Search Free St. Clair County Records: Court, Divorce, Arrests & More

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Free St. Clair County Public Records Search

Access St. Clair County Records: marriage, divorce, warrants, arrests, probation, criminal, court, background checks, and all public records.

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St. Clair County public records are often free and can be obtained by anyone once they figure out what records are available and which agencies provide them.

Illinois public records are widely accessible, and this resource outlines various tools that help individuals find information on many topics, such as marriages, divorces, warrants, arrests, criminal activity, and court proceedings.

Through reading this article, citizens will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to perform background checks and look up details on prisoners, probationers, warrants, property records, and more.

How To Initiate a Free Search of St. Clair County Arrest Records & Mugshots

When someone is arrested, it’s helpful to family and friends to find information quickly.

St. Clair County offers tools for concerned citizens to efficiently locate inmates and uncover the details of the occurrence. Check out the various methods of accessing St. Clair County arrest details for additional insights.

The sheriff’s office, along with local city police departments, can be a good source of information. Individuals can choose between using online tools or contacting those agencies directly.

Look Up Arrest Records Through the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office allows citizens to find out who’s in jail through an Inmate Search. Users can perform searches by name – even a partial name, if that’s all that’s available to start.

The more specific the information added to the fields, the more accurate the results for St. Clair County bookings will be. Knowing that the search doesn’t have to be perfect is comforting – that way anyone can start with whatever partial information they have and hone the search from there.

After adding a full or partial name and clicking on search, users will see a list pop up with all individuals that share that information. After clicking on the individual they wish to know more about, searchers will be able to view full information about an arrest, find someone’s mugshot, verify the type of offense, check the date of booking, etc.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is the local repository of all jail records.² Consequently, whenever someone needs information about local arrests, they shouldn’t hesitate to contact them.

The sheriff’s office manages the corrections department in St. Clair County and is responsible for keeping all information about inmates in the area. Count on them to find information about arrests and inmates.

This is the information to reach out to the St. Clair Sheriff’s Office:

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office
700 North 5th Street
Belleville, IL 62220

Office Phone: 618-277-3505
Jail Phone: 618-207-4374
Email: [email protected]

Examining Arrest Details & Obtaining Police Reports Through Police Departments in St. Clair County Illinois

Most cities in St. Clair County have a local police department that makes arrests and provides detailed police reports of varying incidents for insurance claims, complaints, journalism and other legal matters – though most do not operate a jail or offer arrest information via an online directory.

Most municipal police agencies also act as a public records repository to a certain extent, and should be considered when information is needed about local arrests.

To get ahold of municipal police departments in St. Clair County, use the links or contact details in the table below:

St. Clair County Police Departments
Belleville Police Department3	720 West Main Street Belleville, IL 62220	618-234-1212
Fairview Heights Police Department	10027 Bunkum Rd. Fairview Heights, IL 62208	618-489-2100
East St. Louis Police Department	301 River Park Dr. East St. Louis, IL 62201	618-825-6600
Mascoutah Police Department	3 W Main St Mascoutah, IL 62258	618-566-2976 Ext. 110
Millstadt Police Department	108 W. White St Millstadt, IL 62260	618-4767250
Shiloh Police Department	3498 Lebanon Ave. Shiloh, IL 62221	618-624-4545
Dupo Police Department	100 North 2nd Street Dupo, IL 62239	618-286-3397
O’Fallon Police Department	285 North 7 Hills Road O’Fallon, IL 62269	618-624-4545
Swansea Police Department4	1400 N Illinois St Swansea, IL 62226	618-233-8114
Caseyville Police Department	909 South Main St Caseyville, IL 62232	618-344-1234
Freeburg Police Department	Village Hall 14 Southgate Center Freeburg, IL 62243	618-539-3132
New Athens Police Department	905 Spotsylvania Street New Athens, IL 62264	618-475-2133
Washington Park Police Department	5300 N. Park Dr. East St. Louis, IL 62204	618-874-0115
Lebanon Police Department	403 W St. Louis St Lebanon, IL 62254	618-537-4955
Smithton Police Department	116 South Main St P.O. Box 494 Smithton, IL 62285	618-233-0550
Marissa Police Department5	111 North Main Street Marissa, IL 62257	618-295-3622

For further context, most local police departments in St. Clair County offer traffic incident records but do not have comprehensive criminal records–only incidents that occurred in their respective jurisdictions.

