McDonough County Court Records Search
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McDonough County, Illinois sits in the west-central part of the state, with Macomb as the county seat. The county's courts operate through the Illinois Ninth Judicial Circuit, and their records — from criminal dockets to probate filings — form the official legal record of court activity in the county. Whether you're researching a civil dispute, verifying a criminal history, settling an estate, or tracing family history, you'll need to know which offices and online systems hold the files you're looking for.
A good place to start is IllinoisCourts.us, which lists court directories statewide, links to approved filing forms, and explains how to use electronic access tools. In McDonough County specifically, court records are split between two offices: the Circuit Clerk's Office, which handles civil, criminal, probate, and family matters, and the County Clerk and Recorder's Office, which maintains vital records and land instruments. Each office has its own procedures, fees, and access rules — all covered in the sections below.
How to Look Up a Court Case in McDonough County?
Active and recent court cases in McDonough County can be searched using a combination of online tools and in-person access at the courthouse.
Online Case Search
- Judici.com — McDonough County participates in the Judici online case search portal. Public access to case information, docket entries, and scheduling data is available at no charge. This is the main remote option for researching civil, criminal, traffic, and small claims matters filed in the county.
- eFileIL — Illinois requires electronic filing for all civil cases in circuit courts. The eFileIL statewide portal also lets registered filers review their submitted cases and access associated docket activity.
In-Person Access
An e-filing kiosk is available on the first floor of the McDonough County Courthouse inside the Circuit Clerk's Office for anyone without their own computer or internet access. Staff can assist with navigation but cannot provide legal advice.
McDonough County Circuit Court — Circuit Clerk's Office
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | #1 Courthouse Square, Macomb, IL 61455 |
| Phone | (309) 837-4891 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Judicial Circuit | 9th Judicial Circuit, District 4 |
| Website | 9thjudicial.org |
By Mail
You can submit written requests to the Circuit Clerk's Office at the address above. Include the full name of the party, an approximate case date or year, the type of case, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. A copy of a valid photo ID and the relevant copy fees should accompany your request.
Are Court Records Public in McDonough County?
Illinois law establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to court records. Under the Court Record and Document Accessibility Act (705 ILCS 86/), all records held by a circuit court clerk are presumed publicly accessible unless a specific exemption applies. Access can be limited or denied only when a statutory or court-rule basis for restriction exists.
The following categories are typically restricted or confidential in McDonough County:
- Juvenile records — Cases involving minors are sealed from public view under Illinois law.
- Adoption proceedings — These files are confidential and require a court order to access.
- Mental health records — Involuntary commitment and related mental health case files are protected.
- Sealed and expunged records — Records sealed by judicial order or expunged under Illinois law are not publicly accessible. The Illinois Courts' Expungement and Sealing forms are available for those seeking to clear eligible records.
- Specific personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain personal identification details are redacted from publicly accessible documents under court rules.
In-person access at the courthouse allows inspection of physical files, while electronic availability varies by document type. Beginning May 1, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court authorized free remote public access to reviewing court documents, expanding online transparency for appellate-level filings.
Government bodies in McDonough County are also subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/), which covers requests for administrative and agency records held outside the court system.
McDonough County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in McDonough County — felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and DUI cases — are filed with the Circuit Clerk's Office at the courthouse. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all criminal proceedings in the county.
Searching Criminal Records
The most accessible tool for searching criminal case information is the Judici.com McDonough County portal, which provides docket entries, hearing dates, and case dispositions for cases currently or recently in the system. For a more comprehensive criminal history — including records from courts across Illinois — the Illinois State Police maintains a statewide criminal history repository.
Arrest Records and Incident Reports
Arrest records and incident reports originate with law enforcement and are maintained separately from court records. In McDonough County, contact the Sheriff's Office for this information:
McDonough County Sheriff's Office
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 110 S. McArthur Street, Macomb, IL 61455 |
| sheriff@sheriff.mcdonough.il.us | |
| FOIA Officer | Bailey Rauch |
Public records requests to the Sheriff's Office — including requests for arrest records, incident reports, and booking information — must be submitted in writing under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The FOIA Officer processes these requests and will respond within five business days.
Expungement and Sealing
If you want to clear eligible criminal records from your history, you can petition the Circuit Court using approved Illinois Supreme Court forms. Illinois Legal Aid Online explains eligibility and walks through the petition process, and standardized forms are available through the Illinois Courts' expungement resources.
McDonough County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in McDonough County cover a wide range of disputes — contract claims, personal injury litigation, evictions, property disputes, and small claims matters. All civil filings go through the Circuit Clerk's Office.
Small Claims
Illinois small claims jurisdiction covers monetary disputes of $10,000 or less. These cases are designed to be accessible to self-represented litigants and are governed by Illinois Supreme Court Rules 281–289. Filing fees are based on the amount in controversy:
- Claims up to $2,500: approximately $89 filing fee
- Claims from $2,500.01 to $10,000: approximately $156–$179 filing fee
These amounts reflect the standard Illinois small claims schedule and may be confirmed by calling the Circuit Clerk's Office at (309) 837-4891, as fees can vary and are updated periodically.
