Jersey County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Jersey County in 2026

JerseyRecords.us provides publicly available information and data related to public records in Jersey County, Illinois. Members of the public seeking access to government documents may find a range of record categories through official county offices, state repositories, and authorized online portals. Available records may include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and election materials, subject to applicable exemptions under state law.

Records in Jersey County can be searched through official court resources, the Jersey County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds office, public access terminals located at the courthouse, and authorized online tools maintained by state and county agencies.

Online Access:

The Illinois public records search portal provides access to state archives databases and previews of available record collections.
The Jersey County Clerk and Recorder's office website offers online access to certain recorded documents, including deeds and land records.
The Illinois Courts system provides case search tools for circuit court records through the Jersey County Courthouse directory.
No registration is required to inspect most public records; however, certain online databases may require account creation for full document retrieval.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Jersey County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds office at 200 N. Lafayette, Jerseyville, IL 62052.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Requestors should identify the specific record sought, provide relevant identifying information (such as names, dates, or parcel numbers), and submit a written or verbal request to the appropriate clerk.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted to: Jersey County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds, P.O. Box 216, Jerseyville, IL 62052.
Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response.
Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five business days of receipt.

Phone/Email:

Phone: (618) 498-5571, Option 6
Email contact information is available through the official county clerk website.

What Are Public Records in Jersey County?

Public records in Jersey County are government-created or government-maintained documents that are subject to public inspection under Illinois law. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/2, "public records" means 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."

The following record types are maintained by Jersey County offices and are subject to public access:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law): Maintained by the Jersey County Circuit Court Clerk at the Jersey County Courthouse, 200 N. Lafayette Street, Jerseyville, IL 62052.
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, plats): Maintained by the Jersey County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds.
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce): Birth and death records are maintained by the Illinois Department of Public Health; marriage records are held by the County Clerk.
Business records (licenses, permits, assumed names): Maintained by the County Clerk's office.
Tax records (property tax, assessment records): Maintained by the Jersey County Assessor and Treasurer.
Voting and election records: Maintained by the Jersey County Clerk.
Meeting minutes and agendas: Maintained by the County Board and individual departments.
Budget and financial documents: Available through the County Board office.
Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted): Maintained by the Jersey County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records: Maintained by the Jersey County Planning and Zoning office.

Is Jersey County an Open Records County?

Jersey County follows Illinois state open records law and is subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Under 5 ILCS 140/1, the General Assembly declares it "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."

All county offices, including the Circuit Court Clerk, County Clerk and Recorder, Sheriff, Assessor, and Treasurer, are subject to this statute. Each public body is required to designate a FOIA officer responsible for receiving and responding to public records requests. The Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor provides guidance and oversight for compliance with the Act statewide.

As the Illinois Attorney General's office notes, "The Freedom of Information Act is designed to ensure that the public has access to information about their government." County offices in Jersey County are required to maintain a list of records available for immediate public inspection without a formal FOIA request.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Jersey County?

The fee structure for public records in Jersey County is governed by state statute and individual office schedules. Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may charge fees for copies of records but may not charge for the cost of searching for or reviewing records.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Black-and-white paper copies (up to 50 pages)	No charge
Black-and-white paper copies (over 50 pages)	$0.15 per page
Color copies	Actual cost
Certification of documents	Varies by office
Electronic format	No charge (if already in electronic format)
Recorded document copies (Recorder's office)	$1.00–$2.00 per page (standard)

Inspection of records is available at no charge at the applicable county office.
Certification fees for vital records and recorded documents vary and are set by the individual office.
Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk and Recorder's office include cash, check, and money order; credit card acceptance may vary.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, as provided under state law.
Fees for court records are set by the Illinois Supreme Court and the Circuit Court Clerk's office.

Does Jersey County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Jersey County. Illinois law requires that public bodies allow members of the public to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, reproduction of documents is subject to the copy fees described above.

The following resources provide free access to certain Jersey County records:

The Illinois public records portal provides free access to state archives databases, including historical records and select county-level documents.
The Jersey County Clerk and Recorder's office provides free in-person inspection of recorded land documents, election records, and other public filings at 200 N. Lafayette, Jerseyville, IL 62052.
The Illinois Courts system provides free online access to certain circuit court case information through the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Property assessment records and tax information are available for free inspection through the Jersey County Assessor's office.

Who Can Request Public Records in Jersey County?

Any person may request public records in Jersey County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, requestors are not required to be Illinois residents, to provide identification, or to state the reason for their request in order to obtain non-exempt public records.

Specific provisions regarding eligibility include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Illinois retain full rights to request public records.
Identification: Not required for most records. Certain sensitive records, such as those involving personal information, may require the requestor to demonstrate a legitimate interest.
Purpose: Not required to be stated for standard public records requests.
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be restricted to third parties, such as certain law enforcement or personnel records.
Restrictions for specific record types: Access to juvenile records, sealed court records, and certain law enforcement investigative files is restricted regardless of the requestor's identity.

Members of the public seeking court records may submit requests directly to the Circuit Court Clerk at the Jersey County Courthouse.

What Records Are Confidential in Jersey County?

Certain records maintained by Jersey County offices are exempt from public disclosure under Illinois law. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act enumerates specific categories of exempt information, and additional exemptions are found in other state statutes.

The following categories of records are currently exempt from public inspection:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors in delinquency or abuse proceedings are confidential under the Juvenile Court Act.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled during active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with the investigation.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical 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 by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for public officials' compensation and certain disciplinary records.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a public body in confidence.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.

As stated in the Illinois Attorney General's guidance, "The exemptions in FOIA are permissive, not mandatory — a public body may choose to release exempt records if there is no other law prohibiting disclosure." The balancing of public interest against privacy concerns is applied on a case-by-case basis by the relevant public body.

Jersey County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Office Name: Jersey County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds

Physical Address:
200 N. Lafayette Street
Jerseyville, IL 62052

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 216
Jerseyville, IL 62052

Phone: (618) 498-5571, Option 6
Website: Jersey County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Additional Offices:

Jersey County Circuit Court Clerk
200 N. Lafayette Street, Jerseyville, IL 62052
(618) 498-5571
Jersey County Courthouse

Jersey County Assessor's Office
200 N. Lafayette Street, Jerseyville, IL 62052
(618) 498-5571

Jersey County Sheriff's Office
200 W. Exchange Street, Jerseyville, IL 62052
(618) 498-6881