Madison County Court Records

Madison County court records, produced by a designated and trained court clerk, provide a comprehensive record of case proceedings. These records are preserved in various formats, including tapes, maps, photographs, electronic data, writings, memorandums, and microfilms. The chief objective of creating and upholding Illinois court records is to promote judicial transparency, empower citizens to make informed social and political choices, advance freedom of speech and expression, safeguard personal privacy, and enhance judicial accountability and efficiency.

Publicly available information on a Madison County court record typically includes case details (case number, title, parties involved, judge, status, courtroom, address, participant type), docket sheet, and judgment. The Clerk of the Court Office serves as the official custodian of Madison court records.

Are Court Records Public in Madison County?

Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and the 705 ILCS, 105 Clerks of Courts Act, those interested in accessing a Madison court record are entitled to unrestricted access to Madison County court records unless restricted by a court order or exempted by statute.

Examples of court records exempted by law comprise private details within public records, information prohibited by state law from public disclosure, records related to ongoing investigations, records impacting the security of detention/correctional facilities, and records concerning commercial or financial transactions of litigants.

Madison County Court Records Search

Researchers can access Madison County court records through online channels, in person, by mail, or by fax. The entities offering these records include:

• The court that presided over the case: individuals seeking information can utilize the case management system available on the clerk’s website to find a specific case, or they can complete and mail a request form to the clerk’s office, or send it via fax to (618) 655-2017 or (618) 692-0676
• Third-party websites

Madison County Court Records Search by Name

Madison County court records can be accessed by searching for a participant's name or using a case number. A name-based search can be conducted online, through mail, fax, or in person.

While an online search offers ease, speed, and convenience, researchers also have the option to submit a request via mail, fax, or visit the courthouse during business hours at:

Madison County Circuit Clerk
Lower level Courthouse
155 North Main Street, Suit 11
Edwardsville, IL 62025

To request a search, the requester should fill out the provided online form, print it, and send it by mail to the clerk's office. Providing the case party's name is sufficient for obtaining a search result, but additional details can facilitate faster retrieval. Requesters will be notified of the cost of obtaining a copy of court records by mail, and payment must be made before the search request is processed. Typically, the processing time is five business days to either decline or provide the request of a researcher.

Madison County Courts

Illinois operates with a three-tiered judicial system, comprising the Trial or Circuit court, the Appellate Court, and the Supreme Court. The Illinois 3rd Circuit Court encompasses the Circuit Court, Administrative Adjudication, and the Court of Claims. The following are the court locations in Madison County.

Madison County Circuit Court
Madison county Courthouse
155 North Main Street
Edwardsville, Illinois 62025
Phone: (618) 692-6240

Madison County Circuit Court - Alton
Alton Law Enforcement Centre
1700 East Broadway
Alton, Illinois 62002
Phone: (618) 692-6240

Paperwork for some kinds of court hearings for issues and fines is prepared at the Alto Circuit Court location.

Madison County Circuit Court- Collinsville
Collinsville city hall
125 South Center Street
Collinsville, Illinois 62234
Phone: (618) 692-6240

This court is known to deal with record searches and fine payments.

Madison County Circuit Court - criminal division
Madison County Criminal Justice Centre
509 Ramey Street
Edwardsville, Illinois 62025
Phone: (618) 692-8932

Madison County Circuit Court - Granite City
Granite city hall
2000 edison avenue
Granite City, Illinois 62040
Phone: (618) 692-6240

Hearings and paperwork activities are carried out in this court location

Madison County Administrative Adjudication Courthouse

City of Madison Municipal Court
615 Madison Avenue
Madison, Illinois 62060
Phone: (618) 876-6268

Edwardville Municipal Court
Edwardville city hall
118 Hillsboro Avenue
Edwardsville, Illinois 62025
Phone: (618) 656-2131

Granite City Municipal Court
Granite city hall
2000 edison avenue
Granite City, Illinois 62040
Phone: (618) 452-6200

Madison County Superior Court Case Search

Madison County is home to both Circuit and Municipal Courts. The Circuit Court, akin to a superior court, handles criminal and civil cases within the county, preserving records from each proceeding that are not expunged, sealed, or confidential for public access.

To access these records, individuals can utilize the online case search tool, send a request by mail, or visit the courthouse in person. Researchers must complete and download the necessary request forms for case records, with the completed form for mail submission addressed to the Madison County Circuit Clerk. Required details include the case number or the names of the involved parties.

