Access Tazewell County Public Records

Public records in Tazewell County are managed by several offices in Pekin, the county seat. The county has a population of about 130,290 and sits in central Illinois just south of Peoria. John C. Ackerman serves as the county clerk, and the recorder's office operates from the same building. Court records are at the Tazewell County Courthouse on Court Street. The recorder processes over 30,000 documents each year and takes pride in a 24-hour turnaround policy. Many records can be searched online through the county's web portals.

Tazewell County Clerk Office

The Tazewell County Clerk and Recorder office is in the McKenzie Building at 11 S. 4th Street, 2nd Floor, Pekin, IL 61554. John C. Ackerman is the county clerk. The clerk's office is in Suite 203 and the recorder is in Suite 124 of the same building.

The Tazewell County Clerk and Recorder website shows all available services and office hours.

Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Recording hours end a bit sooner at 4:00 PM. The clerk's phone is 309-477-2264. The recorder's number is 309-477-2210. For elections, call 309-477-2267. Vital records go through 309-477-2264. The fax is 309-477-2244.

Tazewell County Land Records

The recorder's office is the main repository for land-related public records in Tazewell County. As the office puts it, real estate documents are the most common type they handle. Records go back to the county's founding.

The Tazewell County Recorder general information page explains the types of documents on file and how to search them.

Documents kept here include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, trust deeds, judicial deeds, and trustee's deeds. Mortgages and trust deeds are recorded too. You can also find plats, subdivisions, surveys, monument records, and UCC filings. Liens on file include federal, state, mechanics, judgment, and child support liens.

State law requires that these documents be kept forever. They must be stored in a medium that meets Illinois archival standards. The office uses technology that is described as dependable, fast, and easy to use. They process over 30,000 documents each year with a 24-hour turnaround policy.

Note: You can search land records online through Tapestry (pay-per-search) or Laredo (subscription). E-recording is available for professionals.

Court Records in Tazewell County

The circuit clerk keeps court case files at the Tazewell County Courthouse, 342 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554. The Tazewell County Circuit Court website has information about court services and case access.

The Tazewell County Circuit Court website provides court services and online case search options.

Online court records are available through the Tazewell County court records portal. You can view case balances, case history, and upcoming court dates. The system covers civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases.

E-filing is the standard way to submit documents in many case types. If you need certified copies of court records, contact the circuit clerk at the courthouse. The Tazewell County homepage has links to all court-related services.

The circuit court hears all case types for Tazewell County. This includes civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family matters like divorce and custody, probate, traffic violations, and small claims.

Tazewell County Vital Records

Birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates are available from the county clerk at 309-477-2264. Marriage and civil union license applications can be started online, which saves time at the office.

Birth records in Illinois are not open to the public. Access is limited to the person named, parents, or legal guardians. Death records also have restrictions. Marriage records are generally public.

The clerk's office handles all vital records for events that took place in Tazewell County. If the event happened in a different county, you need to contact that county's clerk or the Illinois Department of Public Health for statewide records.

FOIA Requests in Tazewell County

The Tazewell County FOIA page has details on how to submit records requests. The FOIA officer is at the county clerk's office, 11 S. 4th St., Suite 203, Pekin, IL 61554.

The Tazewell County FOIA page explains the request process and response timelines.

Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), public bodies must respond within 5 business days. You can submit your request in writing to the FOIA officer. No special form is needed. If denied, appeal to the Public Access Counselor at 877-299-3642.

Note: The county also publishes employee compensation data for packages over $75,000, as required by the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/7.3). This information is available at the clerk's office.

Tazewell County Online Services

Tazewell County offers several online tools beyond court and land records. You can search board minute archives, look up military discharge records, and find polling locations and precinct maps through the county website. A property fraud alert service is also available to protect homeowners from unauthorized recordings against their property.

The Tazewell County Sheriff's office has its own website with information about law enforcement records and inmate data. For records from the sheriff, contact that office directly.

Cities in Tazewell County

Tazewell County includes Pekin (the county seat), East Peoria, Washington, Morton, and other communities. None of these cities currently have a dedicated page on this site. Parts of the Peoria metro area extend into Tazewell County. All Tazewell County residents use the county offices in Pekin for vital records, land records, and court filings regardless of which city they live in.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Tazewell County. If you live near the county line, make sure you know which county your address falls in before requesting records.