Rock Island County Court Records Search
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Rock Island County is located in northwestern Illinois along the Mississippi River, with the city of Rock Island serving as the county seat. The county’s trial court operates within the 14th Judicial Circuit, and the Circuit Clerk’s Office, currently led by Circuit Clerk Tammy R. Weikert, serves as the official custodian of all court records. The Rock Island County Circuit Court exercises jurisdiction over the full range of case types, including felony and misdemeanor criminal matters, civil litigation, family law proceedings, juvenile cases, probate, and mental health cases. Court operations take place at two primary locations: the Rock Island County Courthouse and the Rock Island County Justice Center, both situated along Third Avenue in downtown Rock Island. The Circuit Clerk’s Office maintains all filings, dockets, orders, judgments, transcripts, and exhibits generated during the course of proceedings.
For those seeking court records in Illinois, official resources include the circuit clerk’s office, public-access computer terminals at the courthouse, and web-based case lookup tools. IllinoisCourts.us can help users identify publicly available court case information and locate court directories across the state. The Rock Island County Circuit Clerk also operates an online case search system and accepts record requests by email, phone, and mail, providing multiple avenues for accessing case information.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Rock Island County?
The Circuit Clerk’s Office provides several methods for locating court case records, whether the requester needs digital access, an in-person visit, or a written request.
Online Case Search
The Circuit Clerk maintains a free Judici case search system accessible from any internet-connected device. Users can search by case number, party name, or attorney name. Results display case numbers, party names, record-sheet entries, hearing dates, and case status. The daily court docket is also published through this system. No account registration is required to perform a basic case search.
In-Person Access
The Circuit Clerk’s Office maintains a public-access computer terminal where court patrons may view publicly available case information and documents free of charge. Staff members are available to assist with searches. A dedicated Legal Self-Help Center within the office provides computer equipment for self-represented litigants to view electronic court files, submit e-filings, and make credit card payments.
Rock Island County Justice Center (Circuit Clerk’s Office)
Address: 1317 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: (309) 558-3538
Fax: (309) 786-3029
Email: riccecopy@co.rock-island.il.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Rock Island County Administration Building (County Clerk)
Address: 1504 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: (309) 558-3569
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Requesting Copies by Email or Mail
Both certified and standard copies of court documents may be requested by emailing riccecopy@co.rock-island.il.us. Each request should include the case number, parties’ names, approximate year, and case type. Standard (non-certified) copies can be emailed to the requester. Certified copies require a raised seal and must be picked up in person or mailed. Mail requests should be directed to the Circuit Clerk at 1317 Third Avenue, Suite 101, Rock Island, IL 61201.
Copy and Service Fees
The following copy fees apply as of the fee schedule effective July 15, 2024:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First page of copies | $2.00 |
| Next 19 pages | $0.50 per page |
| All remaining pages | $0.25 per page |
| Hard copy from automated system | $6.00 per page |
| Record search | $6.00 per year searched |
| Clerk’s certification | $6.00 |
| Exemplified/authenticated/triple certificate | $8.00 |
| Fax – first page | $6.00 |
| Fax – each additional page | $0.50 |
| Mailing fee (without postage) | $10.00 |
| Mailing fee (with postage) | $10.73 |
| Certified mailing with postage | $19.68 |
A complete filing fees PDF is available on the Circuit Clerk’s website. Those unable to afford filing fees may petition the court for a fee waiver using approved forms from the Illinois Courts website.
Are Court Records Public in Rock Island County?
Court records in Rock Island County are presumptively public under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). This statute provides that records created or maintained by public bodies, including court records, are accessible to any person upon request. The Circuit Clerk’s Office permits free viewing of publicly available case documents through its in-person terminal and online search tool.
Restrictions on Access
Certain categories of court records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure under Illinois law:
- Juvenile delinquency and abuse/neglect case files
- Adoption proceedings and related records
- Mental health case files (proceedings under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code)
- Sealed and expunged criminal records
- Records the court has restricted to protect procedural fairness or individual safety
- Orders of protection filings may have restricted personal information
- Impounded files or records subject to a protective order
Under 20 ILCS 2635 (the Criminal Identification Act), criminal history conviction information is available to the public, but arrest information that did not result in a conviction may be restricted.
