Jackson County Court Records

Jackson County Court records are official documents and files on every piece of information that the court maintains in connection with a case. These records are usually generated and kept by authorized law enforcement agencies in the county, including the court clerk. The type of information in each court case file includes summonses, affidavits of witnesses, subpoenas, bonds, receipts, depositions, declarations, decrees, jury lists, witness lists, indictments, warrants, writs of habeas corpus, verdicts, dismissals, and transcripts.

All Jackson court records ensure the fairness, transparency, and protection of the rights of all parties involved in the county legal system. Citizens of the county can also review court records to ensure that each court case complies with legal standards and that no party is given an unfair ruling. In addition, the ability to present a comprehensive and well-documented court record can very well impact the outcome of a courtroom setting, improving the standards of record services in the county.

Are Court Records Public in Jackson County?

Yes. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act ensures the public can view and inspect court records on file (5 ILCS 140/1 Ch.116). Public records generally include all documents and materials created, owned, or possessed by a government agency during any public business in the county.

All Jackson court records may be made open to members of the public and available for inspection unless exempt from public disclosure by court order or any other law in the state. Some of these court records may be sealed or kept confidential from public view for privacy and safety purposes, and they include the following:

• Private information about parties involved, including victims and witnesses.
• Information that, if disclosed, may pose a risk to anyone's life or physical safety.
• Financial information or business trade secrets that are confidential and would cause competitive harm to the person or business.
• Information created during administrative or law proceedings and in the possession of law enforcement agencies.
• Criminal investigative information
• Information that may constitute patented or copyrighted material
• Juvenile and mental health files.

Jackson County Court Records Search

There are various ways for individuals to search for Jackson County court records, and they include the sources below:

• Jackson County Circuit Court Clerk
• The Jackson County courthouse
• The Jackson County State's Attorney's online case information tool
• Illinois State Police (ISP)
• Third-party websites for court record search

Jackson County Courts

The Illinois trial court system consists of Circuit Courts, Administrative Adjudication, and Court of Claims. However, the Jackson County court system consists of the circuit court only. Below is the court address and contact information in Jackson County jurisdiction:

Jackson County Circuit Court
Jackson County Courthouse
1001 Walnut Street, P.O. Box 730
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: (618) 687-7300
Fax: (618) 684-6378

Jackson County Criminal Records

According to the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635), Jackson County criminal records are public information and available to state citizens. Individuals can request and obtain copies of conviction information from the Illinois State Police in person or online.

Illinois State Police
Bureau of Identification
P.O. Box 88727
Chicago, IL 60680-1727
Email: isp.contact@illinois.gov

The ISP Department in Illinois offers an online Criminal History Information Response (CHIRP) web portal that allows individuals to conduct a name-based background check for records. Interested persons can also request Jackson County criminal records by completing uniform conviction information forms. A non-fingerprint or name-based search with the ISP6-405B form will require the requester's full name and address at $16. The ISP also allows a fingerprint-based search using the ISP6-404B form for $20. All fingerprints can be sent to the ISP electronically through a licensed live-scan fingerprint vendor. However, requestors may pay additional fees for electronic/live scan services.

Jackson County Arrest records are also criminal records and are made available to members of the public. To obtain arrest records or annual jail reports, the requester may visit the Jackson County Sheriff's Office or contact the Department of Corrections online. Each office provides an online tool that allows interested persons to access annual audits on detention and jail activities in the county.

Jackson County Sheriff's Office
1001 Mulberry Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: (618) 684-2177
Phone: (618) 684-2773

Get Jackson County Civil Court Records

All Civil Court records in Jackson County are generated during civil court proceedings in the county's jurisdiction and are maintained by the County Court Clerk. These records include documents on civil disputes, suits, claims, court transcripts, motions, appeals, and dockets. Individuals can obtain Jackson County civil records through the office of the Jackson County Circuit Court Clerk in person:

Jackson County Clerk's Office
1001 Walnut Street
P.O. Drawer 730
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: (618) 687-7300
Fax: (618) 684-6378

The Jackson County Circuit Court also provides online access to civil court case information through the 'Case Info' tab on the official website of the Country Circuit Clerk. Individuals can search for a case using case number (without spaces, dashes, or other punctuation), name, or charge text. The result will provide information on the parties' names, addresses, phone numbers, case histories, payments, and court dispositions.

Alternatively, individuals can submit a written request to the Jackson County State's Attorney's Office to view or obtain civil court records. However, certain records are exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. (5 ILCS 140/1 et. seq.) The requester will need to provide information such as name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address. Submit all requests to:

Jackson County State's Attorney's Office
Jackson County Courthouse
Public Information Officer
3rd Floor, West Walnut Street
Murphysboro, Illinois 62966.

Jackson County Marriage Records

Jackson County's vital records include births, deaths, fetal deaths, marriages, and dissolution of marriages (410 ILCS 535/1). Under Illinois State Law for Vital Records, only specific individuals in the county have legal access to these records. In other words, only married partners can access Jackson County Marriage records.

The Jackson County Clerk and Recorder's Office provides access to copies of Jackson County Marriage certificates if the certificate was originally obtained in the county and the marriage service was performed there. Both partners in the marriage need to appear in person at the County Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. A photo I.D., such as a driver's license or state I.D., and a social security number are required from both parties. Additionally, this service requires a $10 fee payable in advance at the Circuit Clerk's office.

Individuals may access certified and genealogy Jackson County marriage certificates online through the official website. The first certified copy will cost $16, while each additional copy of the same birth certificate will cost $7 at the same request. All checks or money orders should be made payable to Jackson County Clerk and Recorder:

Mailing Address:
Frank L. Byrd
Jackson County Clerk and Recorder
1001 Walnut
Murphysboro, IL 62966-2194.

