Find Court Records in Hardin County
Hardin County court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Elizabethtown, the county seat in the far southeastern corner of Illinois, as part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit. As one of the least populous counties in the state, Hardin has a small courthouse with a single clerk's office that handles all civil, criminal, traffic, and family case files. This page explains how to search for cases online, how to reach the clerk, and how to get copies of court documents.
Hardin County Circuit Clerk Office
Nancy Pennell serves as the Hardin County Circuit Clerk. The mailing address is P.O. Box 308, Elizabethtown, IL 62931. This office handles all filings, keeps the official case index, and issues certified copies of court documents. Because Hardin County is small, it is a good idea to call ahead before visiting to confirm current hours and the physical address of the courthouse.
| Circuit Clerk | Nancy Pennell |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 308, Elizabethtown, IL 62931 |
| Phone | (618) 287-2735 |
| Fax | (618) 287-2713 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Search Hardin County Court Records Online
Judici is the best free tool for searching Hardin County cases online. It draws from the 2nd Circuit database and allows searches by party name or case number. Civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases are all covered. Most active and recent cases appear in the system. No account is required for a basic search.
Judici provides free online case search for Hardin County court records.
Search by party name or case number to find civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases.
The re:SearchIL portal is a statewide option that covers multiple circuits. For anyone who needs to check records in Hardin County and nearby counties at the same time, this portal is a useful alternative to searching each county individually.
The Find Your Court tool on the Illinois Courts website lists all courthouse locations in Illinois, including Hardin County. Use it to confirm contact information for the Elizabethtown courthouse before making the trip.
What Records Are Available at the Hardin County Courthouse?
The Circuit Clerk's office in Elizabethtown keeps all case types that go through the 2nd Judicial Circuit in Hardin County. Most are open to the public. A limited number are restricted under state law.
Civil files include lawsuits between parties, small claims actions, eviction cases, and contract disputes. Criminal records contain felony and misdemeanor filings, bond records, plea entries, and sentencing orders. Traffic and ordinance violations are common and generally searchable through Judici. Family law cases like divorce and custody are mostly public, though sealed exhibits within those cases may not be disclosed. Adoption and juvenile records are sealed by law. Mental health adjudications and some guardianship matters also carry access restrictions.
Hardin County is small. Some older case records may not have been digitized and will only be available as paper files at the courthouse. Call the clerk at (618) 287-2735 to ask about the availability of a specific record before visiting Elizabethtown.
How to Get Copies of Hardin County Court Records
You can get copies in person at the Elizabethtown courthouse or by mail. In-person is faster. Bring a photo ID and know the case number or party name. The clerk will locate the file and give you copies. Certified copies carry an official court seal and are required for legal matters like appeals and background checks.
Mail requests work if driving to Elizabethtown is not practical. Write to Nancy Pennell at P.O. Box 308, Elizabethtown, IL 62931. State the case name or number and list the specific documents you need. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for any fees, payable to the Hardin County Circuit Clerk.
Attorneys and self-represented parties can submit new filings electronically through eFileIL, the state's official e-filing system. This does not replace in-person record requests, but it does allow online document submission and case tracking for active matters. Multiple certified providers are available through the eFileIL site.
Free Legal Help for Hardin County Residents
Illinois Legal Aid Online is free to use. It offers legal guides, court forms, and a chat assistant. The site is especially valuable in rural counties like Hardin where in-person legal aid offices may not be easily accessible. Topics covered include family law, housing, debt, public benefits, and more.
The Illinois Court Help hotline at (833) 411-1121 is free. You can call Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff explain court procedures, help you find the right forms, and can refer you to legal aid organizations that serve the Elizabethtown area and southern Illinois.
The Illinois Courts forms page has downloadable forms for many case types at no cost. Use the current edition of each form. An outdated form can result in rejection at the clerk's window, which delays your case.
Illinois Laws That Apply to Court Record Access
The Clerks of Courts Act at 705 ILCS 105 governs the duties of Illinois circuit clerks statewide. It sets out what the public may access and how the clerk must respond to record requests. This statute applies to Nancy Pennell's office in Elizabethtown.
The Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140 gives residents the legal right to request records from government agencies. The Illinois Records Act at 5 ILCS 160 sets retention schedules for how long courts and agencies must maintain records before disposal.
Sealed and expunged records are not public. They will not appear in any online search and cannot be released by the clerk. Petitions to expunge or seal a criminal record must be filed with the Hardin County Circuit Court in Elizabethtown. The clerk's office can explain what forms are needed and walk you through the basic steps.
Cities in Hardin County
Elizabethtown is the county seat and only incorporated town of any size in Hardin County. Rosiclare is another small community in the county. Neither comes close to the 50,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page. All Hardin County residents can access court records through the Elizabethtown clerk's office or through the Judici online search system.