Clark County Civil Court Records
Clark County civil court records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Marshall, Illinois, part of the 5th Judicial Circuit. This page explains how to search, access, and copy those records, and where to find help if you need it.
Clark County Quick Facts
Clark County Circuit Court Clerk
Ami Shaw is the Circuit Court Clerk for Clark County. Her office at the Clark County Courthouse in Marshall handles all civil court records filed in the county. The clerk's job covers processing new case filings, keeping the official case files, recording docket entries, and providing copies to the public when requested. If you need to find a civil court record in Clark County, the clerk's office is your starting point.
The Clark County Courthouse is in the city of Marshall, which is the county seat. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Before making a trip to the courthouse, call ahead to confirm hours and find out what identification or information you will need. Staff can help with records searches but are not permitted to offer legal guidance.
| Clerk | Ami Shaw |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 187 Marshall, Illinois 62441-0187 |
| Phone | 217/826-2811 |
| Fax | 217/826-1391 |
| Online Search | Judici.com |
How to Search Clark County Civil Court Records Online
Clark County is part of the Judici.com network, which lets you search civil court records for free online. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney. The results show the case details and a list of docket entries, giving you a timeline of everything that happened in the case. No account is required. The site is free and open at all times.
Judici gives you access to the electronic docket, which is a summary of the case. It tells you who is involved, what type of case it is, and what actions the court has taken. This is useful for tracking case status, confirming that a judgment was entered, or checking hearing dates. If you need the actual documents filed in the case, you have to request them from the clerk's office in Marshall.
The Illinois Courts website at illinoiscourts.gov has a "Find Your Court" tool that can direct you to the right court and clerk for any county in Illinois. This is a good place to start if you are not sure which court handled a case or whether it was filed in Clark County or a neighboring county.
What Clark County Civil Court Records Contain
Civil court records in Clark County hold information about every civil case filed with the Circuit Court. The basic record includes the case number, the names of all parties, the case type, the filing date, and the judge assigned to the matter. The docket tracks every event in the case: filings, hearings, rulings, and orders. Each entry is dated and describes what happened. This log runs from the first day the case was filed to its final resolution.
The case file itself contains the actual documents. The complaint or petition that opened the case is there, along with any answers or counterclaims. Motions, supporting briefs, and court orders are in the file. If a judge entered a judgment, that document is part of the public record. Exhibits used in hearings may also be kept with the file. When people search Clark County civil court records for legal or financial purposes, certified copies of judgments and orders are the most commonly requested items.
Not all records are open. Juvenile cases are sealed. Adoption files are closed. Any record sealed by court order is off limits to the public. Personal identifying information like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers is redacted from copies. For standard civil matters, such as small claims, debt collection, property disputes, and contract cases, the records are public. Illinois law under 705 ILCS 105/16(6) requires that court records be open for inspection during office hours.
Electronic Filing for Clark County Civil Cases
Civil filings in Clark County are submitted through eFileIL, the Illinois statewide mandatory eFiling system. This applies to all new civil case filings and to all documents you file after the case has started. The system runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not have to wait for courthouse hours to submit a filing.
Filers must register an account with eFileIL and use an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider, or EFSP, to submit their documents. The EFSP forwards your filing to the court, and once the clerk accepts it, the filing is official. You receive a confirmation showing the timestamp of the accepted submission.
Certain groups do not have to use eFiling. People who are in prison or jail are exempt. Filings for wills, juvenile cases, and adoptions are also exempt. Those with a disability that prevents electronic filing can request an exemption. You can also ask the court to grant a good-cause exemption. Approved court forms for civil cases are available at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms/.
Fees for Clark County Civil Court Records
Clark County applies the standard Illinois fee schedule to civil court record copies and searches. A search costs up to $6.00 per year searched. Copies cost $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 each for pages two through twenty, and $0.25 per page after that. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Check with the clerk's office at 217/826-2811 to get the exact current rate for certified copies before you visit.
The fee structure is set by 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. Clark County uses the standard tier, not the elevated rate that applies only to counties with populations over three million.
Looking up records online through Judici.com is free. The Illinois Supreme Court suspended the electronic access fee under Rule 313 on May 1, 2025. That fee had been $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00. Since that date, electronic access to court records costs nothing. You pay only when requesting physical copies or certified documents from the clerk's office in Marshall.
Legal Help for Clark County Residents
The clerk's office helps with records access, not legal advice. If you need help understanding a civil case or figuring out your options, free resources are available.
Illinois Court Help can be reached by phone at (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The website is at ilcourthelp.gov. This free service is run by the Illinois Supreme Court and covers more than 200 languages. Staff explain how civil cases work, walk you through court forms, and help you find local resources in or near Clark County.
Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org has guides written in plain language about many civil legal issues. Their page on getting copies of court records is at illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-copies-your-court-records. The site also has a tool to help you find a lawyer if you need one. For self-represented litigants in Clark County, the Illinois Courts self-help page at illinoiscourts.gov/self-help/ is a useful reference for forms and guidance on civil procedures.
Cities in Clark County
All civil court records for Clark County communities are managed by the Circuit Court Clerk in Marshall. The county includes Marshall, Casey, and Westfield, among other towns. None of these communities are large enough to have a dedicated city page, but civil court records for cases filed by residents throughout Clark County are accessible through the clerk's office and through Judici.com.
Nearby Counties
Clark County sits in east-central Illinois, near the Indiana border. If you are not sure whether a case was filed in Clark County or a neighboring county, check any court papers you have received for the courthouse address.