Montgomery County Court Records Search
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Montgomery County, Illinois occupies the central part of the state, with Hillsboro as its county seat. The county's courts operate within the 4th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Christian, Clay, Clinton, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Marion, and Shelby counties. The Montgomery County Circuit Court handles every category of legal matter — traffic violations, felonies, civil disputes, small claims, adoptions, probate proceedings, and domestic relations cases — all processed through a single courthouse complex in Hillsboro.
Court records from these proceedings come in many forms: dockets, case indexes, pleadings, complaints, motions, orders, disposition summaries, and final judgments. They are stored in formats ranging from paper files and scanned PDFs to digital case management databases and audio or video recordings. If you need to find a specific case file, your best first stop is always the Circuit Clerk's Office.
Illinois residents can also consult IllinoisCourts.us to identify publicly available case information across Illinois jurisdictions, and individual county courts often maintain their own online search tools for additional access.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Montgomery County?
Montgomery County offers several ways to find court case information — online and in person. Where you start depends on the record type and how much information you already have.
Online Search Options
Judici.comCase Search: Montgomery County participates in the Judici online case search platform, which lets you search case records by party name or case number. Basic lookups are free; some premium features may require registration.
Circuit Clerk's Office Website: The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk's Office provides online access to its case management system, where you can check docket information and case status. Electronic filing for both civil and criminal case types has been authorized by the Illinois Courts since 2013.
4th Judicial Circuit Website: The Fourth Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois provides circuit-wide resources, including judge information and administrative orders that apply to Montgomery County cases.
In-Person Access
You can review case files and court documents in person at no charge during regular business hours at the Circuit Clerk's office. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for on-site case lookups. Bring a full party name, an approximate filing date, or a case number — any of these will significantly speed up the search.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 120 North Main Street, Room 125, Hillsboro, IL 62049 |
| Phone | (217) 532-9540 |
| Fax | (217) 532-2142 |
| mccc@montgomerycountyil.gov | |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Circuit Clerk | Daniel T. Robbins |
| Trial Court Administrator | Jaime Warren |
| Resident Circuit Judge | Christopher Hantla |
| Associate Judge | Christopher W. Matoush |
Mail Requests
FOIA requests and certified copy requests may be mailed to the Circuit Clerk's office at the address above. Your written request should identify the case by party name, case number, or approximate filing date.
Are Court Records Public in Montgomery County?
Illinois law sets a broad presumption that court records are open to public inspection. Under 5 ILCS 160/3, court records are classified as public records and must be made available during regular office hours unless a specific exception applies. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, further reinforces the public's right to request copies of records from governmental bodies, including court administrative offices.
Records That Are Generally Public:
- Civil case filings, dockets, motions, orders, and judgments
- Criminal case dockets, charges, hearing schedules, and dispositions
- Probate filings including wills, inventories, and estate orders
- Small claims filings and judgment records
- Traffic and ordinance violation records
- Marriage license applications (names are published weekly to local newspapers)
Records That Are Confidential or Restricted:
- Juvenile case files (sealed by law; not available for public inspection)
- Adoption records and related filings
- Documents sealed by specific court order
- Records containing sensitive personal information protected by statute
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment-related proceedings
- Portions of records involving individuals under 18
The Circuit Clerk and deputy clerks are prohibited by law from providing legal advice. If you have questions about sealed records or restricted access, direct them to a licensed attorney. Any request for confidential records must be supported by a court order or a demonstrated statutory right of access.
Copy fees at the Circuit Clerk's office are set by Illinois statute on a per-page basis. Viewing records in person during business hours is free of charge.
Montgomery County Criminal Court Records
Criminal records maintained by the Montgomery County Circuit Court document charges, hearings, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing for offenses ranging from Class C misdemeanors and traffic violations to Class X felonies. All criminal matters originate in the single Montgomery County Circuit Court at 120 North Main Street, Hillsboro.
Searching Criminal Case Records
- Search case dockets online at Judici.com using a party name or case number.
- Review case files in person at the Circuit Clerk's office during business hours at no charge.
- Request copies of specific documents by submitting a written FOIA request to the Circuit Clerk.
Statewide Criminal History Background Checks
Court-level records show individual case dispositions but do not add up to a comprehensive criminal history. For a statewide criminal background check, contact the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification. Under 20 ILCS 2635 (the Uniform Conviction Information Act), criminal history conviction records maintained by the ISP are accessible to the public. Name-based searches are available through the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP) for a fee. Fingerprint-based checks are more thorough and are required for employment screening in many contexts.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Montgomery County are maintained by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, located at 140 N. Main Street, Hillsboro — one block north of the Historic Courthouse. The Sheriff's Office keeps complete records of arrests, investigations, traffic accidents, and complaints. Submit public records requests for Sheriff's Office records in writing following Illinois FOIA procedures. Keep in mind that an arrest record does not indicate a conviction; it reflects contact with law enforcement, not the outcome of any resulting case.
