Find Peoria County Court Records
Peoria County court records are filed with the 10th Judicial Circuit Clerk at 324 Main Street in downtown Peoria, Illinois. The clerk's office holds case files for civil, criminal, traffic, family, small claims, and probate matters. This page covers how to search those records online, how to visit the courthouse, and what free resources are available to Peoria County residents who need court help.
Peoria County Overview
| Population | 179,630 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Peoria |
| Judicial Circuit | 10th Judicial Circuit |
| Circuit Clerk | Robert Spears |
Circuit Clerk Office
Robert Spears is the Peoria County Circuit Clerk. The clerk's office is in the basement level of the courthouse at 324 Main Street in Peoria. This is the central point for all case filings, record requests, and certified copy orders in Peoria County. Staff handle in-person requests during regular business hours. For large record requests or older archived cases, call ahead so staff can locate files before your visit.
| Circuit Clerk | Robert Spears |
|---|---|
| Address | 324 Main Street, Room G22, Peoria, IL 61602 |
| Phone | (309) 672-6989 |
| Fax | (309) 677-6228 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | Not available |
Courthouse Directory
The Illinois Courts directory listing for Peoria County, shown below, confirms courthouse details for the 10th Judicial Circuit.
All Peoria County circuit court filings go through the clerk's office at 324 Main Street in downtown Peoria. The 10th Judicial Circuit directory on the Illinois Courts site also lists the court's judges, courtroom assignments, and administrative contact details. Use that page to find out which judge is assigned to a specific case type or to confirm current courthouse hours.
Online Case Search Tools
Several free tools are available to search Peoria County court records online. The re:SearchIL portal is the official Illinois court records system. You can search Peoria County cases by name, case number, or citation. Results show case type, filing date, hearing dates, and case status. A free account lets you view more detail. Judici also covers the 10th Judicial Circuit and provides name searches for civil and criminal cases without an account. Both tools pull from the same circuit court data and are free to use.
For cases that are not found through either online tool, contact the clerk's office at (309) 672-6989. Staff can run a manual search by name or case number and let you know what is on file. In-person searches at Room G22 are also available during business hours. You can review files at the counter and request copies of specific documents.
Types of Records Maintained
The Peoria County Circuit Clerk holds the official record for every case filed in county court. Civil records include personal injury lawsuits, contract disputes, landlord-tenant cases, and small claims. As a larger county court, Peoria sees a high volume of civil filings each year. Criminal records cover all offense levels from misdemeanors to Class X felonies, along with plea records, trial transcripts if applicable, and sentencing orders.
Family law records in Peoria County cover divorce, child custody and support, paternity, adoptions, and orders of protection. These are generally public records. Probate records for estate administration, wills, and guardianship are filed with the same clerk's office. Traffic case records include citations, DUI charges, court dates, fines, and final dispositions.
Juvenile case files are mostly confidential. Sealed adult records are also not available for public review. The clerk's office handles a large number of cases given Peoria County's population, so wait times in person may be longer than in smaller counties. Call (309) 672-6989 before visiting to confirm whether your specific records request can be handled on a walk-in basis or requires an advance appointment.
Requesting Copies
Copies of Peoria County court records are available in person at Room G22 or by mail. In-person requests are usually processed the same day for standard requests. Bring the case number or party names and payment. For mail requests, write to 324 Main Street, Room G22, Peoria, IL 61602. Include case details and a check or money order payable to the Peoria County Circuit Clerk.
Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are needed for use in official proceedings, immigration matters, or government applications. The fee for certified copies is higher than for plain copies. Call (309) 672-6989 to confirm current fees before mailing a large request. Rush or priority requests are not guaranteed and depend on staff availability.
Electronic Filing
Attorneys in Illinois are required to file documents electronically through the eFileIL portal. The 10th Judicial Circuit in Peoria County uses eFileIL for all mandatory electronic filings. Self-represented litigants may also file through eFileIL or in person at Room G22. The portal accepts most document types and sends confirmation once a filing is received. For help using the system, contact the clerk's office or visit the eFileIL help center linked on the portal's homepage.
Court Forms
Free standardized court forms are available from the Illinois Courts forms library. Forms cover small claims, eviction, orders of protection, name changes, guardianship, and more. These forms are approved for use in all Illinois circuit courts, including the 10th Judicial Circuit. Print the form, complete it following the instructions, and bring the original to the clerk's office. The clerk can tell you how many copies are needed for a given filing type.
10th Judicial Circuit
Peoria County is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit, which serves Peoria and several neighboring central Illinois counties. The 10th Circuit has a large number of sitting judges given Peoria's population. Circuit judges handle serious felony cases, major civil disputes, and complex domestic relations matters. Associate judges handle misdemeanors, small claims, traffic, and other routine matters. The chief judge sets local court rules that apply to all filings in Peoria County. Review those rules if you are filing on your own. The complete court directory is on the Illinois Courts website.
Legal Aid Resources
Peoria County residents who cannot afford an attorney have access to several free resources. Illinois Legal Aid Online provides self-help guides for civil, family, and housing matters. The Illinois Court Help hotline at (833) 411-1121 is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff answer procedure questions and help with form identification. Both are free for any Illinois resident. Central Illinois legal aid organizations may also provide direct representation for qualifying residents in Peoria County civil cases. Search ILAO by zip code to find local providers.
Cities in Peoria County
Peoria is the county seat and by far the largest city in Peoria County. It has its own dedicated page on this site:
- Peoria - the county seat and the largest city in central Illinois
Other communities in Peoria County do not meet the 50,000 population threshold. All court filings for the county go through the clerk's office at 324 Main Street in downtown Peoria.