Alton Residents Directory
The Alton residents directory collects public records from Madison County offices, city departments, and Illinois state agencies. Alton sits along the Mississippi River in the northern part of Madison County with a population of about 25,279. Records for Alton residents go through the county courthouse in Edwardsville and several free state databases. This page walks you through how to search, where to look, and what costs to expect.
Alton Quick Facts
Madison County Records for Alton
Public records for Alton are kept at Madison County offices in Edwardsville, the county seat. Edwardsville is about 20 miles southeast of Alton. The main offices you will deal with are the Madison County Recorder and the Circuit Clerk.
The Madison County Recorder stores deeds, liens, mortgage records, plats, and other property documents for the entire county. If you want to find out who owns a house in Alton or check for liens on a property, the recorder is the place to go. You can visit the office in person at the courthouse or use the online tool.
The online records portal lets you search from home. Look up documents by name, date, or type. Basic searches are free. Certified copies need to be ordered from the office. This tool saves a trip to Edwardsville if you just need to check a name or pull up a deed number.
The Madison County Circuit Clerk handles all court records for the 3rd Judicial Circuit. Civil cases, criminal cases, family law, probate, and traffic matters all go through this office. For Alton residents, every court filing is stored in Edwardsville at the Madison County Courthouse. You can search by name or case number when you visit or call.
The circuit clerk also handles jury duty notices, court fees, and case file requests. If you need a certified copy of a court order or judgment, this is the office to contact. Fees vary by document type.
Illinois State Resources for Alton
Several state agencies run free search tools that cover Alton residents. These go beyond what county records offer and give you access to statewide data.
The Illinois State Police run a background check system that pulls from every county in the state. A name-based criminal history check costs $16 and returns results from the statewide database.
Visit the ISP background check portal to submit a search.
You provide the person's name and date of birth. The results cover arrests and convictions from all 102 Illinois counties, not just Madison. This is useful when you want a complete picture and not just local records.
The Illinois Department of Corrections runs a free inmate search that covers current and former state inmates. If someone from Alton went through the state prison system, they will show up in this database.
Search the IDOC inmate database for current and past inmates.
The search shows charges, sentence length, admission date, and release info. It covers people who are still in custody and those who have been let out. This is free to use and does not need an account.
For professional license checks, the IDFPR license lookup lets you search by name or city. You can see if someone in Alton holds a license for nursing, real estate, contracting, or dozens of other fields. The results show license status, issue date, expiration, and any disciplinary actions. This is free and takes just a few seconds.
Alton FOIA Requests
The Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) gives anyone the right to request public records from government offices in Alton. This covers city hall, the police department, and public works. You do not need to be a resident of Alton to file a request.
Alton has five business days to respond. They can provide the records, deny the request in writing, or ask for more time. Denials can be appealed to the Illinois Attorney General. The first 50 pages of black and white copies are free. After that, up to 15 cents per page. Electronic records by email are typically free. The city cannot charge for staff search time.
Vital Records for Alton
Birth and death records for Alton residents go through the Madison County Clerk office in Edwardsville. You can get certified copies of birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records there. Bring a photo ID when you visit.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is another option for vital records. IDPH keeps birth and death records dating back to 1916. You can order by mail or online. It takes longer than the county office but works when the local records are not available.
Marriage licenses in Madison County go through the county clerk. Divorce records are at the circuit clerk since divorces are court cases. For the Alton residents directory, vital records help confirm a person's identity and family connections.
How to Search Alton Records
There is no one-stop shop for all Alton records. Here is where to go for each type.
- Property records: Madison County Recorder online portal
- Court cases: Madison County Circuit Clerk in Edwardsville
- Vital records: Madison County Clerk or IDPH
- City records: FOIA request to City of Alton
- Criminal history: ISP background check ($16)
- Inmates: IDOC inmate search (free)
- Licenses: IDFPR lookup tool (free)
Start with the free online tools. The state databases from ISP, IDOC, IDPH, and IDFPR all work from any device. For county records, the Madison County Recorder has an online portal that covers deeds and liens. In-person visits to the Edwardsville courthouse let you handle multiple searches in one trip. Bring ID and plan for copy fees.
Madison County Residents Directory
Alton is part of Madison County, and public records for the city run through county offices in Edwardsville. For a full look at county records, search tools, and office details, check the Madison County residents directory page.
Nearby Illinois Cities
Cities near Alton also have residents directory pages. People in the Riverbend area move between towns, so checking nearby cities can help track down records.