Access Livingston County Court Records
Livingston County court records are managed by the Circuit Clerk's office in Pontiac and include civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate cases from the 11th Judicial Circuit. This guide covers the online search options, in-person record access at the Pontiac courthouse, copy request procedures, and free legal resources for Livingston County residents.
Livingston County Quick Facts
Livingston County Circuit Clerk
Circuit Clerk Jacquelyn Gragson maintains all court records for Livingston County at 110 N. Main St. in Pontiac. The clerk's office is part of the 11th Judicial Circuit, which covers Livingston and several other central Illinois counties. All civil suits, criminal felonies and misdemeanors, family law matters, traffic cases, small claims, and probate filings for Livingston County are indexed here. Most of these records are public under 705 ILCS 105/16(6).
Reach the office by phone at (815) 844-2602. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The fax number is (815) 844-2322. Call ahead if you have a complex request or are looking for older archived records. Staff can confirm what is in the system and what you need to bring or send.
| Circuit Clerk | Jacquelyn Gragson |
|---|---|
| Address | 110 N. Main St., Pontiac, IL 61764 |
| Phone | (815) 844-2602 |
| Fax | (815) 844-2322 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Online Case Search for Livingston County
Livingston County court records are searchable online through Judici at judici.com. Judici is a public case database that many Illinois circuit courts use to provide online access to case docket information. You can search by party name or case number without a fee. The results show docket entries, which are summaries of case activity including filings, hearings, and orders. They are not full case documents, but they are enough to confirm whether a case exists and track its current status.
Judici data is public but unofficial. It is a reliable research tool, but for certified documents you must go to the clerk's office. Judici is also useful for getting a case number before calling or visiting the courthouse, which can speed up the records request process considerably.
Judici provides free public case docket search for Livingston County and many other Illinois counties at no cost.
Statewide and Additional Search Options
The re:SearchIL system at researchil.tylerhost.net has been free since May 2025 and covers cases from April 1, 2025 onward. For Livingston County cases filed before that date, Judici or a direct request to the Pontiac courthouse is the better route. The two systems complement each other well for covering different filing periods.
The Illinois Courts directory at illinoiscourts.gov can confirm the 11th Circuit's current contact information and jurisdiction details. The court forms library at the state site has standard forms for case types handled in Livingston County, all available at no cost. Use these forms when filing to avoid rejection at the clerk's window.
E-filing in the 11th Judicial Circuit is handled through efile.illinoiscourts.gov. Check the portal to confirm which Livingston County case types accept electronic submissions before you attempt to file online.
Types of Court Records in Livingston County
The Circuit Clerk's office in Pontiac holds records for all case types filed in Livingston County. Civil cases include contract disputes, personal injury suits, small claims, and eviction proceedings. Criminal cases are filed by the Livingston County State's Attorney and cover both felony and misdemeanor charges from Pontiac and other parts of the county. Family law matters, including divorce, custody, support, and adoption, are part of the family docket.
Traffic cases from Pontiac and surrounding communities are indexed in the clerk's system. Probate cases handle estates, wills, and guardianship proceedings for Livingston County residents. Orders of protection are filed through the Circuit Clerk and are generally available to the public. Juvenile records and mental health filings are sealed under Illinois law. If you are unsure whether a record is public or sealed, call the clerk at (815) 844-2602 before visiting.
Requesting Copies of Court Records
In-person requests are handled at 110 N. Main St. in Pontiac during regular business hours. Bring a case number if you have one, or the party names and the approximate year the case was filed. Staff will look up the case and help you request what you need.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Livingston County Circuit Clerk at 110 N. Main St., Pontiac, IL 61764. Include the case number or party name, a description of the records you need, your contact information, and a check or money order payable to the Livingston County Circuit Clerk for the applicable fee. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want return delivery. Processing times for mail requests vary by volume.
Certified copies carry the court's official seal. They are required for many legal purposes, including filings in other courts or government applications. Plain copies are less expensive and work for personal use. Ask staff which type you need before paying.
Illinois Law on Record Access
Public access to Livingston County court records is governed by 705 ILCS 105/16(6). Any person may inspect or copy court records held by the circuit clerk. No reason is required. Sealed records, juvenile cases, adoption matters, and certain mental health filings are not accessible to the public. The Illinois FOIA statute at 5 ILCS 140/ covers administrative records of the clerk's office. The Illinois Records Preservation Act at 5 ILCS 160/ covers how historical Livingston County records must be kept and stored.
Free Legal Resources for Livingston County
Illinois Legal Aid Online has free guides covering civil, family, and criminal legal topics for all Illinois residents, including those in Livingston County. The site includes a document builder and links to local legal aid organizations. It is a good first stop before you file anything at the Pontiac courthouse.
The Illinois Court Help line is free at (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff at ilcourthelp.gov explain court procedures but do not provide legal advice. Standard court forms accepted in Livingston County are available free at illinoiscourts.gov.
Cities in Livingston County
Livingston County includes Pontiac, Dwight, Streator, and other smaller communities. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Court records for all Livingston County communities are filed with the Circuit Clerk at 110 N. Main St. in Pontiac.