, Suite 11, Edwardsville, IL 62025. This is the fastest method for same-day documents.
- Fax: Send to (618) 692-0676 or (618) 655-2017.
Requests are processed in the order received, typically within five business days. The Clerk notifies requesters of costs before completing the order, and all searches and copies must be prepaid.
Copy Fees (Court Documents Within a Case)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| First page | $2.00 |
| Pages 2–20 | $0.50 per page |
| Page 21 and above | $0.25 per page |
| Certification seal per document | $6.00 |
Other Record Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Docket sheet | $6.00 per page |
| Child support payment history | $6.00 per page |
| Criminal history | $6.00 |
| Record search (per year searched, when case number unknown) | $6.00 per year |
Payments can be made by credit card through the CourtMoney payment portal, by phone at (877) 222-4668 (Form ID 138506), by mailing a check to the Circuit Clerk, or in person at the courthouse.
Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Madison County Courthouse | 155 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025 | (618) 296-6200 |
| Criminal Justice Center | 509 Ramey Street, Room 138, Edwardsville, IL 62025 | (618) 296-3800 |
| Alton Law Enforcement Center | 1700 East Broadway, Alton, IL 62002 | (618) 692-6240 |
| Collinsville City Hall | 125 South Center Street, Collinsville, IL 62234 | (618) 692-6240 |
| Granite City Hall | 2000 Edison Avenue, Granite City, IL 62040 | (618) 692-6240 |
Office hours for the Circuit Clerk are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on legal holidays. The Third Judicial Circuit Court in Madison County is staffed by eight Circuit Judges and thirteen Associate Judges.
Are Court Records Public in Madison County?
Illinois law presumes court records are open to public inspection. Two primary statutes govern access. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) grants the public the right to access records maintained by government agencies. The Clerks of Courts Act (705 ILCS 105) further provides that all records, dockets, and books maintained by circuit clerks are open for inspection by any person.
Despite this broad presumption, certain categories of court records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Records impounded or sealed by court order
- Juvenile delinquency and abuse/neglect proceedings
- Mental health commitment records
- Adoption records
- Records containing private information prohibited by statute from public disclosure
- Information related to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Records affecting the security of correctional or detention facilities
- Expunged criminal records
Statutory fees apply to all copies and searches, as outlined in Section 27.1a of the Clerks of Courts Act (705 ILCS 105/27.1a). The Clerk’s office provides access during regular business hours, and electronic case information is available at no cost through the online court records search portal. Individuals may also access legal reference materials and the Westlaw database at the Madison County Law Library, located at 155 North Main Street, Edwardsville, which is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Madison County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Madison County are heard at the Criminal Justice Center at 509 Ramey Street, Edwardsville. Felony matters are designated with the case code “CF”, while misdemeanors carry the code “CM” and are processed through the Traffic Section at the main courthouse. Driving under the influence cases are designated “DT”. The Criminal Section of the Circuit Clerk’s office can be reached at (618) 296-3800, and the Traffic Section at (618) 296-4370.
How to Search Criminal Court Records
- Online: Use the Circuit Clerk’s Court Records Search tool by entering a participant name or case number.
- Written request: Submit a copy request form by email, mail, or fax to the Circuit Clerk’s Archives department. Include the defendant’s name or case number.
- In person: Visit Document Storage at the courthouse lower level, Suite 11, during business hours.
A criminal history search costs $6.00. Page copies follow the standard fee schedule ($2.00 for the first page, $0.50 for pages 2–20, $0.25 thereafter), and certification is $6.00 per document.
Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification
For statewide criminal history searches, the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification serves as the central repository. Searches may be conducted by name or by fingerprint (for the record subject). A detailed instruction guide and fee schedule are available on the ISP website.
Madison County Sheriff’s Office
Arrest records and incident reports can be requested through the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. An arrest records request form is available on the Sheriff’s website.
Madison County Sheriff’s Office
405 Randle Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: (618) 692-6087 (Administration)
Police: (618) 692-4433
Fax: (618) 656-1210
Under the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635), criminal conviction records are public. Only cases resulting in conviction are generally accessible to public searchers. Expungement petitions may be filed with the Circuit Clerk for $60.00 per petition, plus $60.00 for an order to seal or expunge ISP records.
Madison County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Madison County are divided across several case types and sections. The Civil Section is located in Room 120 of the courthouse and handles law cases (money damages over $50,000, designated “L”), law magistrate cases ($50,000 or less, “LM”), chancery matters (“CH”), eminent domain (“ED”), and miscellaneous remedies (“MR”). The Mandatory Arbitration Program applies to civil cases seeking money damages over $10,000 but not exceeding $50,000. The Civil/Small Claims Section can be reached at (618) 296-4464.
Selected Civil Filing Fees
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Law case ($10,000.01–$15,000) | $142.00 |
| Law case ($15,000.01 and over) | $227.00 |
| Forcible entry and detainer (possession only or amount ≤ $15,000) | $117.00 |
| Forcible entry and detainer (amount > $15,000) | $227.00 |
| Foreclosure (residential) | $377.00 + tier amount |
| Foreclosure (commercial) | $327.00 |
| Change of name | $227.00 |
| Administrative review | $192.00 |
| Jury demand | $212.50 |
| Answer/first adversary pleading ($15,000.01+) | $127.00 |
Small Claims Filing Fees
Small claims cover actions up to $10,000 and are filed in the Circuit Clerk’s office, Room 120. All small claims are heard at the Edwardsville courthouse.
