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How to Find Public Records in Clinton County in 2026
ClintonCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Clinton County, Illinois. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or law enforcement data may locate those materials through official county offices, state-administered portals, and public access terminals. The categories of records that may be available include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Property tax and assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access: The Clinton County Clerk and Recorder's office maintains digitized records that members of the public may search through the county's official web portal. The Illinois Courts system provides an online case search tool through the Clinton County Circuit Courthouse directory. Property assessment data is accessible through the county's Chief County Assessment Office portal. No registration is required to conduct basic searches on most county platforms.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Clinton County Clerk and Recorder's Office at 850 Fairfax Street, Carlyle, IL 62231. The office is open Monday through Friday. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the record sought, including the names of parties involved, approximate dates, and the record type. Staff will assist in locating responsive documents.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Clinton County Clerk and Recorder, 850 Fairfax Street, Carlyle, IL 62231. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five business days of receipt.
Phone/Email: The Clinton County Clerk and Recorder's office may be reached by telephone at (618) 594-0700. Contact information for specific departments is listed on the county's official website.
What Are Public Records in Clinton County?
Public records in Clinton County are defined under Illinois law as all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, recorded information, and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business. Under 5 ILCS 140/2, a "public record" includes any document prepared by or for, or used by, received by, in the possession of, or under the control of any public body.
The following record types are maintained by Clinton County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Clerk and Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk and Recorder |
| Property tax and assessment records | Chief County Assessment Office |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Board / Clerk |
| Law enforcement records | Clinton County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Department |
The County Clerk and Recorder serves as the primary custodian for a broad range of official county documents, including recorded land instruments and vital statistics.
Is Clinton County an Open Records County?
Clinton County operates in full compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under 5 ILCS 140/1, the Illinois General Assembly declared that "it is the public policy of the State of Illinois that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials and public employees."
Public bodies in Clinton County are required to designate a Freedom of Information Officer responsible for receiving and responding to public records requests. The county adheres to the five-business-day response window established by state statute, with a possible five-day extension under defined circumstances. The Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor provides guidance and oversight for FOIA compliance across all Illinois counties, including Clinton County. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may file a Request for Review with the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Bureau.
As the Illinois Attorney General's office has stated, "The [Freedom of Information Act] is designed to open government to the light of public scrutiny." This principle governs the conduct of all public bodies within Clinton County.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Clinton County?
The fee structure for public records in Clinton County is governed by state statute and the policies of each individual office. Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may charge fees for copies of records but may not charge for the first 50 pages of black-and-white, letter- or legal-sized copies.
Current standard fees include:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white copies (first 50 pages) | No charge |
| Black-and-white copies (beyond 50 pages) | Actual cost per page |
| Color copies | Actual cost per page |
| Certification of records | Varies by office |
| Electronic format | No charge if already in electronic format |
| Search fees | Not permitted under FOIA |
The Clinton County Clerk and Recorder's office charges recording fees pursuant to 55 ILCS 5/3-5018, as amended by Public Act 103-0084. Vital record copy fees are set by state statute and are subject to periodic legislative revision. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests made by news media organizations, as provided under state law.
Does Clinton County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Clinton County, as Illinois law does not permit public bodies to charge a fee for the inspection of records that do not require copying. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant county office without incurring a charge.
The following resources provide free access to public records:
- The Clinton County official website provides free access to certain property and assessment data through the Chief County Assessment Office portal, which is open to the public weekdays from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
- The Clinton County Circuit Courthouse provides online records access through the Illinois Courts system at no charge for basic case lookups.
- The Clinton County Sheriff's Office makes certain public safety information available through its official web presence.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection of records is free, obtaining physical or electronic copies may incur fees as described in the preceding section. Certain records, such as a person's own vital records obtained under specific statutory provisions, may be available at reduced or no cost depending on the circumstances.
Who Can Request Public Records in Clinton County?
Any person may request public records in Clinton County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, the right to inspect and copy public records extends to all persons, and public bodies are not permitted to require requestors to state the reason for their request as a condition of access.
Requestors are not required to:
- Be a resident of Illinois or Clinton County
- Provide government-issued identification for most requests
- State the purpose of the request
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Requests for sealed court records, juvenile records, or records containing protected personal information may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal basis for access, such as being the subject of the record or holding a court order. Individuals requesting their own vital records must provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship to the subject of the record.
Non-residents retain the same rights as Illinois residents under the Freedom of Information Act. Commercial requestors are subject to the same fee structure as other requestors, though public bodies may impose additional conditions on requests that are primarily commercial in nature, as permitted by statute.
What Records Are Confidential in Clinton County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Illinois law. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act enumerates specific exemptions at 5 ILCS 140/7, which identifies information that public bodies are not required—and in some cases are prohibited—to disclose.
Confidential and exempt records in Clinton County include:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or abuse proceedings are protected under the Juvenile Court Act.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state law is not subject to public disclosure.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
- Child welfare records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies is protected.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Information that could compromise public safety infrastructure is withheld.
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, rather than withholding the entire document.
Clinton County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Clinton County Clerk and Recorder
850 Fairfax Street
Carlyle, IL 62231
(618) 594-0700
Clinton County Clerk and Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays
Additional Offices:
Clinton County Circuit Court Clerk
850 Fairfax Street
Carlyle, IL 62231
(618) 594-2415
Clinton County Circuit Courthouse
Clinton County Chief County Assessment Office
850 Fairfax Street
Carlyle, IL 62231
(618) 594-6610
Clinton County Assessments Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Clinton County Sheriff's Office
850 Fairfax Street
Carlyle, IL 62231
(618) 594-4555
Clinton County Sheriff's Office
As noted on the county's official website, "The public is always welcome to visit the Clinton County Chief County Assessment Office weekdays 7:30 am to 4:00 pm." Members of the public are encouraged to contact the relevant office in advance to confirm current hours and to ensure that the records sought are maintained at that location.