Fayette County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Fayette County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Fayette County, Illinois may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, court systems, and online portals. FayetteILRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Fayette County. The records accessible through official channels may include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access: The Fayette County, Illinois government website provides access to county office directories, department contacts, and select online resources. Land records maintained by the County Clerk & Recorder are available for in-office viewing, with digitized records beginning October 1, 1985, accessible through the office's public terminals. Members of the public may also access court case information through the Illinois Courts system portal.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Fayette County Clerk & Recorder's Office, located at 221 S. 7th Street, Vandalia, IL 62471. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal request identifying the record sought, including the names of parties involved and approximate date ranges where known.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Fayette County Clerk & Recorder, 221 S. 7th Street, Vandalia, IL 62471. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), public bodies are required to respond to FOIA requests within five business days of receipt.
Phone/Email: The Fayette County Clerk & Recorder's Office may be reached by telephone at (618) 283-5000. Contact information for individual departments is available through the county's official web directory.
What Are Public Records in Fayette County?
Public records in Fayette County are defined under Illinois law as all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, recorded information, and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business, regardless of physical form or characteristics. The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) | Circuit Clerk's Office |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Clerk & Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk & Recorder |
| Tax assessment records | County Assessor |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Board / Clerk |
| Budget and financial documents | County Treasurer / Clerk |
| Law enforcement records | Sheriff's Office (where permitted) |
| Land use and zoning records | Zoning / Planning Office |
As noted on the Fayette County Clerk & Recorder/FOIA Officer page, "Our land records are open for public viewing in our office. Records as old as the 1800's can be found in our archives." The Circuit Clerk's Office maintains the official records for the entire court system and serves as the official recorder of documents for filing within the judicial circuit.
Is Fayette County an Open Records County?
Fayette County operates in full compliance with Illinois open records law. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq., all public bodies in the state — including county offices, courts, and administrative agencies — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act establishes that "all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials and public employees."
The Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor oversees compliance with FOIA statewide and provides guidance to both public bodies and requestors. Fayette County offices, including the Clerk & Recorder and the Circuit Clerk, are subject to these requirements and must respond to properly submitted requests within the statutory timeframes. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance that supersedes state law; state sunshine law provisions govern all public records access within county jurisdiction.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Fayette County?
The fee structure for public records in Fayette County is governed by state law and varies by record type and requesting office. Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may charge fees for copies of records but may not charge for the first 50 pages of black-and-white, letter- or legal-sized copies. Standard fees currently applicable include:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white copies (first 50 pages) | No charge |
| Black-and-white copies (beyond 50 pages) | Actual cost per page (not to exceed $0.15/page for standard sizes) |
| Color copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Certification of records | Varies by document type |
| Electronic format | Actual cost of medium (if any) |
| Vital record certified copies | Set by state statute |
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Fees for court records, certified copies of vital records, and recorded land documents may differ from standard FOIA copy fees and are set by separate statutory schedules. Fee waivers may be available where the requester demonstrates that disclosure is in the public interest and that the primary purpose is not commercial.
Does Fayette County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Fayette County. Under Illinois law, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person at a government office is at no cost, obtaining physical or electronic copies may incur fees as described above.
The following resources provide free access to public records:
- In-office inspection at the Fayette County Clerk & Recorder's Office allows members of the public to view land records, including historical documents dating to the 1800s, at no charge
- Public access terminals at the Clerk & Recorder's Office provide free on-site viewing of digitized land records
- Court records inspection is available at the Fayette County Courthouse through the Circuit Clerk's public counter during business hours
- The Illinois Courts system provides online access to certain case information at no charge
Who Can Request Public Records in Fayette County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Fayette County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, the right to inspect and copy public records extends to all persons, and public bodies are not permitted to require requestors to state the reason for their request as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving certain sensitive record categories.
Requestors are not required to:
- Be a resident of Illinois or Fayette County
- Provide government-issued identification for standard requests
- State the purpose of the request for most record types
Certain record categories — including law enforcement records, juvenile records, and sealed court files — may require the requestor to demonstrate a qualifying interest or legal standing. Individuals requesting their own records (such as personal vital records or criminal history) may be required to provide proof of identity. Non-residents retain the same access rights as residents under state law. Commercial requestors may be subject to additional fee provisions under 5 ILCS 140/3.5.
What Records Are Confidential in Fayette County?
Not all government records in Fayette County are subject to public disclosure. Illinois law enumerates specific categories of exempt records under 5 ILCS 140/7, which provides that the following types of information are exempt from inspection and copying:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
- Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors in delinquency or abuse proceedings are confidential by statute
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — law enforcement records compiled for investigatory purposes where disclosure would interfere with a pending investigation
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure
- Medical and health records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records — sealed under Illinois Adoption Act provisions
- Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act
- Personnel records — with limited exceptions for public employees' names, titles, and compensation
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety
Public bodies applying exemptions are required to redact only the exempt portions of a record and release the remainder. The Illinois Attorney General's office provides guidance on the balancing of disclosure interests against applicable exemptions.
Fayette County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Fayette County Clerk & Recorder / FOIA Officer
221 S. 7th Street
Vandalia, IL 62471
Phone: (618) 283-5000
Fayette County Clerk & Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Additional Offices:
Fayette County Circuit Clerk
221 S. 7th Street
Vandalia, IL 62471
Phone: (618) 283-5009
Circuit Clerk – Fayette County
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. As stated on the office's official page, "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." Court records may be inspected at the public counter during regular business hours.
Fayette County Courthouse
221 S. 7th Street
Vandalia, IL 62471
Fayette County Courthouse – Illinois Courts Directory
The Fayette County Courthouse serves the Fourth Judicial Circuit. As noted by the Illinois Courts system, "the Fourth Judicial Circuit is a unified circuit" with court held at the Vandalia courthouse location. All judicial records and filings for Fayette County are processed through this facility.