Court records of Peoria County, Illinois, are available through several channels. PeoriaCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases. Additionally, records can be viewed through official online court portals, the Circuit Clerk's office, and public terminals in the Peoria County courthouse.
Peoria Court System & Jurisdictions
Peoria County is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, which also serves Marshall, Putnam, Stark, and Tazewell counties. All first-instance cases are heard by the Circuit Court, the only court of general jurisdiction in the Illinois state system.
The Circuit Court is divided into several divisions depending on the type of case:
- Criminal Division — felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and conservation law violations. The Circuit Clerk's Criminal Division is located at 324 Main Street, Peoria.
- Civil Division — claims of any amount, including small claims up to $10,000.
- Family Division — divorces, child support, custody, protection orders. Approved forms for divorce cases are available on the Office of the Illinois Courts website.
- Probate Division — inheritance, guardianship, probate cases.
- Juvenile Division — juvenile cases are handled separately; the county has its own Juvenile Detention Center.
There are no separate magistrate courts in Illinois. A Circuit Court judge or associate judge handles traffic violations, small claims, and misdemeanors within the same structure.
Peoria Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be viewed through the online Peoria County Records Inquiry system, which includes a Court Calendar section. This portal operates on the Tyler Technologies platform and allows searches by party name or case number.
To find the desired hearing:
- Go to the Records Inquiry portal and select "Court Calendar."
- Enter the party's last name or case number.
- The system will display the date, time, courtroom, and judge's name.
Civil, criminal, and traffic dockets are also published through the county's public data portals. Data is updated nightly.
How to Get a Copy of a Peoria Court Document
The keeper of all court records is the Peoria County Circuit Clerk. This office issues both regular and certified copies of documents.
Ways to Obtain Copies
- In Person — visit the Circuit Clerk's office in the courthouse. Bring identification and the case number if you know it.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the case name, case number, type of document needed, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Electronically — in Illinois, electronic filing is mandatory. You can use the eFileIL system to view and download documents related to your case. Instructions are available on the 10th Judicial Circuit forms page.
Certified vs. Regular Copies
A certified copy has the court seal and clerk's signature — it is needed for official purposes: immigration cases, licensing, filing in another court. A regular copy is suitable for personal review.
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, sealed or expunged records are usually not available for public viewing. Information on the sealing procedure can be found on the Expungement and Sealing page of the Office of the Illinois Courts.
Peoria Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees for court documents in Illinois are regulated by state statute (705 ILCS 105/27.2). Specific amounts depend on the type of document and the number of pages. Below are approximate fees typically applied in the Peoria County Circuit Court — for current amounts, contact the Circuit Clerk's office at (309) 672-6000.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified document copy | Depends on the type of case; usually $2–$10 for the first pages + $0.50–$1.00 for each additional |
| Regular copy (per page) | $0.50–$2.00 |
| Document certification fee | $5–$10 per document |
| Record search | A separate fee may apply; check with the clerk |
Payment is usually accepted in cash, money order, or check payable to "Peoria County Circuit Clerk." Check with the office to see if credit and debit cards are accepted.
If you are unable to pay court fees, you can apply for a fee waiver. The relevant approved forms are available on the Illinois standardized forms website.