Randolph County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Randolph County in 2026
RandolphRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Randolph County, Illinois. Members of the public may find ownership histories, recorded deeds, tax assessment data, mortgage documents, and lien filings through official county resources. Available record categories include:
- Deeds and title transfers
- Property tax assessments and payment histories
- Recorded mortgages and satisfactions
- Judgment and mechanic's liens
- Plat maps and legal descriptions
- Delinquent tax records
Records can be searched through the following official Randolph County resources:
Randolph County County Clerk & Recorder
One Taylor Street, Chester, IL 62233
Phone: (618) 826-5000
Land Records – Randolph County, Illinois
Randolph County Supervisor of Assessments
One Taylor Street, Chester, IL 62233
Phone: (618) 826-5000
Supervisor of Assessments – Randolph County, Illinois
Randolph County Treasurer
One Taylor Street, Chester, IL 62233
Phone: (618) 826-5000
Treasurer – Randolph County, Illinois
Online Search Methods
1. Supervisor of Assessments / Property Tax Inquiry
The Randolph County Supervisor of Assessments maintains property assessment records accessible to the public at no charge. Members of the public may search the property tax inquiry portal using the following criteria:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel identification number
- Township or subdivision
Information available through this portal includes:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Parcel ID number
- Legal description
- Assessed land and improvement values
- Exemptions applied
- Tax history
Steps to search online:
- Navigate to the Supervisor of Assessments page at randolphcountyil.gov.
- Select the Property Tax Inquiry link.
- Choose a search type (address, owner name, or parcel number).
- Enter the search criteria and submit.
- Review the results list and select the appropriate parcel.
- View the full property card, assessment history, and exemption data.
- Print or save the information as needed.
2. County Clerk & Recorder – Land Records
The Randolph County Clerk & Recorder indexes and maintains all recorded instruments affecting real property. The land records division provides access to:
- Warranty and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Mortgage satisfactions and releases
- Judgment and mechanic's liens
- Easements and declarations
- Plats and subdivision documents
Members of the public may search recorded documents by:
- Grantor name (seller)
- Grantee name (buyer)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Book and page number or instrument number
Steps to search land records:
- Visit the County Clerk & Recorder's land records page.
- Select the appropriate search index (grantor, grantee, or document type).
- Enter the name or document details.
- Review the index results.
- Note the book and page or instrument number for the document of interest.
- Request a copy in person, by mail, or through the online portal if document imaging is available.
3. Treasurer – Tax and Delinquent Tax Records
The Randolph County Treasurer maintains current and historical tax payment records. The Treasurer's office provides public access to:
- Current tax bills
- Payment history
- Outstanding balances
- Exemption information
- Delinquent tax status
Members of the public may search by property address, owner name, or parcel number. The delinquent tax records are also publicly accessible and detail properties on which taxes remain unpaid, as well as the annual tax sale process administered under Illinois law.
In-Person Searches
All three offices — the Supervisor of Assessments, County Clerk & Recorder, and Treasurer — are located at the Randolph County Courthouse:
Randolph County Courthouse
One Taylor Street
Chester, IL 62233
Phone: (618) 826-5000
Randolph County, Illinois
Members of the public may visit during regular business hours to use public access terminals, review record books, and request staff assistance. Certified copies of recorded documents are available at the Clerk & Recorder's counter.
By Mail Requests
Written requests for copies of recorded documents may be directed to:
Randolph County Clerk & Recorder
One Taylor Street
Chester, IL 62233
Requests should specify the property address or legal description, the type of document sought, and the approximate recording date or instrument number. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies require an additional certification fee.
Through Professionals
Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed abstractors conduct comprehensive title searches using the Clerk & Recorder's grantor-grantee indexes and assessment records. These professionals provide abstracts of title, title insurance commitments, and legal opinions on ownership. Costs vary by provider and scope of search.
What Is Randolph County Property Records
Randolph County property records are official legal documents related to real property — land and improvements — maintained by county government offices pursuant to Illinois law. These records establish legal ownership, document encumbrances, support property tax administration, and provide constructive notice to the public of all recorded interests in real estate.
Under 765 ILCS 5/28, the Illinois Conveyances Act requires that instruments affecting title to real property be recorded with the County Recorder to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors. This statutory framework forms the legal foundation for Randolph County's property records system.
