Find White County Public Records

White County public records are held at offices in Carmi, the county seat in southeastern Illinois. With a population of about 13,000 people, White County sits near the Wabash River along the Indiana border. The county clerk manages vital records and general government filings. Court records go through the circuit clerk in the 2nd Judicial Circuit. White County also offers online case lookup tools for the public. Whether you need a property deed, a court file, or a vital record certificate, the county offices in Carmi can help.

White County Clerk Office

The White County Clerk handles vital records, elections, and general county business. The office is in the courthouse in Carmi. You can get birth, death, and marriage certificates here for events that took place in White County. The clerk also serves as the FOIA officer for certain county records.

The White County Clerk website has contact information and details about the services this office provides.

Birth and death records in White County are restricted under the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535). Only the person named on the record, parents, legal guardians, or someone with a legal interest can request certified copies. Marriage records are public. Genealogy copies are available for older records. Birth records more than 75 years old, death records more than 25 years old, and marriage records more than 50 years old qualify for genealogy copies with reduced restrictions.

Fees for certified vital records follow state guidelines. Expect to pay about $10 to $15 for a certified copy. In-person requests are usually handled the same day at the White County courthouse.

Note: Bring a valid photo ID when requesting vital records in person at the White County Clerk office.

White County Court Records

The White County Circuit Clerk keeps all court case files for the county. White County is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit in Illinois. The circuit court handles civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family matters, traffic violations, and small claims. Court records are public unless a judge has ordered them sealed.

The White County Circuit Clerk page has contact details and office information for court record requests.

You can request copies of court records in person at the courthouse in Carmi or by mail. Include the case number if you have it. Fees depend on the type of document and the number of pages. For criminal records that have been sealed or expunged, those files are not available to the public under Illinois law.

The Illinois Courts website provides a statewide directory with contact information for all circuit courts, including White County.

Online Case Search for White County

White County offers an online case lookup tool that lets you search court records from your computer. This is a free resource. You can look up cases by name, case number, or other search criteria. The tool covers various case types filed in White County circuit court.

The White County online case search page provides instructions and a link to the case lookup system.

Keep in mind that online records may not show the most recent filings. There can be a delay between when a document is filed and when it appears in the online system. For the latest case information, contact the White County Circuit Clerk directly. The online tool is a good starting point for basic searches, but the official record is always the paper file at the courthouse.

Land Records in White County

Land documents in White County are filed with the county recorder. Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats are recorded at this office. When property in White County changes ownership, the deed gets filed here to become part of the public record. Documents are indexed by grantor and grantee names.

You can search White County land records in person at the courthouse in Carmi. The staff can help you navigate the index books or electronic search tools. Certified copies are available for a fee. Recording fees in Illinois typically start at $31 for the first page, but check with the White County office for their current fee schedule.

Real estate professionals, title companies, and attorneys use White County land records to verify property ownership and check for outstanding liens before closing transactions.

Note: Call the recorder office to confirm document formatting requirements before submitting anything for recording.

FOIA Requests in White County

Anyone can request White County public records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). You do not need to be a resident. You do not need to give a reason. Submit your request in writing to the FOIA officer at the relevant county department. The county has 5 business days to respond.

If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Public Access Counselor at the Illinois Attorney General's office. Call 877-299-3642 to start an appeal. Common requests include meeting minutes, budget documents, payroll records, and government contracts. Be specific about what you want to get a faster response from White County offices.

Nearby Counties

White County borders these Illinois counties. If you are looking for records near the county line, they could be filed in one of these neighboring counties.