Madison County Genealogy Records
Madison County genealogy records are among the oldest in Illinois, with marriage records going back to 1813 and land records from 1812. The county seat is Edwardsville, where the county clerk keeps vital records at 157 N. Main Street. Birth records start from the late 1800s. If you are looking for family records in the Metro East area near St. Louis, Madison County is a key place to search. The county clerk, the recorder, and the IRAD depository at Southern Illinois University all hold genealogy records for this county. Older probate case files from Madison County even have their own index at the Illinois State Archives, which shows how deep the collection runs here.
Madison County Genealogy Quick Facts
Madison County Clerk Vital Records
The Madison County Clerk is the primary office for genealogy records in Madison County. The office is at 157 N. Main St., Suite 109, in Edwardsville. You can call (618) 692-6290 for questions about vital records. Marriage records here date from 1813. That is just one year after the county was formed. Birth records start from the late 1800s, which is in line with when most Illinois counties began filing them. Death records are also on file. The clerk handles all types of vital record requests for Madison County.
Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), genealogy copies of birth records are available when the birth date is more than 75 years ago. Death records open for genealogy after 20 years. Marriage records become available after 50 years. These copies are uncertified and stamped for genealogical use only. You need the person's full name, an approximate date of the event, and a valid photo ID to make a request. The Madison County Clerk can help you search their indexes in person or process a mail request if you send the right forms and payment.
The Madison County Clerk website shows their genealogy and vital records page. This screenshot is from madisoncountyil.gov.
Check the site for forms and contact details before you visit or send a request by mail.
| Office | Madison County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 157 N. Main St., Suite 109 Edwardsville, IL 62025 |
| Phone | (618) 692-6290 |
| Marriage Records | From 1813 |
| Birth Records | From late 1800s |
Note: Madison County marriage records from 1813 are some of the oldest in the state and can help confirm family ties from the territorial period of Illinois.
Madison County Land Records
Madison County land records go back to 1812. That is before Illinois even became a state. The county recorder handles these files. They offer online access through the SFFlexSuite system, which has real estate images from 1997 forward. A one-hour pass costs $30 and a three-hour pass runs $70. These online images let you view deeds, mortgages, and other land documents from home. For records before 1997, you will need to visit the recorder office in Edwardsville or check the IRAD at Southern Illinois University.
Land records are strong genealogy tools. A deed shows who sold and who bought a piece of land in Madison County. It lists both names, the date, and the property location. Mortgage records add financial details. If you know your ancestor owned land in Madison County, pulling the deed can tell you exactly when they were there and who they dealt with. The Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) makes sure that county records like these are preserved. That is why Madison County still has land records stretching back more than 200 years.
Note: The online recorder system only covers documents from 1997 forward, so earlier land records require an in-person visit or IRAD request.
Madison County Probate Records
The Illinois State Archives has a dedicated Madison County Probate Case Files Index covering 1813 to 1903. This is one of only a handful of county-specific probate indexes in the state archives system. You can search it online for free. Probate records from Madison County are useful for genealogy because they name heirs, list property, and show family ties that vital records alone do not capture. A will might name all the children. An estate inventory might show what the family owned. Guardianship files reveal who took care of minor children after a parent died.
More recent probate files are at the Madison County Circuit Court in Edwardsville. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit. Court records beyond probate also help with genealogy research. Divorce files, civil suits, and criminal cases can all mention family members and give addresses or occupations. If you are researching a Madison County family from the 1800s, the probate index at the State Archives is one of the best starting points. It is free and searchable from home.
IRAD Records for Madison County
The IRAD depository for Madison County is at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. It is in Morris Library. Call (618) 453-3040 to check what Madison County records they have. Research there is free. IRAD holds older Madison County government records that were transferred from local offices for long-term storage. This includes early vital records, court files, naturalization papers, land deeds, and voter registers.
You can search the IRAD holdings database online before making a trip. This tells you what records are in the collection and what date ranges they cover. Mail and phone requests are accepted, but each request is limited to two names. If you have a long list of ancestors to look up, plan to visit in person. The State Archives also holds the East St. Louis Naturalization Papers Index from 1874 to 1906, which covers parts of the Madison County area. If your ancestor came through the Metro East region, that index is worth checking.
Under the State Records Act (5 ILCS 160), the Illinois State Archives has the authority to take in and protect government records from counties like Madison. This is why so many older Madison County records have survived and are still available for genealogy research today.
Searching Madison County Genealogy
Start your Madison County genealogy search at the county clerk office in Edwardsville. They hold the vital records. For land records, check the recorder or use the online SFFlexSuite system. Probate records before 1903 are searchable in the State Archives index. Anything older that is no longer at the clerk office may be at the IRAD in Carbondale.
The Illinois Department of Public Health holds Madison County birth and death records from 1916 forward. You can order certified copies through the IDPH genealogy page, but genealogy copies must go by mail and take about 12 weeks. IDPH does not keep marriage records. Those stay with the Madison County Clerk. The Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) gives you the right to request government records, though vital records follow the Vital Records Act rules instead of general FOIA access.
The Illinois State Archives free online databases cover the statewide marriage index from 1763 to 1900, death indexes, and public domain land sales. These are all free to search and include Madison County entries. If your ancestor bought land from the federal government, the land sale database is worth a look.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Madison County. Families in the Metro East area often crossed county lines, so records for your ancestor could be in a neighboring county. Check nearby offices if your search in Madison County comes up short.