Peoria County Public Records

Peoria County public records are held by the county clerk, the circuit court clerk, and other local offices in Peoria, Illinois. With a population over 179,000, Peoria County is one of the larger counties in central Illinois and keeps vital records, land documents, court files, and tax data open to the public. The county clerk handles most day-to-day record requests from a main office on Main Street in downtown Peoria. Online tools let you search land records and some court data from home, though some records still need an in-person or mail request.

Peoria County Clerk Office

The Peoria County Clerk is the main point of contact for public records in the county. Rachael Parker serves as the current clerk. The office sits at 324 Main Street, Room 101, in Peoria. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can call (309) 672-6059 or email countyclerk@peoriacounty.gov with questions about Peoria County records. The clerk handles vital records, marriage licenses, document recording, tax rate calculations, business licenses, elections, and statements of economic interests.

The Peoria County Clerk also offers a mobile app. The Peoria County Clerk Illinois App is on both the App Store and Google Play. It gives residents quick access to services and county news from a phone or tablet. That kind of tool helps people who can't visit the office in person get what they need faster.

The Peoria County website has links to all county departments and their contact pages. It is a good starting point if you are not sure which office holds the records you need.

Vital records fees in Peoria County were set to increase as of February 1, 2026. Always check the clerk's website or call ahead for the latest fee schedule before you visit or send a mail request.

Peoria County Land Records

The Peoria County Land Records division manages all recorded documents in the county. That includes deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other real estate filings. You can search for documents online through the county's search portal. The index works like a card catalogue. It points you to the documents on file but should not be treated as a final legal source. Always review the full document before making any decisions based on what you find in the index.

Title companies, banks, and law firms can use E-Recording to file documents electronically. This speeds up the process for professionals who handle large volumes of land record filings in Peoria County. The county also participates in the State of Illinois MyDec system, which allows the PTAX-203 form to be submitted online before recording a deed. Property Transfer Tax Declarations go through that system as well.

Peoria County runs a Fraud Guard program. This is a free service that alerts you if someone tries to file a document against your property without your knowledge. Sign up on the county website to get notified. GIS maps for the county are also available in PDF format through the land records page.

Note: The online land records index is a guide only and should not be relied on in place of the actual recorded documents held at the Peoria County Clerk's office.

Vital Records in Peoria County

The Peoria County Vital Records office issues birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates for events that took place in the county. You can request copies by mail, email, or in person at the clerk's office on Main Street. Birth records are restricted in Illinois. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal guardian can get a certified copy. Death records have their own access rules. Marriage certificates are generally open to the public.

For genealogy research, records older than 75 years for births, 25 years for deaths, or 50 years for marriage are often available at lower fees. If you need a record from decades ago, the clerk's office can help you find what is on file. You can also contact the Peoria County Records division by email or by calling 309-672-6059 for general questions about older documents.

Fees change from time to time. The county posted a notice about a fee increase taking effect in February 2026. Call ahead or check the website to confirm what you will owe before mailing in a request.

FOIA Requests for Peoria County Records

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act gives anyone the right to ask for public records from a government body. Peoria County offices must respond to a FOIA request within five business days. You do not need a special form. Write a letter or email to the FOIA officer at the department that holds the records you want. Be specific about what you are looking for to get a faster response.

If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Public Access Counselor at the Illinois Attorney General's office. The appeal process is free. It is a good way to push back if you believe records were held back without a valid legal reason. Most routine records in Peoria County are released without issues.

Note: FOIA requests for court records should go to the circuit court clerk, not the county clerk, since those offices keep separate files.

Court Records in Peoria County

Peoria County is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit in Illinois. The circuit court hears civil, criminal, family, traffic, and other case types. The circuit clerk keeps all court files. You can ask for copies of court records in person at the courthouse in Peoria. Some case data may be available through statewide or local court search tools, but the circuit clerk is the official source for Peoria County court records.

E-filing is now the standard way to submit documents in civil cases across Illinois. If you need to file something with the Peoria County court, you will likely do it through an electronic filing provider. For people looking up old cases, the circuit clerk can help you track down files. Just bring the case number or the names of the parties involved.

Keep in mind that some court records are sealed or restricted by law. Juvenile cases, certain family matters, and mental health proceedings often have limits on public access. The clerk can tell you what is and is not available for a given case.

Peoria County Property Tax Records

Property tax data in Peoria County is managed by the county assessor and treasurer. The assessor sets values on all real property in the county. The treasurer collects the taxes based on those values. You can look up property tax bills, exemptions, and payment history for any parcel in Peoria County. Tax records are public and available to anyone.

The county clerk also plays a role in property taxes. The clerk calculates tax rates based on the levies filed by taxing districts. If you have questions about how your tax rate was set, the clerk's office at 324 Main Street can explain it. Peoria County property owners should check their assessments each year and file any appeals during the open window.

Cities in Peoria County

Peoria County has several cities and villages. The city of Peoria is the county seat and by far the largest municipality. All cities in the county use the Peoria County circuit court and county clerk for vital records and land filings. Select a city below for local public records details.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Peoria County. If you live near the edge of the county, your records may be filed in one of these neighboring counties depending on your address.