Massac County Civil Court Records

Massac County civil court records are filed and maintained at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Metropolis, Illinois, in the 1st Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to search for those records, what they contain, how to get copies, and where to get help.

Massac County Circuit Court Clerk

Marcus Grace serves as the Circuit Court Clerk for Massac County. His office, located at One Superman Square in Metropolis, is the official keeper of all civil court records filed in the county. The clerk's office processes incoming civil filings, maintains the official case files, records docket entries, and provides copies of civil court records to the public on request. For anyone who needs to search or obtain Massac County civil court records, the clerk's office is the starting point.

The courthouse in Metropolis is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Calling ahead at 618/524-5011 is a good idea before visiting. Staff can confirm hours, tell you what information you need to bring, and help you find a case by name or case number. They cannot provide legal advice, but they can walk you through the process of requesting copies and explain what types of records are available.

Massac County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit, which covers several counties in extreme southern Illinois. Each county in the circuit has its own clerk and its own separate set of records.

Searching Massac County Civil Court Records Online

Massac County uses Judici.com for free online civil court records access. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The search returns a list of matching cases with full docket histories. No account is required. The site is available at all hours and is free to use.

The Judici system gives you the electronic docket for each case. The docket summarizes events: what was filed, what hearings took place, what orders the court entered, and what the current case status is. This is useful for confirming a case exists, checking whether a judgment was entered, or tracking when a hearing is scheduled. If you need copies of the actual documents from the case file, contact the clerk's office in Metropolis.

For multi-county searches, re:SearchIL is a free statewide tool. It searches across many Illinois circuit courts at once and can help when you are not sure which county holds the records you are looking for.

What Massac County Civil Court Records Contain

Civil court records in Massac County include the case number, the names of all parties involved, the case type, the filing date, and the judge assigned. The docket provides a chronological log of everything that happens in the case. Each entry is dated and describes what action was taken. The full docket covers the life of the case from first filing to final order.

The physical case file contains the actual documents. The complaint or petition that opened the case is in there. Answers and counterclaims from other parties, motions, court orders, and the final judgment are all part of the record. Exhibits used in hearings may also be filed there. Certified copies of judgments are a common request from the clerk's office, often needed to enforce a money judgment, record a lien on real property, or use in another legal proceeding.

Some records are not public. Juvenile cases and adoption records are sealed by Illinois law. Court-ordered seals remove other records from public access. Copies given to the public have sensitive personal data redacted, including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers. For standard civil cases, including contract disputes, debt matters, and small claims, the records are open. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), these records must be open for inspection during office hours.

Electronic Filing in Massac County

All civil case filings in Massac County must be submitted through eFileIL, the Illinois mandatory eFiling system. This applies to new case filings and to all documents filed after a case is opened. The system operates 24 hours a day. You do not need to wait for court hours to submit a filing.

To file, you create an account with eFileIL and use one of the approved Electronic Filing Service Providers, called EFSPs, to submit your documents. The EFSP transmits your filing to the court, and the clerk reviews and accepts or rejects it. Once accepted, you receive a confirmation with a timestamp. Each EFSP charges its own service fee in addition to standard court filing fees.

Exemptions from mandatory eFiling exist. Persons in prison or jail are exempt. Will filings, juvenile cases, and adoption proceedings do not have to use the system. People who cannot use electronic systems due to a disability may request an accommodation. The court can also grant a good-cause exemption on request. Approved court forms are available at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms/.

Fees for Massac County Civil Court Records

Massac County follows the standard Illinois fee schedule for circuit court clerk records. A record search costs up to $6.00 per year searched. Copies run $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 charge. Call 618/524-5011 to confirm the current certified copy fee before visiting the courthouse in Metropolis.

These fees come from 705 ILCS 105/27.1b, the statute that governs circuit court clerk fees across Illinois. Massac County uses the standard rate tier, not the higher rate that applies only to Cook County.

Online searches through Judici.com are free. The Illinois Supreme Court suspended the electronic access fee under Rule 313 effective May 1, 2025. Before that date, a small fee applied to online record access. That charge is now gone. You pay fees only when you request physical copies or certified documents from the clerk's office.

Legal Help in Massac County

The clerk's office manages civil court records, not legal advice. For guidance about a civil case or your legal options, use these free resources.

Illinois Court Help provides free assistance by phone at (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The website is at ilcourthelp.gov. Staff speak more than 200 languages and can explain court procedures, help with forms, and point you to local resources in the Massac County area. This service is run by the Illinois Supreme Court's Commission on Access to Justice.

Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org has guides and tools for many civil legal situations. Their guide 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 find legal aid organizations and attorneys who serve Massac County and surrounding areas in southern Illinois.

Cities in Massac County

All civil court filings from Massac County communities are handled by the single Circuit Court Clerk office in Metropolis. The county includes Metropolis and Brookport. Neither of these towns is large enough to have a dedicated city page, but civil court records for residents throughout the county are available through Judici.com and the clerk's office in Metropolis.

Nearby Counties

Massac County is in the far southern tip of Illinois, bordered by the Ohio River. If you need to check records in a neighboring county, the links below go to those county pages.