Mason County Civil Court Records
Mason County civil court records are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk in Havana, Illinois, within the 8th Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to search for those records online and in person, what they contain, and where to find help if you need it.
Mason County Quick Facts
Mason County Circuit Court Clerk
Debbie Friend is the Circuit Court Clerk for Mason County. Her office at the Mason County Courthouse in Havana, Illinois, holds all civil court records filed in the county. The clerk's office processes new filings, maintains official case files, records docket entries as the case moves forward, and provides copies of civil court records when requested. For anyone who needs to search or obtain civil court records in Mason County, the clerk's office in Havana is the starting point.
Office hours are Monday through Friday. Before making a trip to the courthouse, call 309/543-6619 to confirm hours and ask what information you need to bring. Staff can help you locate a case by name or case number. They can explain how to request copies of specific documents. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right resources.
| Clerk | Debbie Friend |
|---|---|
| Address | 125 North Plum Havana, Illinois 62644-0377 |
| Phone | 309/543-6619 |
| Fax | 309/543-4214 |
| Online Search | Judici.com |
Mason County is in the 8th Judicial Circuit, which covers several counties in west-central Illinois. Each county in the circuit keeps its own records. Contact the Mason County clerk specifically for cases filed in this county.
Online Civil Court Records Search for Mason County
Mason County is a participating county on Judici.com, the free online civil court records search platform that serves over 80 Illinois counties. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney and get a case summary along with a full docket. The site has no fees and requires no account. It is available around the clock.
The Judici docket shows the electronic summary of each civil case. It tells you who is involved, what type of case it is, what the court has done, and where things stand. This is enough for most routine lookups. If you need copies of the actual filed documents, you contact the clerk's office in Havana and request them through the clerk's standard process.
The statewide re:SearchIL search tool is a free alternative for searching across multiple Illinois counties. It is maintained by Tyler Technologies on behalf of the Illinois court system.
What Mason County Civil Court Records Contain
Civil court records in Mason County include the case number, all party names, the type of civil action, the filing date, and the assigned judge. The docket logs every step in the case with a date and a brief description of each action. Hearings, motions, rulings, and orders are all recorded. This timeline runs from the initial filing to the case's final outcome.
The physical case file at the courthouse holds the actual documents. The complaint or petition that opened the case is there. Answers, counterclaims, motions, court orders, and the final judgment are all part of the record. Certified copies of judgments are the most frequently requested documents from the clerk's office. These are often needed to enforce a money judgment, record a lien on real property, or use in another legal matter. Exhibits submitted during hearings may also be part of the file.
Some records are not public. Juvenile cases are sealed by law. Adoption records are closed. Records sealed by court order are off limits. Personal data like Social Security numbers and bank account information is redacted from copies given to the public. For standard civil cases, including small claims, contract disputes, debt collection, and property matters, the records are open under 705 ILCS 105/16(6).
Electronic Filing in Mason County
All civil case filings in Mason County must be submitted through eFileIL, the Illinois mandatory statewide eFiling system. This applies to new cases and to all documents submitted after the case is opened. The system runs 24 hours a day.
To file, you register an account with eFileIL and choose an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider, or EFSP. The EFSP transmits your documents to the court. Once the clerk accepts the filing, you receive a confirmation with a timestamp. EFSP providers charge their own service fees on top of court filing fees.
Exemptions from mandatory eFiling exist for several groups. Incarcerated persons do not have to use the system. Will filings are exempt. Juvenile cases and adoptions are exempt. People with disabilities that prevent electronic filing may request accommodation. The court may also grant a good-cause exemption. Approved court forms are available at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms/.
Fees for Mason County Civil Court Records
Mason County follows the standard Illinois fee schedule for circuit court records. A record search costs up to $6.00 per year searched. Paper 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 a higher fee. Call 309/543-6619 to confirm the current certified copy rate before visiting the courthouse in Havana.
The fees come from 705 ILCS 105/27.1b, the Illinois statute governing circuit court clerk fees. Mason County uses the standard rate. Only Cook County may charge the higher tier.
Searching civil court records online through Judici.com is free. The Illinois Supreme Court suspended the electronic access fee under Rule 313 on May 1, 2025. Before that date, users paid a small per-page fee to view records online. That charge no longer applies. Fees only come into play when you request paper copies or certified documents from the clerk's office in Havana.
Legal Help in Mason County
The clerk's office manages civil court records but cannot offer legal advice. If you need guidance on a civil case, these free resources serve Mason County.
Illinois Court Help is available by phone at (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The website is at ilcourthelp.gov. This service is run by the Illinois Supreme Court and covers more than 200 languages. Staff can help you understand court forms and procedures and find local resources in or near Mason County.
Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org offers legal guides and tools for many civil situations. Their guide on court record copies is at illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-copies-your-court-records. The Illinois Courts self-help page at illinoiscourts.gov/self-help/ has approved forms and plain-language guidance for people who are representing themselves in civil cases.
Cities in Mason County
Civil court records for all Mason County communities are filed at and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Havana. The county includes Havana, Manito, and Kilbourne. None of these communities are large enough for a dedicated city records page, but civil court records for residents throughout Mason County are available through Judici.com and at the clerk's office in Havana.
Nearby Counties
Mason County sits along the Illinois River in west-central Illinois. If you need civil court records from a neighboring county, the links below will take you to those pages.