Electronic Filing (E-Filing)

***  Effective January 1, 2018 ***
In Compliance With The Illinois Supreme Court
All Fayette County Civil Cases Must Be E-Filed!

The Office of the Circuit Clerk is the administrative and clerical arm of the court.  It is a non-judicial office of the Judicial Branch of state government.  The Fayette County Circuit Clerk is elected to a 4 year term in this office by the citizens of Fayette County and is an official of the 4th Judicial Circuit.  The Circuit Clerk's office is committed to serving the citizens of Fayette County in a courteous, timely and competent manner.

Responsibilities
The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains the official records for the entire court system and is the official recorder of documents for filing. The Clerk of the Circuit Court certifies and prepares records on appeal when cases are appealed from the Circuit Court trial level to the Appellate Court. This office collects filing fees, fines, cost penalties, assessments and restitution, then distributes those monies on a monthly basis to the county, state, municipalities or proper recipients.  The Circuit Clerk is responsible for Deputy Clerks, the preservation of complete court records and keeping of the Seal of the Court.

Jurors & Trials

The Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court is responsible for maintaining an active jury panel, as well as a system of notifying jurors.  Potential jurors are randomly pulled by a computerized program from a CD of names received from the Administrative Office of Illinois courts.  These names are drawn by lot from Fayette County's list of registered voters, persons holding a valid Illinois driver's license/identification card or those accessing unemployment insurance.  The clerk maintains an accurate accounting of each jury trial for immediate and future reference.

 

Records

Individuals who wish to view case files and documents in the Circuit Clerk's Office may do so from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday, excluding legal holidays. (Holiday information, weather related scheduling and jury trial status is also available on the Fayette County Circuit Clerk's Facebook page).  Most court records are open to the public, with the exception of juvenile, adoption and impounded or sealed cases.  For cases open to the public, information is also available on www.judici.com.  Copies obtained from the Circuit Clerk's office are $1 for the 1st page, $.50 for each of the next 19 pages and $.25 per page after that.  Information emailed to you will be slightly higher, due to the research being done by the Circuit Clerk Deputies.  Our office also offers a Public Access Computer for case related use by the general public.

Child Support & Maintenance

Court ordered child support and/or maintenance payments are currently made through the SDU (State Disbursement Unit).  The Office of the Circuit Clerk is responsible for entering all court ordered Support and maintaining records of any file actively disbursing payments.  The Circuit Clerk is required to collect a $3 per month fee for the maintenance of these files.

Restrictions

By law, the Circuit Clerk and Deputy Clerks cannot give legal advice.  Individuals who ask legal questions will be directed to www.illinoislegalaid.org or an attorney.  The Circuit Clerk's Office does not accept personal checks for the payment of fines or fees; however, we are able to take cash, money orders, certified checks, debit cards and credit cards when making payments in person, online or over the phone. Payments can be made for all types of Fines & Fees at  www.courtmoney.com or by calling 1-800-352-9870.  You will enter Form Number:  143102 for Fines & Costs  OR  Form Number:  143103 for Child Support Administrative payments.  Online payments for fines and fees may also be made at www.judici.com.  We are currently able to accept MasterCard, VISA, AMERICAN EXPRESS and Discover credit and debit cards (company fees will apply).