| Circuit Clerk | Madison County Circuit Clerk — Court Records Search |
|---|---|
| Clerk address | Madison County Courthouse, 155 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025 (Alton Satellite Office: 1700 E. Broadway, Alton, IL 62002, open Tuesday and Friday only) |
| Phone | (618) 296-6200 (technical support for online search: (800) 250-9884) |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Alton office Tuesday and Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Earliest records noted | Varies by court — older files may be on paper or microfilm |
| Plain copy fee | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
| Certified copy fee | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
Madison County is part of the Third Judicial Circuit, and the Circuit Clerk keeps case records for the county at the courthouse in Edwardsville, with a satellite office in Alton open two days a week for public convenience on the county's northern end.
The clerk's office publishes a free online court-records search, though the site warns the search screen can be slow to load during high-traffic periods. For full electronic access to case documents, the office directs subscribers to eMagnus MultiCourt, a paid third-party document-access service used by several Illinois circuits.
Madison County, across the river from St. Louis, has a large civil docket including asbestos and mass tort litigation that draws filings from outside the immediate area, in addition to its local criminal and family caseload.
Search Madison County court records online
Circuit Clerk
Madison County Circuit Clerk — Court Records Search
- Cost
- Free to search; subscription required for eMagnus MultiCourt document access
- Coverage
- Circuit Court of Madison County case types including civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate, Traffic
For document images and case file subscriptions, the clerk's office points to eMagnus MultiCourt, a separate paid service.
What is available online
The free court-records search covers the standard circuit-court case types. The clerk's office cautions the search screen can be slow during high-volume periods. Subscribers who need ongoing electronic access to case documents use eMagnus MultiCourt, a paid third-party service separate from the free public search.
Which clerk has your record
In Illinois, the clerk who keeps a file depends on which court heard the case. Check the court name on the case notice, citation, or order, then use the office and coverage details above to identify the record holder. Court names and responsibilities differ by state; a county clerk may not keep court case files. For federal cases, see the PACER guide. The full court structure is on the Illinois page.
| Court | Typical cases | Records kept by |
|---|---|---|
| Appellate Court (5 districts) | Appeals from circuit-court civil and criminal judgments; Interlocutory appeals; Administrative review in some case types | Clerk of the relevant Appellate Court district |
| Circuit Courts (25 judicial circuits) | Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases; Civil suits of any amount; Divorce, custody, and other family cases | Circuit Clerk of the county (elected countywide) |
Request records in person or by mail
Madison County clerk offices
Madison County Courthouse, 155 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025 (Alton Satellite Office: 1700 E. Broadway, Alton, IL 62002, open Tuesday and Friday only)
Phone: (618) 296-6200 (technical support for online search: (800) 250-9884)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Alton office Tuesday and Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Contact details were taken from the office's website and are re-checked on a schedule; confirm hours before visiting.
Online. Use the free Court Records Search on the Circuit Clerk's website; expect possible delays during busy periods.
In person. Visit the Edwardsville courthouse, or the Alton satellite office on Tuesdays and Fridays, to search or request copies at the counter.
By mail. Write to the Circuit Clerk, Madison County Courthouse, 155 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025, with the case number, the documents needed, and whether certified copies are required.
Subscription access. For ongoing electronic access to case documents, subscribe to eMagnus MultiCourt through the clerk's office.
Fees. Copy and certification fees follow the Clerks of Courts Act (705 ILCS 105); call (618) 296-6200 to confirm the current amount.
Fees
| Item | Typical cost in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
| Certified copy | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
Circuit clerk fees, including copy and certification fees, are set under the Clerks of Courts Act (705 ILCS 105), which gives minimum-and-maximum ranges by county population (Section 27.1a for counties under 500,000 people, Section 27.2 for counties between 500,000 and 3,000,000). Because each county board can set its own fee within that range, the actual per-page and certification cost varies by county — confirm the current amount with the circuit clerk before sending payment.
Need a copy an agency will accept? See how to get certified copies of court records.
Sealed and restricted records
Illinois court records are presumed open, but several categories will not appear in a public search:
The Illinois guide lists every category of sealed and restricted record, and our guide to expunging or sealing a criminal record explains how to remove one from public view.
Frequently asked questions
How do I search Madison County, Illinois court records?
Use the free Court Records Search on the Circuit Clerk's website. The office notes the search screen can be slow to load during periods of high traffic.
Is there a satellite Circuit Clerk office in Madison County?
Yes. In addition to the main courthouse in Edwardsville, the clerk's office operates a satellite location in Alton, open Tuesdays and Fridays only.
How do I get electronic access to Madison County case documents?
Subscribe to eMagnus MultiCourt, the paid third-party document-access service the Circuit Clerk's office uses for ongoing electronic access to case files.
What is the phone number for technical issues with the Madison County online search?
(800) 250-9884, separate from the Circuit Clerk's main office line at (618) 296-6200.
Sources
- Madison County Circuit Clerk — Court Records Search — https://www.madisoncountyil.gov/departments/circuit_clerk/court_records_search.php
- Madison County Circuit Clerk — Home — https://www.madisoncountyil.gov/departments/circuit_clerk/index.php
- State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts — https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/
- Illinois Courts — Circuit Court overview — https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/
- re:SearchIL (Illinois Supreme Court document access portal) — https://researchil.tylerhost.net/CourtRecordsSearch/Home
- Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification — Name-Based Background Checks — https://isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/NameBased
- Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification — Fee Schedule — https://isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/FeeSchedule
- Illinois Supreme and Appellate Court Opinions Search — https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/top-level-opinions/
- 20 ILCS 2630 — Criminal Identification Act — https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=350&ChapterID=5
- 705 ILCS 105 — Clerks of Courts Act — https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=1847&ChapterID=50
- Northern District of Illinois — U.S. District Court — https://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/
- PACER — Federal court records — https://pacer.uscourts.gov/
See also: all Illinois counties.