Perry County Court Records

Court records in Perry County are documents filed with the Circuit Court Clerk in connection with a court case. These proceedings encompass cases across several areas, including criminal, civil, probate, and family cases in the county.

A typical court record includes the names of the parties involved, a unique case number, the specific charges or claims, court orders, final judgments, docket entries, and, in criminal cases, associated Perry County arrest records.

Are Court Records Public in Perry County?

Yes. Court records are generally public in Perry County in accordance with the Illinois common law presumption of access and Supreme Court rules, such as the Electronic Access Policy. However, certain information or records are restricted from public view by law. For example, sensitive personal identifiers, such as Social Security digits, driver's license numbers, and financial account details, must be redacted. Other categories of court records that are generally not accessible to the public include

• Juvenile court records (705 ILCS 405)
• Adoption records (750 ILCS 50/18)
• Mental health commitment records (740 ILCS 110)

Perry County Court Records Search

The primary channels for obtaining court records in Perry County are the Perry County Circuit Clerk and online platforms. The Perry County Circuit Clerk maintains all criminal, traffic, and civil records, which are generally available for public access in person.

Perry County Courts

Perry County is part of the Illinois 24th Judicial Circuit, which is the primary trial court in the county. Below is the address of the Perry County courthouse.

1 Public Square
Pinckneyville, IL, 62274
Phone: (618) 357-6726
Fax: (618) 357-8336

Perry County Criminal and Civil Records

The Perry County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all criminal and civil case records in the county, and is responsible for facilitating public access to these files, including Perry County arrest records filed during criminal cases.

Individuals can visit the Circuit Clerk's Office at the courthouse to obtain a criminal or civil court record. Requesters are required to provide a name, a case number, or the date the record was filed for a search to be conducted. Case numbers are unique identifiers, and when provided, usually expedite the search process. Requests may also incur a fee.

As an alternative, individuals can use the county's online Court Record Search Platform to look up records. Note that confidential records will not be displayed online as per the Electronic Access Policy.

Perry County Marriage Records

Perry County marriage records are certified copies of marriage licenses maintained by the County Clerk following a marriage ceremony. The fee to acquire a marriage license is $50. However, the license is returned and indexed, individuals can get a certified copy of the license for $18. If multiple copies are ordered in a single request, the $18 fee applies only to the first copy. Subsequent copies cost $6 each.

Requests for a marriage record can be made in the following ways:

• Online through the Illinois E-pay Portal
• In person at the County Clerk's office
• By mail with a written request

For mail requests, written applications should be sent to the following address:

Perry County Government Building
3764 State Routes 13-127
Room 204
Pinckneyville, IL 62274

Perry County Divorce Records

Divorce records are generally public in Perry County, although specific details are typically restricted from public view. To obtain a record, individuals may visit the Perry County Circuit Clerk's Office and request a search of the court's case files. A search can be conducted using the names of both parties, the case number, or the year the divorce was finalized. There is a fee for obtaining a copy of a divorce record. Requesters should note that only divorces finalized in Perry County are managed by the Circuit Clerk.

Perry County Birth Records

Perry County birth records document live births that happen in the county. Pursuant to 410 ILCS 535/25, birth records in Illinois are only accessible to the registrant (if an adult), their parents or legal guardian, a person with a court order, or a state or federal government department. However, birth records older than 70 years are publicly available as genealogical records.

The Perry County Clerk is responsible for maintaining and issuing birth certificates. Eligible persons may put their request in writing and submit it in person at the County Clerk's Office or by mail. Requests submitted by mail must include a copy of the requester's valid identification and payment. Alternatively, individuals may make a request online using the Illinois E-pay Portal. Birth certificates cost $18 for the first copy and $6 for each extra copy requested at the same time. Convenience fees may apply to online orders.

Genealogical copies can also be requested in the same manner and cost $5. However, they are uncertified copies.

Perry County Death Records

Death records in Perry County are not public for 50 years after the date of creation. During this period, only individuals having a genealogical, personal, or property right, individuals with a court order, and state and federal departments may access the record.

Death certificates are also filed with the Perry County Clerk's Office, and the request process mirrors that for birth records. Death certificates, however, cost $24 for the first copy and $10 for each extra copy requested at the same time. Genealogical copies of death records cost $5 per copy.

Perry County Probate Court Records

Probate court records contain information about court proceedings on wills, estate administration, conservatorships, and guardianships. Perry County probate records, like other court records, are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Interested persons may visit the Clerk with the necessary search details to obtain a probate record. Individuals may also utilize the Court Record Search Portal to access Perry County probate court records.

Perry County Property Records

The Perry County Recorder's Office is charged with the duty of recording and preserving all documents related to real estate in the county. Property records are public in accordance with Illinois's Freedom of Information Law (5 ILCS 140/) and can be accessed in person at the Recorder's Office.

Inquirers also have the option of Remote Access to land records through public terminals at the recorder's office. The terminals contain indexing information from 1984 to the present and document images from 1994 to the present. Individuals who prefer not to use the terminals can instead access online portals.

Perry County Court Records Online

Individuals who do not want to physically visit the Perry County court to inspect a court record may use third-party websites like Illinoiscourtrecords.us. These services aggregate public records on behalf of the public and provide an online database where members of the public can easily access records. Users can typically search such websites using a party's name or case number. While third-party court records offer convenience, records are not officially verified and may contain some errors.