Jefferson County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Jefferson County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents, court filings, property data, or vital statistics in Jefferson County, Illinois may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state resources. The directory at JeffersonILRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating relevant record categories. Jefferson County maintains records across multiple offices, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law.
Records that members of the public may find through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Business licenses and permits
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning documents
Online Access: The Jefferson County Courthouse page maintained by the Illinois Courts system provides directory information for court-related records. The County Clerk & Recorder's office maintains an online presence through the county's official website, where certain land and property records are accessible. The Illinois Department of Corrections provides an individual in custody search tool for members of the public seeking information on individuals currently held in state facilities.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Jefferson County Courthouse at 100 South 10th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record type and the relevant custodial office prior to visiting.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the appropriate office by mail. Requests should include the full name of the subject, the record type sought, the approximate date range, and the requestor's contact information. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), public bodies are required to respond to written requests within five business days of receipt.
Phone/Email: The Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder's office may be reached by phone at (618) 244-8010. Contact information for individual departments is available through the county's official website.
What Are Public Records in Jefferson County?
Public records in Jefferson County are defined under Illinois law as all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, recorded information, and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared by or for, or having been or being used by, received by, in the possession of, or under the control of any public body. This definition is established under 5 ILCS 140/2, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
The following record types are maintained by specific offices within Jefferson County:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Circuit Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens, plats | County Clerk & Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Assessor / Treasurer |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| County board minutes and budgets | County Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk / Municipal offices |
| Law enforcement records | Jefferson County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Zoning Office |
The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk is elected to four-year terms and is responsible for maintaining all court case files, attending court proceedings, and managing the official record of judicial actions. Property-related documents, including subdivision plats, mortgages, and liens, are maintained by the County Clerk & Recorder.
Is Jefferson County an Open Records County?
Jefferson County operates in full compliance with Illinois state open records law. Under 5 ILCS 140/1, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), all public bodies in the state are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request, subject to specific statutory exemptions.
The Illinois FOIA states: "Pursuant to the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of government, it is declared to be the public policy of the State of Illinois that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials and public employees."
Jefferson County public bodies, including the County Board, Circuit Clerk, County Clerk & Recorder, Sheriff's Office, and other county departments, are each designated as public bodies under the Act and are individually responsible for responding to FOIA requests directed to their respective offices. The Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor provides guidance and oversight for FOIA compliance statewide, and members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may submit a Request for Review to that office.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Jefferson County?
The cost to obtain public records in Jefferson County varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may charge fees for copies of records, but such fees may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
Current standard fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white paper copies (letter/legal) | $0.15 per page (first 50 pages free) |
| Color copies | Actual cost |
| Certification of records | Varies by document type |
| Electronic records (where available) | No charge in many cases |
| Recorder document copies | Varies; set by county schedule |
The Illinois FOIA provides that the first 50 pages of black-and-white, letter- or legal-sized copies are to be provided at no charge. Fees for additional pages are capped at $0.15 per page. Fees for certified copies of vital records and recorded documents are set separately under applicable statutes and county fee schedules. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
Fee waivers are available when the requester is a news media organization or when disclosure is in the public interest, as provided under the Act.
Does Jefferson County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Jefferson County. Under Illinois FOIA, any person has the right to inspect public records at the offices of the relevant public body at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection itself carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies may be subject to the fee schedule described above.
Members of the public may inspect the following at no cost:
- Court case records at the Circuit Clerk's office during business hours
- Property and land records at the County Clerk & Recorder's office
- County board meeting minutes and agendas at the County Clerk's office
- Jefferson County property assessment data through the County Assessor's office
Online, the Illinois Department of Corrections provides a no-cost offender search tool that allows members of the public and private organizations to search for individuals currently in state custody. The Jefferson County land records portal provides access to certain property documents online.
Who Can Request Public Records in Jefferson County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Jefferson County. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, there is no residency requirement, and requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request as a condition of access. The Act defines "person" broadly to include any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, organization, or association.
Requestors are not required to provide identification for most record types, though certain offices may request identification for administrative purposes when processing requests for sensitive documents. Members of the public seeking their own records — such as personal court filings or vital records — follow the same request process as any other requestor, though additional verification may be required for certified copies of vital records.
Restrictions apply to specific record categories. Access to juvenile court records, sealed court records, and certain law enforcement investigative files is limited by statute. Non-residents of Illinois retain the same rights as residents under the FOIA and may submit requests by mail, in person, or electronically.
What Records Are Confidential in Jefferson County?
Certain records maintained by Jefferson County offices are exempt from public disclosure under Illinois law. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act, at 5 ILCS 140/7, enumerates specific categories of information that public bodies are not required — and in some cases are prohibited — to disclose.
Confidential and exempt records include:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or abuse proceedings are protected under the Juvenile Court Act.
- Ongoing criminal investigations: Records that would interfere with active law enforcement proceedings are exempt.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
- Personnel records: Employee personal information is exempt, with limited exceptions for public officials' compensation.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government bodies under confidentiality protections.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.
As the Illinois Attorney General's office has noted: "The exemptions in FOIA are permissive, not mandatory — a public body may choose to release exempt records unless another law prohibits disclosure."
Jefferson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder 100 South 10th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 (618) 244-8010 County Clerk & Recorder
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Closed on federal and state holidays.
The County Clerk & Recorder is responsible for maintaining subdivision plats, mortgages, liens, and all types of recorded property instruments. Members of the public seeking real estate records may access the Jefferson County land records through the office's online portal or in person at the courthouse.
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk 100 South 10th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 (618) 244-8007 Jefferson County Circuit Clerk
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Closed on federal and state holidays.
The Circuit Clerk maintains all civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files. The Jefferson County Courthouse houses both the Circuit Clerk and the County Clerk & Recorder, as well as other county government offices.
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office 200 Potomac Boulevard, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 (618) 242-5252 Jefferson County Sheriff
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Jefferson County Assessor's Office 100 South 10th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 (618) 244-8236 Jefferson County Assessor
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM