Criminal Records
Residents of St. Clair can obtain public records by submitting an FOIA request to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office. Submitted requests must include the name of the requestor, records requested, and as much specific detail as possible.
Records of criminal convictions can also be obtained from the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification. The department maintains state-wide records of criminal convictions. In compliance with the Uniform Conviction Information Act (UCIA), it also processes public requests for criminal history background checks. Requesters can conduct name-based inquiries using the department’s Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP) web portal. Finger-print based criminal history background checks are also available on request.
How to Find Inmate Information
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department provides online access to the list of person’s arrested and held in county jail. Interested parties can conduct searches using all or part of the name of the subject. The jail inmate list only includes persons held within the county and does not include juvenile offenders. For a wider state-wide search, the Illinois Department of Correction (IDOC) maintains an online Offender Search Tool. Members of the public can conduct searches by birthdate, registrant’s name, or a known IDOC number. Residents can also obtain offender information by calling the Department of Corrections on (217) 558-2200.
How to Find Sex Offender Information
Information on registered sex offenders can be obtained from the Illinois Sex offender Registry. The state-wide database contains a list of offenders convicted of sex offenses, living in St. Clair and other parts of the state. Members of the public can conduct searches by county, last name, zip code, offense or the offender status.
Who Can Request a Police Report
Access to some incident reports and arrest records may be restricted to only authorized applicants. Requests can be made by witnesses or victims of a crime, insurance carriers, or legal representatives of victims. Requests for juvenile information will require the permission of the presiding judge of the juvenile court.
Court Records
St. Clair County is home to a circuit court, which has general jurisdiction over most criminal and civil cases. Majority of the records and files of the court are open to the public - except where specified by law, such as juvenile records, sealed records, and adoption records.
Members of the public can obtain court records for cases filed in the court by contacting the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office located at:
St. Clair County Circuit Court
St. Clair County Building
10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220
Phone: (618) 825-2334
The circuit clerk’s office also maintains an online platform that the public can use to search for criminal and civil court records. Searches can be done by defendant name, company name (civil cases), a ticket number, or a case number (if known). It also provides options for searches using an Attorney bar number.
Note: Because of its status as part of the judicial branch of the government, the St. Clair County Clerk is not subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information act.
Vital Records
St. Clair County provides access to vital records at the county and state level. Applicants may be required to present a valid government-issued photo I.D, such as a driver’s license or passport.
How to Find Divorce Records
Certified copies of divorce decrees granted in St. Clair County can be obtained from the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office located at:
St. Clair County Circuit Court
St. Clair County Building
10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220
Phone: (618) 825-2334
How to Find Birth and Death Records
The St. Clair County Vital Records office maintains birth records of persons born in the county from 1874 to date and death records for events in the county from 1878 till present. Certified copies of a birth certificate may only be obtained by named registrants, legal representatives or parents. Death certificates are only issued to family members or legal representatives.
To obtain a copy of a birth/death record, requesters must provide the full name of the individual on record, as well as the date of the event. A valid photo I.D is also required or any other documents supporting proof of legal claim. The office charges $15.00 for the first copy of the birth record and $8.00 for each additional copy. Death records cost $20.00 for the first copy and $12.00 for each additional copy of the record made with the same request. Written requests should include a duly completed request form sent to:
St. Clair County Clerk
Vital Records
10 Public Square Belleville, Illinois
Phone: (618) 277-6600
How to Find Marriage Records
Records of marriages can be obtained from the St. Clair County Clerk. It maintains marriage records for persons married from 1763 till present. The office processes both walk-in and mail requests. To obtain marriage records by mail, interested parties must submit a completed request form, along with a copy of a valid photo ID and the appropriate fee to:
St. Clair County Clerk
Vital Records
10 Public Square Belleville, Illinois
Phone: (618) 277-6600
Are Property Records Open to the Public in St. Clair County?
Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, all St. Clair County property records are public records. Individuals can view and obtain copies of these records by contacting the county's official record keeper with information on the desired records.
Where and How to Find Property Records in St. Clair County
The St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds is the official custodian of property records in the county. The Recorder's Office processes deeds and mortgages and records other related documents, including plats, liens, ordinances, and annexations.
The Recorder of Deeds office provides access to property records online, by mail, and in person. Persons requesting less than ten copies of non-certified records may call (618) 825-2481 / 2482 or send emails to recorder@co.st-clair.il.us. Anyone requesting a larger number of copies must visit the Recorder of Deeds Office or send the request via mail.
A standard copy costs $2 per page. Each full plat or UCC copy costs $5 and $1, respectively. State and federal tax lien copies also cost $1 per page. The office charges $10 for the first page of a 30 x 36 plat and $5 for each additional page. Mail requests must be sent with checks for the correct amounts, payable to the "Recorder of Deeds." Requestors are advised to confirm the correct amounts before sending requests as checks with incorrect amounts will not be processed. Applications should be sent to:
Regular Mail:
St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds
Copy Request
P.O. Box 543
Belleville, IL 62222
Overnight Mail and In-person Requests
St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds
10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220
Phone: (618) 825-2481
Phone: (618) 825-2482
Hours: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Property Records are also available at the St. Clair County Assessor's Department. The Assessor's Department conducts a timely and equitable assessment of all real property in the county and maintains related records. Record seekers may also obtain these records by submitting requests to:
St. Clair County Assessor's Department
10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220
Phone: (618) 825-2704
Fax: (618) 825-2757
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
How to Look Up St. Clair County Property Records
The Assessor's Department website features a Parcel & Mobile Home Search for online access to property records. Users may search by the property owner's last name, the site address, or the 10-digit parcel number. While the page provides parcel, address, sales, advanced, and tax year criteria, only one criterion should be used. Available details include property information, assessments, exemptions, parcel owner information, sales history, and payment history.
Location of St. Clair County Property Assessors
St. Clair County Assessor's Department
10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220
Phone: (618) 825-2704
Fax: (618) 825-2757
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