Nevertheless, if anyone thinks that a particular city police department may have valuable information, they should reach out and ask. Even if they aren’t the repositories or they can’t provide copies themselves, these departments can point citizens in the right direction to obtain the information they’re entitled to.

Although municipal agencies may not be able to provide all St. Clair County arrest records, inquirers may benefit from knowing that local police departments in the county reserve the right to veto all requests – which are subject to approval before being provided.

Also, in most cases, only individuals involved in the incident or listed on the report are allowed to request those records.

How To Determine if Someone Has a Criminal Record in St. Clair County Illinois

Depending on what’s being sought, various agencies provide online tools that individuals can take advantage of to perform a St. Clair County case search. Interested parties can look up someone’s criminal record, check public access terminals, or get ahold of the record custodian by phone or email.

It’s important to keep in mind that, although citizens need no particular reason to search and find information about anyone, whatever information is uncovered should be used with care. Under no circumstance should information gained from public records be used to commit criminal activities – such as threatening, harassing or stalking.

Finding Out if Someone Has Prior Charges or Criminal Convictions Through the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk

St. Clair County criminal records can be uncovered in great detail with the Circuit Clerk’s Court Record Search Feature.⁶ This tool allows individuals to check public records conveniently and quickly.

When searching for criminal cases through St. Clair County public records, all users can perform a free search by name, case number, or ticket number (for traffic citations).

Assuming that most initial searches would be made by name (the most common information available), this is what individuals can expect: after inputting a name (a partial name would work when the full name of the individual isn’t known), the system will provide users with a list of individuals. All of those people have some sort of criminal record, but their cases could have been potentially closed a long time ago.

After finding the individual the user wishes to search, it’s possible to click on that name and open a new screen. That’s where details about that individual will be found, from physical appearance and address to the offenses they may have committed in the past.

Clicking on any offense on the list will lead to a new page with all the details about that particular incident, including the court date and sentence, among other things.

If more details are needed or the expected information isn’t found, contact the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk’s Office directly via phone or in person. They can assist any citizens interested in finding public records in St. Clair County. This is their information:

St. Clair County Circuit Clerk
#10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220

Phone: 618-825-2334
Email: [email protected]

While they encourage searchers to use their online resources, they can be visited M-F from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

How To Conduct a St. Clair County Arrest Warrant Search

The best source of information about St. Clair County warrants is, in most cases, the sheriff’s office. Any citizen should be able to reach out to them by phone, email, or in person at the office and ask about the open or outstanding warrants in the county.

If someone thinks there might be a warrant against them, the best approach wouldn’t be to reach out in person and ask. Any contact that an individual initiates with law enforcement might lead to their arrest on the spot.

Instead, the advice is to find and retain a defense attorney who would be able to, on their behalf, get in contact with law enforcement and fight for them in the courts to avert the situation, if needed.

For those who are curious about any outstanding warrant in St. Clair County, this is the contact information for the sheriff’s office:

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office
700 North 5th Street
Belleville, IL 62220

Office Phone: 618-277-3505
Email: [email protected]

You can also request outstanding warrant information at the Lake County Circuit Court. Be sure to have the individual’s legal name, date of birth, and any known case numbers for the person you are searching.

The Illinois State Police places their Wanted Person’s information online.⁸ This isn’t a comprehensive list by any measure. It’s also not necessarily connected to an individual in St. Clair County. However, it’s always advisable to be aware of the dangerous offenders at large in the state so the population can keep an eye out and be informed, and because this search tool can help track local wanted individuals.

How To Find Information on St. Clair County Probationers

If you need to locate probation records or determine whether someone is under supervision in St. Clair County, you can utilize the Circuit Court Records Search Tool.

The St. Clair Circuit Court maintains case files that include details on individuals sentenced to probation. However, this online tool may not able to provide full probation details, thus, to obtain detailed probation information, you need to go to the Circuit Clerk’s Office in person.

The Illinois Department of Corrections’ Offender Search Tool also allows you to verify someone’s current supervision status, and the Illinois probation record search instructions offer helpful guidance on looking up these supervised offenders throughout the state.

Additionally, you can also contact the Probation Department, a division of the St. Clair County government. They are responsible for supervising adults on probation and supporting the court in anything relating to those individuals.

