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Champaign County Court Records

Champaign County court records are the official documentation of legal actions within the county initiated by one person or entity against another. Maintained by the circuit clerk’s office, these records encompass judgments, orders, dockets, petitions, transcripts, and other related documents. Also, court records often incorporate public records from various other agencies, submitted by case participants to defend or support their claims during trials or other stages of legal proceedings. Examples of these integrated documents include search warrant returns, forensic reports, jail records, arrest reports, property records, vital records, and mental health evaluations.

One core purpose for preserving court records in Champaign County is to allow public scrutiny of the judiciary’s decisions and actions. Moreover, court records are valuable resources for background investigations (particularly regarding outstanding legal obligations), genealogical research, and case re-evaluation during the appeals process.

Are Champaign County Court Records Public?

Yes. Court records in Champaign County are generally accessible to members of the public, as mandated by Supreme Court Rule 8 and relevant Illinois laws (e.g., 705 ILCS 86/1). To this end, any person is entitled to view or obtain copies of Champaign court records using the access methods provided by the official records custodian (i.e., the clerk’s office). Access is granted unless a record is legally designated as exempt or confidential by law, judicial directive, or court rule. Examples of these excluded records include

  • Psychological and medical records
  • Adoption files
  • Juvenile court records, including delinquency files
  • Eavesdropping proceedings
  • Impounded, sealed, or expunged records
  • Social Security numbers and other personally identifying information

What Information is Available in Champaign County Court Records?

Court records in Champaign County comprise both case information and case documents. Case information refers to the basic details about a case, such as the party names, case number, filing and hearing dates, presiding judicial officer, case status, and final disposition or order date. Meanwhile, case documents encompass filings made throughout the case, such as pleadings, exhibits, orders, dockets, declarations, notices, summonses, judgments, and writs.

Champaign County Court Records Search

To locate court records in Champaign County, members of the public have these options:

  • Online Access: Access to Champaign County court records over the internet is authorized by the Illinois Supreme Court Remote Access Policy. This policy allows the public to access court records in electronic format through public case management systems maintained by courts.

To this end, the Champaign County Clerk of Circuit Court provides a Case Information portal for viewing circuit court cases online. There is no charge for searching records, and users can look up cases by either the Participant Name or the Case Number. The portal allows users to view case summaries, docket sheets, judgments, and receipts. However, case documents must be requested directly through the Clerk’s Office. Consistent with Supreme Court policy, restricted documents are not available for remote access.

To search for and request copies of court records (plain/certified) online, individuals can fill out the Civil Case Request Form, Criminal Case Request Form, or Letters Request Form (for requesting Letters of Testamentary/Administration/Guardianship). Applicable fees are listed on each form.

  • In-Person Access: Individuals interested in viewing court records in person in Champaign County can visit the local courthouse during regular hours of operation. A File Viewing Room is available in the Circuit Clerk’s Office to view case files, including digital files, paper court files, and microfilm of the oldest court cases. Record inspection is free, but copies of documents cost a nominal fee.
  • Mail and Phone Requests: The primary methods the Champaign County Circuit Clerk’s Office uses to disseminate court records are online and in person. Nonetheless, individuals can inquire about mail-in request procedures by calling the Clerk at (217) 384-3725 or emailing cccircuitclerk@champaigncountyil.gov. Generally, the Clerk does not process case record requests via phone.

Fees for Court Records in Champaign County

The following fees are applicable when obtaining copies of court records from the Champaign County Circuit Court:

  • Record Search: $10 per year searched
  • Certified Copies: $5 for each document

Regular Copies are priced as follows:

  • The first page costs $2.
  • Pages 2 through 19 (an additional 18 pages) are 50 cents each.
  • Each subsequent page (starting with page 20) is 25 cents.

Note that vital records are not maintained by the Champaign County Circuit Court or its Clerk’s Office. The official custodian for all birth, death, marriage, and civil union records for events that occurred in Champaign County is the Champaign County Clerk. Such records are available for a fee.

Champaign County Courthouse Locations

The Champaign County Circuit Court, located in Champaign County, Illinois, is a court of general jurisdiction that handles all legal matters within the county. The court has original jurisdiction over a wide range of issues, such as family law, juvenile cases, civil disputes, small claims, criminal proceedings, and traffic violations. The only exceptions are those limited cases where the Supreme Court exercises original jurisdiction. Below is the Champaign County Circuit Court’s contact information.

Champaign County Circuit Court (Sixth Judicial Circuit of Illinois)

Champaign County Courthouse

101 East Main Street

Urbana, IL 61801

Phone: (217) 384-3707

Fax: (217) 384-8424

Email: Circuitct@champaigncountyil.gov

Criminal Records Access in Champaign County

Criminal court records in Champaign County, Illinois, are officially maintained by the Champaign County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. These records specifically include charges or indictments filed in court against suspected criminal offenders. Given the public’s broad access to court records in Champaign, a criminal records search conducted through the local judiciary is often an effective way to obtain relevant information. The public can utilize the Circuit Clerk’s previously mentioned online forms or systems to locate or secure copies of these criminal records. One may also visit the local courthouse to inspect or duplicate records.

Still, criminal records access is feasible through the Illinois State Police (ISP) for a fee. However, unlike the court records, access is limited to the subject of the record, law enforcement, and other entities authorized under Illinois law.

Champaign County Probate Records

In Champaign County, the Circuit Court holds probate jurisdiction, as established by the Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/). This legislation grants the Circuit Court the power to oversee specific types of cases, which include trusts, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. The official documents created by the court during these proceedings are collectively known as the "probate records."

Champaign County probate records are available for viewing at the Champaign County Clerk of Circuit Court’s Office. Visitors can access these records in the File Viewing Room at the local courthouse during standard operating hours. Staff assistance is also available at the courthouse for examining or copying documents.

The Circuit Clerk also offers two online resources: a Case Information system for viewing estate records and other probate court case records, and a Letters Request Form to order Letters of Testamentary, Administration, or Guardianship.

Champaign County Family Court Records

Family court records encompass official court files from family court cases. The family court in Champaign County is the Champaign County Circuit Court. Cases heard by the court include dissolution of marriage (divorce), dissolution of civil union, custody, child support, parentage, legal separation, maintenance, and visitation.

Like other court records maintained in Champaign County, family court records are open to the public, except for those deemed confidential by statute or judicial order. Individuals can view the records in person at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office File Viewing Room. They can also access the Clerk’s Case Information system for free case inspection or submit an online request for copies (regular or certified) by completing the Civil Case Request Form.

Federal Court Records in Champaign County

The Illinois Central District Court in Urbana, Illinois, presides over federal cases arising in Champaign County. The court is located at

218 U.S. Courthouse

201 South Vine Street

Urbana, IL 61802

Phone: (217) 373-5830

Fax: (217) 373-5834

The court’s jurisdiction covers two main areas: civil claims related to the Constitution, federal laws, or treaties, and criminal cases in which the federal government alleges a violation of United States penal laws.

To access federal court records generated by the Urbana Division, individuals can visit the courthouse during regular business hours to use public computers to view or print case records. Another option is to access the online Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service.

PACER allows the public to obtain case and docket information from the federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts, including the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. PACER fees include 10 cents per page accessed and $2.40 per audio file.

Champaign County Court