Sangamon County Court Records Search
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Sangamon County, Illinois, is home to the state capital, Springfield, and is served by the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court. The county’s trial-level court system operates through the Sangamon County Circuit Court, which handles the full spectrum of legal matters—criminal, civil, family, probate, traffic, and small claims—from the Sangamon County Courts Complex at 200 South Ninth Street. The Circuit Clerk’s office functions as the administrative arm of the court, maintaining the official record of all proceedings and managing the collection and distribution of court-ordered payments. Whether you need to verify a judgment, locate a pending case, or obtain a certified copy of a court document, this guide explains what records exist, where they are kept, and how to obtain them.
Individuals looking for court records in Illinois can search through official clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and web-based tools maintained by individual counties and the state judiciary. The statewide re:SearchIL portal, operated by Tyler Technologies, provides registered users with cross-jurisdictional access to electronic court records and documents from participating Illinois courts. Additional Illinois court information can be found at IllinoisCourts.us.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Sangamon County?
The Sangamon County Circuit Clerk provides free online access to case records through its records lookup system. No registration is required for the public search. Users can look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. To search by name, enter the party’s last name (and optionally the first name) in the search fields; the system will return matching results across civil, criminal, traffic, and other case types. The search is specific—entering fewer characters returns broader results, so using partial names may be helpful when the exact spelling is uncertain.
Attorneys with a valid ARDC number can apply for a username and password to access more detailed case information through the same system.
In-person searches. Visitors may use the public computer terminals at the Circuit Clerk’s office to search and print court dispositions. The office is located in Room 405 of the Sangamon County Courts Complex.
Sangamon County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Address: 200 South Ninth Street, Room 405, Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: (217) 753-6674
Fax: (217) 747-5108
Email: circuitclerk@sangamonil.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays)
Record request fees and payment. Record searches cost $4.00 per year searched. In person, only cash is accepted. By mail, the office accepts money orders or cashier’s checks—personal checks are not accepted for record searches. Additional miscellaneous fees from the 2024 fee schedule include:
- Certified copy of judgment: $10.00
- Certified mailing fee (each): $10.35
- Alias summons or alias citation: $5.00
- Appeal preparation (1–99 pages): $50.00
- Appeal preparation (100–199 pages): $100.00
- Appeal preparation (200+ pages): $150.25
The Springfield Administrative Court, which handles municipal code violations, operates separately:
Springfield Administrative Court
Address: 800 East Monroe Street, Room 327, Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: (217) 789-2375
Fax: (217) 789-2367
Note on FOIA. The Circuit Clerk’s office is part of the judicial branch and is not subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. It does not process FOIA requests. Case information is instead accessible for free through the online records lookup or in person at the clerk’s office.
Are Court Records Public in Sangamon County?
Court records in Sangamon County are presumed open and available for public inspection. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.) establishes the public’s right to access government records, though the Act itself does not govern judicial-branch records held by the Circuit Clerk. Instead, court records accessibility is governed by Illinois Supreme Court rules and specific statutes.
By court order, certain categories of records are confidential and unavailable through either the online system or in-person requests. These restricted categories include:
- Adoption records – sealed under Illinois law and accessible only by court order
- Juvenile records – confidential proceedings involving minors
- Mental health records – protected under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act
- Impounded records – cases restricted by judicial order
- Sealed and expunged records – cases that have been ordered sealed or expunged, removing them from public access
Beyond these categories, information may be redacted or withheld when disclosure would endanger someone’s life or physical safety, reveal confidential financial or trade-secret information that could cause competitive harm, or involve criminal investigative materials in the possession of law enforcement. Records related to pending investigations, patented or copyrighted material, and personal identifying information of victims and witnesses may also be restricted.
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office processes records requests separately under the Illinois FOIA. Individuals seeking incident reports, arrest records, or other law-enforcement documents can submit a FOIA request electronically or by using the FOIA form available on the Sheriff’s website. The Sheriff’s Office is located at 1 Sheriff’s Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701, and can be reached at (217) 753-6855.
