Perry County Public Records

Perry County public records are kept by offices in Pinckneyville, the county seat. The county clerk and recorder, circuit clerk, and other departments each manage different categories of documents. Court case filings, property deeds, vital certificates, tax data, and government records are all available to the public. Perry County is a smaller county in southern Illinois with about 20,500 residents, but it still maintains a full set of public records across its offices. The county is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit for all court-related matters.

Perry County Clerk and Recorder

Robert Kelly is the Perry County Clerk and Recorder. The office is in Room 204 of the Perry County Government Building at 3764 State Routes 13-127, Pinckneyville, IL 62274. Call (618) 357-5116 or (618) 357-2434 for questions. The fax number is (618) 357-3365. Office hours are standard business hours, Monday through Friday.

The clerk handles vital records for Perry County. Birth and death certificates go back to 1916 at the local level. Marriage licenses are also filed here. Under Illinois law (410 ILCS 535), birth and death records are not public. Only the person named, a parent, or a legal representative can get certified copies of a birth certificate. Death records require a demonstrated interest. Marriage records are public in Perry County and across the state.

The recorder side stores all land documents. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements get filed and indexed here. When land changes hands in Perry County, the new deed must be recorded at this office. The staff indexes each document by the names of the parties so the public can search the files. Most people visit in person to search Perry County land records.

Note: The Perry County Government Building is separate from the courthouse, so check the address before you visit for clerk and recorder services.

Court Records in Perry County

Kimberly J. Kellerman is the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Perry County. The mailing address is P.O. Box 219, Pinckneyville, IL 62274. The office phone is (618) 357-6726. The fax is (618) 357-8336. Court records are physically located at the courthouse at 1 Public Square, Floor 2, Pinckneyville.

Perry County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Monroe, Randolph, and Washington counties. The Perry County Courthouse listing on the Illinois courts website has basic contact and schedule information. The circuit court hears civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate cases.

To search for a specific Perry County court case, call the circuit clerk with the case number or the names of the parties involved. The clerk can pull the file and let you know the cost for copies. Paper records at the courthouse are the official version. Online data from the Judici website may have some Perry County case information, but it is not always current.

Perry County FOIA Requests

Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), you can request public records from any Perry County government office. The law applies to all public bodies. Put your request in writing and direct it to the FOIA officer at the department that holds the records. Being specific about what you need helps the office respond faster.

Perry County has five business days to respond. They can grant the request, deny it with an explanation, or ask for more time. The first 50 pages of black-and-white copies are often free. Color copies and large requests may carry fees. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor at 877-299-3642.

The Illinois courts records page below provides context on how the state court system handles public access to case information across all counties.

FOIA in Perry County covers government meeting minutes, budget documents, police reports, contracts, and many other record types. Some records are exempt, including ongoing investigation files and personal health information.

Vital Records in Perry County

Perry County vital records include birth, death, and marriage certificates. The county clerk in Pinckneyville issues certified copies for events that occurred in the county. Records at the local level generally start at 1916. Some earlier records may exist in limited form.

For genealogy work, Illinois opens older records after set time periods. Birth records become available after 75 years. Death records after 25 years. Marriage records after 50 years. These genealogy copies are cheaper than certified copies. The Illinois State Archives runs free online databases for statewide marriage indexes (1763-1900) and older death records that may cover Perry County entries.

The Illinois Department of Public Health in Springfield is another option. They keep copies of all Illinois vital records and can issue copies by mail. Processing takes roughly 12 weeks.

Perry County Property Records

Three offices in Perry County handle property records. The recorder files deeds and mortgages. The assessor sets property values. The treasurer collects tax payments. These offices create a complete public record for any parcel of land in the county.

To check ownership, start with the deed records at the recorder's office. For assessed values and tax bills, contact the assessor. The treasurer can confirm whether taxes are current or delinquent. All of these are public records in Perry County. Most searches happen in person at the government building in Pinckneyville, though you can also call with specific questions about a parcel.

Note: Perry County's government offices are split between the Government Building on State Routes 13-127 and the courthouse at 1 Public Square, so call ahead to confirm the right location for property records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Perry County. If your property or records fall near the county line, they may be filed in a neighboring office.