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $250 | $77.00 |
| $250.01–$500 | $87.00 |
| $500.01–$2,500 | $107.00 |
| $2,500.01–$10,000 | $142.00 |
A small claims packet costs $3.00 from the Clerk’s office. Jury demand fees are $12.50 for a six-person jury or $25.00 for a twelve-person jury. Approved small claims forms, including complaints, answers, and post-judgment collection tools, are available on the Circuit Clerk’s Forms & Instructions page and from the Illinois Courts approved forms library.
All civil cases must be electronically filed through eFileIL, the statewide e-filing portal powered by Tyler Technologies’ Odyssey system. Self-represented litigants who cannot e-file may use the e-filing kiosk at the courthouse. For technical assistance with eFileIL, call (800) 297-5377.
Madison County Family Court Records
Family law matters are handled by the Family Section, located in Room 118 of the Madison County Courthouse. The section is reached at (618) 296-4420. Case types heard include dissolution of marriage (“D”), allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time disputes, parentage actions (“F”), adoptions (“AD”), emancipation of minors, and orders of protection (“OP”). Juvenile abuse and neglect cases (“JA”) are also processed through Room 118.
Family Case Filing Fees
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce or separate maintenance | $227.00 |
| Adoption | $65.00 |
| Petition to allocate parental responsibilities | $227.00 |
| Petition to establish parentage | $107.00 |
| Emancipation of minor | $107.00 |
| Order of protection | No charge |
| Answer/appearance in family case | $127.00 |
| Petition to vacate or modify (within 30 days) | $50.00 |
| Petition to vacate or modify (after 30 days) | $75.00 |
Madison County requires family cases to be e-filed through eFileIL. Family division forms, including mediation orders, orders concerning minor children, and referral sheets, are available on the Circuit Clerk’s Forms & Instructions page.
The Clerk collects and distributes child support and maintenance payments for an annual fee of $36.00. The support collection fee is 2.5% of amounts collected for non-child support cases.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Madison County Clerk’s office. A courthouse ceremony can be arranged after paying a $10.00 judges’ fee in the Circuit Clerk’s office, Room 118. The County Clerk’s Vital Records division maintains marriage, birth, and death records. Copies can also be ordered online through the County Clerk’s records portal or by contacting the office directly. Verification of divorce records is available from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records for a $5.00 fee. Requests require a completed application for verification of dissolution of marriage and a valid government-issued ID, submitted by mail to 925 East Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737, or by fax to (217) 523-2648.
Birth and Death Records
Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), birth and death records are not public. Access is limited to the record subject (age 18 or older), parents listed on the record, and legal guardians or representatives with documented proof. Certified birth certificate copies cost $10.00 (or $15.00 for a copy with all information collected at the time of birth), with additional copies at $2.00 each. Genealogical copies are $10.00. Death certificate copies are $19.00, with additional copies at $4.00 each. Records can be ordered by mail, fax, or through an authorized online vendor.
Madison County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Madison County are administered by the Probate Section of the Circuit Clerk’s office, located in Room 120 of the courthouse. The Probate Section can be reached at (618) 296-4523. Case types include estates of decedents (testate and intestate), guardianship of disabled persons and minors, minor settlements, small estates under $5,000, and wills admitted to probate. Probate cases carry the case designation “P”, while wills filed after death are designated “W”.
Probate Filing Fees
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Estate administration (property value ≤ $15,000) | $207.00 |
| Estate administration (property value > $15,000) | $317.00 |
| Guardianship of person and estate (minor or disabled) | $142.00 |
| Guardianship of person and estate (property ≤ $15,000) | $107.00 |
| Guardianship of person only | $87.00 |
| Proof of heirship only / foreign will without administration | $107.00 |
| Petition to sell real estate | $50.00 |
| Petition seeking equitable relief (will contest, trust, etc.) | $127.00 |
| Entry of appearance | $97.00 |
| Jury demand | $137.50 |
| Each accounting (other than final) | $25.00 |
| Petition to reopen estate | $25.00 |
| Certified copy of Letters of Office | $8.00 |
Claims filed against an estate follow a tiered fee structure: no fee for claims under $150, $25.00 for claims between $150 and $499.99, $40.00 for claims from $500 to $9,999.99, and $60.00 for claims of $10,000 or more.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be accessed through the same online Court Records Search portal used for other case types. In-person requests are handled at Room 120 during regular business hours. Written requests for copies of probate documents follow the standard copy request procedures and fee schedule. Probate forms, including petitions and guardianship documents, are available on the Circuit Clerk’s Forms & Instructions page.
The Legal Self-Help Center at 155 North Main Street, Edwardsville, provides free access to court forms, legal information resources, and public-access computers. The center is staffed by clerks who can assist with locating forms and general procedural questions, though they cannot provide legal advice. The Self-Help Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and can be reached at (618) 296-4472 or (618) 296-5930.