Peoria County Family Court Records
Peoria County family court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Peoria, Illinois. These records cover divorce, custody, child support, and other domestic relations filings. With a population of about 179,645, Peoria County is one of the larger counties in central Illinois and processes a high volume of family law cases. You can search for court records online through state portals, or visit the clerk's office at 324 Main Street in Peoria. The city of Peoria sits within this county, and residents file family cases through the Peoria County Circuit Court.
Peoria County Quick Facts
Peoria County Circuit Clerk Office
The Peoria County Circuit Clerk runs the office that stores and manages all court records in the county. The office is at 324 Main Street, Peoria, IL 61602. You can call (309) 672-6000 for help with record requests. The clerk's office handles new filings, maintains existing case files, and processes public requests for copies of family court documents.
In-person visits are the most direct route to records. Walk in with a case number or the names of the parties. Staff can search the system and pull the file for you. Peoria County processes a large number of family court cases each year, so having your case number ready will speed things up. The office can make copies while you wait for most current cases. Older cases that have been archived may take additional time to retrieve.
Mail requests are accepted too. Send your written request to the Circuit Clerk at 324 Main Street, Peoria, IL 61602 with the case details and a check for copy fees. Include your return address so the clerk can mail the copies back.
Search Peoria County Court Records Online
The Re:SearchIL portal is the main online tool for searching Peoria County family court records. This statewide system connects to documents filed through eFileIL. You need to register for a free account. Once logged in, search by party name or case number. Documents cost $0.10 per page with a $3 maximum per document. If you are a party to the case, you can see your own records for free.
Some case types have restricted remote access. Under the Illinois Supreme Court Remote Access Policy, adoption cases, juvenile matters, and mental health filings are not available online. Family case types may have limited access depending on the specific filings. For those records, you need to visit the clerk's office in person.
The eFileIL system is required for all civil filings in Illinois, including family law cases. This means new filings in Peoria County enter the digital system right away. Older cases that were filed on paper might not be in the online system yet.
The image below shows the Illinois Courts homepage, which connects to search tools for Peoria County and all other Illinois counties.
From this site you can reach Re:SearchIL, eFileIL, and the court directory for Peoria County.
Peoria County Family Court Record Fees
Copy fees for family court records in Peoria County follow 705 ILCS 105. The first page is $2. Pages two through twenty are $0.50 each. After page twenty, each page costs $0.25. Certification of a document adds $6 per copy. These fees are set by state law and are the same in every Illinois county.
Search fees can be up to $6 per year searched. This applies when the clerk has to search records by name on your behalf. If you bring a case number, the search fee may not apply. Viewing records at the courthouse on a public terminal is free. You only pay when you need printed or certified copies of Peoria County family court documents.
Family Law Cases in Peoria County
Peoria County's family division handles divorce, custody, child support, and orders of protection. Under 750 ILCS 5, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, divorce cases follow a set process from filing through final judgment. The case file in a typical Peoria County divorce will include the initial petition, any response from the other party, financial disclosures, and a parenting plan if children are involved.
Since 2016, Illinois uses the term "allocation of parental responsibilities" instead of custody. These cases address parenting time and decision-making authority. Child support records track payment amounts and enforcement actions. All of these case types create separate records in the Peoria County court system.
Not every record is public. Juvenile cases, adoption files, and sealed records are restricted under state law. Judges can also seal specific documents within a case if there is a strong reason to protect privacy or safety.
Note: Court records do not include arrest records unless criminal charges were filed as part of a domestic case in Peoria County.
Public Access Rules in Peoria County
Most family court records in Peoria County are open to the public under 5 ILCS 160. The State Records Act says any person has the right to access public records unless a law specifically restricts access. You do not need to be a party in the case to see the file. You do not have to explain your reason for the request.
Final orders and judgments in divorce and custody cases are almost always public. Docket entries showing what happened on each court date are public too. The main exceptions are juvenile records, adoption files, sealed cases, and documents containing Social Security numbers, bank account info, or medical data. These are either sealed entirely or redacted before public review.
Legal Resources for Peoria County
Illinois Legal Aid Online is a free resource for anyone dealing with family court in Peoria County. The site covers divorce, custody, and child support topics. It has step-by-step guides and self-help forms. If you need to get copies of your own court records, their records guide explains how.
The Illinois Court Help portal provides chat-based support. It helps people who do not have attorneys find the right forms and understand court procedures in Peoria County. The Illinois Courts website is also worth checking for self-help resources, court forms, and links to the eFileIL system.
Note: Legal aid services provide information, not legal advice from an attorney.
Cities in Peoria County
The city of Peoria is the county seat and the largest city in Peoria County. Residents of Peoria and surrounding towns file family court cases through the Peoria County Circuit Court at 324 Main Street. All family court records for the county are kept at this one location.
Nearby Counties
Peoria County borders several other Illinois counties. Each has its own Circuit Clerk who handles family court records for that area.