Monroe County Court Records
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Monroe County, Illinois, lies in the southwestern corner of the state along the Mississippi River, with Waterloo as the county seat. Its court system operates under the 24th Judicial Circuit — which covers Monroe, Randolph, Washington, and Perry counties — and handles the full range of trial-level proceedings, from small claims disputes and traffic violations to felony prosecutions, divorce decrees, and estate matters. The Monroe County Circuit Court sits in a single courthouse in Waterloo, and the Circuit Clerk's Office maintains all court-generated records for the county.
Illinois court records can be accessed through several official channels: in person at the courthouse, through the Circuit Clerk's public access terminal, or via online tools provided by the court system. IllinoisCourts.us can help members of the public understand the state's court structure, locate the right court for a specific matter, and find links to case search systems and clerk contacts across the state's 24 judicial circuits.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Monroe County?
Start with the Circuit Clerk's Office — it's the central point of contact for anyone searching Monroe County court records. The office is led by Circuit Clerk Lisa Fallon and maintains records covering all civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic case types filed in the county.
Monroe County Circuit Clerk's Office
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 S. Main St., Room 115, Waterloo, IL 62298 |
| Phone | (618) 939-8681 (main); ext. 224 for the Clerk's Office |
| Fax | (618) 939-1929 |
| circuitclerk@monroecountyil.gov | |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Several deputy clerks handle specific case types, which can make it faster to get answers if you call with a targeted inquiry:
- Chief Deputy Clerk Julie (ext. 237) — Criminal felony and misdemeanor, domestic violence, civil law, collections, jury, financial matters
- Bess (ext. 249) — Traffic, DUI, juvenile, conservation violations, quasi-criminal, background checks
- Sheila (ext. 269) — Orders of protection, dissolution cases (with and without children)
- Jeanie (ext. 274) — Small claims, chancery, probate, wills, foreclosure, eviction, mental health, law cases over $10,000
- All clerks — Adoptions, family cases, and marriage certificate inquiries
Online Case Search
Monroe County participates in the Judici.com platform, which offers free public access to basic case information — docket entries, hearing schedules, and case status — for civil, criminal, traffic, and other case types. The daily court docket is also accessible directly through the Monroe County Circuit Clerk's website. For cases filed electronically through the statewide Illinois e-File system, some docket information is available through that portal as well.
In-Person Access
A public access terminal is available in the Law Library adjacent to the Circuit Clerk's office at the courthouse. Anyone can use it to search case records, conduct legal research, or participate in Zoom court proceedings if needed. If you have a scheduled Zoom hearing, plan to arrive 15–20 minutes early in case you need terminal assistance.
Payment Options
Court fees, fines, and copy charges may be paid through Judici.com, CourtMoney.com, the courthouse drop-box on Market Street (mark the envelope "Circuit Clerk"), by mail to 100 S. Main St., Waterloo, IL 62298, or in person during business hours.
Are Court Records Public in Monroe County?
Court records in Monroe County are not governed by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/) — that law applies to executive branch public bodies. Instead, court records fall under Illinois Supreme Court rules and the court's Electronic Access Policy for Circuit Court Records. Under these frameworks, most court records are presumptively open to the public, but the following categories are commonly restricted or sealed:
- Juvenile delinquency and abuse/neglect records — Protected under the Illinois Juvenile Court Act
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute
- Expunged or sealed criminal case files — Not accessible to the public
- Mental health evaluation records — Restricted under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act
- Documents containing personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are subject to redaction
- Trade secrets or confidential business information — Protected when subject to a court order
- Juror personal information — Names and contact details of potential or sworn jurors are restricted
For most civil, criminal, and traffic matters that are not sealed, the public may inspect case files, request copies, or search docket information freely. Certified copies of court documents require a fee, and staff assistance may involve a search charge for older or archived records.
Monroe County Criminal Court Records
The Monroe County Circuit Court handles all criminal matters filed within the county, from Class A and B misdemeanors in the county court division to felony cases carrying potential prison sentences. The State's Attorney's Office manages felony prosecutions; for questions about criminal jury matters, the clerk's office directs inquiries to that office.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Basic criminal case information — including charges filed, hearing dates, and dispositions — is searchable through Judici.com. For complete case file documents, including motions, orders, and sentencing details, an in-person visit to the Circuit Clerk's Office or a written request is required.
Statewide Criminal History — Illinois State Police
Under the Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635/), all criminal history conviction records maintained by the Illinois State Police are available to the public. The ISP's Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP) allows name-based background checks online. Fingerprint-based inquiries are also available through the ISP Bureau of Identification for more precise results. Sealed or expunged records are not included in any public criminal history report.
Monroe County Sheriff's Department
The Sheriff's Department maintains records of arrests, incident reports, and civil process matters at:
Monroe County Sheriff's Department
Address: 225 East Third Street, Waterloo, IL 62298
Phone: (618) 939-8651
The Civil Process and Records Division handles service of process, writs, subpoenas, injunctions, and arrest orders. Civil process fees include $48.00 for an individual summons, $60.00 for wage garnishments, and $60.00 each for citation to discover assets and body attachments. Mileage is charged at $0.50 per mile from the Sheriff's Department to the service address and back. All fees must be paid in advance by cash, check, or money order.
