Livingston County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Livingston County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents, court filings, property data, and other official information may access a range of publicly available records through Livingston County, IL government offices and authorized online resources. The directory at LivingstonILRecords.us aggregates publicly available information that may assist individuals in locating relevant record categories. Available record types may include, but are not limited to:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Voter registration and election records
Tax assessment and property tax records
Business licenses and permits
County board meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)

Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access: The Livingston County official government website provides departmental portals through which members of the public may access certain records digitally. The Circuit Clerk's office offers e-filing kiosks and online case information for court records. Property and recorder documents may be searchable through the County Clerk and Recorder's online portal. No registration is required to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request online; the Livingston County FOIA request form is available directly on the county's transparency page.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the relevant county office in person. The Livingston County Clerk and Recorder's Office and the Circuit Clerk's Office are both located at the Livingston County Law and Justice Center, 112 W. Madison Street, Pontiac, IL 61764. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and be prepared to describe the record sought with sufficient specificity.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate office at 112 W. Madison Street, Pontiac, IL 61764. 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 must respond within five business days of receipt of a written request.

Phone/Email:

Circuit Clerk's Office: (815) 844-2602 | circuitclerk@livingstoncountyil.gov
County Clerk and Recorder: (815) 844-2006

What Are Public Records in Livingston County?

Public records in Livingston 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 maintained by county offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Circuit Clerk's Office
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	County Clerk and Recorder
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	County Clerk and Recorder
Voter registration and election records	County Clerk and Recorder
Tax assessment records	County Assessor
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Board / Clerk
Budget and financial documents	County Treasurer / Clerk
Law enforcement records	Livingston County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	County Zoning Office

As noted on the county's official site, "The County Clerk's Office is responsible for a variety of duties. Some areas are very familiar to the public, such as elections and vital records."

Is Livingston County an Open Records County?

Livingston County operates in full compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 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." This declaration establishes a strong presumption in favor of disclosure for all county records not specifically exempted by statute.

The county's FOIA compliance page states that members of the public may submit requests to designated FOIA officers within each county department. Each department maintains its own FOIA officer, and requestors are directed to contact the appropriate office based on the type of record sought. The Livingston County FOIA page identifies the responsible officers for each department, including the Circuit Clerk's Office, which handles court record requests separately from the general county FOIA process.

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

The fee structure for public records in Livingston County is governed by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, which sets limits on the amounts public bodies may charge for fulfilling records requests. Current standard fees are as follows:

Inspection of records: No charge for in-person inspection of public records
Black-and-white paper copies: No charge for the first 50 pages; $0.15 per page thereafter
Color copies or copies on paper larger than 8.5" x 14": Actual cost of reproduction
Electronic format: No charge if the record already exists in electronic form; actual cost if conversion is required
Certification of records: Fees vary by office; the Circuit Clerk's Office charges standard certification fees per document
Search fees: Not permitted under standard FOIA requests unless the request is for a commercial purpose

Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may charge for the actual cost of retrieving and reproducing records when a request is made for a commercial purpose, subject to additional requirements. Fee waivers are available when disclosure is in the public interest and the requester is not seeking the records for a commercial purpose. Accepted payment methods vary by office but typically include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county office.

Does Livingston County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the relevant county office during regular business hours, consistent with the requirements of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Members of the public may inspect records at no cost without making copies. The following free access options are currently available:

In-person inspection at the County Clerk and Recorder's Office, Circuit Clerk's Office, and other county departments — no fee is charged for viewing records on-site
Online access through the Livingston County government website, which provides access to meeting minutes, agendas, budget documents, and other public information at no cost
Court records online through the Livingston County Law and Justice Center portal, where certain case information may be viewed without charge

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, physical or electronic copies may be subject to the reproduction fees described above. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are not available for free inspection and require payment of a certified copy fee set by state statute.

Who Can Request Public Records in Livingston County?

Any person may request public records in Livingston County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, requestors are not required to be Illinois residents, and public bodies may not require a requestor to state the reason for their request as a condition of fulfilling a standard (non-commercial) records request. The following conditions apply:

Residency: Not required; non-residents have equal access rights
Identification: Not required for most requests, though providing contact information facilitates timely response
Purpose: Not required to be stated for personal or non-commercial requests; commercial requestors must identify the commercial nature of the request
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking their own vital records (birth certificates, marriage licenses) must provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship; these requirements are set by state vital records statutes rather than FOIA
Requesting others' records: Certain records, such as sealed court files or juvenile records, are restricted regardless of who is requesting them

Members of the public seeking court records should direct requests to the Circuit Clerk's Office, which maintains official court records and processes requests for case documents, filings, and appeals data.

What Records Are Confidential in Livingston County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Illinois law enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. Under 5 ILCS 140/7, the following categories of records are exempt from public inspection and copying:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court 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 during active investigations are exempt to the extent disclosure would interfere with the investigation
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data 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 statutes and not subject to general public access
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Personnel records: Employee personal information is exempt, with limited exceptions for public officials' compensation and duties
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the severability provisions of the Illinois FOIA.

Livingston County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Livingston County Clerk and Recorder
112 W. Madison Street
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 844-2006
Livingston County Clerk and Recorder

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays

Livingston County Circuit Clerk's Office
112 W. Madison Street
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 844-2602
circuitclerk@livingstoncountyil.gov
Circuit Clerk – Livingston County

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
E-filing kiosks are available in the Circuit Clerk's office for electronic document submission

Livingston County Sheriff's Office (for law enforcement records)
110 N. Mill Street
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 844-2186

As noted in the official court directory, the Livingston County Law and Justice Center houses the Circuit Court and associated clerk functions, with a Court Disability Coordinator available at (815) 844-2602 for accessibility accommodations.