This department can be contacted over the phone or in person using the following information:

St. Clair County Court Services & Probation Department
Adult Probation Office
11 West Lincoln
Belleville, IL 62220

Phone: 618-277-5690

How To Perform a Background Check or Screening in St. Clair County Illinois

Background checks are useful in a wide variety of situations. From personal reasons (such as learning information about a new neighbor or acquaintance) to professional reasons (like licensing, employment, and housing), there are many ways a background check can be valuable.

Personal background checks are done by one person on another and are less consequential than a professional background check, which must follow particular rules and be conducted with more caution. Both are very important, and citizens should know how to perform them when needed.

A personal background check can be conducted by simply tracking down various St. Clair County public records described throughout this resource; the online search tools and contact information for local custodians will be especially helpful for personal searches.

To run a professional background check, individuals should keep a few things in mind: the person being checked needs to provide consent, and they may want a copy of the final report. The person or entity conducting the professional check also needs to decide between a level 1 or level 2 background check, depending on the purpose. Level 1 checks are done with only the person’s name, while level 2 checks use the subject’s fingerprints.

For those who have had a background check run on them and feel abused or discriminated against in any way, it’s important to remember that it’s possible to file a complaint. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) can help when rights have been violated. More about them can be found at the end of this resource.

Whenever a background check or screening is necessary, the best resource available for the citizens of St. Clair County is the Circuit Court Clerk. They are the repository of all records throughout the county, including probate courts.

Through their online public index, the Clerk’s Office makes it possible for anyone to look into public records and find information about any citizen. Everyone should feel empowered and comfortable to do so when conducting a personal search.

For instances in which a certified copy or a full report is needed, the Clerk’s Office receives requests directly from the public in person, over the phone, or via email. This is their full information for those who wish to contact them:

St. Clair County Circuit Clerk
#10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220

Phone: 618-825-2334
Email: [email protected]

For St. Clair citizens, a fingerprint background check is provided by the Illinois State Police Bureau of Investigation.⁹ They have vendors throughout the state that perform the fingerprinting service on their behalf.

There’s an extensive list of vendors, all equipped and authorized to do this service.¹⁰ This is a local vendor available in St. Clair County:

Protective Services Group Inc.
144 Lincoln Place Court – Suite 4
Belleville, IL 62221

For those interested in requesting a background check on themselves, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) allows individuals to request their own criminal record checks for their personal records or simply out of curiosity.¹¹ Getting one could help people verify the accuracy of their records.

Those interested in requesting a check with the FBI must know they cannot request information about others, only themselves.

Accessing Illinois Criminal Records via State & Federal Resources

Anyone interested can access Illinois criminal history information, as long as they know how to track down these details.

In general, Illinois public records are widely available because the Uniform Conviction Information Act from 1991 (also known as UCIA) determines that whenever an individual is convicted, their criminal history information remains available.

The Illinois State Police’s Bureau of Investigation is responsible for providing the population with this information, making free criminal record checks available to all.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) isn’t the easiest to navigate, but it provides plenty of information. An individual’s criminal history can be searched by name or fingerprints, depending on what’s available and what that search will be used for.

In order to do a criminal history search using someone’s name, interested citizens must use CHIRP (the Criminal History Information Response Process).¹² To do so, creating an account is mandatory.

The only way to be able to create a CHIRP account is to have a Digital ID. Digital IDs can be created online and must be done by both Illinois residents and those who live out-of-state.

There are a lot of steps before a Digital ID is issued, including providing personal information and notarizing documents in some cases. The first step is to click on the green button on the Digital ID homepage. Citizens with a Digital ID can create a CHIRP account and search the criminal history of anyone in Illinois.

If a concerned citizen needs to perform a search on the federal level, Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) is a useful platform.¹³ It also requires that users create an account so they can access services. This is a free tool.

For those looking for information about those who’ve committed sexual crimes in St. Clair County, it’s important to mention that the St. Clair Sheriff’s Office makes a Sex Offender Search available to all citizens. Anyone can utilize it to become aware of convicted sex offenders near their places of work or residence.

Searches can be done by address, name, and even for non-compliant offenders.

Although offenders may sometimes fail to provide their correct address or any other information, this search is a very good tool – and if someone thinks that they have the correct information about a non-compliant offender, they can always reach out to law enforcement and let them know.

