Find Edgar County Public Records

Edgar County public records are managed by several offices at the courthouse in Paris, the county seat. From land deeds to court case files, the county clerk and circuit clerk keep the documents that matter most to residents and researchers. Edgar County handles close to 5,000 deed and mortgage recordings every year, making property records one of the busiest categories. Court cases from 1990 onward are also searchable through the Judici online system. This page covers the key offices, their contact details, and how to get copies of Edgar County public records.

Edgar County Clerk and Recorder

August H. Griffin is the Edgar County Clerk and Recorder. The office sits at 115 W. Court St., Room J, Paris, IL 61944. Call (217) 466-7433 for questions. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Edgar County Clerk website has office details and forms you can download.

This office handles vital records, land recordings, and election services. Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued here. The clerk also records all deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats for real property in Edgar County. With nearly 5,000 documents recorded each year, the recorder side of this office stays busy. If you need a document recorded, bring it to the clerk's office during business hours.

Record search fees in Edgar County are $6 for a basic search. A certified copy costs $10. These fees may change, so call ahead if you want the exact current amount. The staff in Paris can help you find what you need if you give them the names, dates, or document type you are looking for.

Note: Bring exact change or a check when paying for Edgar County record copies, as some offices do not accept credit cards.

Court Records in Edgar County

Angie Barrett is the Edgar County Circuit Clerk. Her office is at 115 W. Court St., Room M, Paris. Call (217) 466-7447 for court record questions. The Edgar County Circuit Clerk page has more information about fees and filing procedures.

Edgar County court records from 1990 to the present are available on the Judici online case search system. This lets you look up civil, criminal, traffic, and other case types from your computer. You can search by name, case number, or date. The system is free to browse, though some detailed records may need a trip to the courthouse. Keep in mind that online data might not be fully up to date since there can be a short delay between when something is filed and when it appears in the system.

For older court records before 1990, you will need to contact the circuit clerk directly. Those files are in paper format at the courthouse in Paris. The clerk can pull them if you give enough detail about the case you are looking for. Edgar County court records cover everything from small claims and landlord disputes to felony criminal cases.

Edgar County FOIA Requests

Edgar County has a dedicated FOIA page on its website. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) gives you the right to request public records from any Edgar County government office. Submit your request in writing to the FOIA officer at the relevant department.

The county must respond within five business days. Standard copies cost $0.15 per page after the first 50 pages, which are free. Color copies and large documents may cost more. Most Edgar County government records are available through FOIA, including meeting minutes, budgets, contracts, and correspondence. Some records are exempt under the law.

If the county denies your request, you can appeal to the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor. The process is free and usually handled within a few weeks. Edgar County takes FOIA compliance seriously, and most requests are filled without issues.

Edgar County Property Records

Property records in Edgar County start at the clerk's office. Every deed, mortgage, and lien gets recorded there. The volume of recordings in Edgar County is steady, with thousands of documents filed every year. This includes property transfers, refinancing paperwork, and easement agreements.

The assessor handles property valuations. If you want to know what a parcel is worth for tax purposes, that is where you go. The treasurer collects property taxes and can tell you about any unpaid amounts or tax sales. Together, these three offices give you a full picture of any property in Edgar County. Title searches usually start with the recorder's files and then cross-reference with the assessor and treasurer data.

If you are buying property in Edgar County, your title company will do most of this work for you. But if you want to search on your own, the clerk's office in Paris can guide you through the process. Staff will help you use the index books and point you to the right volume and page number.

Note: Edgar County records nearly 5,000 deeds and mortgages each year, so the index is large and searches can take time if you do not have specific details.

Vital Records in Edgar County

The Edgar County Clerk issues birth, death, and marriage certificates. Birth records are not open to the public. Only the named person, a parent, or a legal representative can get a certified copy. Death records require a personal or property interest. Marriage records are public.

Fees follow state guidelines. You will need a valid photo ID to request a certified copy. The office in Paris can process most requests while you wait. Mail requests are also accepted but take longer. For older records or if the event happened outside Edgar County, you may need to contact the Illinois Department of Public Health instead. They keep statewide copies of all vital records.

Nearby Counties

Edgar County sits along the Indiana border in east-central Illinois. These neighboring counties share borders with Edgar County.