Types of Property Records Maintained in Randolph County:
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and trustee's deeds
- Life estate deeds
- Transfer-on-death instruments
- Chain of title documentation
Encumbrance Records:
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Mortgage satisfactions and releases
- Judgment liens and mechanic's liens
- Federal and state tax liens
- Easements and restrictive covenants
- Lis pendens notices
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Annual property tax assessments maintained by the Supervisor of Assessments
- Tax bills and payment histories maintained by the Treasurer
- Exemption records (homestead, senior, veteran, disabled person)
- Delinquent tax records and tax sale documentation
Legal Descriptions and Plats:
- Subdivision plat maps
- Recorded surveys
- Lot and block descriptions
- Metes and bounds descriptions
Building and Permit Records:
- Building permits issued by the county or municipal building departments
- Certificates of occupancy
- Zoning designations
Offices Responsible for Maintaining Property Records:
The Randolph County Clerk & Recorder records, indexes, and preserves all instruments affecting title to real property. The Supervisor of Assessments determines the assessed value of all taxable real property in the county. The Treasurer collects property taxes and maintains payment and delinquency records. The Randolph County official website provides a central directory linking to each of these offices.
Are Property Records Public Information in Randolph County?
Property records in Randolph County are public information. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), public records held by government bodies are presumptively open to inspection and copying by any person. Recorded instruments affecting real property have been public records under Illinois law since the county's establishment, consistent with the centuries-old American tradition of open land records.
As the Illinois General Assembly has recognized, the recording system exists to provide constructive notice — meaning that any person who searches the public record is deemed to have knowledge of all properly recorded instruments, regardless of whether they conducted an actual search. This principle underpins the entire real estate marketplace.
Why Property Records Are Public:
- Transparency in property ownership prevents fraudulent transfers and secret conveyances.
- Title insurance and mortgage lending depend on open access to recorded instruments.
- Property tax administration requires public accountability in assessment and collection.
- Historical and genealogical research relies on permanent land records.
- Journalists, researchers, and community members have a recognized public interest in knowing who owns property within the county.
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical ownership (grantor/grantee indexes)
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
- Sale prices and transfer dates
- Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
- Lien filings and releases
- Tax assessments and payment status
- Delinquent tax information
- Plat maps and subdivision documents
Privacy Considerations:
Illinois law requires that Social Security numbers and financial account numbers be redacted from documents before recording, pursuant to 765 ILCS 5/35. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and victims of domestic violence — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under the Illinois Address Confidentiality Program administered by the Secretary of State's office. Homestead exemption applications may contain personal financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; the Supervisor of Assessments can advise on applicable policies.
Who May Access Property Records:
Any member of the public — regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose — may inspect and obtain copies of property records. No special authorization, court order, or demonstrated need is required. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents, title companies, lenders, appraisers, attorneys, investors, genealogists, and journalists.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Randolph County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at the Randolph County Courthouse at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. The following fee structure reflects current charges as administered by the Randolph County Clerk & Recorder and Treasurer:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of recorded document | $5.00 for first page + $1.00 each additional page |
| Recording a new document (first page) | $15.00 |
| Recording (each additional page) | $5.00 |
| Online property tax inquiry | Free |
| In-person assessment record inspection | Free |
Fees for recording instruments are governed by 55 ILCS 5/3-5018, which establishes the authority of county recorders to collect recording fees. Members of the public should contact the Clerk & Recorder's office directly to confirm current fees prior to submitting a mail request, as fee schedules are subject to legislative adjustment.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in-person)
- Personal check or money order (mail requests, payable to Randolph County Clerk)
- Credit or debit card (availability subject to office policy; confirm in advance)
Free Access:
- Online property tax inquiry through the Supervisor of Assessments portal is available at no cost.
- In-person inspection of assessment records and tax records requires no fee.
- Basic index searches at the Clerk & Recorder's office are conducted without charge.
No fee waiver provisions are currently established by county ordinance for standard property record requests, though governmental entities and certain nonprofit organizations may be entitled to reduced fees under applicable state law.
What's Included in a Randolph County Property Record?
