Tazewell County Court Records Search
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Tazewell County is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit in central Illinois, with its county seat in Pekin. The Circuit Court of Tazewell County handles the full range of case types — criminal, civil, family, probate, traffic, and juvenile matters — from the Tazewell County Courthouse at 342 Court Street. All court records generated by these proceedings are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, who serves as the official custodian.
Residents of Illinois can search for court case information through several channels, including local clerk offices, public access terminals located inside courthouses, and online tools maintained at the state and county level. The re:SearchIL portal is a statewide system for searching court records and documents across jurisdictions, and IllinoisCourts.us may help users identify additional court resources. At the county level, the Tazewell County Circuit Clerk operates a dedicated online case portal where the public can look up case history, balances, hearing dates, and related filings.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Tazewell County?
There are three primary ways to search for a court case in Tazewell County: online through the clerk’s portal, in person at the courthouse, or by written request sent through the mail.
Online search. The Circuit Clerk’s online case portal (powered by Tyler Technologies) allows the public to search by party name or case number. Results display case history, upcoming court dates, outstanding balances, and other docket information. Note that the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts adopted a Remote Access Policy effective January 1, 2020, which may limit the scope of information visible through remote online portals compared to what is available at the courthouse. Additionally, as of May 1, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court has made reviewing court documents (Supreme Court and appellate courts) freely available to the public through re:SearchIL for cases filed on or after April 1, 2025.
In person. Visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court during business hours:
Tazewell County Circuit Court — Clerk’s Office
Address: 342 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
| Division | Phone |
|---|---|
| Civil | (309) 477-2214 |
| Criminal | (309) 477-2775 |
| Probate | (309) 477-2216 |
| Traffic | (309) 477-2218 |
| Administrative Office | (309) 477-2201 |
| Fax | (309) 353-7801 |
Public access computer terminals are available inside the courthouse, and the Legal Self-Help Center in Room 103 offers informational documents and navigator assistance (call (309) 478-5790 for availability; email lawlibrary@tazewell-il.gov).
By mail. Send a written request with the party name, case number (if known), and a description of the documents needed. Prepayment must accompany all mail requests. Accepted payment methods include certified check, money order, or personal check — do not send cash. Mail to:
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Attention: (desired division)
342 Court Street
Pekin, IL 61554
Copy and certification fees are set by Illinois statute (705 ILCS 105/27.1a):
- First page of a document: $2.00
- Next 19 pages: $0.50 per page
- All remaining pages: $0.25 per page
- Computer printout (hard copy): $6.00 per page
- Certification with court seal: $6.00 per document (plus copy fee)
- Record search by clerk: $6.00 per year searched
E-filing. Illinois requires electronic filing for most civil case types. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file through the statewide e-filing system. The Circuit Clerk provides an exemption form for litigants who qualify for good cause.
Are Court Records Public in Tazewell County?
Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.), court records generated and held by public bodies in Tazewell County are presumed to be open to the public. Any person may submit a written FOIA request to the custodian — in most cases, the Circuit Clerk — to inspect or copy records.
However, several categories of records are exempt from public disclosure. Section 7 of 5 ILCS 140/7 enumerates the exemptions, which include:
- Records pertaining to pending or ongoing law-enforcement investigations
- Documents classified as confidential under a court order or a state or federal statute
- Records protected by the Judicial Privacy Act, which shields personal information of judicial officers and their families
- Preliminary drafts, notes, or memoranda not intended as final agency decisions
- Personal information identifying juvenile offenders
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 8, adopted in 2021, establishes the general framework for case and document accessibility. Under this rule, all cases and documents are presumed accessible unless designated as “Impounded” or “Confidential”. Records that fall within those designations — such as juvenile delinquency proceedings, adoption files, certain mental health records, and sealed expungement orders — are restricted from public view both at the courthouse and through remote access systems.
The 2020 Remote Access Policy further limits what may be viewed online versus in person. Certain personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver’s license numbers) are redacted from remotely accessible records even when the underlying case file is otherwise public.
Tazewell County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Tazewell County are heard by the Circuit Court. Felony and law-division criminal matters are assigned to Courtroom 308 under the presiding judge, while traffic offenses are heard in Courtroom 207. The Circuit Clerk’s Criminal Division, reachable at (309) 477-2775, maintains records of all criminal filings, dispositions, and sentencing orders.
