Court records of Knox County, Illinois, are available through several channels. KnoxILCourt.us allows searching for public information on court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official resources of the state court system, including the re:SearchIL portal, directly at the Circuit Court Clerk's office, or through public terminals in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide to navigating the county's court system.
Knox Court System & Jurisdictions
Knox County is part of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Illinois. All county-level cases are heard by the Circuit Court, the only court of general jurisdiction. There are no separate magistrate or family courts here; instead, cases are distributed among the divisions of a single court.
Here are the main categories of cases and their respective divisions:
- Criminal Division — felonies, misdemeanors, probation violations.
- Civil Division — claims over $10,000, contract disputes, damage recovery.
- Small Claims — civil claims up to $10,000, where parties often represent themselves.
- Family Cases — divorce, child support, custody. Standardized forms are available on the Divorce, Child Support, and Maintenance page.
- Probate — inheritance cases, appointment of guardians, estate management.
- Traffic Violations — fines, DUI, driver's license suspensions.
Federal cases concerning Knox County are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, with the nearest branch located in Peoria.
Knox Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be found in several ways.
- Call the court. The quickest way is to call (309) 345-3847 and inquire about a specific case or date.
- Visit the courthouse. The daily schedule of hearings is posted every morning on the bulletin board at the Knox County Courthouse.
- Online resources. Through the re:SearchIL system, you can check the status of a case and scheduled hearing dates if the case is available according to the Supreme Court's remote access policy.
Note: Not all types of cases appear in the online system. Juvenile cases, sealed records, and some family cases are usually closed to public access.
How to Get a Copy of a Knox Court Document
The Knox County Circuit Court Clerk's office maintains all court documents and issues copies. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — suitable for personal review or research.
- Certified copy — bears the clerk's seal and signature; required for official purposes, such as submission to another court or government agency.
How to obtain a copy:
- In person. Visit the clerk's office at the Courthouse address above. Provide the case number or party names — the clerk will locate the document and make a copy.
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the case number, party names, document type, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount. Mailing address:
- Online. Some documents can be viewed through re:SearchIL, but downloading full copies is not available for all types of cases. The eFileIL system is used for electronic document submission.
Divorce records are kept at the Circuit Court Clerk's office, not the state's Department of Public Health — this is confirmed by IDPH. For a complete criminal record, contact the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification.
Individuals representing themselves in court can use self-representation resources on the state court system's website.
Knox Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to Illinois state law (705 ILCS 105/27.2) and may change periodically. Verify current rates with the clerk's office before payment. Below are approximate fees:
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50 – $2.00 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 – $10.00 |
| Record search (by name) | Depends on request type |
| Civil case filing | Varies by claim amount |
| Divorce case filing | Varies; check with the clerk's office |
Payment is accepted in person at the clerk's office — typically by cash, check, or money order. Credit card payment availability depends on the specific department; inquire in advance by phone. For mail requests, send a check payable to "Knox County Circuit Clerk."
A complete list of Illinois Circuit Court Clerks with contact information is available on the state court system's website — there you can find current fee information for each county.