Clinton County

Clinton County is located in south-central Illinois, approximately 40 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri. Established on December 27, 1824, Clinton County was named after DeWitt Clinton, the governor of New York who championed the Erie Canal. Clinton County seat is Carlyle, which also is the largest city in Clinton County. Clinton County includes approximately 503 square miles and had a population of approximately 36,899 residents according to recent census estimates. Clinton County is home to Carlyle Lake, Illinois' largest man-made lake, created by damming the Kaskaskia River and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This 26,000-acre reservoir is a major recreational destination for boating, fishing, and camping. Clinton County's economy historically centered on agriculture, particularly corn and wheat production, with German heritage deeply influencing Clinton County's culture and communities. Clinton County is served by several key governmental offices located primarily in Carlyle. Clinton County Recorder's Office, responsible for land records, is located at Clinton County Courthouse at 850 Fairfax Street, Carlyle, IL 62231. Clinton County Clerk maintains election records, vital records, and county board proceedings at the same courthouse complex. Clinton County Assessor's Office, handling property valuations and tax assessments, operates from 850 Fairfax Street as well. Clinton County is characterized by its strong agricultural heritage, small-town communities including Breese, Trenton, Germantown, and Beckemeyer, and its strategic location along Interstate 64, which connects Clinton County to major metropolitan areas.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Agencies typically have five business days to respond to FOIA requests.
• These can be requested through the Sheriff's Office or may be available on the online inmate roster if Clinton County maintains a public database.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Clinton County, IL are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see Criminal Records Search - Clinton County, IL (Arrests, Jails & Most Wanted Recor.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Clinton County, IL are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Clinton County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.

• Look up current inmates and booking information at Clinton County IL Jail Inmate Records Search, Illinois - StateCourts.
• Sheriff's Office: Sheriff - Clinton County - Illinois.gov.
• The bond and bail process allows release of detainees under conditions set by the court; inquiries about recently arrested individuals can be directed to the jail's administrative office.

• The Circuit Clerk of Clinton County maintains court records and provides access to the public.
• Parties seeking access to court files should contact Clinton County Circuit Clerk for inquire about specific case information, available search methods, and current fee schedules.

Property records for Clinton County, Illinois are maintained by the Clinton County Recorder of Deeds. This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Clinton County.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and pay the required fee, typically around $15 for a certified copy with additional fees for expedited service.
• Death records have similar access restrictions and require proper identification and fees comparable to birth certificates.
• Processing time for vital records at Clinton County level is typically shorter than state processing, often available within a few business days for in-person requests.
• Both parties must appear in person to apply, provide valid identification, and pay the license fee.
• Marriage records become public record after the ceremony and can be requested by anyone.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, serving the greater Clinton County area, provides business resources and networking opportunities and can be found online to assist new and existing businesses.