Adams County Family Court Records
Adams County family court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Quincy, Illinois. These records hold case files for divorce, child custody, child support, and other domestic relations matters filed in Adams County courts. You can search for records online through the Judici portal, which gives free public access to case data. The Circuit Clerk's office also takes in-person and mail requests. If you need certified copies of court documents, the clerk's office in Quincy is the place to go. Adams County is one of 82 Illinois counties that use the Judici system for online case search.
Adams County Quick Facts
Adams County Circuit Clerk Office
The Adams County Circuit Clerk is the main office for all family court records in the county. Lori Geschwandner serves as the Circuit Clerk. Her office handles filing, storage, and retrieval of all court documents. The office is in the Adams County Courthouse at 521 Vermont Street in Quincy, IL 62301. You can reach them by phone at 217-277-2100.
Walk-in visits are the most direct way to get court records. Bring a case number if you have one. The clerk can also look up cases by name. Staff can pull case files and make copies while you wait. Office hours run on a standard weekday schedule, but it helps to call first and confirm. Some files may take time to pull from storage if the case is old.
Mail requests are another option. Send a written request to the clerk at 521 Vermont Street, Quincy, IL 62301. Include as much case detail as you can, along with a check or money order for copy fees.
Search Adams County Court Records Online
Adams County is on the Judici case search system. This is free to use. Judici covers 82 counties in Illinois and gives the public access to case details, docket entries, hearing dates, and filing data. You do not need an account for basic case searches. Just go to the Judici site, pick Adams County, and search by party name or case number.
Keep in mind that online results may not show every document in a case file. Judici shows docket entries, party names, charges and dispositions, hearing dates, and case minutes. Actual court documents like petitions, motions, and orders may not be viewable online. You might see a docket entry that says a motion was filed, but you would need to visit the clerk's office or order copies to read the full document.
The statewide Re:SearchIL portal is another tool. This system lets you view documents that were filed through eFileIL. Fees are $0.10 per page, with a cap of $3 per document. If a case was e-filed, you may be able to read the actual filings here.
The screenshot below shows the Judici portal used for searching Adams County family court records.
This portal lets you search by name, case number, or date range across all case types in Adams County.
Family Court Record Fees in Adams County
Copy fees in Adams County follow the schedule set by 705 ILCS 105, the Clerks of Courts Act. The first page costs $2. Pages two through twenty cost $0.50 each. Every page after that is $0.25. If you need a certified copy, there is an added $6 fee per document for the certification stamp.
Search fees can run up to $6 per year searched. This applies when you ask the clerk to search records for a specific person or case and do not have a case number. If you already know the case number, the search fee may not apply.
Online viewing through Judici is free. You only pay when you want printed or certified copies from the clerk's office.
Types of Records in Adams County Courts
Family court records in Adams County cover a range of domestic matters. The most common types include dissolution of marriage (divorce) cases, allocation of parental responsibilities (custody), child support orders, and orders of protection. These are all filed and maintained through the Circuit Clerk's office in Quincy.
Under 750 ILCS 5, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, divorce and family law proceedings follow specific rules for filing, service, and final orders. Adams County cases fall under this same state law. The case file for a divorce might include the petition, financial disclosures, parenting plans, and the final judgment.
Not all records are open to the public. Juvenile cases, adoption files, and sealed records are restricted. Some family law filings may have sensitive information redacted. Social Security numbers, bank account details, and medical records are typically removed from public view. If a judge orders a file sealed, it will not show up in a public search at all.
Note: Court records in Adams County do not include arrest records unless criminal charges were filed as part of a domestic case.
Legal Help for Adams County Residents
Illinois Legal Aid Online is a good starting point. The site has guides on how to file for divorce, request custody changes, and understand child support rules. It also has step-by-step instructions for getting copies of your own court records. All resources are free.
The Illinois Court Help website is another useful resource. It provides chat-based support and can walk you through court forms and procedures. If you are representing yourself in a family court case in Adams County, these tools can help you figure out what forms to file and where to file them.
Note: Legal aid services are not the same as hiring a lawyer, but they can point you in the right direction for free.
Adams County Family Records Access
Most family court records in Illinois are considered public under 5 ILCS 160, the State Records Act. This means anyone can request to see them. You do not need to be a party to the case. Walk into the clerk's office, give a name or case number, and ask to view the file. The clerk will pull it for you.
There are limits. Judges can seal files if there is a strong reason. Domestic violence cases sometimes get extra privacy protections. And as mentioned, juvenile and adoption cases are off-limits to the public. But for standard divorce and custody cases, the records are open. Final judgments and court orders are almost always available.
If you want copies sent by mail, include payment with your request. The clerk's office will process the request and mail copies to the address you provide. Allow extra time for mailing and processing.
Nearby Counties
Adams County sits in western Illinois along the Mississippi River. Several nearby counties also maintain family court records through their own Circuit Clerks. If a case was filed in a neighboring county, you would need to contact that county's clerk.