Alternatively, the Division of Vital Records, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), can verify marriages that have occurred from 1962 till the current date in the county. All marriage verifications cost $5 and can be obtained in person, by mail, or by fax. Eligible applicants must submit the following to obtain a marriage verification:

• Application for Verification of Marriage/Civil Union Record Files
• Valid government-issued photo identification (I.D.) that is readable, not expired or outdated.

Jackson County Divorce Records

The Jackson County Circuit Clerk also maintains Jackson County divorce records or marriage of dissolution. Individuals who want to obtain these records may visit the court in person at:

Jackson County Clerk's Office
1001 Walnut Street
P.O. Drawer 730
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: (618) 687-7300
Fax: (618) 684-6378

Interested persons can also submit a written request upon visitation to the office. The request must include information such as the divorced party's name, divorce date, location, and court judgment.

Verification of marriage dissolutions from 1962 till date is also available at the IDPH through the Division of Vital Records. The requester must download and complete the application to verify the dissolution of marriage form and obtain a verified copy. This submission must include a valid government-issued photo I.D. and the cost/fee to make copies. All mail requests should be sent to:

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

Jackson County Birth and Death Records

A birth certificate is a legal proof of identity required for important transactions like passport applications, bank account registration, and institution enrollment. Without a birth certificate, children cannot get routine vaccines and other healthcare services and may be open to violence and abuse. On the other hand, death certificates serve as proof for legal purposes such as access to pension benefits, life insurance claims, and estate settlements. Law officials may need a death certificate to review the cause of death during investigations. Birth and death records are public records in Illinois.

Jackson County birth and death records or certificates are available only to eligible members of the public. Interested individuals may obtain certified copies of their own or children's birth certificates in person at the County Clerk and Recorder's office.

Jackson County Clerk and Recorder
1001 Walnut Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: (618) 687-7360
Fax: (618) 687-7359

Office Hours:

Monday through Friday

8 am to 4 pm

To be eligible, the individual whose birth certificate is required will have to be a citizen of Jackson County. According to the law, the office may not release a copy of a minor child's birth certificate to a grandparent or step-parent without written permission from a parent whose name is on the birth certificate and a copy of their ID (750 ILCS 50/0.01). A minor child may not obtain a copy of their birth certificate until the age of 18.

Applicants can provide identification (a driver's license or a passport), which includes their personal photograph. Individuals may also submit an application for the certificate by mail clearly stating the full name of the person on the certificate, the mother's name, the father's name, and the relationship to the person. The applicant should also include a photocopy of their State driver's license or identification card and a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Individuals may access certified and genealogy Jackson County birth certificates online through the official website. The first certified copy costs $16 and $7 for each additional copy of the same birth certificate at the same request.

Any individual with a genealogical or property rights interest may request a certified copy of the death certificate for any person. The cost is $22 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy.

Alternatively, the IDPH, through the Division of Vital Records, issues copies of Jackson County birth certificates for legal purposes. On the other hand, death records are not public records and are only available to everyone but to those with a personal or property right interest in the decedent's estate. However, the IDPH offers 2 types of copies of death certificates for legal and genealogical purposes.

Individuals can obtain a birth certificate by completing and submitting an Application for Search of Birth Record Files form with a valid government-issued I.D. It must include a $10 fee for the first copy of a birth certificate and $2 for each additional copy of the same certificate. To request a copy of a death certificate, the individual must complete and submit the Application for Search of Death Record Files form alongside a valid government-issued I.D.

All birth and death records requests must be sent to the IDPH Division of Vital Records through mail.

Jackson County Probate Court Records

Probate duties include issuing letters of administration for estates, distributing the estates of individuals who died intestate, recording all wills and letters, ruling on contested wills, receiving bonds from administrators, and paying witnesses. Other duties include ordering a final distribution of an estate, ordering the sale of property from an estate for payment of debts, making a pro rata distribution of assets to creditors, appointing guardians for children under the age of fourteen, approving guardians selected by children age fourteen and over, and receiving bonds from those guardians.

The Illinois General Assembly granted probate jurisdiction to the Clerk of the county court in 1819. This means that the Jackson County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over probate matters in the county. To obtain copies of probate court case records in Jackson County, visit the Clerk's office in person, online, or via the phone.

Jackson County Clerk's Office
1001 Walnut Street
P.O. Drawer 730
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: (618) 687-7300
Fax: (618) 684-6378

Jackson County Property Records

Property records in Illinois are legal documents related to a specific piece of real property within the state or county. Some of the information on Illinois property records includes deeds, the current owner's name and address, liens, tax records, ownership history, mortgage records, foreclosures, plat maps, and surveys.

Jackson County Clerk and Recorder's Office does not allow property record searches in the county. However, visit the courthouse to conduct a property record search in person. Requesters may provide the document number or book and page number of the document desired and may request delivery by mail. To request copies of property records, include the necessary document information and a fee of $1 per page paid in advance.

Jackson County Clerk and Recorder
1001 Walnut Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: (618) 687-7360
Fax: (618) 687-7359

Alternatively, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office provides individuals with access to taxes and property information online. Requesters can find details on Property Tax Lookup on the official website.

Jackson County Court Records Online

Various third-party websites allow individuals to access court records from the county's official website of record custodians. An example of such a third-party online resource is the Illnoiscourtrecords.us. It provides easy access to all Jackson County court records from anywhere, saving time and effort for individuals who cannot visit the court in person. Another advantage to using a third-party site is access to user-friendly interfaces that will make searches for individuals or specific court cases quick. These websites are independently owned and can collect information from various official government agency websites. For this reason, the accuracy and reliability of data on these platforms cannot be guaranteed.