Randolph County Court Records
Randolph County court records are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Chester, Illinois, where the 24th Judicial Circuit handles all civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases for the county. This guide covers how to search Randolph County court records online and how to request copies through the clerk's office in Chester.
Randolph County Quick Facts
Randolph County Circuit Clerk Office
The Randolph County Circuit Clerk in Chester keeps all official court records for the county. Clerk Julie A. Carnahan and her staff maintain case indexes and files for civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate matters. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), most Randolph County court records are open to the public. Any person can request access to non-sealed files without explaining their reason.
The office is in the courthouse at #1 Taylor Street in Chester. Walk in during business hours to search by name or case number. Staff will locate the file and make copies. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are required for many legal and official uses. Call ahead for older or archived records so staff can have them ready for your visit.
| Circuit Clerk | Julie A. Carnahan |
|---|---|
| Address | #1 Taylor Street, Room 302, Chester, IL 62233 |
| Phone | (618) 826-5000 |
| Fax | (618) 826-3761 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Online Search for Randolph County Court Records
Judici provides free online case search for Randolph County court records. Look up cases from any device by party name, attorney, or case number. Results show the case type, filing date, names of parties, and any scheduled court dates. Civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases are all searchable in Judici when available.
Search by name or case number to find civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases. Judici is updated regularly and free to use for Randolph County and most other Illinois counties.
For appellate records, re:SearchIL gives free access to Illinois Supreme Court and appellate filings since April 2025. If your Randolph County matter was appealed, those records may be on re:SearchIL. The Illinois Courts interactive map shows every circuit court in the state with clerk contact details and courthouse locations.
Types of Cases Filed in Randolph County
The Randolph County Circuit Court handles civil suits, criminal charges, traffic violations, family law matters, and probate cases. Civil cases include small claims (up to $10,000), contract disputes, and personal injury suits. Small claims use a simplified process and typically move faster than regular civil cases. Criminal matters split into misdemeanors handled at the county level and felonies that go through the full circuit court. All of these generate records maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Chester.
Family court records in Randolph County include divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and guardianship. Most of these are public, but adoption files and matters involving minor defendants are sealed by Illinois law. Traffic records cover moving violations, DUI charges, and license actions. Probate records handle estates, wills, and court-appointed guardians for adults who cannot manage their own affairs. The clerk's office in Chester stores and maintains all of these records.
Juvenile delinquency records are sealed under Illinois law. They are not available through any public records request.
Getting Copies of Randolph County Court Records
Visit the clerk's office at #1 Taylor Street, Room 302 in Chester to get copies in person. Give staff the case number or the full name of a party. They will search the index, locate the file, and make copies. Standard copies cost a set per-page fee. Certified copies cost more and are often needed when you have to prove something to another court, an agency, or an employer.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Randolph County Circuit Clerk at #1 Taylor Street, Room 302, Chester, IL 62233. Include the case number or party names, which documents you want, and payment for the copy fees. Call (618) 826-5000 to confirm the current fee before you mail. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits.
Attorneys and self-represented litigants in active cases can file documents electronically through eFileIL, the Illinois statewide e-filing platform. This applies to filings in pending matters, not to record requests from the public. Contact the clerk's office directly for record requests.
If you run into issues getting a record you believe is public, submit a formal request under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140/. The clerk's office must respond within five business days. Most court records don't require FOIA, but it gives you a formal route if needed.
Randolph County and the 24th Judicial Circuit
Randolph County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Perry and Washington counties. Judges rotate through all three counties and hear cases at each courthouse. Each county keeps its own records with its own clerk. If a Randolph County case was transferred to another county, check that county's clerk office for those files.
The Randolph County courthouse sits on Taylor Street in Chester, on the bluffs above the Mississippi River. The Illinois Courts website lists full contact information for the Randolph County clerk and all 24th Circuit courts. For case schedules and hearing dates, check Judici or call the clerk at (618) 826-5000.
Free Legal Help for Randolph County Residents
Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) provides free guides and forms for civil, family, housing, and criminal matters under Illinois law. It's available around the clock at no charge. ILAO can help you find the right form, understand a court procedure, or build a document for common case types. No account or payment is needed.
Illinois Court Help runs a free phone line at (833) 411-1121, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff help with questions about court procedures, what forms to use, and how to search for records. They don't give legal advice, but they can walk you through how the Randolph County Circuit Court operates and what to expect at a hearing.
Free court forms for civil, family, small claims, and other case types are available at the Illinois Courts forms page. All courts in Illinois accept these forms. The Illinois State Records Act at 5 ILCS 160/ sets how long court records must be kept. Most civil records are retained for many years, so older Randolph County case files should be accessible from the clerk's office in Chester.
Public Access Under Illinois Law
The Clerk of Courts Act at 705 ILCS 105/ sets the legal duties of every circuit clerk in Illinois. Clerks must keep case indexes, collect filing fees, issue legal process, and preserve all filed documents. Public access is a requirement, not a favor. The Randolph County Circuit Clerk must make non-sealed records available to anyone who asks during office hours. If a record is sealed, it is because a court order or Illinois statute requires it. Otherwise, the record is open, and the clerk in Chester must provide access.
Cities in Randolph County
All cities and towns in Randolph County file court cases through the Randolph County Circuit Court in Chester. The clerk's office serves the entire county.
Chester is the county seat and largest city in Randolph County. Other communities include Red Bud, Sparta, and Coulterville. None of these cities reach the 100,000 population level needed for a dedicated city page on this site.