Champaign County Court Records

Champaign County court records comprise documents on court case proceedings and administrative court decisions in the county. These records are available in handwritten documents, video or audio recordings, photographs, or digital files. Records may contain different information based on the case type, case status, and the record creator. For example, closed criminal court cases may contain information on sentencing, inmate data, or parole information. However, you may not find the data in open criminal court cases.

Note: Illinois court records provide evidence of events that transpired in court. These documents ensure the court follows the standard procedure. Record seekers may also use the documents as a reference for future legal cases.

Are Court Records Public in Champaign County?

Champaign County Court records are classified as “public documents’’ under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This is a series of laws that govern the storage, creation, and release of court records. The law also empowers certain agencies as custodians of these records.

In addition, the FOIA redacts or restricts the disclosure of certain court records. These redacted records generally constitute an unwarranted invasion of the subject’s privacy. That said, the law exempts these documents from public access:

• Court documents that fall under the Judiciary Privacy Act.
• Court documents are exempted due to a court order or law.
• Court documents that may endanger or violate the record subject’s physical safety or life. This may include data on minors in adoption or juvenile court cases.

Champaign County Court Records Search

Interested parties may search for court records through the Champaign County clerk of the circuit court. The clerk’s office keeps records of all court cases filed at the circuit court. Thus, record seekers can obtain court records from the clerk’s office via these options:

• Access to court records via an online searchable database
• Access to court records by filling out online request forms.

To obtain records via these options, the record seekers must provide search details about the record. The search details may include the case number, case filing date, or case party’s names.

The State of Illinois also maintains online access to court records filed within the state. However, access to the database is limited to:

• Licensed Illinois attorney
• Case party
• Legal service provider

Champaign County Court Records Search by Name

Requesters can name-search Champaign County records through the clerk’s online search portal. An alternative option for searching court records by name is to visit the circuit court clerk’s office at:

101 East Main Street
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 384-3725
Fax: (217) 384-3879
Email: cccircuitclerk@co.champaign.il.us

For in-person court records requests, the court clerk charges $2 for the first page and $0.5 for additional pages up to 20 pages. Certified court documents may cost an extra $6.

Champaign County Courts

In Champaign County, the court system consists of only the circuit court. The court is located at:

Champaign County Circuit Court
Champaign County Courthouse
101 East Main Street
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 384-3725
Fax: (217) 384-3879

Champaign County District Court Records

There is no district court in Champaign County. The circuit court oversees cases typically handled by the district court in other states. These cases may include criminal and civil-type cases.

The circuit court clerk maintains access to the court records via online request forms. The clerk’s office maintains separate online request forms for criminal and civil court records. The latter option also allows you to access divorce, family, small claims, probate, and guardianship cases.

To request court records via the forms, requesters must fill out their personal information and the case details. Upon submitting the form, the circuit court clerk will send an email stating the record’s availability and the estimated cost of retrieving it.

You may also obtain copies of court records by visiting the circuit clerk at:

101 East Main Street
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 384-3725
Fax: (217) 384-3879
Email: cccircuitclerk@co.champaign.il.us

The first page of the record costs $2. Requesters pay $0.5 for additional pages up to the 20th page. The clerk charges $6 for certified copies.

Champaign County Criminal Records

Champaign County criminal records contain histories of convictions that occurred in the county. The Illinois State Police is the state-level custodian of criminal records. The agency allows name- and fingerprint-based searches for criminal records in their custody.

To access criminal records via the name-based search option, requesters must create an account on the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP) platform. They must also obtain a digital ID.

In-state requesters must send a completed fingerprint card to the nearest LiveScan vendor to use the fingerprint-based option. You may get fingerprinted at your local law enforcement agency.

On the other hand, out-of-state requesters using this option must fill out an online form and specify their preferred request form. Upon receiving the form, the ISP will mail the preferred fingerprint card. Next, the requester must complete the forms and send them to the nearest LiveScan center.

The Champaign Police Department also maintains criminal background checks for convictions recorded in the city. Interested parties can access the records by visiting the police department at:

Champaign Police Department
82 East University Avenue
Champaign, IL 61820

You may find Champaign County arrest records at the county sheriff’s office. In addition to arrest records, the county sheriff may provide access to accident and incident reports. So, visit the county sheriff during business hours at:

204 East Main Street
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 384-1204
Fax: (217) 384-1219
Email: sheriff@co.champaign.il.us

Champaign County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Champaign County criminal court records provide data on docket sheets, charging documents, and records of proceedings on arraignment. The circuit court clerk is the record custodian of criminal cases filed at the circuit court. Interested parties may access the records by filling out an online search form for criminal records on the clerk’s website.

Criminal court records cost $2 for the first page and $0.5 for each additional page up to the 20th page. After the 20th page, it costs $0.25.

Get Champaign County Civil Court Records

In Champaign County, civil court records contain documentation of civil disputes between two or more parties. The records provide data on small claims, general civil (limited or unlimited), administrative agency appeals, and commercial civil cases.

All civil court records are under the purview of the circuit court clerk. Also, the clerk provides access to the records via an online request form. To use the platform, record seekers must fill in the required search details, like the case party number, filing date, and case party’s name.

Champaign County Family Court Records

The Champaign County Circuit Court hears all family-related cases, such as divorce, adoption, child custody, and termination of parental rights. The circuit court clerk also keeps records of all family court cases.