Searching criminal case records. The same online case portal used for other case types also covers criminal matters. Enter the defendant’s name or case number to view docket entries and hearing schedules. Paper copies are available in person or by mail using the fee schedule described above.
Arrest and inmate information. The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office provides two real-time lookup tools on its website:
- Inmate Lookup — Custody: current jail population with booking dates, charges, and arresting agency
- Inmate Lookup — Warrants: outstanding warrants
Both tools are free and do not require registration.
Statewide criminal history reports. The Illinois State Police, Bureau of Identification, is the custodian of statewide criminal history records. Two types of background checks are available:
- Name-based inquiry — Submit through the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP). Requesters must create an account and verify their identity through a digital ID. Fee: $16.00 for a paper response or $10.00 for electronic results.
- Fingerprint-based check — Submit a completed fingerprint card to a Livescan center. Out-of-state requesters may request a fingerprint card by mail. Fees vary: $20.00 (manual) or $15.00 (electronic/Livescan) for a state-only check; $32.00 (manual) or $27.00 (electronic) for a combined state and FBI check.
The full ISP fee schedule provides a complete breakdown, including resubmission fees and expungement processing costs.
Expungement and sealing. Approved expungement and sealing forms for both adults and juveniles are available through the Illinois Courts website. The Tazewell County filing fee for expungement is $210.00 without an attorney or $220.00 with an attorney (includes mailing of notices and the ISP processing fee).
Tazewell County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division of the Tazewell County Circuit Court handles lawsuits, contract disputes, forcible entry and detainer (eviction) cases, mortgage foreclosures, small claims, and other non-criminal matters. Civil cases are assigned to Courtroom 202 (associate civil) and Courtroom 101 (law and equity). The Civil Division of the Clerk’s Office can be reached at (309) 477-2214.
Filing fees. The Circuit Clerk publishes a detailed fee schedule on its website. Filing fees vary by case type and claim amount. Below is a summary of selected civil filing fees (all fees must be paid at time of filing):
| Case Type / Claim Amount | Filing Fee | Appearance Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Small claims, does not exceed $250 | $114.00 | $134.00 |
| Small claims, $250.01–$500 | $124.00 | $134.00 |
| Small claims, $500.01–$2,500 | $144.00 | $134.00–$164.00 |
| LM cases, $2,500.01–$10,000 | $179.00 | $164.00 |
| LM cases, $10,000.01–$15,000 | $179.00 | $164.00 |
| LM cases, $15,000.01–$50,000 | $264.00 | $164.00 |
| Law cases, over $50,000 | $264.00 | $164.00 |
| Chancery | $264.00 | $164.00 |
| Miscellaneous Remedy | $264.00 | $164.00 |
| Administrative Review | $192.00 | $92.00 |
| Name Change | $264.00 | $164.00 |
| Forcible Entry/Detainer (up to $15,000) | $154.00 | $134.00–$164.00 |
Additional fees apply for garnishments ($15–$50 depending on the amount), jury demands ($212.50), petitions to vacate ($50 within 30 days; $75 after), venue changes, and appeals.
Available forms. The Circuit Clerk’s forms page provides downloadable documents for many common civil filings, including small claims complaint and summons packets, eviction forms, motions, satisfaction of judgment, and mortgage foreclosure answer forms. Statewide approved forms are hosted on the Illinois Courts website. The clerk’s office cannot complete forms or provide legal advice.
Searching civil records. Use the online case portal or visit the clerk’s office in person. Records prior to 1989 and microfilmed cases are accessible in Room 204, Phone: (309) 477-2217
Tazewell County Family Court Records
Family law cases — including dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, visitation, paternity, adoption, and orders of protection — are filed in the Circuit Court. Domestic relations matters are heard in Courtroom 302. The Tazewell County Circuit Clerk’s forms page hosts a range of family-related documents, and statewide divorce, child support, and maintenance forms are available from the Illinois Courts website.
