Brown County Court Records
Brown County court records are filed and kept by the Circuit Clerk's office in Mt. Sterling, which serves all cases in the 8th Judicial Circuit. The office handles civil suits, criminal charges, traffic matters, and family law cases. Whether you need a certified copy, want to check a case status, or are trying to find a past filing, this guide covers your options for searching and obtaining records in Brown County.
Brown County Quick Facts
Circuit Clerk Office
Brooke Robinson serves as the Brown County Circuit Clerk. The office sits inside the courthouse at 200 Court Street in Mt. Sterling. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours, and staff can help you pull a file, check a case status, or process a copy request. Call ahead if you have a complex request or need older records that may be in storage.
| Circuit Clerk | Brooke Robinson |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Court Street, Room 5, Mt. Sterling, IL 62353 |
| Phone | (217) 773-2713 Ext. 2 |
| Fax | (217) 773-3648 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The clerk's office does not have a dedicated public website for Brown County. All online access to case records goes through the Judici statewide portal described below. For questions about a specific case, phone contact with the office is your fastest route to an answer.
Online Case Search
Brown County participates in Judici, the free statewide case search portal used by 82 of Illinois's 102 counties. The platform lets you look up cases by party name or case number without a trip to the courthouse. Results include case type, filing date, hearing schedules, and dispositions for civil, criminal, traffic, and family matters.
The Judici platform provides free online access to Brown County court records, as shown below.
Search by party name or case number to find civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases.
Illinois launched re:SearchIL in May 2025 as a free portal for appellate documents and circuit court cases filed on or after April 1, 2025. If the case you need is recent, this is worth checking. Older cases still require a direct search through Judici or a request to the clerk's office.
Attorneys and parties who need to file documents use eFileIL, the state's mandatory electronic filing system. Most case types require e-filing in Illinois circuit courts. The portal covers all 102 counties.
Types of Court Records
The Brown County Circuit Clerk maintains records across several case types. Civil cases include contract disputes, small claims (under $10,000), and tort actions. Criminal records cover misdemeanor and felony charges filed by the state's attorney. Traffic cases are one of the most frequently requested record types and include speeding citations, DUI charges, and driving on a suspended license.
Family law records document divorces, legal separations, child custody and support orders, and adoptions. Probate matters involving wills and estates are also kept in the circuit court. Some records have access limits. Juvenile court records, sealed cases, and records under protective orders are not open to the public. The clerk can confirm whether a file is accessible before you make the trip or mail a request.
Getting Copies of Records
Copies are available in person or by mail. In-person requests at 200 Court Street, Room 5, Mt. Sterling are generally processed the same day. Bring the case name or number if you have it. If you only know a party's name, the clerk can search the index. Fees apply to both plain and certified copies; certified copies cost more. Payment is typically by cash or check at the courthouse.
Mail requests take longer but are accepted. Write to the clerk's office with the case name, case number if known, your contact information, and a check or money order for the estimated fee. Call (217) 773-2713 Ext. 2 to confirm the current fee schedule before sending a check, since copy fees can change. Allow extra time for mail requests to be processed and returned.
Legal Framework
Illinois law at 705 ILCS 105/16(6) establishes that circuit court records are public unless a court order seals them. This is the baseline rule that governs access to Brown County records. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140/ covers administrative records held by government offices and may apply to certain clerk office documents beyond case files.
Brown County sits within the Illinois Courts system under the 8th Judicial Circuit. The circuit serves several nearby counties, with judges assigned across courthouses in the region. The Illinois Courts directory map shows current circuit assignments and court locations. Standard self-help court forms are free to download from the Illinois Courts forms library.
Legal Help
Free legal help is available for Brown County residents who need assistance with court records or court filings. Illinois Legal Aid Online provides step-by-step guides for common legal matters including divorce, eviction defense, small claims, and name changes. The site is free and available at any time.
The Illinois Court Help line can answer questions about court procedures and help you find the right form. Call (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff do not give legal advice but can walk you through the court process and help you understand what documents you need. For representation, contact a legal aid office or a private attorney in the region.
Cities in Brown County
Mt. Sterling is the county seat and largest community in Brown County. All towns and communities in the county fall below the 50,000 population threshold, so no city-specific court records pages exist for this county. Residents throughout Brown County use the same circuit clerk office in Mt. Sterling for all court record needs.