Fulton County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Fulton County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Fulton County, Illinois may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state repositories, and online portals. FultonCountyRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Fulton County. Records that may be accessible include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and law enforcement logs, subject to applicable exemptions under state law.
Available record categories include:
- Civil and criminal court records
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Business licenses and permits
- Land use and zoning documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access: The Fulton County Clerk / Recorder maintains an official county website where members of the public may access certain property and recorder documents. The Fulton County Circuit Court provides access to court case information through the Illinois Courts portal. No registration is required to view basic case information through the state court directory.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Fulton County Clerk and Recorder's Office at 100 N. Main Street, Lewistown, IL 61542. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal request identifying the record sought by name, date range, or document type.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Fulton County Clerk and Recorder, 100 N. Main Street, Lewistown, IL 61542. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, public bodies must respond within five business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
- County Clerk's Office: (309) 547-3041
- Circuit Clerk Email: cmarkley@9thjudicial.org
What Are Public Records in Fulton County?
Public records in Fulton County are defined under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/2, 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. The following record types are currently maintained by Fulton County government offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Clerk / Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk |
| Tax and assessment records | County Assessor / Treasurer |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Board |
| Land use and zoning records | County Zoning Office |
| Law enforcement records | Fulton County Sheriff |
The Fulton County Circuit Clerk maintains civil, criminal, probate, and family court records filed with the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. Property records, including deeds, mortgages, and recorded instruments, are maintained by the County Clerk and Recorder's Office.
Is Fulton County an Open Records County?
Fulton County operates in full compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq., which governs public access to government records throughout the state. Under this statute, all persons — regardless of residency — have the right to inspect or obtain copies of public records held by any public body, subject to enumerated exemptions.
As stated in the Illinois FOIA, "it is the public policy of the State of Illinois 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." This policy applies to all county offices, boards, and agencies operating within Fulton County.
The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state law governs all public records requests submitted to county offices. The Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor provides guidance and enforcement of FOIA compliance across all public bodies, including those in Fulton County.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Fulton County?
The standard fee structure for public records in Fulton County is governed by 5 ILCS 140/6, which limits the fees a public body may charge for reproducing records.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white paper copies (first 50 pages) | No charge |
| Black-and-white paper copies (pages 51 and beyond) | $0.15 per page |
| Color copies or abnormal-size documents | Actual cost |
| Electronic format (when available) | No charge or actual cost of recording medium |
| Certification of records | Varies by office |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state FOIA |
Inspection of records is available at no charge. Fees for certified copies of vital records — such as birth and death certificates — are set separately under the Illinois Vital Records Act and are collected by the County Clerk's Office. Accepted payment methods at the Fulton County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and the request is not made for a commercial purpose.
Does Fulton County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Illinois FOIA. Members of the public may examine records in person at the relevant county office without incurring a fee. The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Online court case information through the Fulton County Circuit Court directory maintained by the Illinois Courts
- Registered sex offender and violent offender information through the Illinois State Police offender search portal, which provides public access to the state's offender registry at no charge
- In-person record inspection at the County Clerk and Recorder's Office and Circuit Clerk's Office during regular business hours
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may inspect public records without charge, fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested beyond the first 50 pages. Certain records — such as voter registration information provided to candidates and political committees — may be subject to separate statutory fee schedules.
Who Can Request Public Records in Fulton County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Fulton County. Under Illinois FOIA, requestors are not required to be Illinois residents, to provide identification, or to state the purpose of their request. The statute defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, firms, organizations, and associations.
Specific provisions apply to certain record types:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Access may be restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, or authorized representatives, as governed by the Illinois Vital Records Act.
- Juvenile court records: Access is restricted under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
- Law enforcement records: Certain arrest and investigative records may require the requestor to demonstrate a direct interest or legal standing.
Non-residents retain the same rights as Illinois residents under state FOIA. Requestors seeking their own records — such as personal court filings or property documents — follow the same process as any other public records request, though additional identity verification may be required for certified copies of vital records.
What Records Are Confidential in Fulton County?
Certain records held by Fulton County offices are exempt from public disclosure under 5 ILCS 140/7, which enumerates categories of information that public bodies are not required — and in some cases are prohibited — to release. Exempt and confidential records currently include:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records and proceedings
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records (sealed by court order)
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records, except for names, titles, salaries, and dates of employment of public employees
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, emergency response protocols, and critical infrastructure details
- Preliminary drafts and intra-agency memoranda not retained as final agency records
As the Illinois Attorney General's office has noted, "the exemptions in FOIA are permissive, not mandatory — a public body may choose to release exempt records unless another law prohibits disclosure." This means county offices retain discretion to release certain exempt materials when doing so does not violate a separate statutory prohibition.
Fulton County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Fulton County Clerk and Recorder
100 N. Main Street
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3041
Fulton County Clerk / Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Additional Offices:
Fulton County Circuit Clerk
100 N. Main Street, Fulton County Courthouse
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: (309) 547-3041 Ext. 206
Email: cmarkley@9thjudicial.org
Fulton County Circuit Clerk
Fulton County Circuit Court (Ninth Judicial Circuit)
100 N. Main Street
Lewistown, IL 61542
Fulton County Circuit Court
Illinois State Police — Sex Offender Registry
801 S. 7th Street
Springfield, IL 62703
Illinois sex offender and violent offender registry