Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 17025

Clay County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Clay County, Illinois. Serving a population of 12.999 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Louisville • Land Area: 468,351 sq mi • State: Illinois (IL)

Call: (217) 525-3675 Get Courthouse Directions Illinois Association of County Clerks & Recorders ↗

Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri

Physical Courthouse Address

Clay County Courthouse / Recording Office, Louisville, IL 62434

Seat of government for Clay County in Louisville, IL.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(217) 525-3675

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 17025 • Coordinates: 38.7468° N, -88.4823° W

Visit Illinois Association of County Clerks & Recorders ↗

Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Clay County

✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode

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Land Records & Real Property

Clay County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by 55 ILCS 5/3-5018

First Page Base Fee

$60.00

Includes statutory county automation index surcharge

Each Additional Page

$2.00

Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page

Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps

$1.00 per $1,000 state tax + $0.50 per $1,000 county tax (plus municipal stamps where applicable)

Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Illinois:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.

Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.

Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.

Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.

Instant Public Records & Title Verification

Need Official Property Deeds or Title Records in Clay County?

Search land records, deed history, mortgage transfers, tax liens, judgments, and parcel ownership across Clay County, Illinois. Instantly access official document copies online without visiting the courthouse records vault.

Warranty & Quitclaim Deeds
Mortgage & Lien Records
Assessor Parcel History

Search Clay County Records Online Encrypted search • Public records database

Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Clay County

License Fee $35 - $60

Waiting Period 24 Hours

✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Clay County courthouse.
✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.

State Policy: Mandatory 1-day waiting period. License valid only in the county where issued.

Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $15.00

Death Cert $19.00

Marriage Cert $15.00

• Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
• Filing Agency: Processed through Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) & County Clerk Vital Records and the local Clay County clerk counter.

Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.

Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Clay County

Filing Fee: $15.00

1. Filing Authority

In Clay County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the County Clerk.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Illinois.

3. State Rules & Notice

Assumed Business Name Certificate filed with County Clerk and published in local newspaper for 3 consecutive weeks.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Clay County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Clay County County Clerk. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Illinois.

Name Search Included

Articles of Organization

Illinois Compliant

State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Illinois Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Illinois county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download

Get Illinois Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance

Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Illinois

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Illinois recording offices:

Richland County Seat: Olney

~21.5 mi →

Effingham County Seat: Effingham

~21.6 mi →

Wayne County Seat: Fairfield

~21.9 mi →

Marion County Seat: Salem

~24.6 mi →

Jasper County Seat: Newton

~25.2 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Clay County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Clay County Clerk & Recorder office located?

The official Clay County office is located at Clay County Courthouse / Recording Office, Louisville, IL 62434. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (217) 525-3675.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Clay County?

Under Illinois statute (55 ILCS 5/3-5018), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Clay County costs $60.00 for the first page, plus $2.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $1.00 per $1,000 state tax + $0.50 per $1,000 county tax (plus municipal stamps where applicable).

How do I obtain a marriage license in Clay County, IL?

Both applicants must appear in person before the Clay County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $35 - $60. Illinois requires a waiting period of 24 hours, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.

How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Clay County?

In Clay County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the County Clerk with a standard statutory filing fee of $15.00. Assumed Business Name Certificate filed with County Clerk and published in local newspaper for 3 consecutive weeks.

How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Clay County?

Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $15.00 and death certificates starting at $19.00) can be requested through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) & County Clerk Vital Records or directly at the Clay County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.