Sangamon County Court Records
What Is Sangamon County Court Records
Court records in Sangamon County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records are maintained pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rules and the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). Court records typically include:
- Case files containing pleadings, motions, and other filed documents
- Docket sheets chronicling case events and filings
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts
- Evidence and exhibits admitted during proceedings
- Sentencing information in criminal matters
- Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
Court records differ from other public records such as property deeds, birth certificates, and tax records, which are maintained by other county departments. The Sangamon County Circuit Clerk serves as the official custodian of court records for proceedings that occur within the following courts:
- Circuit Court (civil, criminal, family, probate divisions)
- Traffic Court
- Small Claims Court
- Juvenile Court (with access restrictions)
According to § 705 ILCS 105/16(6), the Circuit Clerk is responsible for maintaining "all the records, books and papers appertaining to the courts of which he is clerk." These records document judicial proceedings across civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters within Sangamon County's jurisdiction.
Are Court Records Public In Sangamon County
Court records in Sangamon County are generally accessible to the public under Illinois law. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.) and the Illinois Supreme Court's Electronic Access Policy establish the presumption that court records are open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute or court rule.
Records typically available to the public include:
- Civil case files (with limited exceptions for sealed cases)
- Criminal case files (post-charging, with certain restrictions)
- Court orders and judgments
- Docket sheets and case indices
- Hearing schedules and calendars
- Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
However, pursuant to § 705 ILCS 405/1-8, juvenile court records are confidential and not accessible to the general public. Additionally, certain sensitive information may be redacted or restricted, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account information
- Names of minor victims
- Information in cases under seal by judicial order
- Mental health proceedings
- Adoption records
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois (which includes Sangamon County) are governed by federal access rules and are available through the separate PACER system, not through county resources.
How To Find Court Records in Sangamon County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Sangamon County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents:
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk's Office during regular business hours
- Complete a record request form, providing case number or party names
- Present valid photo identification
- Pay applicable copy fees ($1.00 per page for certified copies, $0.50 per page for regular copies)
Sangamon County Circuit Clerk's Office
200 South 9th Street, Room 405
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6674
Sangamon County Circuit Clerk
Mail Requests:
- Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk's Office
- Include case number or party names, specific documents needed
- Provide return address and contact information
- Enclose payment for estimated copy fees plus postage
Online Access:
- Visit the Sangamon County Courts website
- Navigate to the case information search portal
- Register for an account if required
- Search by case number, party name, or filing date
- Pay applicable online access fees
For criminal records, requestors may also contact:
Sangamon County Sheriff's Office
1 Sheriff's Plaza
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6666
Sangamon County Sheriff
Pursuant to § 705 ILCS 105/27.2b, certain statutory fees apply to record searches and copies. Fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals based on financial need.
How To Look Up Court Records in Sangamon County Online?
Sangamon County offers several digital platforms for accessing court records electronically:
Sangamon County Circuit Clerk Online Case Access:
- Navigate to the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk's website
- Select "Online Case Information" from the services menu
- Create a user account or log in as a guest
- Search using case number, party name, or filing date
- View basic case information, register of actions, and scheduled court dates
- Pay applicable fees to view or download document images
Illinois Judici System:
- Visit Judici.com
- Select Sangamon County from the county list
- Search by case number, party name, or attorney
- Access case summaries, charges, dispositions, and upcoming court dates
- Note that document images may not be available for all cases
Illinois e-Access Portal:
- Access the Illinois Courts e-Access Portal
- Select "Sangamon County" from the jurisdiction menu
- Register for an account or continue as a guest user
- Search using available parameters
- View basic case information and register of actions
Illinois State Police Criminal History: For criminal background checks:
- Visit the Illinois State Police Criminal History Information Response Process
- Complete the required forms
- Submit fingerprints if required
- Pay the statutory fee
- Receive results by mail or secure electronic delivery
The online systems typically provide 24/7 access to basic case information, though document images may be limited. Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368, certain sensitive information is redacted from online records to protect privacy while maintaining public access to court proceedings.
How To Search Sangamon County Court Records for Free?
Illinois law provides for free public inspection of court records at the courthouse. According to § 705 ILCS 105/16(6), "All records, dockets and books required by law to be kept by such clerks shall be deemed public records, and shall at all times be open to inspection without fee or reward."
