Find Mason County Court Records
Mason County court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Havana and cover civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate cases filed in the 8th Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to search for Mason County court records online, how to request copies at the Havana courthouse, and what free legal resources are available to county residents.
Mason County Quick Facts
Mason County Circuit Clerk
Circuit Clerk Debbie Friend maintains all official court records for Mason County at 125 North Plum in Havana. The clerk's office is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit, which covers Mason County along with several other west-central Illinois counties. Civil, criminal, family, traffic, small claims, and probate cases filed in Mason County are all indexed and stored through this office. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), most court records in Mason County are open to the public without a court order.
Call the clerk's office at (309) 543-6619, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The fax is (309) 543-4214. Mason County is one of the smaller counties in Illinois, so the courthouse in Havana typically handles a manageable volume of requests. Still, call ahead for older cases or larger requests. Staff can tell you what is in the system before you make the drive.
| Circuit Clerk | Debbie Friend |
|---|---|
| Address | 125 North Plum, Havana, IL 62644 |
| Phone | (309) 543-6619 |
| Fax | (309) 543-4214 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Online Case Search for Mason County
Mason County participates in Judici, the free public case database used by many Illinois circuit courts. At judici.com, you can search Mason County cases by party name or case number at no cost. The search 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 status.
Judici is reliable for research but is not the official record of the court. Use it to get a case number or check case status before contacting the clerk. For certified documents, you must contact the office in Havana. The platform requires no registration and is free to use.
Judici provides free public case docket search for Mason County and many other Illinois counties at no cost.
Other Ways to Search Mason County Records
The re:SearchIL portal at researchil.tylerhost.net has been free since May 2025 and covers cases from April 1, 2025 onward. For older Mason County cases, use Judici or contact the Havana courthouse directly. Together, these two tools help cover most filing periods.
The Illinois Courts directory lists the 8th Circuit's contact details and jurisdiction information for Mason County. The state courts forms library has standard court forms accepted in Mason County at no cost. E-filing for civil matters in the 8th Judicial Circuit is available through efile.illinoiscourts.gov. Check accepted case types before attempting to file electronically.
Types of Court Records in Mason County
The Circuit Clerk in Havana holds records for all case types filed in Mason County. Civil cases include contract disputes, small claims, personal injury suits, and eviction proceedings from Havana and other county communities. Criminal cases are filed by the Mason County State's Attorney and cover both felony and misdemeanor charges. Family law cases include divorce, custody, support, and adoption matters handled through the 8th Circuit.
Traffic cases from Havana and surrounding Mason County communities are part of the clerk's index. Probate cases handle wills, estates, and guardianship proceedings for county residents. Orders of protection are generally public unless sealed by a judge. Juvenile records and mental health filings are sealed under Illinois law and are not accessible through standard public requests.
Because Mason County is relatively small, the courthouse in Havana handles a lower volume of filings compared to larger Illinois counties. In-person requests are generally processed quickly. If you are unsure whether a specific record is public or sealed, call (309) 543-6619 before visiting.
Getting Copies of Mason County Court Records
In-person requests are handled at 125 North Plum in Havana during regular business hours. Bring the case number if you have it, or the party names and approximate year of filing. Staff can run a search and pull the case for you. Most requests for indexed cases are filled the same day at this office.
Mail requests are accepted. Write to the Mason County Circuit Clerk, 125 North Plum, Havana, IL 62644. Include the case number or party name, a description of the documents you need, your mailing address, and a check or money order payable to the Mason County Circuit Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery. Processing times for mail requests vary depending on the nature of the request and current office volume.
Certified copies carry the court's official seal and signature. They are needed for official purposes such as other court filings or government applications. Plain copies are less expensive and work for personal use. Ask the clerk which type you need for your situation before you pay.
Illinois Law on Public Record Access
Mason County court records are governed by 705 ILCS 105/16(6). This law gives any person the right to inspect and copy court records held by the circuit clerk without giving a reason. Sealed records, juvenile files, adoption cases, and certain mental health matters are exempt from public access. 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 Mason County court records must be stored and maintained over time.
Free Legal Help for Mason County Residents
Illinois Legal Aid Online has free guides on civil, family, and criminal legal matters for Illinois residents including those in Mason County. The site covers 8th Circuit procedures and links to legal aid programs in central Illinois. If you are handling a court matter without a lawyer, start here before going to the Havana courthouse. The document builder creates forms accepted at Mason County courts.
The Illinois Court Help line at (833) 411-1121 is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff at ilcourthelp.gov can explain court procedures without giving legal advice. Standard court forms for Mason County case types are available free at illinoiscourts.gov. Download them before your courthouse visit so you are prepared.
Cities in Mason County
Mason County includes Havana, Manito, San Jose, and other small communities. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Court records for all Mason County communities are filed with the Circuit Clerk at 125 North Plum in Havana.