Key filing fees for family cases:
- Dissolution of marriage: $264.00 (filing), $164.00 (appearance)
- Family (paternity with agreed order for support): no fee
- Family (other parentage petitions): $144.00 (filing), $144.00 (appearance)
- Adoption: $65.00
- Child support administration fee: $36.00
Confidentiality. Adoption records are impounded by statute and are not accessible to the general public. A Petition to Examine Impounded Adoption File must be filed with the court. Juvenile proceedings, certain paternity records before adjudication, and domestic violence safety information may also be restricted. The clerk may redact confidential portions of family court documents before releasing copies.
Divorce records. The Circuit Clerk maintains records of all dissolution of marriage cases and makes them searchable through the online case portal. Copies can also be requested in person or by mail. The State of Illinois Certificate of Dissolution form and related instructions are available on the clerk’s website.
Marriage records. Marriage licenses are issued by the Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder, located at the McKenzie Building, 11 South 4th Street, Suite 203, Pekin, IL 61554 (Phone: (309) 477-2264; email CountyClerk@tazewell.com). Office hours are 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The marriage license application fee is $90.00, which includes one certified copy. Certified copies of existing marriage certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and $11.00 for each additional copy of the same record. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or by email and must include a completed application, a valid photo ID, and the applicable fee. Mail payments must be by check or money order payable to Tazewell County Clerk.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) also issues marriage verification records for $5.00 per copy. Requests are submitted by mail to the Division of Vital Records, 925 East Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737, using the IDPH’s application form.
Birth and death records. The Tazewell County Clerk’s office maintains birth records dating from 1878 and death records from the same year (records prior to 1916 are approximately 10% complete). Certified copies are available in person, by mail, or by email request and require a signed application, a valid ID, and the applicable fee:
- Birth certificate: $16.00 first copy, $11.00 each additional
- Death certificate: $24.00 first copy, $15.00 each additional
- Document search fee (if record is not found): $5.00
Applications for birth records and death records are available online. Eligible requesters are limited to the record subject, immediate family members, estate administrators, legal representatives, and persons with a demonstrated property or personal right to the record. The IDPH independently maintains copies as well, with birth records at $15.00 (data at time of birth) or $10.00 (complete data), and death records at $19.00 per certified copy, using the agency’s own birth and death application forms.
Tazewell County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the Tazewell County Circuit Court handles matters relating to decedent estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and small estate affidavits. The Probate Division of the Clerk’s Office is located on the second floor of the courthouse and can be reached at (309) 477-2216.
Probate filing fees:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Estate — property exceeds $15,000 | $354.00 |
| Estate — property does not exceed $15,000 | $244.00 |
| Small Estate Affidavit | No fee |
| Probate without administration (proof of heirship, foreign will admitted) | $144.00 |
| Will construction | $164.00 |
| Guardianship of a person only | $124.00 |
| Guardianship of person and estate (≤$15,000) | $144.00 |
| Guardianship of person and estate (>$15,000) | $179.00 |
| Account filing (other than final account) | $25.00 |
| Appearance fee | $134.00 |
| Petition to sell real estate | $50.00 |
| Claims: $150–$499 | $25.00 |
| Claims: $500–$9,999 | $40.00 |
| Claims: $10,000+ | $60.00 |
| Petition to reopen (within 30 days) | No fee |
| Petition to reopen (after 30 days) | $75.00 |
Probate-related forms available through the clerk include the Annual Guardian Report, the Guardianship for a Disabled Adult packet, and the Small Estate Affidavit. The 10th Judicial Circuit has also published amendments to the local probate rules that govern practice in Tazewell County probate proceedings.
Searching probate records. Probate case information is available through the online case portal and in person at the Clerk’s Office. Older records and filmed files are accessible in Room 204 at (309) 477-2217. Copy fees and certification fees follow the same statutory schedule as other civil records. Wills deposited for safekeeping are not publicly accessible until the testator’s death, and guardianship records may contain confidential information that is redacted before disclosure.
Property records. While not part of the probate case file, property ownership and assessment records are often relevant in estate administration. The Tazewell County Assessments Office maintains an online property search tool that allows lookups by address, parcel ID, taxpayer name, sales history, legal description, or city. Land and deed records are maintained by the Tazewell County Recorder of Deeds, also located at the McKenzie Building, 11 South 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.