Madison County District Court Records

Madison County follows a judicial structure consisting of the Trial court and the Appellate court, with no District courts. As a result, the Municipal court handles all civil and misdemeanor cases, including disorderly conduct complaints (such as excessive noise, barking dogs, and leash law violations), property maintenance complaints (related to sanitation and building code violations), derelict vehicles, assault, littering, shoplifting, tobacco and liquor violations, nuisances, and possession of narcotics and paraphernalia.

Access to records of these cases is typically available online using the case search tool, through mail requests, or in person at the courthouse where the case was heard.

Madison County Criminal Records

Following a conviction, a criminal record is established, comprising Madison arrest records and court judgments. In accordance with the 20 ILCS 2635/ Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act, criminal records are deemed public records.

In Illinois, the Bureau of Identification serves as the central repository for criminal records. Residents seeking to conduct criminal history searches can approach the bureau for information. They have the option to conduct either a fingerprint-based search (for the record subject) or a name-based search. A comprehensive guide with step-by-step instructions on requesting records is available online for applicants to review. All queries must be submitted using the provided form from the guide, requiring individual and record bearer details. An outlined fee schedule is also accessible for reference.

Furthermore, individuals can conduct a criminal record search by contacting the Madison County Sheriff’s Office online, via phone, or in person. For those interested in obtaining a complete criminal report rather than just a Madison County arrest record, an in-person visit is recommended. While inspections are complimentary, requesting a copy entails a fee, which can be settled using a credit card or check. Essential details like the plaintiff or defendant's name or case number should be provided during the search process.

Madison County Criminal Court Case Lookup

For those seeking a Madison County criminal court case lookup, the most reliable sources are the courthouse where the case was adjudicated or the Office of the Clerk. This can be accomplished through online access using the provided case search tool, by mail, or in person, as previously mentioned. Inquirers should note that only cases resulting in convictions are accessible for viewing.

Get Madison County Civil Court Records

The Civil court division retains and provides access to case records. Cases overseen cover small claims, forcible entry and detainer, arbitration, law division, asbestos dockets, and the probate division.

Typically, individuals can access Madison civil court records through the database managed by the clerk of court or by reaching out to the specific courthouse where the case was handled. Just like obtaining records for any court case, the requester must furnish relevant details pertaining to the specific record.

Madison County Family Court Records

A family court record falls under the category of civil case records and falls under the jurisdiction of the circuit court. The family court division handles a broad range of matters including juvenile delinquency, cases related to neglect and abuse, divorce proceedings, custody disputes, child support matters, visitation arrangements, emancipation hearings, and orders of protection. The court meticulously maintains these records.

Individuals seeking access to specific records from these cases can contact the court for assistance in obtaining Madison's dissolution of marriage or divorce records, which serve as official documentation indicating the legal termination of a marital relationship. These records are classified as public information, thereby accessible to individuals seeking to obtain them. Typically, the court responsible for overseeing the case retains and administers records related to the dissolution of marriage or divorce. he necessary family court records. One can also look up a record through the case search system if available. While court records are typically considered public, certain provisions and laws surrounding family court cases may restrict access to some case files or certain portions of them to individuals who are not directly involved in the case or do not have the proper authorization through a court order or legal provision.

Madison Dissolution of Marriage Records

Madison dissolution of marriage or divorce records are records that prove the claim that a marital union has been legally dissolved. These records are considered matters of the public and hence made available to individuals who want to obtain a record. Customarily, records of the dissolution of marriage or divorce are kept and managed by the court which heard the matter.

Madison County Marriage and Divorce Records

Madison County marriage certificate and Madison County divorce certificates are typically obtained from the circuit court clerk in the county where the event occurred. However, individuals seeking records for marriages and divorces in Madison County can also verify this information through the Division of Vital Records at the Illinois Department of Health. These records are available from 1962 to the most recent index date. Details in these records include the names of the individuals involved, dates of birth, event dates, and event location. The cost for this service is $5, payable by check or money order made out to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

To obtain a Madison County divorce record, members of the public can apply by mail, fax, or in person. The applicant must provide a completed application for the verification of the dissolution of marriage and a valid government-issued ID. These documents can be sent to the Office of Vital Records at the following address:

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

For requests sent by mail, the processing time is typically 4 to 6 weeks. Alternatively, orders can be faxed to (217) 523-2648. In this case, the applicant should provide the necessary details, credit card information (including fees, handling charges, and UPS charges), return address, and a valid ID.

