Knox County Public Records

Knox County public records are kept by offices in Galesburg, the county seat in western Illinois. Close to 49,000 people live in Knox County. The county clerk handles vital records and elections. The county recorder stores land documents. Court files go through the circuit clerk. Death records in Knox County go back to 1878. The recorder's office has four full-time staff members and accepts e-recording for document filings. You can access Knox County records in person, by mail, or through available online tools.

Knox County Clerk Office

The Knox County Clerk is at 200 S. Cherry St. in Galesburg, IL 61401. Call 309-345-6718 for questions about records. The clerk handles vital records, elections, property tax extensions, and other county filings. This is your first stop for birth, death, and marriage certificates in Knox County.

Death records in Knox County go back to 1878. A first copy costs $20. Each additional copy is $10. Genealogical copies for death records dated before 1916 are $8 each. These genealogy copies are for family history research and cannot be used as legal identification. Birth and marriage records follow similar fee structures with their own rates.

Birth records are restricted in Illinois. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal representative can get a certified copy from the Knox County Clerk. Death records need proof of a personal or property interest. Marriage certificates are open to the public.

Note: Genealogical death records from before 1916 cost $8 each in Knox County.

Knox County Recorder Office

The Knox County Recorder stores all land documents for the county. The office is at 200 South Cherry Street in Galesburg. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Four full-time employees run the recorder's office, handling deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other property filings.

E-recording is available in Knox County. This lets title companies, attorneys, and others file documents without a trip to the courthouse. There is one important rule to know. All recordings must be received by 3:30 PM for same-day processing. Anything that comes in after that time will be handled the next business day. This applies to both in-person and electronic filings.

Recording fees follow the state schedule. Standard documents, non-standard documents, and plats each have different costs. The recorder also files military discharge records (DD-214 forms) at no charge. Veterans and their families can retrieve copies when needed for benefits or other purposes.

Note: All document recordings in Knox County must be received by 3:30 PM for same-day processing.

Court Records in Knox County

The Knox County Circuit Clerk keeps all court case files. You can find information about the courts at the Knox County Courts website. Knox County is part of the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Illinois. Civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases are all filed through the circuit clerk's office.

The Knox County Courts website provides court schedules, case information, and details about available services.

Most court records are public in Illinois. Sealed cases, juvenile files, and certain family law matters have restricted access under state law. You can visit the circuit clerk in person to search for case records. Bring a case number or party name to help locate the files you need. E-filing is mandatory for most civil case types in Knox County.

The Illinois court records search tool can supplement local resources when you need to find case information across the state.

For copies of court documents, the circuit clerk charges a per-page fee. Contact the office in Galesburg for current rates.

FOIA Requests in Knox County

Anyone can file a FOIA request for Knox County public records. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) requires public bodies to respond within 5 business days. Put your request in writing and send it to the FOIA officer at the relevant Knox County department. No special form is needed.

If your request is denied, the office must state the 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 making them. All Knox County offices must follow these rules as public bodies in Illinois.

Knox County Property Records

Property tax data in Knox County is handled by the county assessor and treasurer. These offices are separate from the recorder. The assessor keeps property valuations and assessment data. The treasurer manages tax bills and payments. If you need to know who owns a parcel, the recorder's land records are the place to start.

Both the recorder and assessor are in the county building on Cherry Street in Galesburg. You can handle land record searches and property tax questions in one trip. The recorder's office is small but efficient with its four staff members. They process a steady volume of recordings and requests for Knox County property documents.

The state FOIA contacts page lists officers across Illinois who handle records requests, which can help if you need to reach a specific Knox County department.

Knox County has worked to keep property records accessible while following state recording rules.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Knox County. Records for properties near a county line may be filed in a neighboring county instead.