Search Madison County Family Court Records
Madison County family court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Edwardsville, Illinois. The clerk's office holds files for divorce proceedings, child custody disputes, child support orders, and other domestic relations cases. Madison County is one of the larger counties in the Metro East region of Illinois, with a population of over 264,000. You can search for family court records through state portals or visit the courthouse on North Main Street in Edwardsville. The clerk's office also accepts requests by mail for those outside the area.
Madison County Quick Facts
Madison County Circuit Clerk Office
The Madison County Circuit Clerk handles all family court records for the county. The office is at 155 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Phone inquiries go to (618) 296-6200. This is the central point for filing, storing, and retrieving court documents in Madison County.
The clerk's office processes a high volume of family law cases given the county's size. Walk-in visits are the fastest way to get copies. Give the clerk a case number or party name and they will pull the file. Staff can make copies while you wait. The office runs on standard weekday hours. Because Madison County handles a lot of cases, wait times can vary. Calling ahead to ask about current wait times is a good practice.
You can also request records by mail. Write to the clerk at 155 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Include the case number, party names, and a check or money order for fees. Mail requests take longer, usually a week or two for processing and return.
Search Madison County Records Online
The Re:SearchIL portal is the main online tool for finding Madison County family court records. This statewide system shows documents filed through eFileIL. You need a free account. The cost is $0.10 per page with a cap of $3 per document. Parties to a case can view their own records for free. Search by name or case number to find what you need.
The eFileIL system is required for all civil filings in Illinois, including family law matters. This means new filings in Madison County show up in Re:SearchIL relatively quickly. Older cases that were filed on paper may not be available through the online portal. For those, you would need to contact the clerk's office directly.
Below is the eFileIL system, which connects to Re:SearchIL for public access to Madison County court documents.
All new family court filings in Madison County go through eFileIL, making electronic records the standard going forward.
Note: The Re:SearchIL system excludes certain case types from remote access, including adoption and juvenile records filed in Madison County.
Madison County Court Record Copy Fees
Copy fees for family court records in Madison County follow 705 ILCS 105. The first page of any document costs $2. Pages two through twenty are $0.50 each. After that, each page is $0.25. Certification costs $6 per document. If you need the clerk to search for records without a case number, expect a fee of up to $6 per year searched.
Viewing records in person at the courthouse is free. Online searches through Re:SearchIL have their own fee structure, which is separate from the clerk's copy fees. Basic case information is often available at no cost through statewide portals.
Types of Family Records in Madison County
Madison County family court records span several types of cases. Dissolution of marriage is the most common. Child custody cases, now called "allocation of parental responsibilities" under Illinois law, are also frequent. Child support orders, orders of protection, and paternity cases all create family court records in Madison County.
The 750 ILCS 5 governs divorce and family law proceedings across Illinois. Madison County cases follow this statute. A typical divorce file in Madison County contains the petition for dissolution, financial affidavits, a proposed parenting plan if there are children, and the final judgment. The file grows as motions are filed and hearings take place. Every document filed becomes part of the permanent court record.
Restricted records include juvenile cases, adoption files, and any case a judge orders sealed. Sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers and bank details get removed from public copies. Most standard family law records, though, remain accessible to the public.
Madison County Public Record Access
Illinois law makes most court records public. Under 5 ILCS 160, anyone has the right to access public records. You do not need to be involved in the case. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The Madison County Circuit Clerk must provide access to public family court records upon request.
The exceptions are clear. Juvenile and adoption records are confidential. Sealed or expunged cases do not appear in searches. Some domestic violence filings have added privacy protections. For everything else, the records are open. Final judgments in divorce and custody cases are nearly always available to the public in Madison County.
Note: Some older Madison County records may only be available in paper format at the courthouse and not through online portals.
Legal Resources in Madison County
Residents of Madison County can use Illinois Legal Aid Online for free information on divorce, custody, and child support. The site has step-by-step guides and self-help forms. The court records guide explains how to get copies of court documents in Illinois.
The Illinois Court Help portal offers live chat assistance. It is a state resource that helps people navigate the court process without a lawyer. Madison County residents can use it to find the right forms and understand local filing requirements.
Nearby Counties
Madison County is in southwestern Illinois across the river from St. Louis, Missouri. Cases filed in a neighboring county need to be searched through that county's Circuit Clerk.