A complete Randolph County property record draws from multiple county offices and may include the following categories of information:
Ownership Information:
- Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the current deed
- Ownership type (individual, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, trust, LLC, corporation)
- Acquisition date and deed instrument number
- Mailing address for tax billing purposes
- Chain of title with prior owner names and transfer dates
Property Identification:
- Site address and mailing address
- Parcel identification number assigned by the Supervisor of Assessments
- Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page, or metes and bounds)
- Township and range information
Physical Characteristics:
- Lot size in square feet or acres
- Year built and effective year
- Total living area in square feet
- Building type (single-family, multi-family, commercial, agricultural)
- Construction type and exterior materials
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Garage, pool, and accessory structure information
- Condition and quality ratings assigned by the assessor
Valuation and Assessment Information:
- Assessed land value and assessed improvement value
- Total assessed value (in Illinois, assessed at 33⅓% of fair market value for most property)
- Historical assessed values for prior years
- Applicable exemptions (homestead, senior citizen, disabled person, veteran)
- Taxable value after exemptions
Tax Information:
- Current year tax bill amount
- Breakdown by taxing district (county, township, school district, special districts)
- Payment history and due dates
- Delinquency status, if applicable
- Information on the delinquent tax process administered annually by the county
Sales History:
- Prior sale dates and recorded sale prices
- Grantor and grantee names for each transfer
- Deed type (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, etc.)
- Instrument numbers and recording dates
Encumbrances and Liens:
- Recorded mortgages with lender names, original amounts, and recording dates
- Mortgage satisfactions and releases
- Judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and tax liens
- Easements and recorded restrictive covenants
- Lis pendens notices
Maps and Legal Documents:
- GIS parcel map showing property boundaries
- Plat map reference
- Recorded survey documents
- Subdivision declaration documents
What Is Not Typically Included:
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Social Security numbers (redacted by law)
- Private purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
- Unrecorded agreements between parties
- Interior photographs
How Long Does Randolph County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Randolph County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting title to real property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and all related documents — are never destroyed. This permanent retention is both a legal requirement and a practical necessity, as the chain of title for any parcel must remain unbroken from the county's earliest land grants to the present day.
The Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) governs the retention and disposition of public records held by local government agencies. Under this framework, recorded instruments affecting real property are classified as permanent records not subject to destruction. The Local Records Commission oversees compliance with retention schedules across Illinois counties.
Records Kept Permanently:
- All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all conveyance types)
- All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, and related instruments
- Mortgage satisfactions and releases
- All recorded liens and lien releases
- Plats, subdivision declarations, and survey documents
- Easements and restrictive covenants
- Lis pendens and court-related property documents
- Assessment rolls and property tax records
Format and Storage:
Randolph County's oldest records — dating to the county's establishment in 1795 as one of Illinois' original counties — exist in handwritten ledger books maintained in the Clerk & Recorder's vault. Mid-twentieth century records are available on microfilm. More recent documents have been scanned and are maintained in electronic document management systems with off-site backup. Ongoing digitization efforts are expanding online access to historical records.
Online Availability by Time Period:
| Time Period | Typical Access Method |
|---|---|
| Recent years | Online portal; immediate access |
| 20–40 years ago | Online or microfilm; same-day at courthouse |
| 40–100 years ago | Microfilm or original books; staff retrieval |
| Pre-1900 | Original ledger books; advance notice helpful |
Property Appraiser / Supervisor of Assessments Records:
Assessment rolls and property cards are maintained permanently. Historical assessment data for prior years is available through the Supervisor of Assessments office. Online access through the property tax inquiry system covers recent assessment years; older records are available in person.
Tax Records:
The Randolph County Treasurer retains tax payment records and delinquency histories. Tax deed records resulting from the annual tax sale process are permanent records maintained by the Clerk & Recorder. Recent tax payment histories are accessible online; older records are available at the Treasurer's office.
Accessing Historical Records:
Members of the public seeking historical property records should contact the Randolph County Clerk & Recorder's office directly. Staff can retrieve documents from vault storage, microfilm archives, or digital systems. For very old records, advance notice is recommended to allow for retrieval. Standard copy fees apply regardless of the age of the document.
How To Find Liens on Property in Randolph County?
Liens on property in Randolph County are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the County Clerk & Recorder. Members of the public may identify liens affecting a specific parcel by searching the grantor-grantee index maintained by the Clerk & Recorder's office.
