Washington County Court Records Illinois
Washington County court records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Clerk office in Nashville, Illinois, serving the 24th Judicial Circuit in southern Illinois. The clerk office handles all civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate cases for the county. This page covers how to search those records, how to get copies, and where to find free help if you have questions about a court matter.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Circuit Clerk Office
Circuit Clerk Andrea Renken manages the Washington County clerk office in Nashville. The office is the official custodian of all court records for the county, including civil suits, criminal charges, traffic violations, family law cases, and probate matters. Court records are public under 705 ILCS 105/16(6). Most filed documents are open to the public. No reason is required to request access to a public case file.
The office at 125 East Elm Street in Nashville accepts walk-in visitors on weekdays. You can search by case number or party name. Washington County is a rural county with a modest case volume, so most searches are quick. Staff can pull civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate records. For older or archived records, a phone call ahead of your visit helps ensure files are ready when you arrive. Mail requests are also accepted.
| Circuit Clerk | Andrea Renken |
|---|---|
| Address | 125 E. Elm Street, Nashville, IL 62263 |
| Phone | (618) 327-4800 |
| Fax | (618) 327-3583 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | Not available |
Online Search for Washington County Records
Judici at judici.com provides free online access to Washington County court records. The platform covers cases from the 24th 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 docket entries. Full document viewing is not available online, but Judici lets you confirm a case exists and check its current status before requesting copies from the clerk.
The image below links to the Judici statewide portal. Select Washington County from the dropdown and run your search.
For Illinois appellate records, re:SearchIL at researchil.tylerhost.net provides free access to appellate documents filed on or after April 1, 2025. Trial court records for Washington County are accessed through Judici or the Nashville clerk office.
What Records the Washington County Clerk Holds
The Washington County Circuit Court handles all trial-level case types for the county. Civil cases include small claims disputes, contract actions, personal injury suits, and property matters. Criminal cases range from misdemeanors to felony charges filed by the Washington County State's Attorney. Traffic matters include citations and violations issued in the county. Family cases cover divorce, custody, child support, paternity actions, and orders of protection. Probate cases handle wills and estate administration.
Each case file includes the original complaint or charge, all subsequent filings, court orders, hearing records, and the final judgment. These are public records. Sealed cases, juvenile files, and certain restricted records are withheld. The clerk office can confirm whether a case exists and tell you if it is sealed. You cannot view sealed contents without a court order.
Washington County is a small county. If you are searching for someone with a common name, having a case number or an approximate year for the filing helps narrow things down quickly. The clerk staff are familiar with local records and can often help even with partial information.
Getting Copies of Court Records in Washington County
Walk-in copy requests are accepted at the Nashville courthouse. Bring the case number or the names of the parties. The clerk provides standard copies and certified copies. Certified copies have the clerk's seal and are accepted as official documents by other courts and agencies. Plain copies are fine for personal research or reference.
Mail requests are accepted for those who cannot visit in person. Write a letter with the case name, case number, the documents you need, your return address, and payment for the copy fee. Call the office first to confirm the current fee and that the record is on file. The clerk will mail your copies after processing the request.
For free guidance on court procedures or finding the right records, Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org is a strong resource. The Illinois Court Help line at (833) 411-1121 is staffed weekdays from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM and can explain steps and forms without giving legal advice. More is at ilcourthelp.gov.
Electronic Filing in Washington County
Most civil case types in Illinois require electronic filing. Washington County participates in the statewide eFileIL system at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file through the system using any of the certified e-filing providers. Once accepted, the filing is docketed by the clerk. Criminal charges are typically filed by the state's attorney. Some emergency matters may still use paper. Call the clerk office if you are unsure which method applies to your case.
Illinois Law Governing Court Record Access
Court records in Illinois are public under 705 ILCS 105, the Circuit Court Clerk Act. This statute sets the framework for public access and the fee schedule for copies. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140 covers state agency records but applies differently to court files, which are governed primarily by the courts statute. Most civil and criminal case filings are open to any member of the public. Juvenile records, sealed cases, and certain other filings are exempt.
Free Legal Resources for Washington County
Residents of Washington County can get free legal guidance at Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org. The site has guides and form tools for common legal matters like housing, family law, and consumer debt. The Illinois Court Help program at ilcourthelp.gov provides free phone support at (833) 411-1121, weekdays from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Free official court forms are at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms.
Cities in Washington County
Nashville is the county seat and largest city in Washington County. Ashley, Irvington, and Okawville are smaller communities in the county. None of these cities meet the 50,000 population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All circuit court filings for Washington County go through the clerk office in Nashville regardless of where in the county the case arises.