Search Peoria County Probate Court Records

Peoria County probate court records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk's office in the Peoria County Courthouse. The 10th Judicial Circuit Court oversees all probate matters here, including estate administration, will filings, and guardianship cases. You can search for cases through the county's online portal or visit the clerk's office in person to request copies. Robert M. Spears serves as the current Circuit Clerk and his staff manages all probate filings and record requests. This page covers the main ways to find, search, and get copies of probate court records in Peoria County.

Peoria County Circuit Clerk Office

The Circuit Clerk is the keeper of both the seal of the circuit court and the court records, including all files and exhibits. Robert M. Spears holds this role in Peoria County. His office handles every probate filing that comes through the door, from new estate petitions to guardianship motions. The staff processes record requests and can help you find the case you are looking for.

The office is on the ground floor of the Peoria County Courthouse. Walk-in visitors can request copies of probate court records during business hours. The staff is used to working with both attorneys and members of the public who need to look up a case or file new paperwork. If you are not sure where to go in the building, ask at the front desk and they will point you to the right room.

Address: 324 Main Street, Room G-22, Peoria, IL 61602
Phone: 309-672-6000
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday

You can learn more about the clerk's role and duties on the About the Clerk page on the Peoria County website.

That page outlines what the Circuit Clerk's office does and how it fits into the county court system. It also has links to other divisions and services the office provides.

Search Probate Court Records Online

Peoria County has an online case search portal powered by Tyler Technologies. The system lets you look up court records by party name, case number, or filing date. Probate cases are included in the search results alongside civil, criminal, and other case types. You can narrow your search by selecting the probate case category if you want to filter out other types of cases.

To start a search, go to the Peoria County case search portal. The portal shows basic case information like the parties involved, filing dates, case status, and upcoming hearing dates. It does not provide full document images for most cases. If you need actual copies of probate court records, you will need to contact the clerk's office or go in person to the courthouse.

The system is fairly easy to use. Type in the last name of the deceased or the estate name. If you have a case number, use that for a direct match. Probate cases in Peoria County will show the case type in the results, so you can tell at a glance which entries are probate matters and which are other types. For best results, try different name spellings if your first search comes up empty. Small differences in how a name was entered can affect what shows up.

Peoria County Probate Division

Probate cases in Peoria County are heard in Courtroom 203 of the courthouse. This room handles chancery, probate, foreclosure, miscellaneous remedies, and evictions. The presiding judge for these case types is Hon. Sean W. Donahue. If you have a hearing scheduled for a probate matter, Courtroom 203 is where you need to go.

You can find more about how the civil division handles probate and related case types on the Peoria County civil division page. That page explains which courtrooms handle which types of cases. It is helpful if you are trying to figure out where your case falls in the system. Probate, chancery, and foreclosure cases all move through the same division, but each has its own rules and timelines.

The 10th Judicial Circuit covers Peoria County along with several nearby counties. Courtroom assignments and judge contact info for the full circuit are listed on the 10th Circuit courtroom assignments page.

That page is updated yearly. Check it before you visit the courthouse so you know which judge and courtroom your probate case is assigned to. It also lists phone numbers for each courtroom, which can be useful if you need to call ahead about a scheduling question.

Types of Probate Court Records

Several kinds of cases produce probate court records in Peoria County. Estate administration is the most common. When someone dies, a petition is filed to open the estate. The court appoints a personal representative to manage the assets and pay any debts. Every document filed in that case becomes part of the probate court records. This includes the will, inventory of assets, creditor claims, accountings, and the final order closing the estate.

Guardianship cases are another major category. These cases involve a petition asking the court to appoint a guardian for a person who can not handle their own affairs due to age, disability, or illness. The case file holds the petition, medical evidence, any objections, and the court's orders. Adult guardianship cases tend to stay open for years and generate a lot of filings over time. Minor guardianship cases work the same way but deal with children who need a guardian appointed by the court.

Small estate affidavits come through probate too. Illinois law allows a simplified process for estates under a certain value. These cases have fewer filings but still create probate court records that the clerk stores. Will deposits are another type. A person can file their will with the clerk for safekeeping while they are still alive. The Illinois Probate Act (755 ILCS 5) lays out the rules for all of these case types.

Fees for Probate Court Records

The clerk charges fees for copies of probate court records. Rates are set by Illinois law and can change over time. Filing fees for new cases also vary depending on the type of probate matter you are opening. Estate administration cases tend to have higher filing fees than small estate affidavits or will deposits.

Call the clerk's office at 309-672-6000 for the current fee schedule before you go. This is the best way to know exactly what you will pay. Bring cash, a check, or a money order if you plan to pick up copies in person. For e-filed documents, the online system collects fees at the time of filing. The clerk's office can walk you through the payment options if you are not sure which method to use.

Certified copies cost more than regular copies. You will need a certified copy if you plan to use the document for legal purposes, like proving your authority as an executor to a bank or title company. Let the clerk know what you need the copy for and they can tell you whether a regular or certified version is the right choice.

How to Get Peoria County Probate Court Records

The simplest way to get copies is to visit the clerk's office at 324 Main Street, Room G-22, in Peoria. Bring the case number or full name of the person whose records you need. The staff will pull up the file and make copies for you. The office opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 4:30 PM. Try to arrive early, since requests near closing time may need to wait until the next business day.

Mail requests also work. Write to the Peoria County Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include the party name, case number if known, and a description of the documents you want. Send a check or money order for the copy fees. The clerk will process your request and mail back the copies. Mail requests take longer, but they are fine if you can not make the trip to the courthouse. Allow at least two weeks for processing and return mail.

The clerk's office has also offered mobile hours at various locations across the county. This service brings some clerk functions to people who can not easily get to the Peoria courthouse. Call 309-672-6000 to ask about upcoming mobile hours and whether probate record requests are available at those events. Parking near the courthouse can be tight, so the mobile option is worth checking if it fits your schedule.

Legal Help for Probate Cases

The Illinois State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service that covers the Peoria area. You can search for attorneys who handle probate and estate law. Many offer an initial consultation at a reduced rate, which can help if you just need guidance on searching probate court records or understanding a court filing.

The Illinois Courts approved forms page has standard probate forms you can download and use in Peoria County. These forms work statewide and cover petitions, inventories, accountings, and other common probate documents. They are free to download and print. The Illinois Probate Act (755 ILCS 5) is the main law governing probate in the state. Reading the relevant sections before you file a case or search for records can save you time and questions later.

Cities in Peoria County

All probate cases for residents of cities in Peoria County go through the Circuit Clerk's office at the Peoria County Courthouse. The city of Peoria is the largest in the county and the county seat.

Nearby County Probate Court Records

Probate cases are filed in the county where the deceased lived. If the person lived in a county next to Peoria County, you will need to search that county's records instead. Each county clerk keeps its own probate court records.