Sangamon County Court Records
Sangamon County court records are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Springfield, Illinois, where the 7th Judicial Circuit handles all civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases for the state capital county. This guide covers how to search Sangamon County court records online and how to request copies through the clerk's office in Springfield.
Sangamon County Quick Facts
Sangamon County Circuit Clerk Office
The Sangamon County Circuit Clerk in Springfield maintains all official court records for the county. Clerk Joseph B. Roesch and his staff handle case searches, copy requests, certified copies, and filing services for every case type handled by the 7th Judicial Circuit. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), most Sangamon County court records are open to the public. Any person can access non-sealed files without a court order or any showing of need.
The clerk's office is in the Sangamon County Complex at 200 South 9th Street, Room 405 in Springfield. Visit in person during business hours to search by name or case number. Staff will locate files and make copies. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are required for many legal uses. For older or archived records, call ahead so the file is ready when you arrive.
| Circuit Clerk | Joseph B. Roesch |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 South 9th Street, Room 405, Springfield, IL 62701 |
| Phone | (217) 753-6674 |
| Fax | (217) 747-5108 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Sangamon County Courthouse and the 7th Circuit
The Sangamon County courthouse, shown in the Illinois Courts directory below, is home to the 7th Judicial Circuit clerk's office in Springfield.
As the state capital county, Sangamon has extensive court operations serving Springfield and surrounding communities. The 7th Judicial Circuit covers Christian, Greene, Macoupin, Montgomery, Morgan, Sangamon, and Scott counties. Sangamon County's courthouse handles the largest volume of cases in the circuit given its population of nearly 200,000.
Judges rotate through the 7th Circuit, though Sangamon County has the most active docket given its size. For case schedules, court dates, and clerk contact details, use the Illinois Courts interactive map or call the clerk at (217) 753-6674.
Online Search for Sangamon County Court Records
Judici provides free online case search for Sangamon County court records. Search by party name, attorney, or case number without visiting Springfield. Results show case type, filing date, parties, and future court dates. Civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases all appear in the system when available.
For appellate records, re:SearchIL gives free access to Illinois Supreme Court and appellate filings since April 2025. Since Springfield is home to the Illinois Supreme Court, Sangamon County residents may find a number of appellate and supreme court filings through re:SearchIL in addition to local circuit court records on Judici. The two databases together cover both the trial and appellate levels.
Active case parties can file documents in Sangamon County through eFileIL, the Illinois statewide e-filing platform. All attorneys filing in Sangamon County must use eFileIL, and self-represented litigants may use it too. Your e-filing service provider may give you access to documents filed in your matter.
Types of Cases in Sangamon County
The Sangamon County Circuit Court handles a high volume of cases given the county's population. Civil cases include small claims (up to $10,000), general civil suits, contract disputes, and personal injury claims. Small claims use a simplified track with faster resolution. Criminal cases cover misdemeanors tried at the county level and felonies through the full circuit court. Felony cases in Sangamon County can involve state agency employees and state government matters given the county's role as the state capital.
Family court records in Sangamon County include divorce, child custody and support, adoption, and guardianship. Most family records are public, but adoption files and cases with minor defendants are sealed. Traffic records include moving violations, DUI charges, and license suspension matters. Probate records handle estates, wills, and guardians appointed for adults unable to manage their affairs. All case types are maintained by the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk at 200 South 9th Street in Springfield.
Juvenile delinquency records are sealed in Illinois. They are not available to the public regardless of who makes the request or why.
How to Get Copies of Sangamon County Court Records
Visit the clerk's office at 200 South 9th Street, Room 405 in Springfield to get copies in person. Bring the case number or the full name of a party. Staff will search the index and make copies. Standard copies cost a set per-page fee. Certified copies cost more and are required when submitting a court record to another court, employer, or government agency. Both types are available through the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk.
Mail requests are accepted. Write to the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk at 200 South 9th Street, Room 405, Springfield, IL 62701. Include the case number or party names, which documents you want, and payment for copy fees. Call (217) 753-6674 first to confirm the current fee rate before mailing. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits.
If you believe a public record is being improperly withheld, you can submit a formal request under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140/. The clerk must respond within five business days. Most court records are public and don't need FOIA, but the option is available if you run into access problems.
Legal Help for Sangamon County Residents
Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) is a free resource with plain-language legal guides, forms, and document builders for civil, family, housing, and criminal matters. It's available any time and covers procedures used in the 7th Judicial Circuit. ILAO is a particularly useful starting point if you're looking for common forms or trying to understand how a specific type of case works in Illinois courts.
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 with questions about court procedures, forms, and how to find records. They don't give legal advice, but they can explain how the Sangamon County Circuit Court works and point you to the right resources for your situation.
Free court forms for civil, family, small claims, and other case types are available at the Illinois Courts forms page. These forms are accepted at all Illinois circuit courts. The Illinois State Records Act at 5 ILCS 160/ sets how long court records must be kept. Most civil records in Sangamon County are retained for many years, so older case files should be accessible from the clerk's office long after a case has closed.
Public Access Under the Clerk of Courts Act
The Clerk of Courts Act at 705 ILCS 105/ sets the duties of every circuit clerk in Illinois. Clerks must maintain case indexes, collect filing fees, issue legal process, and preserve all filed documents. Public access to non-sealed records is a legal duty. The Sangamon County Circuit Clerk must make records available to any person who asks during regular office hours. Records sealed by court order or statute, such as juvenile and adoption files, are not available. Everything else is open and available on request from the clerk's office at 200 South 9th Street in Springfield.
Cities in Sangamon County
All cities and communities in Sangamon County file court cases through the Sangamon County Circuit Court in Springfield. The clerk's office serves the entire county.
Springfield is the county seat and the largest city in Sangamon County, with a population of about 114,000. As the state capital, Springfield is also home to many state agencies and the Illinois Supreme Court. Other communities in the county include Chatham, Sherman, Rochester, and Auburn. Springfield is the only city in Sangamon County with enough population to qualify for a dedicated city page on this site.