Randolph County Family Court Records
Randolph County family court records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk's office in Chester, Illinois. These records contain divorce filings, custody orders, child support cases, and other domestic relations matters from Randolph County courts. The county has a population of about 31,000 and sits in southwestern Illinois along the Mississippi River. You can search family court records online for free through Judici, which covers Randolph County. The clerk's office in Chester takes walk-in requests and also handles inquiries by mail. All new filings go through the statewide eFileIL system, so recent cases should also be searchable through Re:SearchIL.
Randolph County Quick Facts
Randolph County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk in Randolph County manages all court records. The office is at the Randolph County Courthouse in Chester. Family court records like divorce files, custody cases, and child support orders are all stored here. Staff at the clerk's office handle new filings, manage the case archives, and help the public access records.
Visiting in person is the fastest way to get records. Walk in with a case number or the names of the people in the case. The clerk will search the system and pull the file. Copies can usually be made while you wait. If you need certified copies, those are available too for an added fee. Call the office before your visit to confirm they are open and to ask about any specific documents you need.
You can also request records by mail. Write to the Randolph County Circuit Clerk in Chester with the case number or party names, a description of what you need, and a check or money order for the fees. Allow time for processing and return mail.
Search Randolph County Family Records Online
Judici covers Randolph County and provides free access to case data. No account is required. Pick Randolph County from the list of 82 participating counties and search by name or case number. Results include party names, case types, docket entries, hearing dates, and case minutes. Family court cases show up in the results alongside other civil matters.
Judici is useful for checking case status and reviewing hearing history. It may not show the full text of every document. For actual court filings, the Re:SearchIL portal may have what you need. That system charges $0.10 per page, capped at $3 per document. It connects to files submitted through the eFileIL system. Recent family law cases in Randolph County are likely in Re:SearchIL since e-filing is now mandatory for all civil cases across Illinois.
The image below shows the Illinois Legal Aid Online website, which explains how to get copies of court records in any Illinois county including Randolph.
This guide covers the steps for requesting records online, in person, and by mail.
Randolph County Court Record Fees
Fees for copies of family court records in Randolph County follow 705 ILCS 105. The first page is $2. Pages two through twenty are $0.50 each. Additional pages beyond twenty cost $0.25 each. Certification adds $6 per document. These rates are the same in every county in Illinois.
A search fee of up to $6 per year applies when the clerk must search records by name on your behalf. If you have a case number, the search fee likely will not apply. Browsing Judici online is free. You pay only for printed copies or certified documents from the clerk's office.
Note: Always check with the Randolph County Circuit Clerk for the most current fee schedule before sending payment.
Family Case Types in Randolph County
Randolph County's Circuit Court handles several types of family law cases. Dissolution of marriage, commonly called divorce, is the most frequent filing. Under 750 ILCS 5, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, these proceedings follow standard state rules. A divorce file in Randolph County typically contains the petition, the other party's response, financial disclosures, a parenting plan if there are children, and the final judgment.
Custody cases use the term "allocation of parental responsibilities" in Illinois. These records cover parenting time, decision-making authority, and any modifications over time. Child support files track court-ordered payments and enforcement. Orders of protection filed in connection with domestic matters also become part of the family court record in Randolph County.
Some records are restricted. Juvenile matters, adoption cases, and sealed files are not open to the public. Documents with personal financial details are usually redacted.
Randolph County Family Court Access
Public access to court records in Randolph County is governed by 5 ILCS 160, the State Records Act. Any person has the right to request public records. You do not need to be a party in the case. You do not need to state a reason. Walk into the clerk's office, provide a name or case number, and ask to see the file.
Final judgments and court orders in divorce and custody cases are nearly always available for public review. Docket entries are public too. The exceptions are sealed cases, juvenile records, adoption files, and documents containing protected personal information. If a judge has sealed a case in Randolph County, no search method will produce it.
Legal Resources in Randolph County
Illinois Legal Aid Online has free guides on divorce, custody, child support, and getting copies of court records. It is built for people handling family law matters on their own. The Illinois Court Help portal offers chat support and connects you with the right forms for your case.
The Illinois Courts website is another useful resource. It links to court forms, self-help guides, and the eFileIL system for electronic filing. Since e-filing is required for all new family court cases in Randolph County, that link matters if you need to file something new.
Nearby Counties
Randolph County is in southwestern Illinois. If the case you are looking for was filed in a neighboring county, you will need to contact that county's Circuit Clerk.