Find Randolph County Genealogy Records
Randolph County genealogy records are some of the oldest in Illinois. Marriage records go back to 1804, birth records to 1857, and death records to 1877. The county clerk in Chester holds all of these files. You can search Randolph County genealogy records in person at the Taylor Street office, by calling 618-826-5000 ext. 191, or through a mail request. Randolph County was one of the original two counties in Illinois Territory, which explains why its records stretch so far back. Genealogy copies here cost just $2 each for uncertified copies, making this one of the cheapest places to get records in the state.
Randolph County Genealogy Quick Facts
Randolph County Clerk Vital Records
The Randolph County Clerk and Recorder at 1 Taylor St, Rm 202, Chester, IL 62233 is where genealogy records are kept. Call 618-826-5000 ext. 191 to ask about a file or begin a request. Marriage records date to 1804. That is twelve years before Illinois became a state. Birth records start in 1857, which is earlier than most Illinois counties. Death records begin in 1877.
Chester sits along the Mississippi River in far southwestern Illinois. The courthouse has been the hub for Randolph County records since the county was organized. Staff can help you search through the old index books if you visit in person. Bring as much detail as you can: full names, dates, and family connections all help narrow the search. The earlier the record you need, the more important these details become because older indexes can be harder to read.
Genealogy copies in Randolph County cost $2 each for uncertified copies. That is one of the lowest rates you will find in Illinois. Certified birth records cost $14 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy, plus a $1 mailing fee. These low fees make Randolph County a good starting point for researchers on a budget. For mail requests, send a check to the address above with a letter explaining what you need and a copy of your photo ID.
| Office | Randolph County Clerk & Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Taylor St, Rm 202 Chester, IL 62233 |
| Phone | 618-826-5000 ext. 191 |
Note: Randolph County marriage records from 1804 are among the oldest in all of Illinois.
Randolph County Early Genealogy Records
The age of Randolph County records sets this county apart from most others in Illinois. Marriage records from 1804 predate statehood by more than a decade. Birth records from 1857 are about 20 years earlier than the statewide recording requirement that began around 1877. These early files are a rare resource for genealogy researchers tracing families in the Illinois Territory and early statehood period.
Land records in Randolph County also go back to the very early 1800s. Deeds and property transfers show who owned land along the Mississippi River and in the inland farming areas. If your ancestor was in this part of Illinois before the Civil War, Randolph County land records may be the best evidence of where they lived and when. The Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) protects these old documents from being thrown out. County records with lasting research value must be kept, which is how files from 1804 survive at the Chester courthouse today.
The Illinois State Archives has public domain land sale records online that include early Randolph County transactions. Those cover the original federal land sales and are free to search. The statewide marriage index from 1763 to 1900 also includes Randolph County marriages, giving you another way to find records without leaving home.
Randolph County Records at IRAD
The IRAD depository for Randolph County is at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. IRAD stores historical county government records that have been moved from the Chester courthouse. These can include older vital records, court files, probate cases, naturalization documents, and other county papers. Research at IRAD is free. Call (618) 453-3040 to see what Randolph County files they have on hand and to check reading room hours.
You can search the IRAD holdings database before making the trip to Carbondale. That way you know in advance if the records you need are actually there. IRAD staff also handle mail and phone requests, but each one is limited to two names. A longer list of ancestors means a visit makes more sense. You can take photos of documents for free.
Randolph County Genealogy Access
Randolph County does not have an online genealogy database. Record searches go through the Chester clerk's office in person, by phone, or by mail. At the state level, the Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) explains how county records are preserved and made available for research.
The Local Records Act is the legal framework behind the IRAD system and the reason historical Randolph County files are preserved at Southern Illinois University. It requires counties to get approval before disposing of records and directs records with research value to IRAD depositories for long-term storage. That is how records from 1804 end up safe in an archive instead of lost to time.
Randolph County Genealogy Fees
Randolph County has some of the lowest genealogy fees in Illinois. Uncertified genealogy copies cost $2 each. That is far less than what most counties charge. Certified birth records cost $14 for the first copy and $5 for additional copies, plus a $1 mailing fee. These fees make Randolph County very affordable for researchers who need multiple records.
Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), birth records become available for genealogy when the date of birth is 75 or more years ago. Death records open after 20 years. Marriage records are available for genealogy after 50 years. Given that Randolph County has marriage records from 1804 and birth records from 1857, a huge portion of these files already qualify for genealogy access. The Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) covers general public records, but vital records follow the Vital Records Act which has its own access rules.
- Genealogy copy (uncertified): $2 each
- Certified birth: $14 first copy, $5 additional, plus $1 mailing
- IDPH genealogy birth copy: $10 by mail only
- IDPH death research copy: $10 by mail only
- IRAD at Southern IL University: free research
Nearby Counties
These counties border Randolph County in southwestern Illinois. If your ancestor lived near a county line, check the neighbors too. Records could have been filed in a different county depending on where the family attended church, got married, or owned land.