For public records requests from the Sheriff's Department or other county offices, Monroe County maintains a Freedom of Information Act request process through the county's FOIA officer. Requests should be as specific as possible, identifying the type of records sought, the time period, and the requester's contact information.
Monroe County Civil Court Records
The Circuit Court's civil jurisdiction covers small claims, law cases of varying amounts, chancery matters (including mortgage foreclosures), evictions, eminent domain, and other civil proceedings. Civil motions and first appearances — except small claims — are generally heard on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. Small Claims cases are scheduled on the 4th Wednesday of each month.
Civil Filing Fees (Monroe County Circuit Clerk's Office)
| Case Type | Filing Fee | Answer/Appearance Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Small Claims (up to $2,500) | $109.00 | $129.00 |
| Small Claims ($2,500.01 – $10,000) | $276.00 | $201.00 |
| Law – Law Magistrate (up to $15,000) | $276.00 | $201.00 |
| Law – Law Magistrate ($15,000.01 – $50,000) | $326.00 | $201.00 |
| Law (over $50,000) | $326.00 | $201.00 |
| Chancery – All other (e.g., general equity) | $326.00 | $201.00 |
| Mortgage Foreclosure – Tier I | $876.00 | $201.00 |
| Mortgage Foreclosure – Tier II | $626.00 | $201.00 |
| Mortgage Foreclosure – Tier III | $426.00 | $201.00 |
| Eviction – Residential or Commercial | $276.00 | $201.00 |
| Eviction – Possession Only | $109.00 | $129.00 |
| Eminent Domain | $326.00 | $201.00 |
Miscellaneous Civil Fees
- Copies: $2.00 for page 1; $0.50 per page for pages 2–20; $0.25 per page for page 21 and beyond
- Certified document (judgment): $10.00 plus copy charges
- Certified document (other): $6.00 plus copy charges
- Alias Summons: $5.00
- Returned Checks: $25.00
- Certified Mail (per envelope): $15.00
- Jury Demand (non-probate, non-small claims): $212.50
Small claims in Illinois are capped at $10,000, making the Monroe County Circuit Court the venue for disputes at or below that amount. For claims between $10,000 and $50,000, the Law Magistrate division applies. Litigants filing electronically use the statewide eFileIL system, with mandatory e-filing applying to most civil case types as required by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Monroe County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Monroe County are handled within the Circuit Court's civil division. Cases include dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, parentage actions, child custody and visitation disputes, child support establishment and modification, orders of protection, and adoption proceedings. Each of these case types has a designated deputy clerk within the Circuit Clerk's Office.
Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Filing fees for a divorce petition are $326.00, and the answer/appearance fee is $201.00. An uncontested divorce carries a combined fee of $527.00. Certified copies of dissolution decrees may be requested in person or by mail from the Clerk's Office. Under Illinois law, parties to a divorce are generally entitled to copies; other requesters may need to demonstrate a legitimate interest.
Orders of Protection
Deputy Clerk Sheila (ext. 269) handles orders of protection cases. The Monroe County Sheriff's Department also processes injunctions for protection against domestic violence as part of its civil process function. Temporary restraining orders can be issued by a judge immediately, without prior notice to the opposing party; violations can result in immediate arrest.
Adoption Records
Adoption case files are sealed under Illinois law and are not accessible to the public. All clerks in the Circuit Clerk's Office handle adoption filings, but certified copies are restricted to the parties and authorized individuals.
Vital Records — Birth, Death, and Marriage
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Monroe County are issued by the Monroe County Clerk's Office, not the Circuit Clerk:
Monroe County Clerk's Office (Vital Records)
Address: 100 S. Main Street, Waterloo, IL 62298
Phone: (618) 939-8623 (direct line for vital records)
Website: mococlerk.com
Certified copies of birth, marriage, and death records may be requested in person, by mail (with a notarized application), or online. All requests require a valid, unexpired driver's license, state ID, or passport. Marriage and civil union license appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling the Clerk's office.
Monroe County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Monroe County are heard in the Circuit Court and fall under the Illinois Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/). The Circuit Clerk's probate deputy, Jeanie (ext. 274), handles all matters in this division — including estates, guardianships, wills, and related proceedings.
Probate Case Types and Filing Fees
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Decedent's Estate | $376.00 |
| Guardianship of Disabled Adult | $276.00 |
| Guardianship of Minor | $276.00 |
| Construction of Will | $276.00 |
| Appearance Fee (all probate) | $201.00 |
| Certified Letters of Office | $2.00 each |
| Jury Demand (probate) | $137.50 |
Estate Claims Filed with the Court
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| $1.00 – $149.99 | $0.00 |
| $150.00 – $499.99 | $25.00 |
| $500.00 – $9,999.99 | $40.00 |
| $10,000 and above | $60.00 |
Probate records are generally public, allowing creditors, heirs, and other interested parties to review filed inventories, claims, and court orders. However, wills deposited for safekeeping before the testator's death are not publicly disclosed unless a probate case has been formally opened. To inspect or obtain copies of probate records, contact the Circuit Clerk's Office directly and provide the decedent's name and approximate filing date. The Monroe County Recorder of Deeds maintains property-related instruments — including deeds, mortgages, and liens — that often intersect with estate proceedings but are held separately from court files.