Find Adams County Civil Court Records

Adams County civil court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Quincy, the county seat. The 8th Judicial Circuit handles all civil cases filed in Adams County. You can search records for free online through Judici.com, or request copies directly from Clerk Lori Geschwandner's office at 521 Vermont Street, Quincy. This page explains how to find, access, and get copies of Adams County civil court records.

Adams County Circuit Clerk Office

Lori Geschwandner serves as the Circuit Court Clerk of Adams County. Her office is the official keeper of all civil court records filed in Adams County. The clerk's office receives new case filings, maintains case files, and makes records available to the public on request. Staff can help you locate a case and tell you what documents are in the file. They cannot give legal advice or interpret what records mean for your situation.

The Adams County Courthouse is at 521 Vermont Street in Quincy. That address handles all civil filings for the 8th Judicial Circuit in Adams County. The fax number is 217/277-2116. Office hours run Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Call 217/277-2100 before visiting to confirm hours and any procedures for viewing records in person.

Per 705 ILCS 105/16(6), civil court records are public in Illinois and open for inspection during regular office hours. Sealed records and records restricted by statute are the only exceptions.

Civil Court Records Search in Adams County

Adams County is one of 82 Illinois counties on Judici.com. The free online case search at judici.com lets you look up civil court records by name, case number, or attorney. Results include the case type, filing date, all party names, and the full docket of events, filings, and orders. You do not need an account to search.

The re:SearchIL statewide database at researchil.tylerhost.net is another free resource. It pulls from multiple Illinois courts and is useful when you are searching records across more than one county. The Illinois Courts website at illinoiscourts.gov links to both tools and explains how to use the statewide court system.

The screenshot below shows the Illinois Courts public resources page, which connects residents to online tools for accessing civil court records in Adams County and across the state.

Online records show the electronic docket, which is a summary of case events. For the full documents, you need to contact Clerk Geschwandner's office in Quincy. Keep in mind that recent filings may take a few days to appear online. For the most current information on an Adams County case, call 217/277-2100 or visit the courthouse directly.

What Adams County Civil Court Records Contain

Civil court records in Adams County include the case number, the names of all parties, the case type, the date of filing, and a complete docket of events. The docket lists every filing and court action in the case, from the initial complaint to the final judgment. Each entry shows what happened and when, giving a timeline of the entire case.

The full case file contains the actual documents. This includes the complaint or petition that started the case, any answers filed in response, all motions submitted, court orders, and the final judgment. Most people searching Adams County civil court records are looking for a judgment or order from a civil case that was already decided. These are public records and available from the clerk's office.

Not every record is open. Juvenile case files are sealed under Illinois law. Adoption records are confidential. Records sealed by court order are also off limits. Sensitive personal details, like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers, are redacted before copies go to the public. For any regular civil matter in Adams County, the file is open and the clerk can provide copies.

Electronic Filing in Adams County

Electronic filing is mandatory for all civil cases in Adams County. The required system is eFileIL, accessible at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. This covers new case filings, motions, responses, and all other civil submissions. The system runs around the clock, every day of the week.

To file, you must register an account and choose an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider, or EFSP. Your documents go through the EFSP, which transmits them to the court. Several exemptions exist. You do not have to eFile if you are incarcerated, filing a will, have a disability that prevents electronic filing, are filing in a juvenile case, or have received a good cause exemption from the court.

The screenshot below shows the eFileIL portal for Illinois, including access to the eFiling system used by Adams County filers.

Court forms are available at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms. These are the forms approved by the Illinois Supreme Court for use in civil cases. Many are fillable PDFs. Once you fill out the form, upload it through your EFSP to submit to the Adams County court.

Fees for Adams County Civil Court Records

Fees for Adams County civil court records are set by Illinois statute. A record search costs up to $6.00 per year searched. Copies cost up to $6.00 per page. The standard copy rate is $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 for pages two through twenty, and $0.25 per page after that. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call 217/277-2100 or check with the clerk's office before your visit to get the current certified copy rate.

The fee schedule is set by 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. Fees can change. Always confirm current rates before sending a mail request or making the drive to Quincy.

Online access through Judici.com is free. As of May 1, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court suspended the electronic access fee under Supreme Court Rule 313. Looking up Adams County civil court records through Judici.com or re:SearchIL now costs nothing. Physical copies from the clerk's office still carry the fee schedule above.

Legal Help for Adams County Civil Cases

Clerk Geschwandner's office can help you find civil court records and forms, but staff cannot give legal advice. If you need guidance on your case, free and low-cost options serve Adams County residents.

Illinois Court Help is available statewide at no cost. Call (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The service helps in over 200 languages. Visit ilcourthelp.gov for the web portal. Staff can explain how civil cases work, help with court forms, and direct you to local resources near Quincy. They do not represent clients in court.

Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org offers free legal information and a guide on getting court record copies at illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-copies-your-court-records. ILAO also connects you with local attorneys and legal aid groups that serve western Illinois communities including Quincy and surrounding Adams County towns.

Cities in Adams County

Quincy is the county seat and the largest city in Adams County. It is where the Circuit Court Clerk's office is located and where all civil court filings for Adams County are processed. Other communities in the county include Mendon, Camp Point, and Clayton. None of the cities in Adams County exceed 50,000 in population. Residents throughout the county file civil cases at the Quincy courthouse. Nearby Brown County (Schuyler County is also small) are adjacent, but those residents file in their respective county courts.

Nearby Counties

Adams County sits in western Illinois along the Mississippi River. Surrounding counties have their own circuit court clerks and file civil records separately. If you received court papers listing a courthouse address outside of Quincy, the case may be in one of these nearby counties.