Interested parties can request these records through the clerk’s online request form. To use the online form, you must provide the following details:

• The requester’s name, address, and contact information
• The case number, filing date, and case party’s name.

Click on “Submit” after completing the form. The agency will reply via email about the record’s availability and estimated fees for printing it.

The circuit court clerk charges $2 for the record’s first page and $0.5 for additional pages until the 20th page.

Note: Champaign County family court records contain sensitive information on minors or other concerned parties. Thus, the court clerk may redact or completely block public access to the record.

Only eligible requesters can obtain full access to confidential Champaign family court records. The record subject, their legal representatives, and close family relations can receive family court records.

Champaign Dissolution of Marriage Records

Record seekers can obtain Champaign County’s dissolution of marriage records via these general guidelines:

• Determine the record custodian for the record
• Select the available method of obtaining the record
• Fulfill the requirements for accessing the record. This may include paying the set fees.

Champaign County Marriage and Divorce Records

Champaign County’s vital records, such as marriage and divorce certificates, are under the purview of local and state entities. For instance, the Champaign County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds keeps records of all marriage events, while the circuit court clerk maintains divorce records. At the state level, the Illinois Department of Public Health verifies marriage documents and dissolves civil unions.

The county’s clerk and recorder of deeds maintains an online database of Champaign County marriage records. In addition, the agency allows mail or walk-in requests for the records. To use the mail request option, you must create a request letter that contains the following:

• The record subject’s names
• Date of the marriage event
• The requestor’s signature and written address.

Also, you must include a $16.50 money order or check for the marriage certificate. Send the required documents to:

Champaign County Clerk
1776 East Washington Street
Urbana, IL 61802.

You may also get the records in person by visiting the county clerk during business hours. On the other hand, you must fill out an online request form to obtain divorce records from the circuit court clerk. Upon receiving the request, the clerk will send a fee estimate for the record.

To get marriage verification records from the IDPH, you must provide the following documents:

• An application for Champaign County marriage verification documents
• A valid government-issued ID
• The required search fee is included in the mail request. For mail requests, include a $5 check or money order payable to the Illinois Department of Health.

Send these documents via mail, in person, or fax to this address:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 East Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737
Fax: (217) 523-2648

Note: The IDPH attends weekday in-person requests from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Champaign Birth and Death Records

Champaign County’s Clerk and Recorder of Deeds is the record custodian of birth and death certificates issued in the county. You can access these certificates via in-person or mail requests to the clerk’s office. Note that only eligible persons or entities can obtain the records. The clerk’s office will release birth records, close family relations, and eligible personnel to the record subject.

To obtain Champaign birth certificates, requesters must provide these documents:

• A request letter that contains:
  • The record subject’s birth name and date
  • A written signature
  • The parent’s name, including the mother’s maiden name
  • The requester’s address
• Payments are in the form of a money order or check. It costs $21 to get a Champaign County birth certificate with a raised seal. Additional copies are $11 each for records purchased at the same time.
• A copy of a valid government-issued identification card

Send the completed documents via mail or in person to:

The Champaign County Clerk
1776 East Washington Street
Urbana, IL 61802.

Requesters must follow the same process to get death certificates from the clerk’s office. However, they must include these details in the request letter:

• The deceased’s name and death date
• The requestor’s signature and return address

The search fee for death records is $21 for the first copy and $12 for additional copies.

In contrast, the Illinois Department of Health maintains birth and death records. You can access the records by taking these steps:

1. Fill out an application form for Champaign County birth or death scertificates
2. Include a check or money order payable to the Illinois Department of Health.
3. Send these documents via mail to:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave-2737
Springfield, IL 62702

Death certificates cost $19 and $4 for the first and additional copies, respectively. However, Champaign County-certified birth certificates containing information collected at birth cost $15. You must pay $10 for birth certificates that feature full birth information.

Note: Champaign County vital records are important in genealogy research and protect the rights of the record-bearer and concerned parties.

Champaign County Probate Court Records

In Champaign County, the circuit court hears probate court cases like wills, guardianships and conservatorships, estates, and trusts. Furthermore, the circuit court clerk is the custodian of probate cases filed at the court.

Interested parties may access probate records through the clerk’s online request form. Most importantly, requesters must select the appropriate case type when filling out the form. The court clerk will reply by email stating the document’s availability and fee.

Champaign County Property Records

Champaign County property records are under the purview of the County Assessor’s Office. The agency provides access to property information, such as parcel ID, tax, sales, liens, and Deeds. Also, it maintains a searchable portal for property records and information. Record seekers may access the record via these search options:

• Search by Parcel Number
• Search by Sales Criteria
• Search by Address Criteria
• Search Mobile Homes

Requesters can access property records through the county clerk’s office and the deed recorder. You may search the records online or visit the clerk’s office at:

Brookens Administrative Center
1776 East Washington Street
Urbana, IL 61802

Champaign County Court Records Online

Champaign County court records are available online via the county’s online search website. You may also find the court records on third-party search sites like Illinoiscourtrecords.us. These sites feature one or more types of court documents for interested parties. You don’t usually need to register or verify your identity to use the site. Also, it does not restrict out-of-state requesters from obtaining Champaign court records. That said, third-party search sites are not substitutes for official search channels. Such sites operate independently of any government agency and may not contain up-to-date court documents.