Free access options include:
In-Person Inspection:
- Visit the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk's Office during business hours
- Request to view specific case files at public access terminals
- No fee is charged for viewing records, though printing copies incurs standard fees
Sangamon County Circuit Clerk's Office
200 South 9th Street, Room 405
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6674
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sangamon County Law Library:
- Visit the Law Library located in the Sangamon County Complex
- Use public access terminals to search case information
- Receive assistance from law library staff if needed
Sangamon County Law Library
200 South 9th Street, Room 600
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6310
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Limited Online Free Access:
- Basic case information is available without charge through the Sangamon County Courts website
- Search functionality includes case number lookup and court calendars
- Document images and detailed case information typically require paid subscriptions
Public Access Terminals:
- Computer terminals at the Sangamon County Courthouse provide free access to case information
- Available during regular courthouse hours
- Staff assistance may be available for search guidance
While inspection is free, copy fees still apply when printing or requesting physical copies of documents ($0.50 per page for standard copies, $1.00 per page for certified copies).
What's Included in a Sangamon County Court Record?
Sangamon County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type but typically include:
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint or petition initiating the case
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer or response
- Motions filed by either party
- Court orders and rulings
- Exhibits and evidence admitted
- Transcripts of hearings (if ordered)
- Final judgment or dismissal
- Post-judgment motions and orders
- Appeal documentation (if applicable)
Criminal Case Records:
- Charging documents (information or indictment)
- Arrest warrant or summons
- Bond information
- Defendant's plea
- Motions filed by prosecution or defense
- Discovery disclosures (may be restricted)
- Court orders and rulings
- Pre-trial conference summaries
- Trial exhibits and evidence
- Verdict or plea agreement
- Sentencing information
- Post-conviction motions
- Appeal documentation
Family Court Records:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Financial affidavits (may be restricted)
- Parenting plans
- Child support worksheets
- Property settlement agreements
- Court orders regarding custody and support
- Final judgment of dissolution
- Post-judgment modification requests
Probate Records:
- Will (if testate)
- Petition for probate
- Letters of office/administration
- Inventory of estate assets
- Claims against the estate
- Accounting reports
- Distribution plans
- Final settlement and closing order
According to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, certain personal information is redacted from public court files, including:
- Social Security and taxpayer identification numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Names of minor children (in certain cases)
The Sangamon County Circuit Clerk maintains these records in accordance with state law and Supreme Court rules governing record keeping.
How Long Does Sangamon County Keep Court Records?
Sangamon County retains court records according to schedules established by the Illinois Supreme Court and the Illinois State Archives. Pursuant to § 705 ILCS 105/27, the Circuit Clerk must maintain records for specified periods before they may be eligible for destruction or archiving.
Standard retention periods include:
Permanent Retention:
- Felony case files
- Civil cases with judgments exceeding $50,000
- Divorce and family law cases
- Probate cases
- Adoption records
- Mental health proceedings
- Juvenile delinquency files
- Real property cases
- Docket books and indices
Extended Retention (50+ years):
- Criminal misdemeanor cases (50 years)
- DUI cases (50 years)
- Orders of protection (50 years)
Medium-Term Retention (10-25 years):
- Civil cases with judgments under $50,000 (20 years)
- Small claims cases (10 years after disposition)
- Traffic violations (10 years after disposition)
- Ordinance violations (10 years)
Short-Term Retention (5-7 years):
- Dismissed civil cases (5 years)
- Dismissed criminal cases (5 years)
- Non-DUI traffic cases (7 years)
The Illinois Records Management Act (5 ILCS 160/) governs the overall framework for records retention. After the retention period expires, records may be:
- Transferred to the Illinois State Archives
- Microfilmed or digitized for permanent storage
- Destroyed with proper authorization
Historical court records dating back to Sangamon County's formation in 1821 may be available through the Illinois Regional Archives Depository at the University of Illinois Springfield.
Types of Courts In Sangamon County
Sangamon County's court system operates within Illinois' unified court structure, with various divisions handling different case types:
Sangamon County Circuit Court
200 South 9th Street
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6674
Sangamon County Courts
The Circuit Court is divided into specialized divisions:
Civil Division
200 South 9th Street, 7th Floor
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6674
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Handles: Civil lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury, property disputes
Criminal Division
200 South 9th Street, 5th Floor
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6674
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Handles: Felonies, misdemeanors, preliminary hearings
Family Division
200 South 9th Street, 6th Floor
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6674
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Handles: Divorce, child custody, support, adoption, orders of protection
Probate Division
200 South 9th Street, 7th Floor
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6674
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Handles: Wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships
Traffic Court
200 South 9th Street, 5th Floor
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6674
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Handles: Traffic violations, DUI cases
Juvenile Court
200 South 9th Street, 6th Floor
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6674
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Handles: Juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect cases
Small Claims Court
200 South 9th Street, 7th Floor
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6674
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Handles: Civil claims under $10,000
Sangamon County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, which includes six counties. Appeals from Sangamon County cases are heard by the Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court in Springfield, with final appeals going to the Illinois Supreme Court.
