Fulton County Court Records Search
Fulton County court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Lewistown, serving the 9th Judicial Circuit in west-central Illinois. The clerk's office holds civil, criminal, traffic, family, and small claims case files, most of which are open to the public. If you need to check on a case, get a court document, or confirm a judgment, this page walks you through how to search online, how to request copies, and where to find free help with court matters.
Fulton County Circuit Clerk Office
Charlene Markley is the Circuit Clerk for Fulton County. The mailing address is P.O. Box 152, Lewistown, IL 61542. The office processes all filings, maintains the case index, and issues copies of court documents. When you need a record from a Fulton County case, the clerk's office is the place to contact first.
| Circuit Clerk | Charlene Markley |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 152, Lewistown, IL 61542 |
| Phone | (309) 547-3041 |
| Fax | (309) 547-3674 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Online Options for Searching Fulton County Cases
The Illinois Courts website is a good starting point for searching Fulton County court records and finding courthouse information. The site lists all 102 circuit court locations across the state and offers self-help tools for people navigating the court system.
Fulton County court records can be found through the Illinois Courts online resources, shown below.
The Illinois Courts site provides a directory of all 102 county courthouses and self-help resources.
Judici also covers Fulton County and is one of the most direct ways to look up individual cases. Go to judici.com and search by party name or case number. Civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases are searchable. Most active cases appear in the database.
The re:SearchIL portal gives you access to case data from multiple Illinois circuits in one place. The Find Your Court map on the Illinois Courts site helps confirm the physical address of the Lewistown courthouse and which judges sit in Fulton County.
What Records Are Available at the Fulton County Courthouse?
The Circuit Clerk in Lewistown maintains records for every case type heard in the 9th Judicial Circuit's Fulton County division. Most are public. A handful are sealed under Illinois law.
Civil files cover lawsuits between private parties, eviction actions, small claims disputes, and contract matters. Criminal records include felony and misdemeanor charges, bond entries, plea records, and sentencing orders. Traffic and ordinance violations are common and searchable through Judici. Family law cases such as divorce, custody, and child support are generally public, though certain exhibits within those files may be sealed by court order. Adoption and juvenile records are sealed under state law. Mental health adjudications and some guardianship proceedings also carry restrictions.
If you are unsure about the status of a particular record, call the clerk at (309) 547-3041. Staff can confirm what is available and what steps are needed to obtain a copy. In some cases, you may need to file a petition with the court to access restricted materials.
How to Request Fulton County Court Records
Records can be obtained in person or by mail. In-person requests are processed at the clerk's office in Lewistown. Bring a valid photo ID and know the case number or the name of a party involved. The clerk will locate the file and provide copies. Certified copies carry a court seal and are needed for legal use, such as appeals and background verifications.
For mail requests, write to the clerk at P.O. Box 152, Lewistown, IL 61542. Include the case name or number, a description of the specific records you want, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include payment in the form of a check or money order made out to the Fulton County Circuit Clerk.
New filings can be submitted electronically through eFileIL, the state's official e-filing system. Attorneys and self-represented litigants both have access. The system lets you file new documents and follow case progress without visiting the courthouse in person.
Free Legal Help for Fulton County Residents
Illinois Legal Aid Online provides free legal information and forms. It covers family law, housing, debt, employment, and other common legal problems. The site has step-by-step guides that walk you through court processes in plain language.
The Illinois Court Help hotline is free. Call (833) 411-1121 Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff can answer procedure questions, help you identify the right forms, and connect you with local resources near Lewistown.
Official forms for many case types are available at no charge on the Illinois Courts forms page. Use the current version of any form you download. The edition date appears on each form. Using an outdated version can lead to a rejection at the clerk's counter.
Illinois Laws That Apply to Court Record Access
The Clerks of Courts Act at 705 ILCS 105 is the main statute governing circuit clerk duties across Illinois. It defines what records the public can access and how the clerk must handle requests. This law applies directly to the Fulton County Circuit Clerk's office in Lewistown.
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140 applies to requests made to public agencies. The Illinois Records Act at 5 ILCS 160 sets retention schedules for court records, determining how long files must be kept before any disposal.
Sealed and expunged records are removed from public view and cannot be shared with the public. If you want to petition to seal or expunge a criminal record, you must file that petition with the Fulton County Circuit Court. The clerk's office can explain the forms and filing requirements for this process.
Cities in Fulton County
Lewistown serves as the county seat for Fulton County. Canton, Farmington, and Ipava are other communities in the county. None of these communities reaches the 50,000 population threshold, so no dedicated city page exists for Fulton County cities. All residents can access records through the Lewistown clerk's office or through the Judici online search tool.