Vital Records Distinction
Vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates) maintained by the County Clerk are not considered public records and are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Under the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), only authorized individuals may obtain certified copies of these documents.
Rock Island County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Rock Island County are adjudicated by the Circuit Court. Felony matters, along with associated preliminary hearings, are handled through the Criminal Division. Misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases are also within the Circuit Court’s jurisdiction. The Circuit Clerk’s Criminal/Traffic Division is located at the Justice Center.
Rock Island County Justice Center – Criminal Division
Address: 1317 Third Avenue, Suite 101, Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: (309) 558-3538
Searching Criminal Case Records
- Access the Judici case search and enter the defendant’s name or case number to locate criminal case information, including hearing dates and record-sheet entries.
- Visit the Circuit Clerk’s Office during business hours to view criminal case files on the public-access terminal.
- Email riccecopy@co.rock-island.il.us with the defendant’s name, approximate year, and case type to request copies.
Criminal History Background Checks
The Illinois State Police maintains the Criminal History Information Response Portal (CHIRP) for statewide criminal record checks. Online searches through CHIRP cost $10 per inquiry. Mail-in requests cost $16 per search and should be submitted to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification.
The Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office handles local law enforcement records, including arrest reports and booking information. Current inmate information may be available through the county’s online jail roster.
Expungement and Sealing
Petitions for expungement or sealing of criminal records are filed through the Circuit Clerk’s Office. The filing fee for expungement is $60.00, plus $4.00 for each certified copy needed to process the petition. When no underlying criminal case exists, these petitions are filed as Miscellaneous Criminal (MX) cases with a filing fee of $334.00.
Rock Island County Civil Court Records
The Circuit Court’s Civil Division handles all civil litigation in Rock Island County, encompassing contract disputes, personal injury claims, property actions, mortgage foreclosures, evictions, administrative review, small claims, and mechanics’ lien proceedings. The Circuit Clerk maintains all civil filings, from initial complaints through final judgments and post-judgment proceedings.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records are available through the same Judici online case search system and at the public-access terminal in the Circuit Clerk’s Office. Written requests for copies should include the case number or party names, approximate year, and case type.
Selected Civil Filing Fees (Effective October 1, 2025)
The fee schedule organizes cases into tiers based on case type and amount in controversy:
| Case Category | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Schedule 1 cases (Chancery, Dissolution, Foreclosure, Law over $50,000, Family, Tax, etc.) | $334.00 |
| Non-contested dissolution | $543.00 |
| Schedule 2 cases (Eviction, Small Claims $2,501–$10,000, Guardianship, Probate, Law Minor $10,001–$15,000) | $284.00 |
| Adoption | $89.00 |
| Eviction – possession only | $109.00 |
| Small Claims – $2,500 or less | $109.00 |
| Appearance fee (Schedule 1 cases) | $209.00 |
| Appearance fee (Schedule 2 – Eviction possession only / Small Claims $2,500 or less) | $129.00 |
| 12-person jury demand | $212.50 |
| 6-person jury demand | $106.25 |
| Counterclaim or third-party complaint | Same as original filing fee |
| Petition to vacate/reopen (within 30 days) | $50.00 |
| Petition to vacate/reopen (after 30 days) | $75.00 |
Cases filed by units of local government or school districts are exempt from filing fees under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b(z)(1)(A-5). Orders of protection, juvenile, mental health, and will-deposit proceedings carry no filing fee.
All civil filings must be submitted electronically through approved e-filing service providers. Illinois mandated e-filing for all civil case types, and the Circuit Clerk’s Legal Self-Help Center provides computer access for litigants who need assistance with electronic submissions.
The Municipal Code Enforcement System (MUNICES) handles administrative hearings for municipal ordinance violations, including building, fire code, and pet violations. MUNICES operates from 1504 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201, and can be reached at (309) 793-6302, extension 149.
Rock Island County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Rock Island County are heard within the Circuit Court’s domestic relations division. Case types include dissolution of marriage (with and without minor children), child custody and parenting time, child support, paternity, emancipation, domestic violence, and spousal support. The Circuit Clerk maintains all family court records filed in the county.
Searching Family Court Records
Family case records may be searched through the Judici case search tool by entering a party’s name or case number. In-person viewing is available at no charge on the public-access terminal. Copy requests should be emailed to riccecopy@co.rock-island.il.us or mailed to the Circuit Clerk at 1317 Third Avenue, Suite 101, Rock Island, IL 61201.
