Find Civil Court Records in Coles County
Coles County civil court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Charleston, the county seat. The 5th Judicial Circuit handles all civil matters in Coles County. Clerk Melissa Hurst's office at 651 Jackson Avenue, Room 128, Charleston, is the official source for case records, copies, and certified documents. You can search Coles County civil court records online for free through Judici.com. This page explains how to find, access, and get copies of those records.
Coles County Quick Facts
Coles County Circuit Clerk Office
Melissa Hurst serves as the Circuit Court Clerk of Coles County. Her office maintains all civil court records filed in the county, processes new case filings, and makes records available to the public. The clerk's office is the official source for certified copies, case status, and filing information. Staff can help you find a case and explain what documents are available. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what steps to take in your legal matter.
Coles County is home to Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. The county seat is Charleston, where the courthouse and clerk's office are located. All civil filings for the 5th Judicial Circuit in Coles County go through Clerk Hurst's office. The address is 651 Jackson Avenue, Room 128, Charleston, Illinois 61920-0048. The phone is 217/348-0516 and the fax is 217/348-7324. Office hours run Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays.
| Clerk | Melissa Hurst |
|---|---|
| Address | 651 Jackson Avenue, Room 128 Charleston, Illinois 61920-0048 |
| Phone | 217/348-0516 |
| Fax | 217/348-7324 |
| Judicial Circuit | 5th Judicial Circuit |
| Online Access | Judici.com |
Per 705 ILCS 105/16(6), civil court records are public in Illinois and open for inspection during regular hours. Clerk Hurst's office must make records available for inspection, except for those sealed by court order or restricted by law.
Civil Court Records Search in Coles County
Coles County uses Judici.com for online civil court records access. The free search at judici.com covers Coles County and 81 other Illinois counties. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results include case type, filing date, all party names, and the full event docket. No account or registration needed.
The re:SearchIL statewide database at researchil.tylerhost.net is a free alternative covering multiple Illinois courts. It is useful when checking records across Coles County and neighboring counties like Douglas, Edgar, or Clark at the same time.
Online records show the electronic docket. This is a summary of case events, not the full documents. For copies of complaints, motions, orders, and other case papers, contact Clerk Hurst's office at 217/348-0516 or visit the courthouse on Jackson Avenue. New filings can take a few days to appear in the online system. For current case status, calling the clerk is the fastest approach.
The screenshot below shows the Judici.com platform that serves Coles County and other participating Illinois counties for civil court records searches.
What Coles County Civil Court Records Contain
Civil court records in Coles County document every action taken in a civil case. Each record has the case number, party names, case type, and filing date. The docket shows all filings and court events in order, from the complaint through to the final judgment. Every hearing, motion, and order appears in the docket with the date it occurred.
The physical case file contains the actual documents. Inside you will find the initial complaint or petition, any answers filed by the opposing party, motions from both sides, exhibits, court orders, and the final judgment. Coles County civil court records cover small claims, debt matters, property disputes, and other civil cases filed in the 5th Judicial Circuit. These records are available to anyone who contacts Clerk Hurst's office.
Not all records are public. Juvenile cases are sealed. Adoption files are confidential. Records sealed by court order are off limits. Sensitive personal data like Social Security numbers is redacted from copies before they go out. Standard civil court records in Coles County are open and available from the clerk on request.
Electronic Filing in Coles County
All civil filings in Coles County must use eFileIL at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. Electronic filing is mandatory for all civil cases, including new case filings, motions, and responses. The system runs around the clock, every day of the week.
You must register an account and file through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider, or EFSP. The EFSP transmits your documents to the Coles County court. Exemptions apply for those who are incarcerated, people with disabilities that prevent electronic filing, will filings, parties in juvenile cases, and filers with a good cause exemption from the court.
Illinois Supreme Court-approved forms are at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms. Download the form that fits your case type, fill it out, and upload it through your EFSP. If you are unsure which form to use, Illinois Court Help at (833) 411-1121 can walk you through the options.
Fees for Coles County Civil Court Records
Copy fees for Coles 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. Call 217/348-0516 or check with Clerk Hurst's office to confirm the current certified copy fee before visiting Charleston.
Fees are established under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. They can change. Confirm current rates before mailing a payment or making the drive to the courthouse.
Online access through Judici.com is free. The Illinois Supreme Court suspended the electronic access fee under Supreme Court Rule 313, effective May 1, 2025. Searching Coles County civil court records online costs nothing. Physical copies from the clerk's office in Charleston still carry the per-page fee.
Legal Help for Coles County Civil Cases
Clerk Hurst's office can help you find civil court records and forms. Staff cannot give legal advice. If you need guidance on a civil case in Coles County, free resources are available.
Illinois Court Help is free to everyone statewide. Call (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Visit ilcourthelp.gov for the online portal. Service is available in over 200 languages. Staff can help with court forms, explain procedures for the 5th Judicial Circuit, and connect you with local resources in the Charleston area and across Coles County. They cannot represent clients in court.
Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org has free legal information and a guide on getting copies of court records at illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-copies-your-court-records. ILAO can also help you find attorneys and legal aid groups serving Coles County and the east-central Illinois region. Eastern Illinois University's law clinic may also be a resource for Coles County residents with civil matters.
Cities in Coles County
Charleston is the county seat and largest city in Coles County, home to Eastern Illinois University. Mattoon is the second largest city in the county. Neither city exceeds 50,000 in population. All civil court records for residents throughout Coles County, whether from Charleston, Mattoon, Oakland, or smaller communities, are filed with Clerk Hurst's office on Jackson Avenue in Charleston. There are no qualifying cities in Coles County with a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Coles County is in east-central Illinois and borders six other counties. If you are not sure whether a civil case was filed in Coles County or an adjacent county, check the courthouse address on any court documents you have received.