Find St. Clair County Court Records
St. Clair County court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk office in Belleville, Illinois, serving the 20th Judicial Circuit. With a population of over 251,000, St. Clair is one of the larger counties in the state and handles a high volume of civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate cases each year. This page explains how to search those records, what the clerk office provides, and where to find free legal help.
St. Clair County Quick Facts
St. Clair County Circuit Clerk Office
The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk office in Belleville is the official keeper of all court records for the county. Clerk Kinnis Williams manages a large operation that processes thousands of new cases each year. The office handles civil filings, criminal case records, traffic matters, family court documents, and probate files. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), court records in Illinois are public. Anyone can request access to most case files without giving a reason.
The courthouse at 10 Public Square in Belleville is where you can walk in and search records in person. Staff can search by case number or by party name. Given the volume of cases, it helps to have a case number ready if you have one. Certified copies, plain copies, and docket printouts are all available at the clerk counter.
| Circuit Clerk | Kinnis Williams |
|---|---|
| Address | 10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220 |
| Phone | (618) 277-6832 |
| Fax | (618) 277-1562 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | Not available |
St. Clair County Courthouse on the Illinois Courts Directory
The Illinois Courts directory listing for St. Clair County, pictured below, shows the 20th Judicial Circuit courthouse in Belleville.
All St. Clair County circuit court filings are handled through the clerk's office at 10 Public Square in Belleville.
Searching St. Clair County Records Online
The Judici public access system at judici.com allows free online searches for St. Clair County court records. You can look up cases by party name or case number. Results include case type, status, party names, and docket events. Judici does not provide full document images, but it gives you enough information to identify a case and decide whether you need certified copies from the clerk office.
For appellate-level records, re:SearchIL at researchil.tylerhost.net provides free access to Illinois appellate court documents filed on or after April 1, 2025. Trial court records for St. Clair County are accessed through Judici or the clerk office.
The statewide Illinois Courts website at illinoiscourts.gov also has an interactive court finder at illinoiscourts.gov/courts-directory where you can locate the 20th Circuit courthouse and get contact details.
What Records the St. Clair County Clerk Keeps
St. Clair County Circuit Court handles a wide variety of case types. Civil cases include small claims, personal injury suits, contract disputes, and civil rights matters. Criminal cases range from traffic misdemeanors to serious felonies. Family cases cover divorce filings, child custody orders, support agreements, adoptions, and protective orders. Probate matters deal with estates, wills, and guardianship proceedings.
Each case file includes the original complaint or petition, all motions and pleadings filed by both sides, court orders, hearing records, and the final judgment or dismissal. These are public documents. Some cases are sealed by court order, typically for juvenile matters, certain family cases, or by agreement of the parties. The clerk office can confirm whether a case exists and whether it is sealed.
Older records may be stored in archives. If you need records from many years back, call the clerk office first to ask about retrieval time. Some very old records may require a written request submitted in advance.
How to Get Copies in St. Clair County
Walk-in requests are welcome at the clerk office during business hours. Tell the staff what you need. A case number helps a lot. You can request standard copies or certified copies. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal. They are required for use in other courts, government agencies, and financial transactions.
Mail-in requests are also accepted. Write a letter with the case name, case number, and what you need. Include payment for the copy fee. The clerk will mail back your documents once processed. If you are not sure how much to send, call the office first to get the fee amount for your request type.
If you have trouble locating a case or understanding what you received, Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org can help. Their site has guides on how to read court records, what common legal terms mean, and how to use case information in different situations.
Electronic Filing for St. Clair County Cases
Illinois requires e-filing for most civil matters. St. Clair County cases are filed through the statewide eFileIL portal at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. The system routes filings to the Circuit Clerk office through certified third-party providers. Attorneys must use the system. Self-represented parties may also use it and can find instructions on the eFileIL site. Once a filing is accepted, it goes into the clerk's docket and becomes part of the official court record.
Free Help for Court Users in St. Clair County
The Illinois Court Help program provides free guidance on court procedures. Call (833) 411-1121 Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, or visit ilcourthelp.gov. Staff explain steps, forms, and deadlines without giving legal advice. This is useful if you are representing yourself and are not sure what to do next.
Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org is a broader resource. The site has interactive tools, legal articles, and form generators for civil legal problems. If your income qualifies, you may be able to get free representation through legal aid organizations that serve the Metro East area. Free court forms are at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms.
Cities in St. Clair County
Belleville is the county seat and the largest city in St. Clair County, with a population of approximately 41,000. O'Fallon, Fairview Heights, Swansea, Mascoutah, and Shiloh are other significant communities in the county. Belleville and O'Fallon are below the 50,000 population threshold for dedicated city pages. For court records anywhere in St. Clair County, all circuit court filings go through the clerk office at 10 Public Square in Belleville.