Sangamon County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Sangamon County are adjudicated by the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court. Felonies, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and ordinance violations all fall within the Circuit Court’s jurisdiction. The Circuit Clerk’s office maintains the official file for every criminal case.
Searching criminal case records. The Circuit Clerk’s online records search allows users to look up criminal cases by defendant name, case number, driver’s license number, traffic ticket number, or filing date. Public terminals inside the clerk’s office at 200 South Ninth Street also provide access to criminal court dispositions.
Criminal history background checks. Statewide criminal history records are maintained by the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification through the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP). To run a name-based background check, users must create an account on the CHIRP interface. Each search incurs a fee. For questions about the process, contact the Bureau of Identification:
Illinois State Police – Bureau of Identification
Address: 260 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: (815) 740-5160
Fax: (815) 740-4401
Criminal filing fees. The 2024 fee schedule lists several criminal-related fees:
- Miscellaneous criminal filings (e.g., forfeiture of seized property, habeas corpus, extradition): $326.00
- Petition to expunge (Governor’s pardon or no criminal case): $326.00 (some petitions carry no filing fee)
- Statutory summary suspension (if no DT case): $326.00
- Petition to vacate order of bond forfeiture: $40.00
Individuals seeking to expunge or seal a criminal record in Sangamon County should consult the Seventh Judicial Circuit’s court forms page or the Circuit Clerk’s office for the appropriate petition forms. Multi-part carbon-backed forms are available free of charge at Room 405 of the courthouse.
Sangamon County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Sangamon County falls into several tiers based on the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court handles general civil (“Law”) cases exceeding $50,000, Law Magistrate cases between $10,000.01 and $50,000, small claims up to $10,000, evictions, chancery matters, foreclosures, and administrative review actions. All civil records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk.
Filing fees for common civil case types (from the 2024 fee schedule):
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| General civil/law (over $50,000) | $326.00 |
| Law Magistrate ($10,000.01–$15,000) | $276.00 |
| Law Magistrate ($15,000.01–$50,000) | $326.00 |
| Small claims (up to $2,500) | $109.00 |
| Small claims ($2,500.01–$10,000) | $276.00 |
| Chancery (foreclosure, injunction, quiet title, etc.) | $326.00 |
| Eviction – residential or commercial | $276.00 |
| Eviction – possession only | $109.00 |
| Appearance fee | $201.00 |
| Counter petition/complaint | $125.00 |
| Garnishment/wage deduction ($1,000 or less) | $15.00 |
| Garnishment/wage deduction ($1,000.01–$5,000) | $30.00 |
| Garnishment/wage deduction (over $5,000) | $50.00 |
| Jury demand (12-person) | $212.50 |
| Jury demand (6-person) | $96.25 |
| Motion/petition to vacate or modify (within 30 days) | $50.00 |
| Motion/petition to vacate or modify (after 30 days) | $75.00 |
Standardized court forms approved by the Illinois Supreme Court are available online. Multi-part forms must be picked up at the Circuit Clerk’s office. The statewide approved forms library is accessible through the Illinois Courts website.
Civil case records can be searched for free through the Circuit Clerk’s online lookup or reviewed in person. Copies obtained in person cost $4.00 per year searched (cash only). Mail requests require money orders or cashier’s checks.
Property records. The Sangamon County Recorder’s Office maintains land records including deed images from 1982 to the present, scanned deed books dating to 1901, and deed records from 1950–1969. A land records search tool is available online, and free public terminals are accessible in person at the Recorder’s office on the first floor of the county building at 200 South Ninth Street (Phone: (217) 535-3150).
Sangamon County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Sangamon County are handled by the Circuit Court’s domestic relations division. The court’s jurisdiction covers dissolution of marriage (with and without children), legal separation, invalidity of marriage, child custody and parenting time, child support, termination of parental rights, adoption, emancipation of minors, juvenile delinquency, orders of protection, and parentage actions.
