Union County Court Records Illinois
Union County court records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Clerk office in Jonesboro, Illinois, serving the 1st Judicial Circuit in far southern Illinois. The clerk office handles all civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate cases for the county. This page explains how to search Union County court records, request copies, and find help if you need assistance with a case or legal matter.
Union County Quick Facts
Union County Circuit Clerk Office
Circuit Clerk Keri Clark runs the Union County clerk office in Jonesboro. This office maintains the official case files and docket for all cases filed in Union County. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), court records in Illinois are public records. Anyone can request access to most case files. You do not need a formal reason or legal standing to view a public court record.
The office is located at 309 West Market Street, Room 101, in Jonesboro. Walk-in visits are welcome during regular business hours. Staff can search records by name or case number. Union County is a smaller county, so most searches are quick. If you need archived or older records, call ahead. The office also accepts mail requests from people who cannot come in person.
| Circuit Clerk | Keri Clark |
|---|---|
| Address | 309 West Market Street, Rm 101, Jonesboro, IL 62952 |
| Phone | (618) 833-5913 |
| Fax | (618) 833-5223 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | Not available |
Searching Union County Court Records Online
Judici at judici.com provides free online access to Union County court records. The platform covers cases from the 1st Judicial Circuit. Search by party name or case number to find civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases. Results include case type, status, party names, and key docket dates. Full document images are not available through Judici. For full copies, contact the clerk office.
The image below links to the Judici search portal. Select Union County from the list and enter your search terms to begin.
For appellate case records, re:SearchIL at researchil.tylerhost.net is free for documents filed on or after April 1, 2025. Trial court records for Union County are accessed through Judici or the Jonesboro clerk office.
What Records Are Kept at the Union County Clerk
The Union County Circuit Court is the trial court for all case types filed in the county. Civil cases include small claims, contract disputes, personal injury suits, and property matters. Criminal cases range from misdemeanor charges to serious felonies filed by the Union County State's Attorney. Traffic cases cover citations and violations issued anywhere in the county. Family cases include divorce, child custody, child support, paternity actions, and orders of protection. Probate cases handle estates and wills filed with the court.
Court files include the original petition or charge, all subsequent motions, filings, exhibits, hearing records, and the final judgment. Most of these documents are public. Sealed cases, juvenile files, and certain family and mental health records are restricted. The clerk office will tell you if a case is sealed when you ask. You cannot access the contents of a sealed file without a court order, but you can know the case is on file.
If you are looking for a specific record and are unsure of the case number, you can search by the full name of a party. Staff at the counter can help narrow the search if you have partial information like a year or case type.
Getting Copies of Court Records in Union County
The clerk office in Jonesboro provides copies of court records. Walk in during business hours with a case number or party name. Standard copies are available for personal use. Certified copies carry the court seal and are accepted by other courts, government agencies, and financial institutions. Ask the clerk which type you need for your purpose.
Mail requests are accepted for those who cannot visit. Write a letter stating the case name or number, what documents you need, your return address, and include payment for the copy fee. Call the office before mailing to confirm the record exists and the current fee amount.
Free help is available through Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org if you need guidance on understanding court records or legal procedures. The Illinois Court Help line at (833) 411-1121 is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM and can answer questions about forms and filing. Visit ilcourthelp.gov for more information.
Electronic Filing for Union County
Illinois requires e-filing for most civil matters statewide. Union County participates in the eFileIL system at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. Attorneys must use certified e-filing providers to submit documents to the clerk electronically. Self-represented litigants can also file through the eFileIL portal. Instructions are available on the site. Once a filing is accepted, it is docketed by the clerk and becomes part of the official court record for the case.
Criminal filings are generally handled by the state's attorney. Emergency or protective order filings may still use paper in some situations. If you are not sure how to file for your case type, the clerk office can clarify what is required before you begin.
Public Records Access Under Illinois Law
Court records in Illinois are governed primarily by 705 ILCS 105, the Circuit Court Clerk Act. This statute makes most court records public and sets the rules for inspection and copying. The broader 5 ILCS 140, the Freedom of Information Act, applies to state agency records but interacts with court records in limited ways. For most court file requests in Union County, the courts statute controls. Exceptions include sealed cases, juvenile records, adoption files, and mental health filings.
Legal Resources for Union County
Residents of Union County can access free legal help through Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org. The site provides plain-language guidance on family law, housing, consumer debt, and other common legal issues. The Illinois Court Help program at ilcourthelp.gov offers free phone support at (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Official court forms are available free at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms.
Cities in Union County
Jonesboro is the county seat. Anna is the largest city in Union County, with a population of approximately 4,500. Cobden and Dongola are smaller communities. None of the cities in Union County meet the 50,000 population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All circuit court cases for Union County are filed and maintained by the clerk office in Jonesboro regardless of where in the county the matter arose.