Montgomery County Court Records

Court records double as archival assets and practical tools for reference, teaching, and research. They cover a wide spectrum of case information, including calendars, docket indexes, pleadings, complaints, orders, docket sheets, disposition summaries, and other pertinent details.

Montgomery County preserves these materials in multiple formats, from traditional paper files to scanned PDFs, digital case-management databases, audio recordings, and video footage. Because most records remain public, anyone seeking a specific file can begin by contacting the clerk of court. Access is limited only when state law or a judge's order seals the record.

Are Court Records Public in Montgomery County?

Yes. Not all court records are available for public viewing; in some cases, portions of a record may remain inaccessible. However, court records are typically regarded as open under 5 ILCS 160/3, classifying them as Montgomery County public records.

Records deemed confidential can be accessed only by specific individuals who, due to statutory provisions, other laws, or court orders, can view these documents.

This category of court records includes but is not limited to any documents or parts that contain sensitive personal information, those involving individuals under 18, details regarding ongoing litigations or investigations, trade secrets, and financial statements.

Montgomery County Court Records Search

Court records primarily belong to the judicial system and are handled and distributed by this branch of government. Residents looking for a Montgomery County court record can contact the court that managed the case, contact the county clerk, or explore various third-party websites that offer access to court documents.

This search can be conducted either online or offline, through mail or in person.

Montgomery County Courts

Montgomery is served by a single court that oversees all county cases, handling civil and criminal matters. This court can be found at:

Circuit Courts in Montgomery County
Montgomery County Circuit Court
120 North Main Street
Room 125
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: (217) 532-9540
Fax: (217) 532-2142

Montgomery County Criminal and Civil Records

As previously noted, court records are categorized as Montgomery County public records, covering criminal and civil documentation. Furthermore, under 20 ILCS 2635/1, Montgomery criminal records are accessible to the public. Due to these regulations, those responsible for managing Montgomery County criminal records and civil records must provide requested documents unless the records in question are classified as confidential. Requesters only need to supply identifying information about the records and pay any applicable fees.

While the court primarily maintains criminal and civil records, individuals can also obtain a criminal record from law enforcement agencies. For those seeking a Montgomery criminal record, contacting the Illinois State Police Department would be advisable. On the other hand, inquiries regarding Montgomery County arrest records should be directed to the Montgomery Police Department.

All requests are to be submitted in writing to records@ci.montgomery.il.us, or individuals can complete and submit the FOIA Request Form.

Montgomery arrest records are included in the RAP sheet, which forms part of a criminal record; however, it is important to note that not all arrests result in convictions.

Accessing criminal or civil records through the court or clerk's office typically follows a similar procedure. Inquirers can either review case records using the case management system available on the court's website or fill out and submit a FOIA request form. Civil records pertain to all non-criminal matters, including disputes between parties and breaches of contract.

Montgomery County Marriage Records

Access to Montgomery County vital records is governed by 410 ILCS 535/24. According to this statute, Montgomery County marriage certificates and records remain confidential for 75 years from the date of their creation. This means that only the individuals named on the record, their authorized legal representatives, and those with a court order are permitted to access a marriage certificate or the complete record.

Individuals can obtain Montgomery County marriage records at the county clerk's office. To request these records, the inquirer must provide the bride's maiden name, the groom's name, the date of marriage, their name, driver's license number, signature, and the required fees.

Requests should be mailed to:

Montgomery County Clerk
P.O. Box 595
Hillsboro, IL 62049-0595

Residents can also visit the clerk's office to make inquiries.

Public marriage records from Montgomery County that are available can be found in the Archives, but only those that are at least 75 years old.

While marriage records are generally not maintained by the Illinois Department of Health, the department can verify marriage details. This includes confirming the names of the individuals who were married in the state, the date of the marriage, and the county where the ceremony occurred.

Montgomery County Divorce Records

Births occurring in Montgomery are routinely documented, and these records are maintained as Montgomery County birth records. Such documents serve as verification of a child's birth and as proof of age.

Montgomery County birth certificates are vital records, as outlined in 410 ILCS 535/24. They are accessible to the public only after a century has passed since the event. Prior to this time, they remain confidential.

In contrast to marriage and divorce certificates, Montgomery County birth certificates and records can be obtained through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Access is restricted to individuals who are at least 18 years old, their parents, or authorized legal representatives, all of whom must provide proof of their relationship to the record.

Requests can be made via mail by sending a completed Application for Illinois Birth Record to:

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

The application must include the following details:

• Child's name
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Place of birth
• Mother or co-parent's maiden name, place of birth, and age
• Father or co-parent's name, place of birth, and age
• Date filed
• Date issued
• State file number

The fee is $10 if all the requested information is provided; otherwise, it is $15.

In addition to traditional methods, Montgomery County birth certificates can also be procured online through an authorized third-party vendor. More information about this process can be found on the IDPH website.

Montgomery County Death Records

A Montgomery death record is necessary for beneficiaries seeking to claim any inheritance or benefits following the principal's death, such as life insurance payouts. However, these records are confidential and can only be accessed by individuals who have a direct connection to the deceased. After a period of 50 years, they transition into public records and become available to anyone.

Montgomery death certificates, as death records, can be obtained from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Individuals can request either a certified copy, which is primarily intended for formal use, or an uncertified copy, suitable for genealogical purposes. The cost for a certified death record is $19 for the first copy and $14 for additional copies, while an uncertified copy is priced at $10 for the first and $2 for any subsequent copies.

To make a request, the applicant must complete and submit the Application for Illinois Death Record, along with a government-issued photo ID and the appropriate fee.

The process for obtaining death certificates and records is similar to that of acquiring birth records. The processing timeframe for requests is approximately 12 weeks, just like with Montgomery birth certificates.

Montgomery County Probate Court Records

Montgomery probate records typically encompass wills, settlements, inventories, and documents related to conservatorship and guardianship. Residents seeking these case files can access them in the same manner as other court records. Access can be gained through the court's case management system, by requesting them as public records from the county clerk, or by visiting the courthouse for inquiries.

To obtain these records, one must provide either the name of a party involved in the case or the specific case number. Generally, the public is permitted to access only open probate records; confidential records are restricted to those holding a court order or parties directly involved in the case.

Montgomery County Property Records

Montgomery County property records contain essential information such as ownership details and the history of ownership, property location, maps and plats, physical descriptions, market valuation, and tax history.

It is advisable to conduct a property inquiry when considering the purchase of a building or parcel of land. Members of the public can request documents from the clerk's office, where all public record requests, including those for property records, are managed by the Deputy Clerk in Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Court Records Online

Private aggregate websites can be a practical alternative for individuals looking to access court records online. For instance, requesters can obtain court records remotely through platforms such as Illinoiscourtrecords.us. This option offers convenience, eliminating the need to travel to a courthouse for case records. However, there are potential drawbacks to consider. One significant concern is that users must verify the accuracy of the information obtained from third-party sites, as it may differ, sometimes significantly, from the data available on official government websites.