Search Madison County, IL Property Records

Property records in Madison County, IL, are primarily available through county departments, with additional details sometimes managed at the city or town level. These records may include deeds, ownership history, parcel information, property tax assessments, zoning classifications, permits, liens, plats, and other documents related to property use and legal status.

Based on recent market data, the county has a median home value of $166,200.00, a typical rent of $907.00, a median household income of $72,500.00, and real estate taxes averaging 1.95% of the assessed property value.

Madison County property records can be searched through a combination of online databases and in-person services. The Madison County Recorder’s Office handles official land filings such as deeds, liens, mortgages, and easements from 1812 to the present.

Online searches can be done through a subscription service or a pay-per-search service. If done through the subscription service, individuals must complete the agreement and email it to Staci Coles at smcoles@madisoncountyil.gov.

There is also the Madison County Property Tax Inquiry, which provides online tax and assessment information.

Those who want to obtain copies of Recorder’s records or need to access older records may need to visit the office or send a request to recordercopies@co.madison.il.us. Email requests must include the reference number of the record. Regular copies obtained in person cost $1, while those emailed cost $2. Certified copies may require additional fees.

Individuals may also turn to PropertyChecker for a simplified search process. The platform gathers data from multiple sources, allowing users to view ownership, valuation, and lien information in one place. It’s a convenient option for quick and broad searches.

Before searching, it is important to have details such as the property address, parcel number, or owner’s name ready. Specific inputs help refine results and speed up the process. Without them, searches may return too many unrelated records. Some records may also be restricted for privacy reasons.

The following sections break down key property record types and where to find them.

Property Ownership and Title Information

To access property ownership and title records in Madison County, individuals can go to the County Recorder’s Office. Documents that confirm ownership and legal interests, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and trusts, can be searched through the county’s subscription or pay-per-search services.

In-person searches are also available at the Recorder’s Office, where staff can assist with locating historical and current records. Copies of recorded documents can also be requested by email, with payment required before delivery.

Ownership information tied to parcels can additionally be verified using the Madison County Property Tax Inquiry.

Property Sales and Transaction History

Property sales and transaction history in Madison County can be accessed through the County Recorder’s Office. The office records documents like contracts for sale, sale contracts, certificates of sale, and deeds. Individuals can inspect these recorded documents through the county’s subscription or pay-per-search services, or request copies by email or in person.

For assessed sales data, the Madison County Property Tax Inquiry provides parcel-based transaction details often used by property appraisers.

Alternatively, PropertyChecker allows users to view compiled sales histories, ownership transfers, and estimated values in one place. This platform makes it easier to access relevant records without visiting the office or going through a lengthy process.

Property Tax Assessment and Payment Records

In Madison County, property tax assessments, bills, payments, and delinquencies are available through the Madison County Property Tax Inquiry. The Chief County Assessment Office works alongside local property tax assessors to establish property values. Meanwhile, the County Treasurer’s Office processes payments and maintains tax accounts.

Anyone who has concerns about the valuation of their properties may first appeal to their local Township Assessor. If no adjustment is made, the individual can raise their appeal to the Chief County Assessment Office. If no resolution even up to this level, then the next step is to appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board.

Property Characteristics and Parcel Details

To access property characteristics and parcel details in Madison County, individuals can perform a property parcel search through the County Property Tax Inquiry. This tool may provide property-related details like parcel size, land use classification, and building features.

Additional property data is available through the Madison County GIS Viewer. The tool allows users to explore parcel boundaries and location-based details.

Zoning, Land Use, and Planning Records

To access zoning and land-use records in Madison County, individuals can contact the County Building and Zoning Department. Individuals can look up records like zoning ordinances, development guidelines, and permit records.

For properties within municipalities, zoning and planning details are often maintained by municipal offices. For example, in the City of Alton, zoning records are accessible through the local Planning and Development Department. Some records may be accessed online, through the city’s BS&A Online portal, while others require direct inquiries.

Legal Documents Affecting Property

In Madison County, legal documents tied to property are recorded with the County Recorder’s Office. These records can include mortgages, liens, easements, releases, and warrant deeds. Individuals can access these records through subscription access or a pay-per-search service, or request copies directly from the office.

For legal proceedings affecting property, such as foreclosures or court judgments, records are available through the Madison County Circuit Clerk.

Building Permits, Inspections, and Construction Records

In Madison County, building permits, inspection records, and construction-related documents are handled by the County Building and Zoning Department for unincorporated areas.

For incorporated areas, these records are typically handled at the municipal level through their local office or online portals. For example, the Planning and Development Department in the City of Alton handles these records and makes them accessible through the city’s BS&A Online portal.

Maps and Visual Property Data

Interactive maps and visual property data in Madison County are available through the County GIS Viewer. The viewer features parcel boundaries, aerial imagery, zoning overlays, and other settings that individuals can toggle.

Madison County has over 130,000 parcels within its 741-square-mile area. Additional mapping and parcel details may be available via the local assessor’s office. Some assessment-related documents may be linked to GIS data.

Displayed here are charts summarizing the county's tax rates, accompanied by insights into median home values, income figures, and rent rates.

Median Rent

$907.00

Illinois	$762.00
National	$840.25

• +19.0 %
  vs Illinois
• +7.9 %
  vs National

Median Home Value

$166,200.00

Illinois	$116,950.00
National	$173,750.00

• +42.1 %
  vs Illinois
• --4.3 %
  vs National

Median Household Income

$72,500.00

Illinois	$65,699.50
National	$65,108.00

• +10.4 %
  vs Illinois
• +11.4 %
  vs National

Median Property Tax Rate

1.95%

Illinois	1.8%
National	0.74%

• +8.3%
  vs Illinois
• +163.5 %
  vs National

Unemployment Rate

3.14%

Illinois	2.92%
National	2.87%

• +7.5 %
  vs Illinois
• +9.4 %
  vs National

Renter Occupied Housing

23.33%

Illinois	18.61%
National	21.81%

• +25.4 %
  vs Illinois
• +7.0 %
  vs National

The Madison County Recorder’s Office is responsible for recording and preserving land records dating back to 1812. Its records include deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, trusts, and releases.

These records provide the foundation for verifying ownership and support other agencies involved in assessment, zoning, and land use regulation. For example, recorded deeds allow the Assessor to update parcel ownership and valuations. Easements or restrictions inform planning departments when reviewing development applications.

Individuals can access these records online through subscription access or pay-per-search services. For offline access, individuals may visit the office or request copies by email to recordercopies@madisoncountyil.gov. Email requests must include the record’s reference number and prepayment before processing.

Fees are generally $1.00 per page for in-person copies and $2.00 per page for emailed copies. Certified copies may incur additional costs. For assistance, contact the office at 618-296-4475 or via email at the address above.

In Madison County, most of the core property records, like deeds and mortgages, are maintained at the county level. However, several municipalities manage their own property-related records, particularly zoning, permits, and local compliance. Currently, there are 28 key cities and villages in the county:

• Sauget (no dedicated municipal website)

Accessing local records such as zoning ordinances, construction records, inspection results, or building permits usually requires contacting the specific municipality. Some cities offer online portals for easy access, while others require an in-person visit to the appropriate office.

• Alhambra
• Alton
• Bethalto
• Collinsville
• East Alton
• Edwardsville
• Fairmont City
• Glen Carbon
• Godfrey
• Granite City
• Hamel
• Hartford
• Highland
• Livingston
• Madison
• Marine
• Maryville
• New Douglas
• Pontoon Beach
• Roxana
• South Roxana
• St. Jacob
• Troy
• Venice
• Washington Park
• Wood River
• Worden