Adams County Public Records Search
Adams County public records are kept by several offices in Quincy, the county seat along the Mississippi River. More than 64,000 people live in Adams County in western Illinois. The county clerk handles vital records. The recorder of deeds stores land documents. Court files go through the circuit clerk. Many Adams County public records are available online, in person, or by mail. Birth and death records date back to 1878, and marriage records go even further to 1825.
Adams County Quick Facts
Adams County Clerk Office
The Adams County Clerk is at 507 Vermont St. in Quincy, IL 62301. This office handles vital records, elections, and other public filings for Adams County. Birth and death records go back to 1878. Marriage records start from 1825, making them some of the oldest records in the county.
Fees for vital records in Adams County are a bit higher than some nearby counties. A first copy of a birth certificate costs $22. Each additional copy is $10. Death certificates are $25 for the first copy and $16 for each extra. You need a valid photo ID and a completed form to get any vital record from the clerk's office.
Birth records are not public in Illinois. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal representative can get a certified copy. Death records need proof of a personal or property interest. Marriage certificates are open to the public in Adams County.
| Office | Adams County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 507 Vermont St. Quincy, IL 62301 |
| Website | adamscountyil.gov |
Note: Genealogy copies of older vital records are available at reduced fees for birth records 75 years or older and death records 20 years or older.
Adams County Recorder of Deeds
The Adams County Recorder of Deeds stores all land documents for the county. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, and other property filings. The recorder's office is in the courthouse complex in Quincy.
Adams County has a specific rule that affects all land transactions. A Plat Act Affidavit is required for all land transfers in the county. This requirement became effective May 10, 2023. If you are buying or selling property in Adams County, the affidavit must be part of your filing. Without it, the recorder may not accept the document for recording. Check with the recorder's office for the correct form.
There is also a daily cutoff for recordings. The Adams County Recorder stops accepting documents at 2:00 PM each business day. If you arrive after that time, your filing will be processed the next business day. Plan accordingly, especially for time-sensitive real estate closings in Adams County.
Note: All land transactions in Adams County need a Plat Act Affidavit as of May 2023.
Court Records in Adams County
The Adams County Courts handle all case filings for the county. Adams County is part of the Eighth Judicial Circuit in Illinois. The circuit court hears civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases. Court records are managed by the circuit clerk at the courthouse in Quincy.
The Adams County Courts website provides information about court schedules, case types, and how to access records.
You can visit the circuit clerk's office in person to search for case files. Most court records are public in Illinois. Sealed cases, juvenile records, and certain family matters are restricted. For everything else, the clerk can provide copies for a fee. E-filing is mandatory for most civil case types in Adams County and across the state.
Adams County Public Records Portal
Adams County has a dedicated public records page on its government website. This page brings together links and information about how to access different types of records held by county offices. It is a good starting point if you are not sure which department has what you need.
The portal covers records from the clerk, recorder, and other county departments. If you need to submit a FOIA request, the page also provides guidance on how to do that in Adams County. Having all of this in one spot saves time compared to calling around to different offices.
The Illinois FOIA contacts page lists officers across the state who handle records requests, including those in Adams County.
Adams County residents can also use the state-level resources to find records that may not be held locally.
FOIA Requests in Adams County
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) gives anyone the right to request public records from Adams County offices. You must put the request in writing. Send it to the FOIA officer at the department that holds the records. The law requires a response within 5 business days.
If your request is denied, the office must give a reason. You can appeal to the Public Access Counselor at the Illinois Attorney General's office by calling 877-299-3642. Fees for copies under FOIA cannot exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Adams County offices follow the same FOIA rules as all public bodies in the state.
Adams County Property Records
Property tax information in Adams County is handled separately from land records. The county assessor deals with property valuations. The county treasurer manages tax payments and delinquent taxes. If you need to know who owns a parcel, start with the recorder of deeds. For tax amounts, go to the assessor or treasurer.
The recorder keeps deeds and mortgages. The assessor keeps assessment data. Both offices are in the county complex in Quincy. You can handle both types of searches in one trip. Remember that the recorder stops accepting documents at 2:00 PM, so get there early if you need to file anything for Adams County property records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Adams County. If your property or event is near a county line, the records may be in one of these neighboring counties.