McLean County Court Records Search
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McLean County is situated in central Illinois, with its county seat in Bloomington. The county falls within the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, and virtually all court matters—criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family proceedings, probate administration, and juvenile cases—are handled by the McLean County Circuit Court, housed in the Law and Justice Center at 104 West Front Street. The Circuit Clerk serves as the official keeper of records for every judicial matter brought before the court, collecting, preserving, and providing access to case files that span decades.
Individuals looking for court case information in Illinois have access to several tools, including clerk offices, in-person indexes, and electronic databases. The Illinois Courts directory provides contact details and basic information for each county’s court. Additional statewide resources can be explored through IllinoisCourts.us. In McLean County specifically, the Circuit Clerk’s Office maintains its own public access search system that allows online lookups of both criminal/traffic and civil cases without charge.
How to Look Up a Court Case in McLean County?
McLean County offers multiple pathways for locating court records, each suited to different needs.
Online Case Search
The Circuit Clerk operates a free Court Records Search system divided into two portals:
- Traffic and Criminal Cases — Access the Criminal/Traffic Public Access System to search by name, case number, or name combined with date of birth. Full data is available from 1991 to the present.
- Civil Cases — Access the Civil Public Access System to search by individual name, business name, or case number. Open case data is available from 2008 forward; closed case data covers the most recent ten years.
These portals display registers of action, charges, case status, financial summaries, and related details. They are not considered the official court record and are subject to the Illinois Supreme Court Remote Access Policy. For cases predating the online systems, a written record search may be requested.
In-Person Access
Walk-in visitors can inspect case files at the Circuit Clerk’s Office during business hours. Self-service index books are available on-site for manual lookups of older cases not covered by the electronic database.
McLean County Circuit Clerk
Address: 104 W. Front Street, Room 303/404, Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5301
Fax: (309) 888-5281
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed legal holidays)
Written Record Check Requests
For an official written summary of case disposition, submit a record check request by mail. The fee is $6.00 per year, per person searched, within a single division (Criminal or Traffic). Include the following in your letter:
- Full name (first, middle, last) of the person to be searched
- Any known aliases, maiden names, or nicknames
- Date of birth
- Division to search (Criminal or Traffic)
- Years to be searched
- Return mailing address or fax number
- Daytime phone number or email
Make payment by check or money order payable to the McLean County Circuit Clerk and mail to:
McLean County Circuit Clerk
Attn: Record Check
P.O. Box 2400
Bloomington, IL 61702-2400
Record checks are typically completed within 10 business days. Results are not provided by phone.
Copy and Certification Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First page of a court document | $2.00 |
| Pages 2–20 | $0.50 per page |
| Pages 21 and beyond | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of a document | $6.00 |
| Certified copy of judgment (after first copy) | $10.00 |
| Computer printout per page | $6.00 |
| Record search per division, per year | $6.00 |
Are Court Records Public in McLean County?
Court records in McLean County are broadly open to public inspection under Illinois law and judicial policy. However, the Illinois judiciary is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act—a principle confirmed in case law including Copley Press, Inc. v. Administrative Office of the Courts, 271 Ill. App. 3d 548 (1995). Clerks of court, when acting in their judicial capacity, are likewise exempt. Public access to court files is instead governed by court rules, the Illinois Supreme Court Remote Access Policy, and specific statutory provisions.
As a practical matter, members of the public may inspect the contents of most case files at the Circuit Clerk’s Office during regular hours and search available records through the online portals at no cost. Certain categories of records, however, are restricted:
- Juvenile cases — All juvenile case types are impounded under state law and are not available for public inspection.
- Adoption records — Impounded by statute; access is limited to parties and authorized officials.
- Mental health cases — Excluded from public access under state law; they do not appear in online search results.
- Sealed records — Cases or documents ordered sealed by the court require a separate court order for third-party access.
- Certain subcategories of Miscellaneous Remedy cases are also restricted from public view.
- Records identifying minors or victims of sexual offenses may be redacted or withheld.
The Illinois Public Records Act (5 ILCS 160/1) governs public access to records held by other government bodies, but vital records (birth, death, marriage) maintained by the County Clerk are explicitly excluded from FOIA under the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535).