Dissolution of marriage filing fees:
- Dissolution without children: $326.00
- Dissolution with children: $326.00
- Domestic violence dissolution (with or without children): $326.00
- Appearance fee: $201.00
- Counter petition/complaint: $125.00
Family case filing fees:
- Petition for custody: $326.00
- Petition for parental responsibility (child support): $326.00
- Petition for parental responsibility (visitation): $326.00
- Parentage Act challenge: $326.00
- Petition for confidential intermediary: $326.00
- Order of protection: no filing fee
Domestic relations forms are available through the Augusta Family Bar equivalent resources at the Seventh Judicial Circuit, or directly from the Circuit Clerk’s office. The court also provides family parenting, mediation programs, and domestic violence prevention counseling services.
Access restrictions. While most family court records are accessible to the public, adoption records and juvenile records are confidential under Illinois law. These may only be viewed by the parties involved, their legal representatives, parents, or legal guardians, and only with proper authorization or a court order.
Marriage records. The Sangamon County Clerk’s office maintains marriage and civil union records for ceremonies performed in the county and issues marriage licenses. Under the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), only authorized individuals may obtain certified copies. The fee is $25.00 for the first copy and $7.00 for each additional copy of the same record purchased at the same time. Requests can be made in person, by mail using the record request application, or online. Payment is accepted by money order, check (payable to Sangamon County Clerk), cash, or major credit cards.
Verification of marriage dissolutions from 1962 to the present can also be obtained through the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records using the application for verification of dissolution of marriage form. Marriage verifications through the IDPH cost $5.00.
Sangamon County Clerk – Vital Records
Address: 200 South Ninth Street, 1st Floor, Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: (217) 753-6700
Email: vitalrecords@sangamonil.gov
Birth and death records. The County Clerk’s office maintains birth records and death records dating back to 1877. These are not public records under Illinois law and are not subject to FOIA. Birth certificates may be released only to the person named (if 18 or older), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians with court-signed papers, or authorized legal representatives. Birth records 75 years or older are available for genealogical research. Death records may be released to immediate family members (mother, father, brother, sister, spouse, child), the informant listed on the record, or anyone with a personal or property right interest who submits a notarized affidavit.
Fees for birth records are $25.00 first copy, $7.00 each additional. Fees for death records are $29.00 first copy, $11.00 each additional. Valid identification is required for all requests. Requests can be made in person, by mail (using downloadable applications), or online through the Sangamon County Epay portal with electronic upload of valid ID.
Sangamon County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Sangamon County are adjudicated by the Circuit Court. The court’s probate jurisdiction encompasses administration of decedents’ estates, probate of wills, appointment of personal representatives, guardianships of minors and persons with disabilities, conservatorships, and related proceedings such as missing person wrongful death actions and petitions to re-open estates.
Probate filing fees (from the 2024 fee schedule):
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Administration of decedent’s estate | $376.00 |
| Missing person / wrongful death collection | $276.00 |
| Guardianship of minor | $276.00 |
| Guardianship of person with disability | $276.00 |
| Guardianship of estate of living person | $276.00 |
| Appearance fee | $201.00 |
| Counter petition/complaint | $125.00 |
| Petition to re-open estate | $0.00 (listed as miscellaneous) |
| Objections | $250.00 |
These fees are mandated by Illinois statute, and all fees collected by the Circuit Clerk are set by law.
Searching probate records. Probate case files can be searched using the Circuit Clerk’s online records system by entering the decedent’s or ward’s name or case number. Copies can also be obtained in person at the clerk’s office ($4.00 per year searched, cash only) or by mail (money order or cashier’s check).
Requesting copies. For mail requests, provide the full name of the decedent or ward, the case number if known, and the approximate year of filing. Send the request with the appropriate payment to:
Sangamon County Circuit Clerk
200 South Ninth Street
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: (217) 753-6674
Email: circuitclerk@sangamonil.gov
The Illinois Secretary of State Archives maintains a separate index of historical Sangamon County probate case files from 1821 to 1906, which can be useful for genealogical and historical research.