Henry County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Henry County in 2026
HenryCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Henry County, Illinois. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or law enforcement data may find relevant record categories through official county offices and state-level repositories. The information available through these channels reflects what government agencies have made accessible under Illinois law, and completeness may vary depending on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable legal restrictions.
Record categories that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
Online Access: The Henry County, Illinois official website provides access to select county records through its online portals. Property records and tax information are searchable through the County Assessor's online database. Court records may be accessed through the Illinois Courts e-filing and case search system. No registration is required for basic public record searches, though some document retrieval functions may require account creation.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Henry County Clerk's Office or the Circuit Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. The County Clerk's Office is located at 307 W Center St, Cambridge, IL 61238. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and be prepared to complete a written request form if the record is not immediately available at the public counter.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, public bodies are required to respond to written requests within five business days of receipt.
Phone/Email: The Henry County Clerk's Office may be reached by phone at (309) 937-3575. Email inquiries may be directed through the contact portal available on the county's official website.
What Are Public Records in Henry County?
Public records in Henry 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. This definition is established under 5 ILCS 140/2, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
The following record types are maintained by Henry County government offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Clerk's Office |
| Property deeds and mortgages | County Recorder's Office |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk's Office |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Assessor / Treasurer |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk's Office |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk's Office |
| County board minutes and budgets | County Clerk's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Henry County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Zoning Office |
The Henry County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains court records for cases filed in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. The Henry County Courthouse houses the trial court and associated government offices that serve as custodians for many of these record categories.
Is Henry County an Open Records County?
Henry County operates in full compliance with Illinois open records law. Under 5 ILCS 140, 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. The Act establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that records are presumed to be public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
As stated in the Illinois Attorney General's guidance on public access, "The people of Illinois have a right to know the workings of their government." This principle underlies the county's obligation to respond to records requests in a timely and complete manner. The Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor provides oversight and enforcement of FOIA compliance across all public bodies in the state, including Henry County agencies.
Henry County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance beyond what is required by state law. All requests are processed in accordance with the procedures and timelines established under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Henry County?
The current fee structure for public records in Henry County is governed by state law and individual office fee schedules. Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may charge fees for copies of records, but fees must not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
Standard fees applicable to public records requests in Henry County include:
| Fee Type | Standard 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 | Actual cost |
| Certification of records | Varies by office |
| Electronic format (where available) | No charge or nominal fee |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state law |
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the public body.
Does Henry County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Henry County government offices. Under Illinois FOIA, members of the public have the right to inspect records without charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records on-site at a public counter carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies may be subject to the fee schedule described above.
Several categories of records are accessible at no cost through official online platforms:
- Property assessment data is searchable at no charge through the Henry County Assessor's online portal
- Court case information is available through the Illinois Courts case search system
- Sex offender registration data is publicly accessible through the Illinois State Police offender registry, which includes the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registry
- County board meeting minutes and agendas are posted on the county's official website at no charge
- Voter registration status may be verified through the Illinois State Board of Elections
Who Can Request Public Records in Henry County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Henry County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Illinois FOIA does not require requestors to be Illinois residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request. This broad eligibility reflects the Act's foundational principle that government records belong to the public.
Specific provisions apply to certain record types. Requestors seeking records that contain personal identifying information — such as law enforcement records involving third parties — may be required to demonstrate a legitimate interest or may receive redacted versions of documents. Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity to ensure the accuracy of the disclosure and to protect against unauthorized access to personal information.
Non-residents retain the same rights as Illinois residents under state FOIA. There are no residency-based restrictions on access to public records maintained by Henry County agencies. Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public are all entitled to submit requests under the same legal framework.
What Records Are Confidential in Henry County?
Certain records maintained by Henry County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Illinois law. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act, at 5 ILCS 140/7, enumerates specific categories of information that public bodies are authorized or required to withhold. Exemptions are construed narrowly, and the burden of demonstrating that an exemption applies rests with the public body.
Records that are currently exempt from disclosure in Henry County include:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records and delinquency proceedings
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records and related proceedings
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel files, with limited exceptions for public employees
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, emergency response protocols, and critical infrastructure details
As noted in the Illinois Attorney General's FOIA guidance, "The exemptions from disclosure are to be read narrowly, and any public body that withholds records bears the burden of proving that an exemption applies." When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.
Henry County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Henry County Clerk and Recorder
307 W Center St
Cambridge, IL 61238
(309) 937-3575
Henry County Clerk and Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays
Henry County Circuit Clerk's Office
307 W Center St
Cambridge, IL 61238
(309) 937-3572
Henry County Circuit Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Henry County Assessor's Office
307 W Center St
Cambridge, IL 61238
(309) 937-3570
Henry County Assessor
Henry County Sheriff's Office
210 S Market St
Cambridge, IL 61238
(309) 937-3911
Henry County Sheriff
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Emergency dispatch available 24 hours