McLean County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in McLean County are prosecuted in the Circuit Court, which handles everything from misdemeanors and traffic offenses to serious felonies. The Circuit Clerk maintains all resulting case files, which include charging documents, plea records, sentencing orders, and related filings.
Online Criminal Case Search
The Criminal/Traffic Public Access System allows free searches by defendant name, case number, or name with date of birth. Data extends from 1991 to the present. When searching by name, the system may display an alias; if the displayed name differs from the searched name, the searched name was used as an alias by the displayed individual. Identity should be confirmed through the Circuit Clerk’s Office when needed.
Statewide Criminal History Through the Illinois State Police
The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification processes criminal history background checks. The primary tool for public name-based conviction searches is the CHIRP portal (Criminal History Information Response Process). Under the Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635/1 et seq.), only conviction information is available to the general public; non-conviction data is accessible only to the record subject or authorized parties.
Current fees from the ISP Bureau fee schedule:
| Request Type | Paper/Manual | Electronic/Live Scan |
|---|---|---|
| Name-based conviction inquiry | $16.00 | $10.00 |
| Fingerprint-based state check | $20.00 | $15.00 |
| State and FBI combined | $32.00 | $27.00 |
| Court order to expunge or seal | $60.00 | $60.00 |
For fingerprint-based requests, individuals can visit the McLean County Sheriff’s Office for scanning services.
McLean County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 104 W. Front Street, Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5034
Fax: (309) 888-5072
Arrest reports and police records can be requested through the Sheriff’s Office. Local law enforcement agencies, including the Bloomington and Normal police departments, also maintain their own record repositories; requests should be directed to the agency that generated the record.
McLean County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in McLean County is organized into several case categories within the Circuit Court, each with distinct designations and filing thresholds. The Civil Division of the Circuit Clerk’s Office prepares and maintains files for the following case types: Chancery (CH), Eminent Domain (ED), Foreclosure (FC), Law-full amount (LA) for claims over $50,000, Law Magistrate (LM) for claims up to $50,000, Small Claims (SC) for amounts up to $10,000, Eviction (EV), Arbitration (AR), Guardianship (GR), Probate (PR), Mental Health (MH), Miscellaneous Remedy (MR), Tax (TX), and others.
Filing Fees (Effective October 1, 2025)
The full Civil Fee Schedule is published by the Circuit Clerk. Key filing fees include:
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Appearance Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chancery / Law (over $50,000) / Foreclosure / Misc. Remedy | $332.00 | $207.00 |
| Arbitration ($15,000.01–$50,000) / Law Magistrate (same range) | $332.00 | $207.00 |
| Arbitration ($10,000.01–$15,000) / LM ($15,000 or less) / Eviction | $282.00 | $207.00 |
| Small Claims ($2,500.01–$10,000) | $282.00 | — |
| Small Claims ($2,500 or less) | $107.00 | — |
| Eviction (possession only) | $107.00 filing / $127.00 appearance | — |
All filing and appearance fees include a $10.00 Law Library fee and an $8.00 Neutral Site Custody Exchange fee. Additional charges apply for alias summons ($5.00), change of venue ($40.00), certified mailings ($18.95–$26.85 plus postage), and garnishment proceedings ($15.00–$50.00 depending on amount in controversy).
E-Filing Requirement
Since January 1, 2018, all civil cases filed in McLean County must be submitted electronically. Filing is handled through the statewide eFileIL system. The Circuit Clerk provides local e-filing guidance on its website. An e-filing kiosk is also available on the 4th floor of the Law and Justice Center for those who need assistance.
Online Civil Case Search
The Civil Public Access System allows searches by name, business name, or case number. Open cases are available from 2008 onward; closed cases cover the most recent ten years. A 14-Day Civil Docket provides upcoming scheduled hearing information.
McLean County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the Circuit Clerk’s Office handles all dissolution of marriage (with and without children), adoption, juvenile, paternity, and child support cases. Civil orders of protection are also filed through this division. Family case records are maintained at the same Law and Justice Center location as all other Circuit Court files.
Public Access Limitations
While most family case types are open to public inspection during regular business hours, adoption records and all juvenile case types are impounded under Illinois law and are not available to the public. Records involving orders of protection and certain paternity filings may also have restricted elements.
