St. Clair County Public Records

What Are Public Records in St. Clair County?

Public records in St. Clair County, Illinois, are defined under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at 5 ILCS § 140/2, as all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, recorded information, and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared by or for, or having been or being used by, received by, in the possession of, or under the control of any public body. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of documents maintained by St. Clair County agencies, including:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments) — maintained by the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the St. Clair County Clerk's Vital Records division
Business records (licenses, permits, and fictitious business names) — maintained by the County Clerk
Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — maintained by the St. Clair County Treasurer and Assessor
Voting and election records — maintained by the St. Clair County Clerk's Elections Division
Meeting minutes and agendas (County Board, commissions, and advisory bodies) — maintained by the County Clerk
Budget and financial documents — maintained by the St. Clair County Finance Department
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the St. Clair County Planning and Zoning Department

The Illinois state public records portal provides additional access to statewide databases and archival resources maintained at the state level.

Is St. Clair County an Open Records County?

St. Clair County fully complies with Illinois open records law and operates as an open records jurisdiction. Under 5 ILCS § 140/1, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act establishes that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials and public employees. The Act further provides that such access is necessary to enable the people to fulfill their duties of discussing public issues fully and freely, making informed political judgments, and monitoring government to ensure that it is being conducted in the public interest.

St. Clair County public bodies are required to respond to FOIA requests within five business days of receipt, with a possible extension of five additional business days under qualifying circumstances. The county's compliance with Illinois sunshine laws extends to all county departments, elected offices, and boards. Members of the public who believe their FOIA rights have been violated may file a Request for Review with the Public Access Counselor of the Illinois Attorney General's Office, which administers and enforces FOIA statewide. The St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds Office has published its own FOIA information document confirming that all recorded documents, with limited statutory exceptions, are available for public inspection.

How to Find Public Records in St. Clair County

Members of the public may access St. Clair County records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.

Online Access:

Civil and criminal court case information is available through the St. Clair County court records search portal, which allows users to search by case number, party name, or filing date.
The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's courts page provides access to court dates, public notices, and case lookup tools.
The St. Clair County Courthouse directory on the Illinois Courts website lists online records access, probation information, and self-represented litigant resources.
The State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts maintains statewide court information and appellate records.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the relevant county office during regular business hours to inspect records or submit a written FOIA request.
FOIA requests must be submitted in writing and directed to the FOIA Officer of the specific public body that maintains the records sought.
Requestors should identify the records with sufficient specificity to allow the agency to locate them without undue burden.

By Mail or Email:

Written FOIA requests may be submitted by mail or electronic mail to the designated FOIA Officer at each county department.
Requestors should retain a copy of their request and note the date of submission to track the five-business-day response deadline.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in St. Clair County?

Current fees for public records in St. Clair County vary by record type and the office maintaining the records. Under 5 ILCS § 140/6, public bodies may charge fees for copies of records, provided that such fees do not exceed the actual cost of reproduction and do not include the cost of the staff time required to search for and retrieve the records.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

Black-and-white paper copies: No charge for the first 50 pages; $0.15 per page thereafter for standard letter or legal-size copies
Color copies or non-standard formats: Actual cost of reproduction
Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage): Fees set by the County Clerk, currently $15.00 for the first certified copy and $2.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time
Recorded document copies from the Recorder of Deeds: Fees vary by document type and page count; the Recorder's office publishes a current fee schedule
Court record copies: Fees are set by the Circuit Clerk and may vary by document type

Accepted payment methods typically include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county office. Fee waivers may be available where the requester demonstrates that disclosure is in the public interest and that the primary purpose of the request is not for the requester's commercial benefit, pursuant to applicable provisions of the Illinois FOIA.

Does St. Clair County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in St. Clair County, consistent with Illinois law. Members of the public are entitled to inspect records in person at the relevant county office at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following government resources currently provide free access to public records:

The St. Clair County court records search allows free online lookup of civil and criminal case information, including court dates and case status.
The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's department page provides free access to general court information and filing guidance.
The Illinois state public records database offers free access to numerous statewide archival databases maintained by the Illinois State Archives.
The Illinois Courts website provides free access to appellate and supreme court opinions, court rules, and administrative orders.
In-person inspection of recorded property documents at the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds Office is available at no charge during regular business hours, as confirmed in the office's FOIA information document.

Who Can Request Public Records in St. Clair County?

Any person may submit a public records request in St. Clair County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, the right to inspect and copy public records extends to all persons, and public bodies are not permitted to require requestors to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving certain sensitive record categories.

Specific eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Requestors are not required to be Illinois residents or St. Clair County residents to submit a FOIA request.
Identification: Requestors are generally not required to provide identification for standard public records requests; however, certain vital records (such as birth and death certificates) require proof of eligibility or relationship under the Illinois Vital Records Act.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most record types; however, a public body may inquire about the purpose when the nature of the request suggests a commercial use, which may affect applicable fee provisions.
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records pertaining to themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be exempt from disclosure to third parties, such as certain law enforcement or personnel records.
Non-residents: Non-residents retain full rights under the Illinois FOIA and may submit requests by mail, email, or in person.

Restrictions apply to specific categories, including juvenile records, sealed court records, and certain law enforcement investigative files, regardless of the identity of the requestor.

What Records Are Confidential in St. Clair County?

Certain categories of records maintained by St. Clair County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Illinois law. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act, at 5 ILCS § 140/7, enumerates specific exemptions that public bodies may invoke to withhold records or portions of records from disclosure. Exempt and confidential record categories currently include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors in delinquency or abuse and neglect proceedings are confidential under the Juvenile Court Act.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Records compiled by law enforcement agencies for investigatory purposes are exempt where disclosure would interfere with a pending or reasonably contemplated proceeding.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal data are exempt from disclosure.
Medical and health records: Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Illinois medical privacy statutes are not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related records are confidential under Illinois adoption law.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services agencies are exempt from general public access.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain information about public officials.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a public body is exempt from disclosure.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public buildings, infrastructure, or emergency response plans are exempt.

Where a public body invokes an exemption, it must specify the particular exemption claimed and, where feasible, provide the non-exempt portions of the record. The Public Access Counselor of the Illinois Attorney General's Office may review disputed exemption determinations upon request.

St. Clair County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds Office is the principal repository for property-related public records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other instruments affecting real property in the county. All documents recorded in the office, with the exception of military discharge documents pursuant to Public Act 093-0468, are available for public inspection.

St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds 10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220 (618) 277-6600 St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds FOIA Information

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding official county holidays.

St. Clair County Circuit Clerk 10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220 (618) 277-7325 St. Clair County Circuit Clerk

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding official county holidays.

St. Clair County Clerk – Vital Records Division 10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220 (618) 277-6600 x2363 St. Clair County Vital Records