What Types of Cases Do Sangamon County Courts Hear?
The Sangamon County Courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their jurisdictional authority:
Circuit Court - Civil Division:
- Major civil litigation (claims exceeding $50,000)
- Contract disputes
- Real property cases
- Personal injury and tort claims
- Administrative review of government decisions
- Tax objections
- Eminent domain proceedings
- Mechanic's liens
- Corporate and business litigation
Circuit Court - Criminal Division:
- Felony prosecutions
- Class A, B, and C misdemeanors
- Preliminary hearings
- Bond hearings
- Probation violations
- Post-conviction proceedings
- Extradition hearings
Circuit Court - Family Division:
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce)
- Child custody and parenting time
- Child support establishment and enforcement
- Spousal maintenance (alimony)
- Property division
- Paternity establishment
- Adoption proceedings
- Orders of protection
- Name changes
Circuit Court - Probate Division:
- Decedent estate administration
- Will contests
- Guardianships for minors
- Guardianships for disabled adults
- Conservatorships
- Trusts supervision
- Elder care matters
Traffic Court:
- Moving violations
- Driving under influence (DUI)
- Driving while license suspended/revoked
- Vehicle registration and equipment violations
- Commercial driver violations
Juvenile Court:
- Delinquency proceedings
- Status offenses
- Abuse and neglect cases
- Dependency proceedings
- Termination of parental rights
- Juvenile probation matters
Small Claims Court:
- Civil claims not exceeding $10,000
- Consumer complaints
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Collection matters
- Property damage claims
Pursuant to § 705 ILCS 105/27.1b, the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk maintains records for all these case types, with filing fees varying according to the nature and complexity of the case.
How To Find a Court Docket In Sangamon County
Court dockets in Sangamon County provide chronological listings of all proceedings and filings in a case. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods:
Online Docket Access:
- Visit the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk's website
- Select "Case Information" or "Court Records Search"
- Enter search criteria (case number, party name, or date range)
- Review the register of actions showing all docket entries
- Note that some online systems may require registration or fees
Daily Court Call Sheets:
- Access the Sangamon County Courts website
- Navigate to "Daily Court Calls" or "Court Calendars"
- Select the specific date and courtroom
- View listings of all cases scheduled for that day
- Information typically includes case numbers, party names, hearing types, and times
In-Person Docket Review:
- Visit the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk's Office
- Request to view the docket for a specific case
- Provide case number or party names to clerk
- Use public access terminals to view electronic docket entries
- Request printed docket sheets if needed (fees may apply)
Sangamon County Circuit Clerk's Office
200 South 9th Street, Room 405
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-6674
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Courtroom Information Boards:
- Visit the Sangamon County Courthouse
- Check electronic display boards in lobby areas
- Locate daily court calls by judge or courtroom number
- Note that these displays show only current-day hearings
For specialized dockets such as mental health court, drug court, or veterans court, contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly for schedule information, as these proceedings may have restricted access.
Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, certain personal identifying information is redacted from public docket entries to protect privacy while maintaining the public's right to access court information.
Which Courts in Sangamon County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Illinois, the distinction between "courts of record" and "courts not of record" was largely eliminated with the judicial restructuring implemented by the 1970 Illinois Constitution. Currently, all courts in Sangamon County are considered courts of record, meaning they maintain official transcripts and documentation of proceedings.
Prior to the 1970 Constitution, Illinois maintained a system that included Justice of the Peace Courts and Police Magistrate Courts, which were not courts of record. These have been abolished and replaced with the unified Circuit Court system.
Under the current judicial structure, as defined in Article VI of the Illinois Constitution, all judicial proceedings in Sangamon County take place within the Circuit Court system, which is required by law to maintain complete records of all proceedings.
While all courts in Sangamon County are courts of record, it is worth noting that certain administrative hearings conducted by county or municipal agencies (such as zoning boards, liquor commissions, or administrative adjudication hearings) are not judicial proceedings and may have different record-keeping requirements. These administrative bodies:
- Are not part of the judicial branch
- May have simplified procedures for maintaining records
- Often have different rules regarding transcription of proceedings
- May not produce court-certified transcripts
According to § 705 ILCS 35/26, all Circuit Courts must maintain verbatim records of proceedings in felony cases, and pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, electronic or mechanical recordings may be used in other cases where court reporters are not required by law.
For questions regarding specific record-keeping practices, contact the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk's Office or the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.
Lookup Court Records in Sangamon County
Sangamon County Complex - Illinois Courts