Access Hancock County Public Records

Hancock County public records are managed by county offices in Carthage, the county seat. This western Illinois county sits along the Mississippi River and has about 17,000 residents. The county clerk handles vital records and land documents. The circuit clerk keeps court case files. Both offices are in the Hancock County Courthouse at 500 Main Street. Records are available in person and by mail. Some records can also be found through the county website and state online databases.

Hancock County Clerk Office

The Hancock County Clerk is at 500 Main Street, Room 7, Carthage, IL 62321. The mailing address is P.O. Box 39, Carthage, IL 62321. Call (217) 357-3911 for questions about public records. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, weekdays, except holidays.

The clerk issues birth, death, and marriage certificates for events in Hancock County. Birth records are not public in Illinois. Only the person named on the record (if 18 or older), a parent, or a legal representative can get a certified copy. Death records also have limits. You need a personal or property interest. Marriage records are open to anyone. The clerk can tell you the current fees for each type of certificate when you call.

This office also runs elections and handles business name filings for Hancock County. The recorder function is combined with the clerk's office here, so land documents are recorded at the same location. Deeds, mortgages, and liens all go through this office.

Court Records in Hancock County

The Hancock County Circuit Clerk keeps all court case files. The office is in the courthouse at 500 Main Street, Carthage, IL 62321. Call (217) 357-2616 for court record questions. Hancock County is part of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Illinois.

Court records cover civil cases, criminal matters, family law, traffic violations, probate, and small claims. You can visit the circuit clerk to search case files in person. Bring a case number or party name for faster service. The staff will pull the record and can make copies for a fee. Some records may be on older systems or in storage, so calling ahead for historical records is a good idea.

The Illinois Courts directory lists the Hancock County Courthouse details, including the judges and divisions that serve this circuit. This is a helpful reference when you need to figure out which court handles your type of case.

Note: Sealed and juvenile records are not available to the public in Hancock County.

Hancock County Land Records

Land records in Hancock County are kept by the county clerk. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are all on file. You can search by name or document number at the office in Carthage. The Illinois State Archives also has historical Hancock County records for older property and genealogy research.

For online access, check with the clerk's office about available search tools. Some Illinois counties use the Tapestry platform for remote document searches. To record a new document in Hancock County, bring the original to the clerk's office. Staff will stamp it, assign a recording number, and return it to you after processing.

Vital Records in Hancock County

The county clerk issues certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates for Hancock County. You can also get vital records from the Illinois Department of Public Health, but the county is typically faster for local events.

Genealogy copies are available at a reduced fee for older records. Birth certificates over 75 years old, death certificates over 25 years old, and marriage records over 50 years old qualify. The state archives has a statewide marriage index from 1763 to 1900 that covers Hancock County. You can search it free online at the state archives database page.

Note: You will need a valid photo ID to pick up a certified vital record in Hancock County.

FOIA Requests for Hancock County

Any person can file a Freedom of Information Act request for Hancock County public records. The Illinois FOIA statute (5 ILCS 140) applies to all public bodies. Send a written request to the FOIA officer at the Hancock County office that holds the records you need.

The county has 5 business days to respond. If denied, you will get the reason in writing. You can appeal denials to the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor at 877-299-3642. Fees for copies are limited to the actual cost of making them. No special form is needed. Just describe what records you want in your letter or email.

Hancock County Records Resources

The Illinois FOIA statute page on the General Assembly website shows the full text of the law that governs access to Hancock County public records.

This page is a useful reference when filing a records request. It lists the rights of the requester and the duties of each public body in Hancock County and across the state.

The state also provides FOIA officer contacts for state departments. If you need records from a state agency that works in Hancock County, you can find the right person to contact through this list.

This directory of FOIA contacts covers all state departments and is a helpful tool for anyone making records requests in Illinois.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hancock County in western Illinois. Check which county holds your records if you live near the county line.