Illinois Divorce Records

Illinois divorce records must be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the dissolution of marriage occurred. The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, does not issue divorce documents, but it will supply requestors with a verification report on whether or not a certain dissolution of marriage was recorded in the state. To receive this report, you must fill out an Application for Verification of Dissolution of Marriage Record Files, or write a signed letter, and submit it to the Division of Vital Records. Make sure to include the appropriate fee and valid photo ID. Requests without acceptable ID will not be processed. You may submit your request by mail or in person at the Springfield, Illinois office.

Contact And Fee Information For Illinois Divorce Records

The Division of Vital Records office will verify dissolution of marriage files from 1962 to the present. Illinois divorce records prior to that date must be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk where the dissolution of marriage was granted. The fee per record searched is $5 and this covers the search. The fee is non-refundable whether or not the document is found.

Valid ID must be shown for walk in orders and a copy of it must accompany mail in divorce verification applications. Same day service may be possible on walk in orders, but is not guaranteed. A legible copy of the requestor’s valid photo ID must be enclosed with mail in orders. Fees may be paid by check or money order payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The processing time for mail orders varies, but 4 – 6 weeks is typical once the request is received.

Walk in verification drop off and mail in verification request address:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 East Ridgely Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702
Phone: (217) 782-6553
Hours: Monday – Friday 10am – 3pm

Divorce Records And Illinois Law

According to Illinois law, anyone can request copies of divorce records. This means you may want to use the information found on these records for background checks as well as a check on yourself. If you access your own Illinois divorce records, you can check for accuracy and correct any errors since others may be checking your background. Vital records such as divorce documents can confirm valuable information in a dating background check such as who a person was divorced from and when the event occurred.

It is acceptable to make the request for record copies by sending a letter rather than using an official form, but certain rules must be followed. First, you must include a legible copy of your valid, photo ID as the requestor. If you do not include clear identification, your request for Illinois divorce records will not be processed. Second, the letter must be signed by you and include your name and return address. Third, the applicable fee must accompany your request along with both names on the divorce records and the date of the dissolution of marriage, if known.