Illinois Certificate of Divorce Online Application

If you need a divorce certificate in Illinois, you may need either a state verification of the divorce or a certified copy of the court judgment. Prepare your Illinois divorce record request online and get guidance on obtaining the right document.

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Legal Disclaimer: US Birth Certificates is a privately owned website that is not affiliated with, not owned or operated by any government agency. US Birth Certificates is an independent preparer that provides vital records application preparation assistance services. If you are looking for blank forms, you can get them for free at the relevant state office.

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  3. Get your Divorce Certificate Once you submit your application you will get your divorce certificate delivered to your home.

Understanding the Illinois Certificate of Divorce System

Illinois uses 2 different channels for obtaining proof of divorce.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records can provide a verification confirming the facts of a dissolution of marriage recorded from 1962 through the current index date available. The verification can include the names of the parties, their dates of birth, the date of the divorce, and the city or county where it occurred.

However, IDPH does not issue certified copies of divorce decrees. If you need a certified court record, you must request it from the circuit court clerk in the county where the dissolution of marriage was granted.

This distinction is important when searching for an Illinois divorce certificate because the document you need depends on how the receiving organization wants the divorce to be proven.

Divorce Decree vs. Certificate of Divorce in Illinois: What You Need

A divorce decree is the court judgment that legally ends a marriage. In Illinois, divorce cases are formally referred to as dissolutions of marriage, and the official court record is maintained by the circuit court clerk.

A divorce verification from IDPH is different. It confirms that a dissolution of marriage is recorded in the state's files, but it’s not a certified copy of the actual court judgment.

Depending on your reason for requesting the record, you may need:

  • Dissolution of marriage verification: Confirms basic facts about an Illinois divorce.
  • Plain copy of the divorce judgment: A copy of the court document without certification.
  • Certified divorce decree or judgment: An authenticated copy provided by the circuit court clerk.
  • Additional case documents: Other filings or orders from the divorce case, when required.

IDPH currently charges $5 for a dissolution of marriage verification. Certified-copy fees are determined through the circuit court clerk handling the individual record and can vary depending on the county and the number of pages requested.

Before placing an order, confirm whether the organization requesting your divorce record needs a state verification or the certified court judgment.

Who Can Request a Divorce Certificate in Illinois?

Illinois court documents are generally presumed to be accessible unless access is restricted by a court order, court rule, law, or applicable policy. Some records or individual documents may be classified as confidential, sealed, impounded, or otherwise unavailable to the general public.

For an IDPH dissolution of marriage verification, applicants must submit a completed request and a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. If acceptable identification is not provided, IDPH states that the request will be returned without being processed.

Information that can help identify an Illinois divorce record includes:

  • Names of both former spouses
  • Dates of birth
  • Date or approximate date of divorce
  • City and county where the divorce was granted
  • Circuit court case number, if known
  • Type of copy or verification needed

Requirements for obtaining certified court documents may vary by circuit clerk, particularly when a record contains confidential or restricted information.

How to Get an Illinois Divorce Record Online

To request a divorce certificate in Illinois, first determine whether you need a state verification or an actual certified divorce judgment.

For a dissolution of marriage verification, complete the Illinois Department of Public Health's Application for Verification of Dissolution of Marriage/Civil Union Record Files. You must provide identifying information about the divorce, a valid government-issued photo ID, and the required fee.

IDPH currently accepts verification requests:

  • By mail
  • By fax
  • In person

For a certified divorce decree, contact the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. IDPH specifically states that certified copies can only be obtained through the appropriate circuit court clerk.

Illinois Courts maintains an official directory of circuit court clerks that can help you locate the correct county office.

Online record searches and electronic copy-request options vary by county. Contact the individual clerk's office to confirm whether certified copies can be ordered online, by mail, or in person.

Processing Divorce Records Through the Illinois Circuit Court

Illinois divorce cases are handled through the state's circuit courts, which are the courts of original jurisdiction. Circuit clerks maintain the official case files and court documents for cases filed in their counties.

For a certified divorce judgment, processing requirements and fees depend on the circuit clerk holding the case.

As an example, the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court's Archives Department currently charges $6 per certified document, additional photocopy charges, and $6 per year searched when staff must search historical indexes to identify a case.

Fees and procedures in other Illinois counties may differ, so check directly with the relevant circuit court clerk before submitting your request.

If you only need an IDPH verification, the state currently charges $5. IDPH states that regular mail requests are processed in approximately 4 to 6 weeks, not including mailing time.

Serving All Illinois Circuit Courts (Cook, DuPage, Lake & More)

Certified Illinois divorce records are maintained by circuit court clerks throughout the state.

Illinois has 25 judicial circuits, with a circuit clerk maintaining court records in each county. 7 circuits currently consist of a single county: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, St. Clair, and Will. The remaining judicial circuits cover multiple counties.

You generally need to contact the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted to obtain a certified copy.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Divorce Records

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    Personalized Review

    Our team of experts are trained in all states and will review each application to make sure there is no information missing and that everything is correct. This way you will avoid delays and get exactly what you are looking for when you order your divorce certificate online.

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    ID Verification

    Some states require that you provide a copy of your photo ID card to order a certified copy of your divorce certificate. Our complete application package provides all the information on which documents you need to provide and how to go about it.

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