Saline County Court Records

Saline court records are official documents that detail legal proceedings held within the county's court system. The safekeeping of court records is essential as they can be used for research purposes and as evidence in ongoing or future legal matters. Typically, Saline County court records, like other Illinois court records, include the parties' names, case information, hearing dates, motions, and judgments. The exact content of a court record depends on the type of case being handled.

Are Court Records Public in Saline County?

Yes, court records are generally considered part of the Saline County public records. According to the Court Records and Document Access Act (705 ILCS 86/), these records are available to any member of the public, except when deemed confidential, impounded, sealed, or expunged. Any record that falls into such sensitive categories is inaccessible to the public. Examples of restricted court records include

• Juvenile court records (705 ILCS 405/)
• Adoption records (750 ILCS 50/)
• Mental health and medical records (740 ILCS 110/)
• Addresses of certain victims (750 ILCS 61/)

Saline County Court Records Search

Persons interested in gaining access to a Saline County court record can do any of the following:

• Make a request in person at the court, or
• Perform an online search on third-party websites.

Saline County Courts

Saline County falls within the First Judicial Circuit of Illinois and is served by a single Circuit Court, which holds jurisdiction over all legal matters in the county. Appeals from this court are generally directed to the Fifth District Appellate Court. The address of the Circuit Court is as follows:

Saline County Circuit Court
Saline County Courthouse
10 East Poplar Street
Harrisburg, IL 62946
Phone: (618) 253-5096

Saline County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal records in Saline County are public documents that outline an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records often begin with the Saline County arrest records, which document encounters with law enforcement and serve as the foundation of a person's criminal history. Local agencies maintain arrest records, which are available for public inspection upon request.

Beyond arrests, Saline County criminal records may include charges, convictions, dispositions, and related court proceedings, which are accessible through the Circuit Court. In contrast, civil records relate to non-criminal matters, such as small claims, personal injury cases, and family law disputes.

Individuals may visit the Saline County courthouse in person to access criminal or civil court records. Requesters will need to provide a party name or case number to locate files or information, and copies are available for a fee.

Saline County Marriage Records

Marriage records are part of the Saline County vital records and serve as official documentation of the legal union between two individuals. The County Clerk's Office, located within the courthouse, maintains Saline County marriage records. Those needing official proof of marriage can request a Saline County marriage certificate for a fee by visiting the office in person or calling (618) 253-8197.

Individuals who simply need to confirm that a marriage exists (without requiring a certified copy) may obtain a marriage verification from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Marriage verifications cost $5.

Saline County Divorce Records

Illinois is a no-fault state, meaning the only required ground for a divorce to occur is that there are irreconcilable differences. To file for a divorce case in Saline County, at least one of the spouses must have been an Illinois resident for at least 90 days before filing.

The Circuit Court is responsible for divorce cases in Saline County. Researchers may visit the court to inspect these records or obtain a copy for a fee. However, some divorce records may be sealed if the court finds good cause (e.g., the protection of children).

Saline County Birth Records

Saline County birth records document the birth of individuals in the county. Under the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), birth records are confidential and accessible only to the following persons:

• The individual named on the record
• Parents or legal guardians
• Next of kin
• Authorized legal representatives

However, after 100 years, the record becomes available for genealogical research. Eligible individuals may visit the County Clerk's Office to obtain a Saline County birth Certificate. To order by mail, the Application for Illinois Birth Record form should be filled out and mailed to the IDPH. The request should include a valid ID and payment (check or money order payable to the IDPH). The IDPH mailing address is

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

Short-form birth certificates cost $10, while long-form certificates cost $15. Additional certificates requested at the same time cost $2 each.

Saline County Death Records

Death records in Saline County are not public for 50 years after creation under the Illinois Vital Records Act. Access is limited to immediate family members, persons with a personal or property right interest in the record, and authorized legal representatives.

Saline County residents can obtain a death record from the County Clerk's Office or mail the Application for Illinois Death Record to the IDPH. A death certificate costs $19 for the first document and $4 for each additional copy requested at the same time.

Saline County Probate Court Records

Saline County probate records pertain to legal matters regarding the affairs of deceased or incapacitated individuals. Examples of probate cases handled by the local Circuit Court include estate administration, will contests, and trust administration.

Probate records are generally public unless restricted by the court. To obtain a probate record, researchers may visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. A fee may be charged for the reproduction of the record.

Saline County Property Records

Property records offer detailed information about real estate located in Saline County. These records are maintained by two primary custodians, depending on the type of information being sought:

• The Saline County Assessor's Office (located at the county courthouse) handles records related to property assessments, valuations, and tax information.
• The Saline County Clerk's Office, which also serves as the Recorder, maintains documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and land transfers.

Individuals seeking property records can visit the appropriate office with relevant details, such as the property owner's name, parcel number, or property address, to locate desired records. Copies may be collected for a fee.

Saline County Court Records Online

Accessing Saline County court records online significantly simplifies the request process and reduces the effort required to obtain these records directly from the Circuit Court. Researchers may use third-party platforms such as Illinoiscourtrecords.us to conduct a remote search. These platforms typically allow searches by party name or case number.

However, users should be aware that some services require a one-time fee or a recurring subscription to access complete records. Additionally, not all information within a court record may be available online. For instance, under the Illinois Electronic Access Policy for Circuit Court Records, certain court documents cannot be viewed online and can only be accessed at the courthouse.