Court records of St. Clair County, Illinois, are available through several channels. StClairCourt.us allows searching for publicly available information on court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online tools of the Circuit Clerk, directly at the court clerk's office, at public terminals in the courthouse, and through resources of the Illinois Courts Office.
St. Clair Court System & Jurisdictions
St. Clair County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Illinois. The Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction that handles virtually all categories of cases at the county level.
Here is how the main types of cases are distributed:
- Criminal Cases (Criminal Division) — felonies, misdemeanors, probation violations. Serious criminal cases are heard by a circuit court judge.
- Civil Cases (Civil Division) — claims over $50,000, contract disputes, damage recovery cases.
- Small Claims — civil disputes for smaller amounts; simplified procedure without mandatory attorney representation.
- Family Law (Family Division) — divorces, child custody, alimony, protection orders. Standardized forms are available on the Illinois Courts website.
- Probate Cases (Probate Division) — wills, estate management, guardianship of incapacitated persons.
- Traffic Violations (Traffic Division) — fines, traffic violations, DUI.
Federal cases concerning the county are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois in East St. Louis. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
The county courthouse is located at:
St. Clair Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the date and time of a specific hearing — today, tomorrow, or this week — use the online tools of the Circuit Clerk's office.
- Visit the Courts page on the county's website, where case search (Case Search) and court calendar (Court Calendar) tools are available.
- Enter the case number or party's last name. The system will show scheduled hearing dates for criminal and civil cases.
- For more information, contact the Circuit Clerk's office by phone.
The 20th Judicial Circuit's court schedule, including oral arguments and decisions, is also published on the St. Clair County Courthouse page on the Illinois Courts website. Note: the courthouse is undergoing major renovations, which may affect access to courtrooms and parking.
How to Get a Copy of a St. Clair Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Circuit Clerk's office. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — suitable for review, does not have the court's official stamp.
- Certified copy — contains the clerk's seal and signature; usually required for submission to other institutions, immigration procedures, or legal purposes.
How to Order a Copy
In person: visit the Circuit Clerk's office in the courthouse. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and the approximate filing date.
By mail: send a written request specifying the case number, document type, number of copies, and payment (check or money order payable to "St. Clair County Circuit Clerk").
Electronic filing (eFiling): according to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9, electronic filing is mandatory for all civil cases. Some documents can be obtained through the eFiling system.
Certain records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, sealed criminal records, and some family cases are not subject to public disclosure. If you are unsure whether a specific document is available, ask the clerk.
St. Clair Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are determined by Illinois state law and local administrative orders. Below are approximate rates that the clerk may charge for typical services. We recommend confirming exact amounts directly with the Circuit Clerk's office, as fees are periodically reviewed.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified document copy | From $2.00 for the first page + $0.50 for each additional page (plus certification fee) |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50–$2.00 |
| Certification fee | Usually $5.00–$10.00 per document |
| Archive search upon request | A separate fee may apply; check with the clerk |
Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order. Some services are available through the eFiling online platform with credit card payment.
For obtaining public records that are not court-related (e.g., Recorder of Deeds records), a separate procedure applies according to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Requests for such records are submitted to the relevant county department.