Access Pike County Court Records
Pike County court records are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Pittsfield, Illinois, where the 8th Judicial Circuit handles all civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases for the county. This page explains how to search, request, and obtain Pike County court records through online tools and the clerk's office.
Pike County Quick Facts
Pike County Circuit Clerk Office
The Pike County Circuit Clerk in Pittsfield maintains all official court records for the county. Clerk Bryce Gleckler and staff handle filings, copy requests, and case searches for civil, criminal, traffic, and family matters. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), most Pike County court records are open to the public. Any person can request access without having to explain their reason.
The office is in the courthouse in Pittsfield. You can walk in during business hours to search by name or case number. Staff will locate files and make copies as needed. For older or archived records, call in advance. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and cost more than standard copies. Both are available through the Pike County Circuit Clerk.
| Circuit Clerk | Bryce Gleckler |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 East Washington, Pittsfield, IL 62363 |
| Phone | (217) 285-6612 |
| Fax | (217) 285-4726 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Online Search for Pike County Court Records
The Illinois Courts public page, shown below, lists statewide resources that Pike County residents can use to find court records.
Use the Find Your Court map to locate the Pike County courthouse in Pittsfield.
For free case-level searching, Judici.com provides online access to Pike County court records by name, attorney, or case number. Results show filing dates, case types, parties, and scheduled court dates. Civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases are all searchable in the Judici system. It's one of the fastest ways to check whether a case exists without going to Pittsfield in person.
For appellate cases, re:SearchIL provides free access to Illinois Supreme Court and appellate filings since April 2025. If your Pike County matter was appealed, you may find those records there. The Illinois Courts interactive map lists every circuit court in the state, with clerk contact details and courthouse locations for quick reference.
Types of Cases in Pike County
The Pike County Circuit Court handles civil suits, criminal charges, traffic violations, family law matters, and probate cases. Civil cases include contract disputes, personal injury claims, and small claims. Small claims are capped at $10,000 in Illinois and use a simplified filing and hearing process. Criminal matters range from misdemeanors, handled entirely in county court, to felonies that go through the full circuit court process. Both generate records kept by the Circuit Clerk in Pittsfield.
Family court records in Pike County cover divorce, child custody, support orders, adoption, and guardianship. Most of these records are public, but adoption files and cases with minor defendants are sealed. Traffic records include moving violations, DUI matters, and license suspension actions. Probate records handle estates, wills, and court-appointed guardians for adults unable to manage their own affairs. All are filed with and kept by the Pike County Circuit Clerk.
Juvenile delinquency records are sealed in Illinois. Public record laws do not apply to them.
Requesting Copies of Pike County Court Records
The fastest way to get copies is to visit the Circuit Clerk's office at 100 East Washington in Pittsfield. Bring the case number or the name of a party. Staff will search the index, locate the file, and make copies on request. Standard copies charge a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more and are often required when submitting court records to another court, an employer, or a government agency.
For mail requests, send a written letter to the Pike County Circuit Clerk at 100 East Washington, Pittsfield, IL 62363. List the case number or party names, which documents you want, and a payment for the estimated copy fee. Call (217) 285-6612 first to confirm the current fee rate before mailing. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits.
Parties to active cases can use eFileIL to file documents electronically in Pike County through one of the state-certified electronic filing service providers. This is not a record request tool, but it gives case parties access to documents filed in their matter.
If you run into problems getting a public record, you can submit a request under the Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140/. The clerk must respond within five business days. Most court records don't require FOIA, but it gives you a formal route if informal requests don't work.
Pike County in the 8th Judicial Circuit
Pike County is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, which also includes Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Mason, Menard, and Schuyler counties. Judges rotate through the circuit and hear cases in each county on a scheduled basis. If a change of venue was ordered in a Pike County case, the records may have moved to another county in the circuit. Check that county's clerk office for any transferred files.
Court schedules, case hearing dates, and clerk contact information are available through Judici or the Illinois Courts website at illinoiscourts.gov. For specific questions about Pike County filings, call the Circuit Clerk at (217) 285-6612.
Legal Help for Pike County Residents
Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) is a free resource with plain-language guides on civil, family, and criminal law in Illinois. You can build documents, find forms, and read step-by-step instructions for common legal situations. No account or payment is needed.
Illinois Court Help provides a free phone line at (833) 411-1121, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff can explain court procedures, help you find the right form, and tell you what to expect at a hearing. They don't give legal advice, but they can give you solid guidance on how to navigate Pike County court processes.
Free court forms for small claims, civil, family, and other case types are available at the Illinois Courts forms page. These forms are accepted in all Illinois circuit courts. The Illinois State Records Act at 5 ILCS 160/ sets retention schedules for court records. Most Pike County civil records are kept for many years, so older case files should still be available through the clerk's office in Pittsfield.
Record Access Under the Clerk of Courts Act
The Clerk of Courts Act at 705 ILCS 105/ spells out what circuit clerks in Illinois are required to do. Every circuit clerk must keep a case index, collect fees, issue legal process, and store filed documents. The Pike County Circuit Clerk follows these requirements. Public access is a legal duty, not a choice. The clerk must make non-sealed records available to any person who asks during regular business hours.
If a file is sealed, it is usually because a court order requires it or because Illinois law seals that type of record automatically, such as juvenile or adoption files. Everything else is open. Walk in during office hours, provide the case or party name, and the Pike County Circuit Clerk will assist you.
Cities in Pike County
All cities and towns in Pike County file court cases through the Pike County Circuit Court in Pittsfield. The clerk's office serves the entire county.
Pittsfield is the county seat and largest city in Pike County. Barry, Griggsville, and Louisiana are other communities in the county. None of these towns reach the 100,000 population level needed for a dedicated city page on this site.