The Department of Justice has a Nationwide Sex Offender Search, too.¹⁴ It’s a free online platform that helps individuals uncover information about sex offenders throughout the whole country, either by location or name.

The BOP (Federal Bureau of Prisons) has a free Inmate Locator Tool so that people can look up information about current and former federal inmates.¹⁵ This platform covers all 50 states, and users can search by name or assigned BOP number.

How To Obtain Court Records in St. Clair County IL

Similar to the criminal history search, St. Clair County court records can also be looked up and consulted. The Circuit Clerk’s Office makes a Free Public Records Search available online to anyone interested in taking a closer look at a court case.¹⁶

This search tool enables searches for criminal cases, civil cases, and other court dockets. When looking for criminal or civil cases, users can start their searches by name when the case number isn’t known. Court dockets need to be searched by date or attorney name.

For instance, citizens can use a full or a partial name when looking for a name. It’s also possible to search using a company name (when a business is what they’re interested in) or a case number – when the individual searches for a particular case (and not an individual’s history).

The results of the search follow the same pattern as the criminal cases search: users first find a list of names or cases that meet the criteria of the search. At that point, they can click on whatever name or case they’re interested in to be taken to another page containing all the information about that individual.

This tool is free and can be accessed at any time, by anyone. However, not all records are available online, to view full case and court records, citizens need to visit the St. Clair County Courthouse in person. Note that requesting court records may have an associated fee.

Acquiring a St. Clair County Vital Records: Marriage, Divorce, Birth & Death Certificates

Vital records, such as birth and death certificates, aren’t considered public records in Illinois but third-party providers may still be able to offer information as they scour the web.

To obtain this information through government agencies, you must be an authorized individual (the subject or a close relative or legal representative).

Marriage and divorce records are also vital records, and can be found via the Clerk of Court’s Office.

The information below details how to obtain vital records in St. Clair through the Clerk, the County Vital Records Division, and the State Department of Health.

Retrieving Marriage & Divorce Records via the St. Clair County Clerk’s Office

To find out if someone is married, the Clerk’s Office is the place to go (or to write to). To request a certificate of marriage, individuals can fill out the Vital Records Application Form with the name of the bride (maiden name) and groom, as well as a few other details.

Marriage records are available for marriages that took place from 1763 until now. The request can be delivered in person or via mail. Each certificate costs $15, and every extra copy $8.

St. Clair County marriage records are kept by the Clerk’s Office and provided to the population through the Vital Records Division.¹⁷ Likewise, St. Clair County divorce records are also kept by the Clerk’s Office, just like any other court records. However, these must be requested through a different process.

To find divorce records, citizens must fill out a request (different from the one used for other vital records) and reach out to the Clerk’s Office as follows. People can come in person or send their requests via mail, as they would do for any other court records they may need to request:

St. Clair County Circuit Clerk
#10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220

Phone: 618-825-2334
Email: [email protected]

The Illinois Department of Public Health can be of assistance when the actual certificate isn’t needed, and a verification will suffice.¹⁹ In other words, they don’t provide citizens with a copy of the certificate or marriage (or its dissolution, for that matter), but they help verify an event took place.

Marriage and dissolution of marriage verifications cost $5 each and can be ordered via mail, fax, or in person, as these are considered St. Clair County public records. This is how to contact the Illinois Department of Public Health:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 East Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737

Fax: 217-523-2648

Obtain Birth & Death Records or Certificates in St. Clair County Illinois

The St. Clair County Clerk is the local resource for individuals who need to obtain a birth or death certificate, as well as check if someone is married or divorced. They are the repository of that information and are available to provide it to citizens entitled to it.

Citizens requesting birth and death certificates should keep in mind that those documents aren’t public records, and those placing a request must be closely connected to the individual referred to in the certificate.

For those who are entitled to make requests, a birth certificate is available for births that have happened since 1874. The individual, their parents, or a legal representative can request it as long as they have the full information and proof that they’re entitled to the document. The first copy of the certificate is $15, and each extra copy goes for $8.

For a certificate of death, the Clerk’s Office has the records for deaths that occurred from 1878 to the present date. Family members and legal representatives are entitled to obtain a copy, as long as they provide proof of connection to the deceased. The first certificate costs $20; if extra copies are needed, each costs $12.