Confidentiality Restrictions
While most family court records are public, Illinois law restricts access to juvenile abuse, neglect, and delinquency records, as well as adoption case files. Orders of protection filings may contain restricted personal information.
Family Law Filing Fees
| Description | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution with children (DC) | $334.00 |
| Dissolution without children (DN) | $334.00 |
| Non-contested dissolution | $543.00 |
| Family law cases (FA) | $334.00 |
| Voluntary parentage petitions | No fee |
| Orders of protection (OP) | No fee |
| Adoption (AD) | $89.00 |
| Appearance fee (family cases) | $209.00 |
Marriage Records
The Rock Island County Clerk’s Office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records dating from 1834 to present. The marriage license fee is $35.00; personal checks are not accepted. Marriage records are not public records under Illinois law and may only be obtained by the parties listed on the record, immediate family members, or persons with written authorized consent from one of the parties. A certified copy costs $15.00 for the first copy and $8.00 for each additional copy of the same record.
Dissolution of Marriage Verification
The Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records verifies facts of dissolutions of marriage from 1962 to present. The verification fee is $5.00. Requests may be submitted by mail using the Application for Verification of Dissolution of Marriage to the Division of Vital Records at 925 East Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737.
Birth and Death Records
The Rock Island County Clerk maintains birth records from 1877 and death records from 1878 to present. Under the Illinois Vital Records Act, only authorized individuals may obtain certified copies. Applicants must be of legal age (18 or emancipated minor) and either the record subject, an immediate family member, a legal guardian, or a person with written authorized consent. A valid government-issued photo ID is required.
| Vital Record | First Copy | Additional Copies |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $15.00 | $8.00 each |
| Death certificate | $20.00 | $14.00 each |
Applications may be downloaded from the County Clerk’s website: Birth Certificate Application and Death Record Application. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by express mail to:
Rock Island County Clerk – Vital Records Division
Address: 1504 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: (309) 558-3569
Rock Island County Probate Court Records
The Circuit Court handles all probate matters in Rock Island County, including the administration of decedents’ estates, probate of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianship proceedings for minors and persons with disabilities, and determination of heirship. The Circuit Clerk maintains all probate filings, including wills, bonds, petitions, orders, decrees, accounts, distributions, and inventories.
Searching Probate Records
Current probate cases may be searched through the Judici online case search. Historical records dating from 1834 to 1899 are accessible through the Probate Case Files Index maintained by the Illinois Secretary of State, which provides the estate name, year of filing, case type, and individual names. Records not within the Illinois Regional Archives Depository system remain with the Circuit Clerk. Copy requests should be directed to the Circuit Clerk’s Office at (309) 558-3538 or by email.
Probate Filing Fees
| Description | Fee |
|---|---|
| Estates of decedents or missing persons | $384.00 |
| Wrongful death or collection of judgment | $284.00 |
| Guardianship (minor, person with disability, or estate) | $284.00 |
| Filing of account (other than one final account) | $25.00 |
| Claim up to $149.99 | No fee |
| Claim $150–$500 | $25.00 |
| Claim $500.01–$10,000 | $40.00 |
| Claim over $10,000.01 | $60.00 |
| Filing claim/petition based on equitable relief (will contest, trust construction, etc.) | $60.00 |
| Certified copy of letters (per page) | $2.00 |
| Exemplification (includes certification) | $8.00 |
| 12-person jury demand | $137.50 |
| 6-person jury demand | $68.75 |
Executors, administrators, guardians, and petitioners are responsible for paying newspaper publication costs, postage to the Clerk, and any charges for witnesses, court reporters, or appraisers directly.
Will deposits are accepted for safekeeping at a fee of $1.00. Notices of Trust and Caveats carry a filing fee of $41.00 (assessed at the county civil level). The Clerk can provide certified copies of letters of office, testamentary letters, and other probate documents upon request, with applicable copy and certification fees.
For questions about filing fees or probate procedures, contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office at (309) 558-3538 or email riccecopy@co.rock-island.il.us. The local court rules and forms for the 14th Judicial Circuit are published on the county’s website and include the complete Rules of Practice governing all divisions, including probate.