Types of Liens Recorded in Randolph County:
- Judgment liens (arising from court judgments against the property owner)
- Federal tax liens (filed by the IRS against a taxpayer's property)
- State tax liens (filed by the Illinois Department of Revenue)
- Mechanic's liens (filed by contractors or suppliers for unpaid work)
- HOA liens (filed by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments)
- Municipal code enforcement liens
Steps to Search for Liens:
- Visit the land records division of the Randolph County Clerk & Recorder, either in person at One Taylor Street, Chester, IL 62233, or through the online records portal.
- Search the grantor index using the current property owner's name. Liens are indexed under the name of the debtor (the property owner against whom the lien was filed).
- Review all instruments recorded under the owner's name, filtering for lien document types.
- Note the instrument number, recording date, lien amount, and lienholder for each result.
- Request copies of any lien documents identified. Standard copy fees apply.
- To check for federal tax liens specifically, members of the public may also search the IRS lien database through the IRS website.
- For delinquent property tax liens, search the Randolph County delinquent tax records maintained by the Clerk & Recorder.
Delinquent Tax Liens:
Each year, Randolph County conducts an annual tax sale for properties on which real estate taxes remain unpaid. When a tax buyer purchases a delinquent tax certificate, that interest is recorded and becomes a lien against the property. The delinquent tax process is administered pursuant to the Illinois Property Tax Code (35 ILCS 200), and all related instruments are recorded as permanent public records.
Lien Releases:
When a lien is satisfied or released, the releasing instrument must also be recorded with the Clerk & Recorder to provide constructive notice that the encumbrance has been removed. Members of the public should verify that a release has been recorded before concluding that a lien no longer affects a property.
Randolph County Clerk & Recorder
One Taylor Street
Chester, IL 62233
Phone: (618) 826-5000
Land Records – Randolph County, Illinois
What Is Property Owner Rule in Randolph County?
The property owner rule in Randolph County, Illinois refers to the body of state law and local practice governing who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership. Illinois does not impose residency requirements for property ownership; any individual, trust, corporation, limited liability company, or other legal entity may hold title to real property in Randolph County.
Establishing Ownership:
Ownership of real property in Randolph County is established by a recorded deed. Under 765 ILCS 5/1 et seq. (the Illinois Conveyances Act), a deed must be in writing, signed by the grantor, and acknowledged before a notary public to be eligible for recording. Recording the deed with the Randolph County Clerk & Recorder provides constructive notice of the transfer to all subsequent purchasers and creditors.
Forms of Ownership Recognized in Illinois:
- Sole ownership: A single individual holds title in their own name.
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship: Two or more persons hold equal shares; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) automatically acquire the deceased owner's interest without probate.
- Tenancy in common: Two or more persons hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death.
- Tenancy by the entirety: Available only to married couples in Illinois; provides protection against individual creditors of one spouse.
- Trust ownership: A trustee holds legal title for the benefit of named beneficiaries; land trusts are commonly used in Illinois.
- Entity ownership: LLCs, corporations, and partnerships may hold title to real property.
Property Owner Obligations in Randolph County:
Property owners in Randolph County are subject to the following obligations under Illinois law and county administration:
- Property taxes: Owners are responsible for annual real estate taxes assessed by the Supervisor of Assessments and collected by the Randolph County Treasurer. Failure to pay results in the property being offered at the annual tax sale pursuant to the Illinois Property Tax Code.
- Exemption applications: Owners who qualify for homestead, senior citizen, disabled person, or veteran exemptions must apply through the Supervisor of Assessments. Exemptions reduce the assessed value subject to taxation.
- Recording obligations: Instruments transferring or encumbering title should be recorded promptly to protect the owner's interest against subsequent claims.
- Compliance with zoning and building codes: Property owners must comply with applicable county and municipal zoning ordinances, building codes, and land use regulations.
Transfer of Ownership:
Real property in Randolph County is transferred by recorded deed. Illinois imposes a Real Estate Transfer Tax at the state level, and municipalities may impose additional transfer taxes. The deed must be accompanied by a completed Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration (PTAX-203) at the time of recording. The Clerk & Recorder collects applicable transfer taxes and stamps the deed before recording.
Adverse Possession:
Illinois law recognizes adverse possession as a means of acquiring title to property through open, notorious, continuous, exclusive, and hostile possession for a statutory period. Members of the public with questions regarding adverse possession claims should consult a licensed Illinois real estate attorney, as such claims require judicial proceedings.