Christian County Court Records

In the course of legal proceedings, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office generates and maintains related court records in Christian County, Illinois. These records are created to provide an official account of the judicial process, which encompasses hearings, filings, and rulings for cases within the county's jurisdiction. Christian County court records may also contain legal briefs, witness testimonies, and evidence pertinent to cases.

In criminal cases, records typically comprise arrest reports, charges, convictions, and sentencing details, whereas in civil cases, they may consist of complaints, judgments, and decrees.

Per Illinois law, Christian County court records are available to the public, including litigants, legal professionals, and researchers. Their accessibility helps uphold integrity and enables parties to appeal decisions or enforce judgments.

Are Court Records Public in Christian County?

Yes, court records in Christian County are considered public records. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) grants the public the right to access government records, including court documents. However, certain records may be exempt from disclosure to protect personal privacy, maintain the integrity of legal proceedings, or comply with specific legal statutes. Records that are usually withheld from public access include:

• Records sealed or restricted from disclosure per court order
• Personal information whose disclosure may constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, including identifying or financial information
• Information that may jeopardize the safety of informants, witnesses, or crime victims
• Juvenile case information

Christian County Court Records Search

A Christian County court records search may be performed by:

• Visiting the office of the Christian County Circuit Clerk
• Utilizing the online database provided by the Circuit court clerk's office
• Using the Illinois Statewide Case Search Portal
• Using third-party aggregate sites.

Christian County Courts

Illinois' trial court system comprises circuit courts, administrative adjudication, and courts of claims. In Christian County, there is one court located at:

Christian County Circuit Court
101 S. Main Street,
Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: (217) 824-4966
Fax: (217) 824-5030

Christian County Criminal and Civil Records

Christian County criminal court records are different from criminal records which are formal accounts of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. They feature Christian county arrests, charges, offenses, and conviction details that occur within the county. These records originate from law enforcement agencies like the Christian County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. On the other hand, the Christian County Circuit Court maintains court filings and dispositions.

In Christian County, interested individuals may obtain local criminal history information by contacting the relevant law enforcement agency involved in the arrest or investigation. For broader searches, including records from other counties, requesters can turn to the Illinois State Police (ISP) Bureau of Identification. Through the ISP, interested persons can conduct statewide name-based or fingerprint-based criminal history background checks per the procedures outlined by state law and the ISP's guidelines.

Christian County Sheriff's Office
301 W Franklin St.
Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: (217) 824-4961

For municipal-level records, inquirers may query the local police department. E.g., the Taylorville Police Department at:

Taylorville Police Department
108 W Vine St.
Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: (217) 824-2211

Note that records provided by municipal police departments or the Sheriff's Office will generally only reflect information on incidents they handled.

Criminal cases in Christian County—including misdemeanors, felonies, and certain ordinance violations—are overseen by the Criminal Division of the Christian County Circuit Court. Persons interested in reviewing criminal court records or obtaining copies of case documents can submit requests to the Christian County Circuit Clerk's Office. At the same time, some counties in Illinois may offer online case lookups. Currently, Christian County primarily provides in-person access. Researchers should contact the Circuit Clerk to determine current search options or to inquire about any forthcoming online services.

Christian County Circuit Clerk
Christian County Courthouse
101 South Main Street
Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: (217) 824-4966

When making requests, inquirers will be expected to provide as much identifying information as possible relating to the case including case numbers, parties' names, and approximate filing dates.

Civil cases in Christian County—from family law matters to contract disputes, small claims, and probate—are handled by the Civil Division of the Circuit Court. The Christian County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains these court records. To access civil case records, interested parties may visit the Clerk's Office in person during regular business hours.

Christian County Marriage Records

The Christian County Clerk's Office maintains marriage records in Christian County. Illinois law generally restricts certified copies of marriage certificates to the spouses named on the record or persons with a notarized authorization from them. Requesters will be required to complete an Application for a Certified Copy of Vital Record and submit that along with a valid, government-issued photo ID and the applicable fees. Requesters are typically charged $18 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional copy. Marriage record requests may be addressed to:

Christian County Clerk
101 South Main Street
P.O. Box 647
Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: (217) 824-4969
Fax: (217) 824-5105

Christian County Divorce Records

In Christian county, records pertaining to the dissolution of marriage are under the purview of the Christian County Circuit Clerk's Office. Inquirers may obtain these records by sending a written request to the office containing details of the divorcee’s and the event.

For individuals seeking verification of a divorce rather than the full record, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Division of Vital Records issues divorce verifications that include limited information such as the parties' names, their dates of birth, the date of the divorce, and the county where it took place. This verification service can be useful for genealogical research or for confirming basic record details. The IDPH charges a nominal fee (currently $5) for divorce verifications.

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 East Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737

Christian County Birth and Death Records

The Christian County Clerk's Office also maintains the county’s birth and death records. Under Illinois law (410 ILCS 535), these vital records are confidential and accessible only to authorized requesters. Generally, birth records may be obtained by the individual named on the record (if of legal age), their parents, or an authorized agent with appropriate documentation. Similarly, death records are available to those who can establish a personal or proper interest in the record. Genealogical researchers may be granted access under certain statutory conditions once the records reach a specified age threshold.

Requests for birth or death certificates typically require a completed vital record application, a valid photo ID, and payment of applicable fees.

Inquirers may also opt to query the Illinois Department of Health for Christian county birth or death records. In this case, the requesting party will need to download and complete the Application for Illinois Birth Record or Death Record. Completed applications should be submitted with a $15 for birth certificates or $19 for death certificates plus $2 and $4 for each additional page respectively.

Christian County Probate Court Records

The Civil Division of the Christian County Circuit Court handles probate matters, including estate administration, wills, guardianships, and trusts. Unless sealed by court order, probate records are generally considered public. Interested persons can access these records by visiting the Circuit Clerk's Office and requesting the document or record of interest.

Christian County Property Records

Land and property records—such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats—are recorded and maintained by the Christian County Clerk and Recorder's Office. These records establish property ownership and are essential for verifying legal interests in real estate. Meanwhile, the Christian County Treasurer's Office maintains information on property taxes, assessments, and related financial obligations. Inquiries regarding Christian county property records may be directed to either office depending on the record being sought.

County Clerk & Recorder
101 S. Main Street
P.O. Box 647
Taylorville, IL 62568
Clerk: (217) 824-4969
Recorder: (217) 824-4960
Fax: (217) 824-5105

Christian County Treasurer
101 South Main Street
Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: (217) 824-4889

Christian County Court Records Online

While Christian County may have direct online portals provided by official record custodians, certain private, third-party websites like Illinoiscourtrecords.us aggregate and offer access to public records, including court and property documents, these platforms are not affiliated with government agencies and may charge fees for searches, subscriptions, or document retrieval.

However, it is worth noting that official sources, such as the Circuit Clerk's Office, Sheriff's Office, and County Clerk's Office, are considered ideal for obtaining accurate and up-to-date records.