New Berlin Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official New Berlin, Illinois government websites.

About New Berlin

New Berlin, Illinois is known for its small-town charm and its proximity to the capital city of Springfield. The city council is composed of a mayor and six aldermen, who are elected to four-year terms. The mayor is the presiding officer of the city council and is responsible for the general management of the city. The aldermen are responsible for enacting ordinances and resolutions, approving the city budget, and appointing members to various boards and commissions.

Police Department & Arrest Records

Law enforcement in New Berlin, Sangamon County is provided by the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office and several municipal police departments. The Springfield Police Department serves the city of Springfield, while other cities like Chatham and Auburn have their own police departments. Each department is responsible for law enforcement within its jurisdiction, handling local crimes, traffic enforcement, and community policing. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, often working together on task forces and joint investigations to ensure public safety across the county.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Sangamon County Jail, located in Springfield, is the primary detention facility for the county. It handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the county, where they are photographed, fingerprinted, and processed. Inmate information, including booking details and charges, can be accessed through the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office website. Visitation rules at the jail require scheduling in advance, and visitors must adhere to specific guidelines. The bond and bail process follows Illinois state law, allowing for the posting of bail to secure an inmate's release pending trial.

Court Records

The Sangamon County Circuit Court, located in Springfield, serves as the primary judicial authority in the county. It handles a wide range of cases, including criminal, civil, probate, and family law matters. The court is part of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Illinois and provides access to court records, case filings, and criminal dockets. Residents can access these records through the Circuit Clerk's office, which offers online portals and in-person services for retrieving court documents and case information.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Sangamon County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. These records are maintained by various agencies, including the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk and the Sheriff's Office. Residents can request background checks through the Illinois State Police, which provides comprehensive criminal history information.
The Illinois Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for Sangamon County residents seeking information on criminal records, ensuring access to public safety data and offender information under state law.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Sangamon County are maintained by the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office. These records include information about the arrest, charges, and booking details. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, often requiring a formal request under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Sangamon County arrest records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and bond information. The Illinois FOIA ensures public access to government records, including those related to arrests, unless exempted by law.

Public Records Access

Public records in Sangamon County are accessible under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The Sangamon County Clerk's Office, Circuit Clerk, and Recorder of Deeds are key offices providing access to various records. The County Clerk handles vital records, such as birth and marriage certificates, while the Circuit Clerk manages court records. The Recorder of Deeds maintains property records. These offices offer online portals for record requests, with typical turnaround times varying based on the type of record and request method.

Economy & Demographics

Sangamon County's economy is diverse, with government, healthcare, and education being major sectors due to the presence of the state capital, Springfield. The county is home to significant employers such as the State of Illinois, Memorial Health System, and the University of Illinois Springfield. The economy is further supported by agriculture and manufacturing, contributing to the county's distinct economic character compared to neighboring regions. The presence of state government offices provides stability and a steady employment base for residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What is the process for someone who is arrested in New Berlin, Sangamon County, Illinois to go through the jail and court system?
If you are arrested in the Village of New Berlin, Illinois, you will be transported to the Sangamon County Jail for booking and processing. During booking, officers will record your personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, and log personal belongings. After booking, you may be held pending arraignment before the Sangamon County Court. Under Illinois law, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford legal representation, a public defender will be appointed. Bail may be set at arraignment depending on the charges, your criminal history, and flight risk. Criminal history records are maintained by the Illinois State Police. The Sangamon County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster at https://www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/search/inms.asp where you can look up current detainees.
The New Berlin Community Unit School District #16 serves the town of New Berlin, Sangamon County, Illinois. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, the district's most recent performance data shows that the district has an overall score of 83.3 out of 100, with a graduation rate of 97.3%. The district's average ACT score is 22.3, and the average SAT score is 1090.
Unfortunately, the City of New Berlin does not have its own police department and does not keep its own crime statistics. The Sangamon County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the area, and they provide an annual report of crime statistics for the county. You can find the most recent report on their website.
The New Berlin Public Library in Sangamon County, Illinois provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Illinois government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which governs access to government documents in Illinois. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the New Berlin Illinois Archives and Genealogy at https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/home.html. Contact the New Berlin Public Library reference desk at (217) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
The New Berlin, Sangamon County, Illinois Library is located at 109 W. State Street, New Berlin, IL 62670.
Fingerprinting services for New Berlin, Illinois residents are provided at the New Berlin Police Department, which serves Sangamon County. Fingerprinting is required for a variety of purposes, including pre-employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, law, real estate), volunteer work with children or the elderly, immigration and naturalization applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. To schedule fingerprinting, call the New Berlin Police Department at (217) or visit in person. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and any required agency forms. Fingerprint cards are typically forwarded to the Illinois State Police for processing. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, visit the Illinois State Police at https://www.isp.state.il.us/crimhistory/chri.cfm.
In order to obtain vital records from New Berlin, Sangamon County, Illinois, you will need to contact the Sangamon County Clerk's Office. You can reach them by phone or by mail.

The vital records available from the Sangamon County Clerk's Office include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. To obtain any of these records, you will need to provide the full name of the person listed on the record, the date of the event, and the place of the event. You will also need to provide a valid form of identification and a fee for the record.
Police reports from New Berlin, Illinois can be obtained from the New Berlin Police Department, located in Sangamon County. To request a police report, visit the Records Division in person or submit a written request by mail. You will typically need the report number, date of incident, and your valid photo ID. A fee may be charged per page for copies. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), most police reports are public records in Illinois, though portions related to active investigations, juvenile records, or sensitive personal information may be redacted. Contact the New Berlin Police Department Records Division at (217) for information on fees, hours, and online request options. For statewide criminal records, visit https://www.isp.state.il.us/crimhistory/chri.cfm.
A background check in New Berlin, Sangamon County, Illinois typically includes a review of criminal history, driving records, credit history, employment verification, education verification, and sex offender registry status. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards commonly request background checks in Illinois. Criminal background checks are processed through the Illinois State Police, which maintains arrest records, convictions, and disposition data for Illinois residents. The Illinois State Police provides official criminal history checks at https://www.isp.state.il.us/crimhistory/chri.cfm. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), individuals have the right to request their own records. Federal background checks are available through the FBI's Identity History Summary program. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how background check information may be used by employers and landlords.