• For Madison County marriage records, a similar process applies, with the applicant submitting the application for the verification of a marriage record in place of the divorce record application.

Madison Birth and Death Records

Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535/), Madison County birth and death records are not considered public records. Access to these records is limited to the following individuals:

• The record bearer, who must be 18 years of age or older
• The parent(s) of the subject as shown on the record
• The legal guardian or representative of the child (with documented evidence of guardianship or legal representation)

Orders for these records can be submitted via fax, mail, or online.

For mail orders, the fee schedule is as follows:

• $10 for a certified copy, providing details such as the name of the subject, date of birth, sex, place of birth, mother's maiden name and date of birth, mother’s age, father's name and place of birth, father’s age, file date, date issued, and State File number
• $15 for a certified copy with information collected at the time of birth
• $2 for any additional copy
• $10 for a genealogical copy

Online orders should be made through an approved private vendor authorized to provide Madison County birth and death certificates. The fee schedule for online orders is as follows:

• $15 for a certified copy with all information collected at the time of birth
• $2 for any additional copy
• $15 for a handling fee and $22 for a UPS fee if selected (U.S. only); additional fee for orders outside the U.S

For ordering death records via mail, the fee schedule is as follows:

• $19 for a certified copy
• $4 for any additional copy
• $10 for a genealogical copy
• $2 for any additional copy
• $10 for a research copy

For online orders through an approved vendor:

• $19 for a certified copy
• $4 for any additional copy
• $15 for a handling fee
• $22 for a UPS fee if selected (U.S. only); additional fee for orders outside the U.S.

Those who qualify to apply for a birth or death record can send an email or fax to the Department of Public Health or contact the approved private vendor online-,Online,-To%20order%20online).

The primary reason a Madison County resident may need to obtain a birth or death certificate is for legal purposes, such as providing a death certificate for legal inheritance claims.

Madison County Probate Court Records

While Madison County does not have a dedicated Probate court, probate cases are typically managed by the courthouse with the appropriate jurisdiction for such matters. These cases mainly revolve around family-related issues like guardianship of minors and management of small estates. The most reliable source for obtaining these records would be the specific courthouse responsible for overseeing the case. Interested parties can reach out by sending an inquiry through mail or visiting in person to discuss the case file with the clerk.

To initiate this process, the individual would only be required to provide either the name of a party involved in the case or the assigned case number.

Madison County Property Records

The Office of the Recorder in Madison County serves as the official caretaker of property records within the area. Property records are considered part of Madison County public records. Residents looking to find a Madison property record have two main avenues for conducting their search. They can either opt for a direct search method or utilize the software tools made available by the recorder. Typically, property documents contain information such as the owner's name, document number, property type, location, size, assessment value, market value, and taxation details.

A direct search involves using an online search tool provided by the office, allowing interested individuals to locate specific property documents. The public can choose between performing a basic search or an advanced search. The basic search parameters typically require information like the document number, the first and last name of the property owner or business, the start date, and the end date.

In addition to the direct search option, the Recorder of Madison also offers access to a software tool named Laredo, which enables residents to retrieve Real Estate Records online. To use this tool, users are required to sign the Laredo Access Agreement. Monthly fees apply, with charges based on hourly usage and printing. Casual users have the option to pay per use. The Larado agreement document and connection instructions can be perused by users who would like to opt for this tool.

Another software tool provided by the Office of the Recorder is Monarch, which is designed for users who need bulk property record copies.

Direct communication with the recorder's office is recommended for those seeking clarification on how to access public property records.

Madison County Court Records Online

Madison County court records can be accessed online through third-party websites like IIlinoiscourtrecords.us, in addition to government-owned platforms, offering residents the opportunity to obtain court records.

When considering utilizing a private website for record retrieval, there are both advantages and disadvantages to be mindful of. On one hand, third-party sites provide a broader search scope, drawing information from multiple sources. However, this comprehensive approach may increase the likelihood of errors within the report. These platforms are user-friendly, and some even offer free access to data. Conversely, more detailed information is often available for a fee. Requesters can choose from a variety of websites, each offering different scopes of information based on their specific informational needs.