It is possible to fill out a request form ahead of time, which can be taken in person or mailed out (with payment) to the following address:

St. Clair County Circuit Clerk
#10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220

Phone: 618-825-2334
Email: [email protected]

For a certificate of birth or death, it’s possible to order them directly from the Clerk’s Office (in person or via mail), or online with VitalChek.

The Illinois Department of Public Health accepts requests for birth and death certificates, marriage certificates and certificates of dissolution of marriage (which can happen due to divorce or annulment).

Those requests can be sent via mail (not in person), and it may take up to 12 weeks for the response to be delivered. They don’t offer updates, and it’s advisable for anyone requesting documents from them to consider how that time frame may affect someone’s plans.

As mentioned, birth records aren’t considered public records and can only be requested by the individual, their parents, or legal guardians. The Illinois Department of Public Health refers those who wish to order online to VitalChek, where they can obtain two types of certificates of birth.

One is similar to the one offered by the St. Clair County Clerk, a common birth certificate. The other, more complete, may include information noted at the time of birth – which may vary, depending on when the person was born.

A common certificate is $10, and the more complete one is $15. Each additional copy is $2.

Death records can be requested only by family members of the deceased, or individuals who share ownership of something tangible with them (such as a car or a house, for example). If an agency requests the certificate of death, a letter stating why the document is needed must accompany the request.

Each death certificate costs $19, and each extra copy $4.

This is the address for those interested in placing a request via mail (the fax number is right below for those who prefer to fax their requests):

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 East Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737

Fax: 217-523-2648

How To Look Up Property Ownership & Tax Information in St. Clair County Illinois at No Cost

All property tax information in St. Clair County is processed and kept by the Assessor’s office, which offers a Property Search Tool to look up and find information about any property in the county.

There are plenty of different criteria that can be used to find out information about a property. The first option is named “basic search” and allows people to look up properties by parcel number or owner name. If that’s not ideal, it’s also possible to search by address, among other options.

When searching by name, users are led to all properties under that name. It helps to input the name as completely as possible when that information is known.

The search will lead to a list of properties that match the criteria. At this point, users can click on the property that matches their search to see all information available. Value, previous sales, improvements, and, of course, taxes will be displayed.

Any user can find out if taxes for a certain property are up-to-date or not.

When going to the Assessor’s Office in person is necessary, they’re available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at:

St. Clair County Assessor’s Department
#10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220

Phone: 618-825-3704
Fax: 618-825-2757
Email: [email protected]

Citizens’ Rights & Responsibilities When Using or Accessing St. Clair County Public Records

Citizens everywhere should value public records and the power of information being readily available to all. However, this information must always be used responsibly and ethically.

Individuals can search public records in St. Clair County for no particular reason. They don’t need to explain why they wish to uncover certain information at all. People often need public information for personal reasons, and as long as they use it legally, they don’t even need to tell people they’re using it.

Still, it is important to consider a few things because the use of public records comes with a set of rules. First and foremost, people’s privacy must always be respected. No one should ever be exposed or embarrassed; more importantly, it should never be used for criminal purposes.

Citizens should also know that if the information disclosed by the public records search is used to determine someone’s creditworthiness, make decisions related to an employment offer, approve someone as a tenant, or any other business affair, there must be consent.

For the information to be used to make a decision about someone’s life, the individual being searched must provide permission beforehand.

A background check run for professional purposes is allowed and legal, as long as it adheres to all relevant laws. Consent is the first one, but the individual must also know and understand that they are going through this process.

Also, the subject is allowed a copy of the results for any background checks, and they can dispute it if something seems off.

All professional background checks must follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and other laws and agencies.²² If any of those rules aren’t followed, it’s possible to file a complaint. Anyone who thinks they’ve been defrauded or have witnessed that happen can report it through the FTC (Federal Trade Commission).²³

If someone believes they’ve been discriminated against while being considered for a job, they should file a report with the EEOC (the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) through their website.²⁴

Also, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) makes it possible for citizens to request agencies to disclose information when transparency or clarification is needed. Local agencies in St. Clair County, such as the sheriff’s office, can be contacted for a FOIA request.

No matter the purpose, St. Clair County public records should be used with respect and consideration to privacy, ethical responsibility, and all local and federal laws; you can also review the Illinois state public records search instructions for broader insights.