Find Civil Court Records in Union County
Union County civil court records are filed and kept at the Circuit Clerk's office in Jonesboro and are available for free online search through Judici.com. The 1st Judicial Circuit handles all civil cases in Union County, including small claims, contract disputes, domestic relations matters, and chancery filings. This page explains how to search Union County civil court records, what they contain, how copies are priced, and where to find legal help.
Union County Quick Facts
Union County Circuit Clerk
The Union County Circuit Clerk's office in Jonesboro maintains all civil court records for the county. The clerk takes in new filings, stores the official case files, records docket entries, and provides copies to the public. Staff can help you find a specific case, check on its status, and explain how to request copies. They cannot give legal advice.
The courthouse is in Jonesboro, the county seat. Office hours run Monday through Friday. Call ahead before visiting to confirm current hours. The Illinois Courts official directory at illinoiscourts.gov lists the current contact details for the Union County Circuit Clerk.
| Office | Union County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Jonesboro, Illinois |
| Judicial Circuit | 1st Judicial Circuit |
| Online Access | Judici.com |
Union County Civil Court Records Online
Union County civil court records are searchable online through Judici.com. This multi-county Illinois platform covers Union County and many other counties. You search by party name, case number, or attorney without creating an account. Results include the case type, parties, filing date, and a docket that lists every event from the first filing through the most recent entry. There is no charge to search.
The screenshot below shows the ILAO court help page, which explains how to get copies of civil court records like those filed in Union County.
Judici shows docket summaries only. To get copies of actual documents, contact the clerk. The statewide re:SearchIL tool also covers Union County civil court records and is free to use alongside Judici.
What Union County Civil Court Records Include
Civil court records in Union County document the complete history of a case. The file at the clerk's office holds the complaint or petition, answers from the opposing party, motions, exhibits, court orders, and the final judgment. The docket is the log of every event in a case, which you can read online through Judici.
Most people who look up Union County civil court records for legal purposes want certified copies of judgments. These carry the clerk's seal and are used to record liens, collect debts, or prove a court outcome elsewhere. Plain copies are also available at a lower cost. Sealed files, adoption records, and juvenile matters are not open to the public. Personal identifying information is removed from all public copies. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), standard civil court records must be open for inspection during office hours.
Electronic Filing in Union County
Civil case documents in Union County must go through eFileIL at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. The system covers new filings, motions, and other civil court documents and runs 24 hours a day. You register an account and file through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider.
Exemptions apply for incarcerated persons, people with disabilities that prevent electronic filing, will filings, juvenile and adoption cases, and good cause situations. Call Illinois Court Help at (833) 411-1121 with questions about eFiling. Court forms are at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms.
Fees for Union County Civil Court Records
Copy fees are governed by 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. The first page costs $2.00. Pages two through twenty are $0.50 each. Pages after twenty are $0.25 each. A record search costs $6.00 per year searched. Certified copies are priced higher than plain copies. Call the clerk to confirm the certified copy rate before you visit Jonesboro.
Online access is free since May 1, 2025. The Illinois Supreme Court suspended the electronic access fee under Rule 313 on that date. Searching Union County civil court records on Judici or re:SearchIL costs nothing. You pay fees only when requesting physical or certified copies from the clerk.
Legal Help in Union County
The circuit clerk helps you find records but cannot advise on legal matters. Free resources are available for Union County residents who need help with civil cases.
Illinois Court Help is free and statewide. Call (833) 411-1121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The site is at ilcourthelp.gov. Staff explain civil procedures, help with forms, and connect you with local resources. Over 200 languages are available.
Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org has legal guides and an attorney referral tool. Their court records guide is at this link. The Illinois Courts self-help page at illinoiscourts.gov/self-help is also a solid resource for people handling their own civil cases in Union County.
Cities in Union County
Union County residents file civil court records at the courthouse in Jonesboro. Communities in the county include Jonesboro, Anna, Cobden, Dongola, Elco, and Ware. None of these towns exceed 50,000 in population, so all civil cases are handled at the Jonesboro courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Union County is in the far southern tip of Illinois in the 1st Judicial Circuit. If you need to confirm where a case was filed, look at the courthouse address on any documents you have.