Find Peoria Civil Court Records

Peoria civil court records are maintained by the Peoria County Circuit Court, which operates under the 10th Judicial Circuit. Peoria is the county seat of Peoria County, and all civil court filings for the city go to the Peoria County Circuit Clerk. Online searches for civil court records in Peoria are available through the Judici case management system. This page walks you through how to find records, what they contain, and where to get help in Peoria.

Which County Handles Peoria Civil Court Filings

Peoria is entirely within Peoria County. All civil court filings for the city go to the Peoria County Circuit Clerk. The court is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit. The Peoria County Courthouse in downtown Peoria is where civil cases are heard and records are kept. For full information on the Peoria County court system, including fees and all available resources, see the Peoria County Civil Court Records page.

The Peoria County Circuit Clerk processes all new civil case filings, keeps the official case files, and provides copies to the public. The clerk's office at the courthouse is open during regular business hours on weekdays. If you need to request copies of civil court records in Peoria by mail or in person, the clerk's office is the place to start. For phone inquiries, call the Peoria County Courthouse main number and ask to be connected to the Circuit Clerk's office.

Searching Peoria Civil Court Records Online

Peoria County uses Judici.com for online civil case searches. Go to judici.com and select Peoria County to search civil court records for the city. You can search by name or case number. Results show party names, case type, case status, filing date, and docket entries. Judici is free to use and does not require you to create an account for basic name or case number searches.

The re:SearchIL statewide database at researchil.tylerhost.net is another free option. This tool searches across many Illinois courts and is a good starting point if you want to cast a wider net. Both Judici and re:SearchIL are free to use. The Illinois Supreme Court suspended the electronic access fee effective May 1, 2025, under Supreme Court Rule 313.

The screenshot above shows the eFileIL portal, which is the mandatory electronic filing system for all civil cases in Peoria. This is where you submit new cases and documents online. The portal is run by the Illinois Supreme Court and connects to the Peoria County Circuit Court system.

What Peoria Civil Court Records Contain

Civil court records in Peoria contain the key facts about every case filed with the Peoria County Circuit Court. Each file includes the case number, names of all parties, case type, filing date, and assigned judge. The docket lists each event in the case in order: filings, hearings, motions, and court orders. Reading the docket tells you the full history of a case and its current status.

The paper file at the Peoria County Courthouse holds the actual court documents. You will find the complaint or petition that started the case, responses from the other party, motions, and all court orders. Final judgments are part of the file. Not all records are open. Sealed cases and juvenile matters are not public. Adoption records are closed. Personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from copies given to the public. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), standard civil court records in Illinois are public and open for inspection at all times during office hours.

Filing a Civil Case in Peoria

All civil filings in Peoria must go through eFileIL at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. This is the mandatory Illinois electronic filing system, and it applies to all civil case types in Peoria County. You create a free account and submit documents through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider. The portal is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Some filers are exempt from eFiling. People who are incarcerated cannot be required to efile. Will filings are exempt. Filers with disabilities that prevent electronic filing may qualify. Good cause exemptions are also available. To file in person at the Peoria County Courthouse, call ahead to confirm current hours and what documents you need to bring. Approved forms for civil cases across Illinois are free at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms. The eFileIL FAQ at efile.illinoiscourts.gov covers common questions about the filing process in Peoria and statewide.

Fees for Peoria Civil Court Records

Peoria County follows the standard Illinois copy fee schedule under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. The fee for the first page of a copy is $2.00. Pages 2 through 20 cost $0.50 each. Pages after 20 cost $0.25 each. A name or case search costs up to $6.00 per year searched. These fees apply to paper copies obtained in person or by mail. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.

Online access to civil court records through Judici and re:SearchIL is free. The Illinois Supreme Court suspended the electronic access fee under Rule 313, effective May 1, 2025. This means searching Peoria civil court records online costs nothing. For paper copies, the standard fees apply. Call the Peoria County Circuit Clerk before visiting to confirm current rates for the type of copy you need.

Legal Help in Peoria

Peoria residents dealing with civil court matters can find free and low-cost resources to help them navigate the process. The clerk's office can locate records for you, but it cannot give legal advice or tell you what your options are.

Illinois Court Help is a free statewide phone service at (833) 411-1121, available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff speak over 200 languages and can help you understand civil court procedures, find records on Judici, and locate legal aid in the Peoria area. The website is at ilcourthelp.gov. Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org has self-help guides for common civil matters and a specific article on getting copies of court records at illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-copies-your-court-records. The Illinois Courts self-help page at illinoiscourts.gov/self-help has forms and step-by-step help for people who handle their own civil cases in Peoria.

Nearby Cities

These qualifying Illinois cities are near Peoria and each has its own civil court records page.