Electronic Filing
As of January 1, 2018, electronic filing became mandatory for civil cases in Illinois circuit courts. All attorneys must submit civil filings through the eFileIL statewide portal, administered by the Office of the Illinois Courts. Self-represented litigants (pro se filers) may also use this system, and in-person e-filing assistance is available at the kiosk inside the Circuit Clerk's Office.
Accessing Civil Case Records
Completed civil cases and their docket histories can be searched on Judici.com. For certified copies of civil court documents, submit your request either in person or by mail to the Circuit Clerk's Office. Copy fees apply — call ahead to confirm current per-page rates before submitting your request.
McDonough County Family Court Records
The Circuit Court in McDonough County handles family law matters within its general jurisdiction, including:
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce)
- Child custody and parenting time
- Child support and modification proceedings
- Orders of protection and domestic violence matters
- Adoption proceedings
- Guardianship of minors
Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage files are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Office and contain the names of both parties, the date the divorce was finalized, and any related orders addressing child custody, spousal support, and property division. To help locate a file, bring full party names and an approximate filing year. A valid government-issued photo ID is typically required, and copy fees apply.
Orders of Protection
Emergency and plenary orders of protection issued by the McDonough County Circuit Court are on file with the Circuit Clerk. You can file for an order of protection directly at the courthouse. Standardized Illinois Supreme Court forms for family law matters, including orders of protection, are available through the Illinois Courts' forms repository.
Adoption Records
Adoption proceedings are sealed by operation of Illinois law. These files are not accessible to the general public — access requires a court order or specific statutory authorization.
Marriage and Divorce Certificates
Marriage licenses and certificates for weddings that took place in McDonough County are held by the McDonough County Clerk and Recorder's Office, not the Circuit Clerk. Divorce records, by contrast, stay with the Circuit Clerk because they originate in court proceedings.
McDonough County Clerk and Recorder's Office
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clerk/Recorder | Jeremy Benson |
| Address | #1 Courthouse Square, Macomb, IL 61455 |
| Phone | (309) 833-2474 |
| jbenson@mcdonoughcountyclerk.org | |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
To request a certified copy of a marriage certificate, complete the vital records request form and submit it — along with a photo ID copy, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check payable to the McDonough County Clerk — by mail. The fee is $10.00 for the first certified copy, with an additional $5.00 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Online ordering is also available through the County Clerk's online vital records system, with a scanned photo ID emailed to vitalrecords@mcdonoughcountyclerk.org.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are restricted under the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535/). Access is limited to the person named on the record (if 18 or older), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, or attorneys acting under proper legal authorization.
Fees for certified vital record copies in McDonough County are:
| Record Type | First Copy | Additional Copies |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $10.00 | $5.00 each |
| Death Certificate | $15.00 | $10.00 each |
| Marriage Certificate | $10.00 | $5.00 each |
Requests may be submitted in person, by mail using the printable application form, or online. Birth records coverage extends from 1878 to the present; death records from 1878 to the present. The Illinois Department of Public Health also maintains statewide vital records and can fulfill requests for births and deaths registered anywhere in Illinois.
McDonough County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in McDonough County — including estate administration, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes — are handled by the McDonough County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk's Office maintains active and recent probate case files, while historical records from the 19th and early 20th centuries have been transferred to a regional archive.
Active and Recent Probate Records
For probate cases filed in recent decades, contact the Circuit Clerk's Office at #1 Courthouse Square, Macomb, IL 61455, Phone: (309) 837-4891 Bring as much identifying information as possible — the full name of the decedent or ward and the approximate year the case was opened will help considerably. A photo ID is generally required, and copy fees apply for both certified and plain document copies.
Some basic probate case information may also be searchable through Judici.com.
Historical Probate Records (1833–1925)
The Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) at Western Illinois University in Macomb holds McDonough County Probate Case Files from 1833 through 1925. This collection of 4,637 indexed records includes case file numbers, names of estates, names of administrators or executors, filing years, and case types. The index is searchable online through the Illinois State Archives database. Probate case files not transferred to IRAD remain with the Circuit Clerk's Office.
The McDonough County Guardian's Case Files (1838–1933) are also held at the same IRAD location at Western Illinois University.
To obtain copies of probate records held at IRAD, contact the depository directly:
Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) — Western Illinois University
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Malpass Library, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390 |
| Phone | (309) 298-2716 |
| Note | IRAD does not accept email requests; contact by phone or mail |
What Probate Records Contain
Probate case files typically include petitions for administration, letters testamentary or of administration, inventories and appraisements of estate assets, accountings, reports of final distribution, claims against the estate, proof of heirship, proof of death, and copies of wills. Guardianship files additionally include bonds from guardians, orders appointing guardians, and records of court approval for actions taken on behalf of wards.
For genealogical researchers, the FamilySearch McDonough County genealogy guide offers a practical overview of what records exist, where they are held, and how to use them alongside the IRAD holdings.