Adams County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Adams County in 2026
AdamsILRecords.us provides publicly available information and data related to public records maintained by government agencies in Adams County, Illinois. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or law enforcement reports may access these materials through official county and state channels, subject to applicable exemptions under Illinois law. The categories of records 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)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
- Land use and zoning records
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 Adams County Courthouse serves as the primary judicial records repository for the county. The Illinois Courts system provides online case search tools for circuit court filings. The Adams County Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated portal where members of the public may access public records including inmate information, warrant searches, and case files. No registration is required to submit a standard records request, though certain databases may require identity verification for sensitive record categories.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Adams County Courthouse at 521 Vermont Street, Quincy, IL 62301, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. The Circuit Clerk's office on the premises processes requests for court records. The Adams County Sheriff's Office Records Division accepts walk-in requests at 2121 Oak Street, Quincy, IL 62301.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office by mailing a completed request form to the relevant department. Requests must include the requester's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), public bodies are required to respond within five business days of receipt of a written request.
Phone/Email: The Adams County Sheriff's Office Records Division may be reached by phone at (217) 277-2200. The Circuit Clerk's office at the Adams County Courthouse may be contacted at (217) 277-2100. Members of the public may also submit a records request online through the Sheriff's Office official portal, which provides access to request forms and applicable fee schedules.
What Are Public Records in Adams County?
Public records in Adams 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, having been prepared by or for, or having been or being used by, received by, in the possession of, or under the control of any public body, as set forth under 5 ILCS 140/2.
The following record types are maintained by Adams County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Circuit Clerk, Adams County Courthouse |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Adams County Recorder's Office |
| Property tax and assessment records | Adams County Assessor / Treasurer |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Adams County Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | Adams County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | Adams County Clerk |
| Arrest logs, incident reports | Adams County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Adams County Planning & Zoning |
| Meeting minutes and financial documents | Adams County Board |
The Adams County Courthouse houses the Circuit Court for the 8th Judicial Circuit, 4th Circuit District, and serves as the central repository for all judicial records filed within the county.
Is Adams County an Open Records County?
Adams County operates in full compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which governs public access to government records throughout the state. Under 5 ILCS 140/1, the Illinois General Assembly declared that "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."
Each public body in Adams County, including the Sheriff's Office, Circuit Clerk, County Clerk, and all county departments, is required to designate a FOIA officer responsible for processing requests and ensuring compliance. As stated in the Illinois Attorney General's guidance on open government, "the FOIA officer must respond to a request within five business days after its receipt." County-specific policies do not supersede state FOIA requirements, and any denial of records must be accompanied by a written explanation citing the applicable statutory exemption. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may file a Request for Review with the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Adams County?
The current fee structure for public records in Adams County is governed by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and applicable county fee schedules. Standard fees are as follows:
| Fee Type | 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 of reproduction |
| Certification of records | Varies by office |
| Electronic format (where available) | No charge or nominal fee |
| Search fees | Not permitted under standard FOIA requests |
Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may not charge fees that exceed the actual cost of reproducing records, and inspection of records at a public office is provided at no charge. The Adams County Sheriff's Office publishes its applicable fee schedule on the records request portal. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order payable to the respective office. Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and the requester is a non-profit organization or member of the news media, as provided under state law.
Does Adams County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the offices of the Adams County Courthouse, the County Clerk, the Recorder's Office, and the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours. Illinois law requires that public bodies permit inspection of non-exempt records without charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while members of the public may review records at no cost, fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested beyond the first 50 pages.
Several categories of records are accessible at no cost through official online platforms. The Adams County Sheriff's Office public records portal provides free access to inmate information, warrant searches, and certain case file data. The Illinois Courts system offers online access to circuit court case information at no charge. The Illinois Secretary of State maintains free online databases for business entity records and UCC filings. Members of the public seeking to expunge or seal their own criminal records may access standardized court forms at no cost through the Illinois Courts expungement and sealing forms portal.
Who Can Request Public Records in Adams County?
Any person may request public records from Adams County agencies under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Requesters are not required to be Illinois residents, to provide identification, or to state the purpose of their request as a condition of access to non-exempt records. As affirmed by the Illinois Attorney General's office, "a person does not have to explain why they want the records or what they plan to do with them."
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Requests for records containing personal identifying information, sealed court records, or juvenile records may require the requester to demonstrate a legal right or interest in the materials. Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal arrest history, inmate records, or court case files — may be required to provide government-issued identification to verify identity before release. Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under state FOIA provisions. Law enforcement records, including those maintained by the Adams County Sheriff's Office, are subject to specific statutory provisions governing the release of investigative and arrest information.
What Records Are Confidential in Adams County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Illinois law. The following records are not subject to mandatory release:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rules
- Juvenile records — protected under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (705 ILCS 405)
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — where disclosure would interfere with a pending investigation
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers
- Medical and health records — protected under HIPAA and Illinois law
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only by court order
- Child welfare and protective services records — maintained confidentially by DCFS
- Personnel records — with limited exceptions for public employees' compensation and titles
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies in confidence
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety
Under 5 ILCS 140/7, Illinois law enumerates specific categories of information exempt from disclosure. Public bodies must apply a balancing test in certain circumstances, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the potential harm of release. Any denial based on an exemption must be communicated in writing, with the specific statutory basis cited.
Adams County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Adams County Recorder's Office
507 Vermont Street
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 277-2150
Adams County Recorder's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays
Adams County Clerk's Office
507 Vermont Street
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 277-2150
Adams County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Adams County Courthouse – Circuit Clerk
521 Vermont Street
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 277-2100
Adams County Courthouse
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Trial Court Administrator: Sharon Main
Adams County Sheriff's Office – Records Division
2121 Oak Street
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 277-2200
Adams County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Records requests may also be submitted online through the Sheriff's Office records request form