Find Madison County Court Records
Madison County court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office in Edwardsville and cover civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate cases filed in the 3rd Judicial Circuit. This page explains how to search for Madison County court records online and in person, how to request copies, and what free legal resources are available to county residents.
Madison County Quick Facts
Madison County Circuit Clerk
Circuit Clerk Patrick McRae maintains all court records for Madison County at 155 North Main Street in Edwardsville. Madison County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, and the clerk's office handles all civil, criminal, family, traffic, small claims, and probate cases filed in the county. With a population over 263,000, Madison County is one of the larger counties in the Metro East region. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), most court records are open to the public without a court order.
The main phone number is (618) 692-6240. The fax is (618) 692-0676. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. For larger requests or older archived cases, call ahead so staff can prepare. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours for standard record requests.
| Circuit Clerk | Patrick McRae |
|---|---|
| Address | 155 North Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025 |
| Phone | (618) 692-6240 |
| Fax | (618) 692-0676 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Illinois Courts directory listing for Madison County, shown below, includes courthouse details and 3rd Circuit information.
The Madison County courthouse in Edwardsville serves the entire county for civil, criminal, and family matters.
Online Case Search for Madison County
Madison County court records can be searched through Judici at judici.com. The 3rd Judicial Circuit participates in Judici, which provides free public access to case docket information. Search by party name or case number to view docket entries showing case activity. Docket entries are summaries, not full case documents. They show filings, hearings, and orders, which is enough to confirm whether a case exists and check its current status.
Judici is unofficial but reliable for research. For certified documents, contact the clerk's office in Edwardsville. Judici is particularly useful for pre-visit research, helping you get a case number before calling or going to the courthouse.
The re:SearchIL portal at researchil.tylerhost.net has been free since May 2025 and covers cases filed from April 1, 2025 onward. For older Madison County cases, use Judici or contact the clerk directly. E-filing for civil case types in the 3rd Circuit is available through efile.illinoiscourts.gov.
Case Types in Madison County Courts
The Circuit Clerk in Edwardsville maintains records across all case categories for Madison County. Civil cases include contract disputes, personal injury suits, small claims filings, and eviction proceedings from Edwardsville, Alton, Granite City, Collinsville, and other county communities. Criminal cases filed by the Madison County State's Attorney cover both felony and misdemeanor charges. Family law cases include divorce, custody, support, and adoption matters handled through the 3rd Circuit family division.
Traffic cases from communities across Madison County are indexed in the clerk's system. Probate cases handle estates, wills, and guardianship proceedings filed in Edwardsville. Orders of protection are part of the public record unless sealed by a judge. Juvenile records and mental health filings are sealed under Illinois law. Call the clerk at (618) 692-6240 to confirm whether a specific record is public before visiting.
Madison County has a significant volume of civil litigation, particularly in areas like personal injury and employment law. The clerk's office processes a large number of filings each year, so standard indexed cases are generally accessible quickly, either in person or through Judici online.
Requesting Copies of Madison County Records
In-person copy requests are handled at 155 North Main Street in Edwardsville during regular business hours. Bring the case number if you have it. Staff can search by party name and approximate filing year if you do not. Most in-person requests for indexed cases are filled the same day.
Mail requests go to 155 North Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Include the case number or party name, a description of the documents you need, your return address, and a check or money order payable to the Madison County Circuit Clerk for the applicable copy fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery. Processing times vary by request volume and complexity.
Certified copies carry the court's official seal. They are needed for legal uses such as filings in other courts and government applications. Plain copies are less expensive and work for personal reference. Ask the clerk which type you need before you pay.
Illinois Law on Record Access in Madison County
Public access to Madison County court records is governed by 705 ILCS 105/16(6). Any person may inspect and copy court records maintained by the circuit clerk. No reason is needed. Sealed records, juvenile files, adoption cases, and certain mental health matters are exceptions. 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/ governs how older Madison County court records must be retained and stored.
Free Legal Help for Madison County Residents
Illinois Legal Aid Online has free guides for civil, family, and criminal legal topics covering procedures used in the 3rd Judicial Circuit. The site links to legal aid programs in the Metro East area and includes a document builder for common filings. It is a good place to start if you are dealing with a legal matter in Madison County without a lawyer.
The Illinois Court Help line at (833) 411-1121 is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff at ilcourthelp.gov can answer questions about court procedures at the Madison County courthouse without providing legal advice. Standard court forms accepted in Madison County are available free at illinoiscourts.gov.
Cities in Madison County
Madison County includes Alton, Granite City, Edwardsville, Collinsville, and many other communities. The largest city, Alton, has an estimated population around 27,000, which does not meet the threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Court records for all Madison County communities are filed with the Circuit Clerk at 155 North Main Street in Edwardsville.