Find Jefferson County Public Records

Jefferson County public records are available through county offices in Mount Vernon, the county seat. Located in southern Illinois, Jefferson County has around 37,500 residents. The county clerk and recorder manages vital records and land documents from the courthouse on South 10th Street. The circuit clerk keeps all court case files. Both offices are open to the public during regular hours. You can search for records in person, by mail, or through online tools that the county and state provide.

Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder

The Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder is at 100 South 10th Street, Room 105, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Call (618) 244-8020 for questions. When you call, select option 1 for the recording department and tax extensions. Select option 2 for vital records, elections, and voter registration.

This office issues birth, death, and marriage certificates for events in Jefferson County. Birth records are not public under Illinois law. Only the person named on the record, a parent, or a legal representative can get a certified copy. Death certificates need a personal or property interest. Marriage records are open to anyone in Jefferson County. The clerk charges fees for each type of certificate.

The office also handles elections, business name filings, and tax extensions. Land records go through the recorder side of the office. This is where deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats get filed for Jefferson County. The land records page on the county website has more details on what documents are on file and how to search them.

Court Records in Jefferson County

The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk manages all court files. The office is at 100 South 10th Street, P.O. Box 1266, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Call (618) 244-8000 for court records. Jefferson County is part of the Second Judicial Circuit.

Court records here cover civil, criminal, family law, traffic, probate, and small claims cases. The circuit clerk files, maintains, and preserves all records of the Jefferson County courts. You can search case files in person at the courthouse. Bring a case number or party name if you have it. Staff will pull the record and make copies for a fee.

Mount Vernon is also home to the Fifth District Appellate Court of Illinois. This court hears appeals from circuit courts across southern Illinois, including Jefferson County. If you need appellate records, that is a separate office from the circuit clerk.

Note: Online case search tools may not include all record types, so call the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk for complete case information.

Jefferson County Land Records

The county clerk and recorder stores all land records for Jefferson County. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are all on file. You can search in person at the courthouse or check the county website for online search options.

The Tapestry platform is used by several Illinois county recorders for online document access. Check with the Jefferson County recorder to see if their records are available through this tool. The Illinois State Archives holds historical Jefferson County records that are useful for genealogy and older property research.

Recording a new document in Jefferson County means bringing the original to the recorder's office. Staff stamp it and assign a recording number. Fees depend on the document type and the number of pages. The original is returned to you after processing.

FOIA Requests in Jefferson County

Any person can request Jefferson County public records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). Write to the FOIA officer at the Jefferson County department that holds the records. You do not need a special form.

The county has 5 business days to respond. Denials must include the specific legal reason. You can appeal to the Public Access Counselor at 877-299-3642. Copy fees are capped at the actual cost of making the copies. The law covers all government bodies in Jefferson County, including townships, school districts, and the county board.

Jefferson County Records Resources

The Illinois courts website provides a directory of all county courthouses in the state. This page shows the type of information you can find for Jefferson County public records searches.

Use this directory to find contact details, hours, and judge assignments for the Jefferson County Courthouse in Mount Vernon before you go.

The state FOIA statute page shows the full text of the law that gives you the right to access Jefferson County public records held by government offices.

This statute covers response times, fees, appeal rights, and the duties of each public body. It is the foundation of public records access in Jefferson County and all of Illinois.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Jefferson County. If your address is near a county line, check which county has your records on file.