Perry County Court Records Search
Perry County court records are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Pinckneyville, Illinois, where the 24th Judicial Circuit handles all civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases for the county. This guide explains how to search, request, and access Perry County court records through online tools and the clerk's office directly.
Perry County Quick Facts
Perry County Circuit Clerk Office
The Circuit Clerk in Pinckneyville keeps official Perry County court records. Clerk Tricia Kelly Chandler and her staff maintain files for every case filed in the county. You can visit the office in person to search by name or case number. Staff pull civil, criminal, traffic, and family records on request. Most court records in Perry County are public under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), so you don't need to explain why you want them.
The office handles copy requests, certified copies, and case status questions. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are often needed for legal proceedings or background checks. If you need older or archived records, call ahead so staff can pull the file before you arrive. Walk-in service is available during regular hours.
| Circuit Clerk | Tricia Kelly Chandler |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 219, Pinckneyville, IL 62274 |
| Phone | (618) 357-6726 |
| Fax | (618) 357-8336 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Online Search for Perry County Court Records
Judici provides free online case search for Perry County court records. You can look up cases by party name, attorney name, or case number without visiting the courthouse. Results show the case type, filing date, parties involved, and scheduled court dates. Civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases all appear in the Judici database when they are available.
Search by name or case number to find civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases. Judici covers Perry County and most other Illinois counties, making it the easiest first step for any online search.
For appellate records, re:SearchIL provides free access to Illinois Supreme Court and appellate decisions filed since April 2025. If a Perry County case was appealed, you may find it there. The Illinois Courts interactive map can help you confirm which courthouse handled your case and how to contact the right office.
Types of Cases Filed in Perry County
The Perry County Circuit Court handles several types of cases. Civil cases cover disputes between people or businesses. Small claims cases involve amounts up to $10,000 and go through a faster track. Criminal cases include misdemeanors heard at the county level and felonies that go through the full circuit court process. All filed case records are generally open to the public once they are filed with the clerk.
Family court records include divorce proceedings, child custody orders, child support cases, adoption matters, and guardianship appointments. Many of these are public, but adoption files and cases involving minor defendants are sealed. Traffic cases include citations, DUI charges, and license actions. Probate records cover estates, wills, and the appointment of guardians for adults who can't manage their own affairs.
Juvenile records are sealed by law. You cannot access them through a normal public record request, regardless of the reason.
How to Get Copies of Perry County Records
Visit the Circuit Clerk's office in Pinckneyville to request copies in person. Bring the case number or the full name of the party you are searching. Staff will locate the file and make copies for you. Standard copies cost a set amount per page. Certified copies cost more and are needed when a court or agency requires an official document with the clerk's seal.
Mail requests are also accepted. Send your written request to the Perry County Circuit Clerk at P.O. Box 219, Pinckneyville, IL 62274. Include the case number, the names of the parties, and a clear description of which documents you need. Include payment for copy fees. Call (618) 357-6726 to confirm the current copy rate before you mail anything. Processing time for mail requests is not fixed and can vary based on volume.
Electronic filing for pending cases is available through eFileIL, the Illinois statewide e-filing system. This applies to attorneys and self-represented litigants who are filing in active cases, not to records requests. If you are a party to a case, your filing service provider may give you access to documents filed electronically.
If the clerk's office does not provide a record you believe is public, you can submit a formal request under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140/. The office must respond within five business days. Most court records don't require a FOIA request, but this option exists if you run into issues.
Perry County and the 24th Judicial Circuit
Perry County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit. The 24th Circuit also serves Randolph and Washington counties. Each county has its own Circuit Clerk and courthouse. Judges rotate through the circuit and hear cases in each county. If a Perry County case moved to a different county or involved a change of venue, check the other county's clerk for related records.
For current court schedules, case dates, and clerk contact details, check Judici or call the Perry County Circuit Clerk at (618) 357-6726. The Illinois Courts website at illinoiscourts.gov has full contact information for every circuit clerk in the state, including Perry County.
Free Legal Help for Perry County Residents
Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) offers free plain-language guides covering civil, family, criminal, and housing law. You can use the site to find forms, read step-by-step instructions, and build documents for common case types. It's available any time and free to use.
Illinois Court Help runs a free phone line at (833) 411-1121, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff can help you understand how to find records, what forms to use, and what happens at a court hearing. They don't give legal advice, but they can point you in the right direction for Perry County matters.
Court forms for civil, family, and small claims cases are free to download at the Illinois Courts forms page. These are the same forms used by the circuit courts statewide, including Perry County. The Illinois State Records Act at 5 ILCS 160/ sets rules for how long court records must be kept. Most civil records are retained for years, and some are kept permanently, so you can request older Perry County files long after a case has closed.
The Clerk of Courts Act and Public Access
Illinois law requires circuit clerks to maintain accurate, public court records. The Clerk of Courts Act, found at 705 ILCS 105/, sets out the duties of each circuit clerk in the state. This includes Perry County. Clerks must keep case indexes, collect filing fees, issue process, and maintain official dockets. These duties make the clerk's office the primary point of access for all court records in the county.
Public access is the default. Most case types filed in Perry County are open to any person who wants to see them. There is no need to be a party to the case. You can walk in, provide a name or case number, and ask to see the file. The clerk's staff will assist you during office hours.
Cities in Perry County
All cities and towns in Perry County file court cases through the Perry County Circuit Court in Pinckneyville. The Circuit Clerk handles filings from every community in the county.
Pinckneyville is the county seat. Other communities include Du Quoin, Tamaroa, and Cutler. None of these cities reach the 100,000 population threshold that would qualify them for a dedicated city page on this site.