Saline County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Saline County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Saline County, Illinois may access a range of publicly available information through SalineCountyRecords.us, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by county and state agencies. Saline County residents and non-residents alike may find information pertaining to court filings, property transactions, vital statistics, tax assessments, and other government-generated documents, subject to applicable exemptions under Illinois law.

Record categories that may be available include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax and assessment records
Voting and election records
Business licenses and permits
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 Saline County Clerk & Recorder maintains an official portal where members of the public may access property and vital records information.
The Saline County Courthouse page through the Illinois Courts system provides access to court calendars, local rules, and related judicial documents.
The Illinois Courts system offers an online case search tool for circuit court records statewide.
Some records are available digitally without registration; others may require in-person verification.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Saline County Clerk & Recorder's Office or the Circuit Clerk's Office at the Saline County Courthouse, located at 10 East Poplar Street, Harrisburg, IL 62946.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Requestors should identify the record type, provide relevant names or dates, and complete any required request forms at the counter.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office at 10 East Poplar Street, Harrisburg, IL 62946.
Requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and any applicable fees.
Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five business days of receipt.

Phone/Email:

Saline County Clerk & Recorder: (618) 252-6905
Saline County Circuit Clerk: (618) 252-8661
Email contact information is available through the respective office pages on the county website.

What Are Public Records in Saline County?

Public records in Saline County are government-generated or government-held documents that are subject to public disclosure under Illinois law. Under 5 ILCS 140/2, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act defines public records 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 maintained by Saline County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Circuit Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	County Clerk & Recorder
Birth and death certificates	County Clerk & Recorder / IDPH
Marriage and divorce records	County Clerk & Recorder / Circuit Clerk
Property tax and assessment records	County Assessor / Treasurer
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk
Voting and election records	County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Board / Clerk
Law enforcement records	Sheriff's Office (where permitted)
Land use and zoning records	County Zoning Office

The Circuit Clerk serves as the official record keeper for all court-related documents in Saline County, maintaining records for the entire court system. Birth certificates issued in Illinois are administered through the Illinois Department of Public Health, which requires completion of the Application for Search of Birth Record Files.

Is Saline County an Open Records County?

Saline County operates in full compliance with Illinois open records law. Under 5 ILCS 140/1, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), all public bodies in the state — including county offices — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request, subject to enumerated exemptions.

The Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor oversees compliance with FOIA statewide. As stated in the Act, "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 directly to Saline County's elected and appointed offices.

Saline County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state FOIA statute governs all public records requests submitted to county offices. Each county office designates a FOIA officer responsible for processing requests and ensuring timely responses.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Saline County?

The cost to obtain public records in Saline County varies by record type and the office maintaining the records. Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may charge fees for copies but may not charge for the cost of searching for or reviewing records.

Current standard fees include:

Fee Type	Amount
Black-and-white paper copies (up to 50 pages)	No charge (first 50 pages)
Black-and-white paper copies (over 50 pages)	$0.15 per page
Color copies	Actual cost
Electronic records (when available)	No charge or actual cost of medium
Certified copies of vital records	$15.00 per certificate (IDPH rate)
Certified copies of court documents	Varies by document type
Property record copies	Set by Recorder's fee schedule

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request.

Fee waivers may be available when disclosure is in the public interest and the requester is a non-profit organization or news media outlet, as provided under state FOIA guidelines. Inspection of records — viewing documents without obtaining copies — does not incur a fee.

Does Saline County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Saline County offices. Illinois law requires that public bodies permit members of the public to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records is free, obtaining physical or certified copies involves the fees described above.

The following resources provide free access to public records:

The Saline County Clerk & Recorder's office permits in-person inspection of property records, recorded documents, and election records at no cost.
The Illinois Courts system provides free online access to certain circuit court case information through its public case search portal.
The Saline County Courthouse maintains public access terminals where members of the public may view court records without charge.
Property tax and assessment records are accessible through the county assessor's office at no cost for inspection purposes.

Certain records — such as voter registration information for personal use — may be provided at no charge under specific circumstances defined by state statute.

Who Can Request Public Records in Saline County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Saline County. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act does not restrict access to residents of Illinois; non-residents, businesses, organizations, and members of the media hold equal standing to request public records from county offices.

Requestors are not required to:

Demonstrate Illinois residency
Provide a government-issued identification for standard requests
State the purpose of the request for most record types

However, certain record categories carry additional access requirements. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are restricted to authorized individuals — including the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest. The Illinois Department of Public Health specifies that requestors must complete the Application for Search of Birth Record Files and provide proof of eligibility.

Members of the public requesting their own records may be required to provide identification to verify identity. Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same FOIA process, with applicable exemptions applied to protect personal privacy.

What Records Are Confidential in Saline County?

Not all government records in Saline County are subject to public disclosure. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act enumerates specific categories of exempt records under 5 ILCS 140/7. The following record types are exempt from mandatory disclosure:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or abuse proceedings
Ongoing law enforcement investigation records — records that would interfere with active investigations
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers
Medical and health records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Personnel records — employee records, with limited exceptions for public officials' compensation
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies in confidence
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety

As stated in the Act, "a public body may elect to redact information exempt under this Section from a public record rather than withhold the entire record." This balancing approach allows partial disclosure when only portions of a document are exempt.

Saline County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Saline County Clerk & Recorder
10 East Poplar Street
Harrisburg, IL 62946
(618) 252-6905
Saline County Clerk & Recorder

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays

Saline County Circuit Clerk
10 East Poplar Street
Harrisburg, IL 62946
(618) 252-8661
Circuit Clerk – Saline County