Massac County Record Search
Background check records in Massac County go through the Circuit Clerk office in Metropolis, Illinois. The county sits at the southern tip of the state where the Ohio and Tennessee rivers meet, right across from Paducah, Kentucky. Massac County has about 13,500 residents and is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. Court records here include criminal cases, civil filings, traffic offenses, and family law matters. You can search for background check records at the local courthouse or use the Illinois State Police statewide system. Because Massac County borders Kentucky, some people also check records across state lines, though the Illinois system only covers Illinois data.
Massac County Quick Facts
Massac County Circuit Clerk Office
The Massac County Circuit Clerk is the primary local source for background check records. Under 705 ILCS 105, the Clerks of Courts Act, the clerk is the official custodian of all court records in the county. Every criminal, civil, traffic, and family case filed in Massac County courts gets stored and maintained by this office. That makes the clerk the first place to look for local background check data.
The office is in the Massac County Courthouse in Metropolis. Walk in during business hours with a photo ID. Staff can pull up case records by name or case number. Massac County processes fewer cases than larger urban counties, so in-person searches are usually quick. Copy fees may apply for paper documents.
Massac County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit, which covers a large swath of southern Illinois including Johnson, Pope, Saline, Williamson, Union, Alexander, Pulaski, and Hardin counties. While the circuit shares judges and some administrative functions, each county keeps its own records through its own clerk. A search at the Massac County clerk only returns cases filed locally. If you need records from Johnson County or any other part of the circuit, you have to contact those clerks individually.
| Office | Massac County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Massac County Courthouse, 1 Superman Square, Metropolis, IL 62960 |
| Phone | 618-524-5213 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
Illinois State Police Background Check
The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification holds the central criminal history database. It covers Massac County along with every other county in the state. A name-based background check costs $16 by mail or about $10 through the electronic portal. The Bureau processes requests from individuals, agencies, and organizations statewide.
Fingerprint-based searches offer more thorough results. A state fingerprint check runs $20 on paper or $15 through Live Scan. The FBI add-on costs $12 more. You need an approved Live Scan vendor. The vendor lookup tool shows where to go. Massac County is in the far southern part of the state, so the nearest Live Scan vendors may be in the Carbondale or Marion area. Vendors across the river in Kentucky cannot be used for Illinois background checks.
Under 20 ILCS 2630, the Criminal Identification Act, the State Police must collect criminal history data from every county. Massac County court dispositions are reported to the central system, though there can sometimes be a lag between when a case closes at the courthouse and when it shows up in the state database.
The ISP fee schedule page below shows the current rates for all types of state-level background checks, including those that pull Massac County records.
The fee schedule page is updated by the Bureau and lists costs for name searches, fingerprint checks, and other services.
Massac County Background Check Fees
Background check costs in Massac County depend on the method. The local clerk charges its own rates for copies and certified records. State-level fees are set by the Illinois State Police and stay the same regardless of county. Here is what state searches cost:
- Name search by mail: $16
- Name search online via CHIRP: $10
- State fingerprint check (Live Scan): $15
- FBI fingerprint check: $12
- Combined state and FBI: $27
Live Scan vendors add their own service fees. The Access and Review process for checking your own record is free. It shows you what would appear on a Massac County background check through the state system.
Online Background Check Access
The CHIRP system is the online tool for running background checks through the state database. You need an Illinois Digital ID to use it. Enrollment requires a valid Illinois driver's license. Once set up, you can submit name-based background check searches and get results electronically. Massac County criminal data reported to the Bureau of Identification will show up in CHIRP results.
When you type names into the search, do not add a period after a middle initial. It can cause problems with results. Each search gives you a Transaction Control Number for tracking. CHIRP works for anyone with an Illinois Digital ID. Out-of-state users near the Kentucky border can request Illinois background checks through a separate process offered by the Bureau of Identification.
The Illinois Sex Offender Registry is a free search tool that covers Massac County. You can look up registered offenders by name or address. This runs apart from the criminal history background check but provides additional public safety data for the area.
Expungement of Massac County Records
Some Massac County records can be removed from a background check. Expungement destroys the record entirely. Sealing hides it from public view. Both affect what appears when someone searches your name. The process starts with a petition filed in the Massac County court that heard the original case.
No fee to file the petition. If the judge grants the order, the Illinois State Police charges $60 to process it and update the central database. The Office of the State Appellate Defender has free information on eligibility and how to file. Dismissed cases and acquittals are usually eligible for expungement. Under 20 ILCS 2630, the rules for clearing Massac County convictions include waiting periods and restrictions based on the type of offense. Violent felonies and sex offenses are generally not eligible.
Massac County Public Records Requests
Under 5 ILCS 140, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, you can request government records from Massac County agencies. Police reports, arrest logs, and other documents held by the sheriff or local police may be available. FOIA requests add to a background check by pulling in data that the court system does not hold.
Write to the specific agency that has the records. The Massac County Sheriff covers unincorporated areas. The Metropolis Police Department handles the city. Each agency must respond within five business days. No special form is needed. A clear written description of what records you want is enough to start the process.
Nearby Counties
Background check records from counties near Massac are kept by their own Circuit Clerks. A statewide CHIRP search covers all counties at once. A local court search only covers one county.