Family Case Filing Fees (Effective October 1, 2025)
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Appearance Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dissolution with children (DC) | $332.00 | $207.00 |
| Dissolution without children (DN) | $332.00 | $207.00 |
| Family (FA) — paternity, support, etc. | $332.00 | $207.00 |
| Adoption (AD) | $89.00 | No fee |
| Order of Protection (OP) | No fee | No fee |
Filing and appearance fees include the standard $10.00 Law Library fee and $8.00 Neutral Site Custody Exchange fee. No filing or appearance fees are assessed for voluntary parentage petitions filed under Section 309 of the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 (750 ILCS 46/309) or petitions under the Parental Notice of Abortion Act (750 ILCS 70/1 et seq.).
Searching Family Records
Family cases appear in the civil search portal. To look up a dissolution, custody, or support matter, use the Civil Public Access System and search by party name or case number. Computer printouts of child support and maintenance payment histories are available from the Clerk’s Office at $4.00 per page.
Divorce Records
Divorce records (judgments of dissolution) are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Copies can be requested in person or through the online document request system. The standard copy fee applies: $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 for pages 2–20, and $0.25 for each page thereafter, plus $6.00 for certification if needed.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and certificates are maintained by the McLean County Clerk’s Office—a separate office from the Circuit Clerk. The Clerk’s Office holds records of marriages performed in McLean County dating back to 1831. Certified copies cost $28.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Anyone may request a copy of the front of a marriage license; the back of the license and the application are restricted to the bride and groom for the first 50 years. Requests can be placed online, in person, or by mail. Valid unexpired photo identification is required for all requests.
McLean County Clerk’s Office (Vital Records)
Address: 115 E. Washington Street, Room 102, Bloomington, IL 61702
Mailing: P.O. Box 2400, Bloomington, IL 61702
Phone: (309) 888-5190
Fax: (309) 888-5932
Birth and Death Records
Birth certificates (records from 1860) cost $30.00 for the first certified copy and $10.00 for additional same-session copies. Death certificates (records from 1878) cost $35.00 for the first certified copy and $10.00 for additional copies ordered at the same time. Both require valid photo ID and are subject to eligibility restrictions under the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535). Requests may be submitted online, in person, or by mail. Vital records are not public records and are not subject to FOIA.
McLean County Probate Court Records
Probate and guardianship matters in McLean County are handled within the Civil Division of the Circuit Court. Case designations include Probate (PR) for estate and trust matters and Guardianship (GR) for protective proceedings involving incapacitated adults or minors. The Circuit Clerk maintains all related files at the Law and Justice Center.
Filing Fees
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Guardianship (GR) or Probate (PR) filing | $282.00 |
| Appearance fee | $207.00 |
| Probate — Administration of Decedent’s Estate (705 ILCS 105/27.3f) | $382.00 |
| Additional account filed in an estate (non-final) | $25.00 |
| Estate claim ($150.01–$500) | $25.00 |
| Estate claim ($500.01–$10,000) | $40.00 |
| Estate claim (over $10,000) | $60.00 |
| Equitable relief petition in estate (will contest, trust enforcement) | $60.00 |
| Certified copy of letters of office or court order | $2.00 per page |
| Exemplification (in addition to certification) | $2.00 |
| Jury demand | $137.50 |
No filing or appearance fees apply for guardianship of a minor or for the appearance of an executor, administrator, guardian, guardian ad litem, or special administrator under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b(v)(4). Filing a will alone (pursuant to Section 6-1 of the Probate Act of 1975) does not trigger the probate filing fee.
Searching Probate and Guardianship Records
Probate and guardianship cases appear in the Civil Public Access System. Mental health cases and some subcategories of Miscellaneous Remedy are excluded from public access by law. For historical probate records, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office maintains a McLean County Probate Record Index (1834–1934) that may assist genealogical researchers.
Requesting Copies
Copies of probate filings follow the same fee structure as other civil documents: $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 per page for pages 2–20, $0.25 per page thereafter, and $6.00 for certification. Requests can be made in person at the Clerk’s Office, by mail to the P.O. Box 2400 address, or through the online document request form. The Guidelines for Genealogists page on the county website provides additional guidance for those researching older estate records.
Probate Division Contact
McLean County Circuit Court — Probate
Address: 104 W. Front Street, 4th Floor, Room 404, Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5350