Court records of Macoupin County, Illinois, are available through several channels. MacoupinCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through official online court resources, directly at the office of the Circuit Court Clerk, or via public terminals in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide to the court structure, hearing schedule, obtaining document copies, and fees.
Macoupin Court System & Jurisdictions
Macoupin County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit of Illinois. The only court of general jurisdiction here is the Circuit Court, located at the Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville. Illinois does not have separate district magistrate courts or small claims courts as standalone entities — everything operates within the unified Circuit Court, but cases are distributed among divisions.
Court Divisions
- Traffic & Criminal Division (basement) — traffic violations, local ordinance violations, conservation tickets, misdemeanors, and criminal cases (felonies).
- Probate Division (1st floor) — child guardianship, probate cases, protection of incapacitated persons' interests.
- Civil Division — civil lawsuits, including small claims and eviction cases.
- Family Division — divorces, child support, paternity establishment, protection orders.
If you are unsure which division your case belongs to, call the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Clerk Amy Ashby and her team will help determine the appropriate department.
The state-level criminal history is maintained by the Bureau of Identification of the Illinois State Police — this is a separate resource from county court records.
Macoupin Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week is easiest to find out by contacting the Circuit Clerk's office directly.
- Call (217) 854-3211 and request to be connected to the desired division — Traffic, Criminal, Probate, or Civil.
- Visit the courthouse in person: a schedule board for the criminal and traffic divisions is located in the basement.
- Check the Macoupin Open Data Portal, where the county publishes some court data.
The Illinois Courts website for Macoupin County Courthouse lists resources, including links to online records and a holiday schedule when the court is closed. The exact daily calendar of a specific judge is usually not published online — a call to the clerk is required for this.
How to Get a Copy of a Macoupin Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk's office. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — suitable for personal review, does not have the legal force of the original.
- Certified copy — has the clerk's seal and signature, accepted by other institutions as an official document.
How to Order
- In person. Visit the Circuit Clerk's office on the first floor of the Courthouse. There is an e-filing kiosk and a copier available on-site.
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the case number, parties' names, and document type. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online. For searching land records and documents registered by the Clerk & Recorder's office, the self-service portal is available. Court cases require contacting the Circuit Clerk.
Records of dissolution of marriage are kept in the county court where the decision was made. The Department of Public Health does not issue certified copies of such documents — only the Circuit Clerk does.
Mailing Address for Requests
Macoupin Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to Illinois state law and local administrative orders. Exact amounts may vary — check the current Fee Schedule on the Illinois Courts website or call the clerk before making a payment.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a document (first page) | $2.00 – $10.00 |
| Each additional page of a certified copy | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Uncertified copy per page | $0.25 – $0.50 |
| Document certification (additional seal) | $2.00 – $5.00 |
| Record search (by name or case number) | Depends on the type of request |
Payment is typically accepted in cash, check, or money order payable to Macoupin County Circuit Clerk. Some services may accept credit cards — inquire when contacting.
For Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, separate rules apply. If a government agency denies access to records, you can contact the Public Access Counselor at the Attorney General's office.