Search Randolph County Civil Court Records

Randolph County civil court records are maintained at the Circuit Court in Chester, Illinois. The county is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit. Clerk Julie A. Carnahan handles all civil case files in the county. You can search Randolph County civil court records free online through Judici.com, or visit the Chester courthouse to view files and request copies in person.

Randolph County Circuit Clerk Office

Julie A. Carnahan is the Circuit Clerk of Randolph County. Her office at #1 Taylor Street, Room 302, in Chester holds all civil court records in the county. The office processes new case filings, maintains the official files, and issues copies to the public. Staff can search by party name or case number and tell you what documents are in any case. Randolph County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit along with Monroe County.

The phone number for the clerk's office is (618) 826-5000. If you plan to visit the courthouse in Chester, bring a photo ID. For large copy requests or older records, call ahead to make sure everything is ready. The clerk cannot give legal advice but can explain how to access Randolph County civil court records and what they cost.

Search Randolph County Civil Court Records Online

Judici.com gives free public access to Randolph County civil court records. Go to judici.com and choose Randolph County. Search by party name or case number. No account is needed for basic searches. The results show case type, filing date, and a docket that tracks every action in the case from start to finish. This lets you review the history of a civil case without traveling to Chester.

The screenshot below shows the re:SearchIL statewide records search tool, which also covers Randolph County civil court cases.

The re:SearchIL platform at researchil.tylerhost.net covers multiple Illinois courts at once and is free to use. Both tools show electronic docket information, which is a summary of the case. The physical case documents are stored at the Chester courthouse. Call (618) 826-5000 to ask about getting copies by mail.

What Randolph County Civil Court Records Contain

Civil court records in Randolph County document the full life of a civil case. The complaint or petition starts the file. It names the parties and states the legal claim. Every paper filed after that, and every order from the judge, gets added to the record. The docket logs each event with a date and a description. This gives you a clear timeline of the entire case.

Judgments are a common reason people look up Randolph County civil court records. A judgment is the court's final ruling. It may award money, settle a property matter, or order another form of relief. Judgments show up in debt collection, lien searches, and other legal proceedings. Anyone can request a copy from the clerk's office in Chester. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are used in formal legal settings.

Civil records in Randolph County are public under 705 ILCS 105/16(6). This Illinois law requires circuit courts to keep records open during office hours. No special reason or status is needed to view them. Juvenile case files are sealed. Adoption files are also not public. Social Security numbers and similar private details are removed from copies before they are released to the public.

Electronic Filing in Randolph County

Civil filings in Randolph County go through the Illinois eFiling system at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. All civil documents must be submitted through this system. This includes new complaints and all filings in ongoing cases. The portal is open 24 hours a day. You create an account and file through an approved EFSP. The Illinois Courts website lists all approved providers.

Exemptions from mandatory eFiling apply in specific situations. Incarcerated filers are exempt. People with disabilities preventing electronic filing may also qualify. Will filings and adoption cases are exempt. Juvenile cases are also exempt. For other hardship situations, ask the court for a good cause exemption. Contact the clerk at (618) 826-5000 or call Illinois Court Help at (833) 411-1121 for help. Free court forms are at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms.

Fees for Randolph County Civil Court Records

Copy fees for Randolph County civil court records are governed by Illinois law under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. The first page is $2.00. Pages two through twenty cost $0.50 each. Any page after twenty is $0.25. A record search costs up to $6.00 per year searched. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call (618) 826-5000 for the current certified copy rate before visiting Chester.

Online searching is free. The Illinois Supreme Court suspended the electronic access fee under Supreme Court Rule 313 effective May 1, 2025. Using Judici.com or re:SearchIL to look up Randolph County civil court records costs nothing. You only pay when you request paper copies at the courthouse or by mail.

Legal Help in Randolph County

The clerk's office cannot give legal advice. If you need civil legal guidance in Randolph County, free resources are available.

Illinois Court Help is free. Call (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The site is at ilcourthelp.gov. Staff answer questions about court procedures in over 200 languages and help you find local resources. Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org has guides, forms, and a referral service. Land of Lincoln Legal Aid serves southwest Illinois, including Randolph County, and provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents. The Illinois Courts self-help page at illinoiscourts.gov/self-help has court forms and step-by-step guides for self-represented filers.

Cities in Randolph County

Randolph County has no cities over 50,000 residents. All civil cases filed anywhere in the county go to the Circuit Court in Chester. Communities in Randolph County include Chester, Red Bud, Sparta, Coulterville, and Steeleville. All residents of these towns use the same courthouse in Chester for civil court filings.

Nearby Counties

Randolph County borders several other southwest Illinois counties. If you are not sure which county holds the civil records you need, look at the courthouse address on any court documents you have received.