Montgomery County Civil Court Records
Civil records in Montgomery County cover all non-criminal legal disputes handled by the Circuit Court — contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disagreements, and small claims matters. Because Illinois uses a unified circuit court structure, there is no separate civil court. All civil filings go to the same Circuit Clerk's office at the Montgomery County Courthouse.
Civil Court Jurisdiction
| Court Type | Claim Limit | Filing Location |
|---|---|---|
| Small Claims | Up to $10,000 | Montgomery County Circuit Court |
| General Civil | Over $10,000 | Montgomery County Circuit Court |
Small claims court is designed for straightforward civil disputes and allows self-represented litigants to file without an attorney. Cases involving $10,000 or less fall under small claims jurisdiction pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 281.
Requesting Civil Records
- In person: Review documents at the Circuit Clerk's office, 120 North Main Street, Room 125, Hillsboro, at no charge during business hours.
- Online: Search case dockets through Judici.com or the Circuit Clerk's online case management system at montgomerycountyil.gov/circuit-clerk.
- By mail or FOIA: Submit a written request identifying the case by party name or case number.
Certified copy fees are set by statute. The standard copy rate applies on a per-page basis; certification carries an additional statutory fee. Contact the Circuit Clerk directly at (217) 532-9540 for current copy fee amounts.
Montgomery County Family Court Records
Family law proceedings in Montgomery County — including dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, child custody, allocation of parental responsibilities, child support, adoption, domestic violence orders of protection, and paternity actions — are filed with and maintained by the Montgomery County Circuit Court. There is no standalone family court division; all domestic relations matters proceed through the same 4th Judicial Circuit structure.
Divorce Records
Divorce case files are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and are generally public unless sealed by court order. To find a divorce filing, use the Judici case search portal or visit the Circuit Clerk's office in person. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available from the Circuit Clerk for a per-page statutory fee. When making a request, provide both parties' full names and the approximate filing date.
Marriage Licenses and Certified Copies
Marriage licenses are issued by the Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder's Office, located at #1 Courthouse Square, Hillsboro, IL 62049-0595, on the first floor of the Historic Courthouse.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Phone | (217) 532-9530 |
| Fax | (217) 532-9581 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| County Clerk/Recorder | Sandy Leitheiser |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 595, Hillsboro, IL 62049-0595 |
Marriage License Fees and Procedures:
- License fee: $75.00 — cash, money order, or check payable to Montgomery County Clerk; credit/debit cards accepted in person with a small additional fee
- Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID
- The license becomes valid the day after issuance and remains valid for 60 days
- The license must be used in Montgomery County, Illinois
Certified Copies of Marriage Records — Access is restricted under 410 ILCS 535/24, which makes marriage certificates confidential for 75 years from the date of creation. Only the parties named on the record, parents or legal representatives, individuals with a court order, or persons with a genealogical interest in records older than 75 years may obtain certified copies.
To request a certified copy, complete the Marriage Record Request Form and submit it with a valid photo ID and the applicable fees:
- Search fee (includes one certified copy if found): $19.00
- Additional copies of the same record (ordered at the same time): $6.00 each
Requests may be submitted in person or by mail; completed forms cannot be faxed or emailed because an original signature is required. Online ordering is available through VitalChek with additional processing and shipping fees.
Birth and Death Vital Records
Birth and death certificates for Montgomery County are obtained through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records. Birth records are confidential for 100 years; death records are confidential for 50 years.
- Birth certificate fees: $15 for the first copy; $2 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time
- Death certificate fees: $19 for a full certified copy; $14 for each additional copy; uncertified (genealogical) copies are $10 for the first copy, $2 for additional copies
- Mail requests to: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 925 East Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737
- The Application for Illinois Birth Record and Application for Illinois Death Record are available on the IDPH website; processing time is approximately 12 weeks
Montgomery County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Montgomery County — covering estate administration, wills, conservatorships, and guardianships — are filed with the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk and handled through the Circuit Court. Illinois does not have a separate probate court; the Circuit Court holds jurisdiction over all probate matters.
Probate records typically include wills, estate inventories, appraisals, settlement documents, letters of administration, and related orders. Open probate files are generally available to the public, just like other civil court records. Confidential probate records — such as those involving sealed orders or sensitive financial details — are accessible only to parties with a direct legal interest or a court order.
Accessing Probate Records
- Online: Search for probate case filings by party name or case number through Judici.com or the Circuit Clerk's online system at montgomerycountyil.gov/circuit-clerk.
- In person: Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office at 120 North Main Street, Room 125, Hillsboro, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- By mail: Submit a written FOIA request identifying the decedent's name and the approximate date of death or probate filing.
When requesting copies, provide either the decedent's name or the assigned case number. The Circuit Clerk will locate the file and charge the per-page statutory copy fee for any reproductions. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee under Illinois statute. The Illinois Courts website lists the official court directory for the Montgomery County Courthouse, which is a useful reference for confirming current contact details before you visit or submit a request.