Jersey County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Jersey County in 2026
JerseyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Jersey County, Illinois. Members of the public may find case filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and support determinations. Access and completeness may vary depending on the age of the record and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce records in Jersey County.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Jersey County Circuit Clerk maintains case records for dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the county. Basic case information, including party names, filing dates, and case status, is available at no charge through the clerk's office. Copies of documents may require a fee.
2. State Court System Portal
The Illinois Courts website provides approved statewide forms for divorce, child support, and maintenance proceedings. The Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice has approved standardized forms that parties may use when initiating or responding to dissolution proceedings across all Illinois circuit courts.
3. State Vital Records
The Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records maintains dissolution of marriage records from 1962 through the current index date. The Division can verify facts of a dissolution but does not provide certified copies of court decrees. A fee applies for verification requests submitted to the state office.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Jersey County Circuit Court:
Jersey County Circuit Clerk
200 N. Lafayette St.
Jerseyville, IL 62052
Phone: (618) 498-5571
Jersey County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance available during business hours
Records Department:
Historical and archived dissolution cases are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Older paper records may require additional retrieval time. Certified copy requests for archived cases are accepted in person during regular business hours.
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Jersey County Circuit Clerk, 200 N. Lafayette St., Jerseyville, IL 62052
- Include the full names of both parties, approximate date of dissolution, case number if known, requestor's contact information, payment for applicable copy fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Processing time is typically one to two weeks for standard requests
By Phone
Limited Information:
- Jersey County Circuit Clerk: (618) 498-5571
- Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide the case number, case status, and filing date
- Detailed document contents, copies, and confidential information cannot be provided by telephone
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Illinois may access dissolution case files, request copies of sealed documents upon proper showing, and assist with complex or older records. The Illinois State Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation in family law matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of dissolution
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Jersey County
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Illinois are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. Under 750 ILCS § 5/401, one spouse must have been a resident of Illinois for at least 90 days before a dissolution judgment may be entered.
Time Considerations
- Recent dissolution judgments may not appear in electronic systems immediately; allow several days to weeks after the final hearing for records to be indexed
- Older cases may be archived in paper format and require additional retrieval time
- Cases that have not yet been finalized will not appear as completed dissolution records
What If You Cannot Find a Record
- Verify the correct county of filing
- Attempt alternate spellings of party names
- Search under both the petitioner's and respondent's names
- Check the Illinois Department of Public Health vital records index for dissolutions from 1962 forward
- Contact the Jersey County Circuit Clerk directly at (618) 498-5571
What Are Jersey County Divorce Records?
Jersey County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Jersey County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the permanent family law case file maintained by the Circuit Clerk and are subject to Illinois public records law.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files include the petition for dissolution of marriage, the respondent's answer or counterpetition, financial affidavits, parenting plans, settlement agreements, motions, court orders, and transcripts of hearings. Each document is assigned a filing date and indexed chronologically within the case file.
Final Decree of Dissolution is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, the division of marital property, any spousal support obligations, child custody and visitation arrangements, child support orders, and any court-approved name changes. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Circuit Clerk.
Supporting Documents may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, financial disclosure statements, property inventories, parenting plan attachments, and any post-judgment modification orders entered after the original decree.
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Dissolution records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including proof of marital status for remarriage, name change documentation, property transfer proceedings, estate planning, immigration proceedings, Social Security benefit determinations, and genealogical research.
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Jersey County Circuit Clerk is the primary custodian of dissolution case files and provides certified copies upon request. The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of dissolution records from 1962 forward, though the state office provides verification only and does not issue certified court copies.
The legal framework governing dissolution proceedings in Illinois is established under 750 ILCS § 5/101 et seq., the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which defines the grounds, procedures, and requirements for dissolution proceedings filed in Illinois circuit courts.
Are Jersey County Divorce Records Public?
Dissolution of marriage records filed in Jersey County are public court records subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and applicable court rules. Members of the public may access basic case information and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of both parties
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and case status
- Final judgment of dissolution
- Property division orders
- Docket entries reflecting the chronological history of the case
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information: Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from publicly accessible documents pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court rules. Detailed tax returns and certain financial statements may be subject to limited access upon court order.
Children's Information: The names, addresses, schools, and medical information of minor children may be redacted or restricted. Child custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and psychological assessments of children are subject to restricted access and may require a court order to obtain.
Sensitive Personal Information: Domestic violence allegations, mental health records, substance abuse treatment information, and personal addresses in cases involving protective orders may be sealed or redacted to protect the safety of the parties involved.
Sealed Records:
A court may seal dissolution records upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Illinois law and are not part of the public court record.
Who Can Access Records:
- Members of the general public may view docket summaries and obtain copies of public documents, subject to applicable fees
- Parties to the case have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view
- Licensed attorneys may access case files and, upon proper showing, petition for access to sealed materials
- Researchers and members of the media may access public portions of dissolution records; access to sealed records requires a court order
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public who obtain dissolution records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates an existing protective order. Illinois law prohibits the use of personal information obtained from court records for fraudulent purposes.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Jersey County?
The Jersey County Circuit Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with 705 ILCS § 105/27.1, which governs fees collected by circuit court clerks in Illinois.
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $6.00 (first page) + $0.50 per additional page |
| Certification fee | $6.00 |
| Search fee (when applicable) | Varies |
- Inspection of public court records at the courthouse is available at no charge
- Electronic copies, where available, are subject to the same per-page fee schedule
- Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order payable to the Jersey County Circuit Clerk; members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods directly with the clerk's office
- Fee waiver provisions may apply for indigent parties who qualify under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 298; a completed fee waiver application must be submitted to the court for approval
- Verification requests submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health for dissolution records carry a separate state fee; members of the public should consult the IDPH vital records page for current state fees
Basic case status information confirmed verbally by clerk staff is available at no charge.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Jersey County
A complete dissolution of marriage case file maintained by the Jersey County Circuit Clerk contains the following categories of documents.
Basic Case Information:
- Case number, court name, and division
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Judge assigned to the case
- Attorneys of record and their contact information
- Filing date and case type designation
Initial Pleadings:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage, including the marriage date and location, date of separation if applicable, grounds for dissolution under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, information regarding minor children, and relief requested
- Response or answer filed by the respondent, including any counterpetition
- Financial affidavits from both parties disclosing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities
Discovery Documents:
- Financial disclosure statements, including tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment and retirement account statements, and loan documents
- Interrogatories and answers under oath
- Requests for production of documents and responses
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory listing real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property with estimated values
- Debt inventory covering mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card obligations, and other liabilities
- Appraisals and expert valuations for real property, business interests, and personal property
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, timesharing schedules, holiday and vacation provisions, transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities
- Child support calculation worksheets reflecting income of both parties, number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses
- Custody evaluations ordered by the court, which may be subject to restricted access
- Guardian ad litem reports and recommendations, which may be sealed
Support Documents:
- Alimony or spousal support orders specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
- Income and standard-of-living analysis supporting support determinations
Settlement Documents:
- Marital settlement agreement resolving all contested issues, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, child-related provisions, tax treatment, and attorney fee allocation
- Mediation agreement, if the parties participated in mediation, which may be incorporated into the settlement agreement
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary orders for custody, support, use of property, and restraining orders entered during the pendency of the case
- Final judgment of dissolution containing the court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody and timesharing determinations, and any name restoration
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) entered to divide retirement plan benefits
Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):
- Petitions to modify custody or support and court orders on those petitions
- Contempt motions and enforcement actions, including income deduction orders and liens
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence details and related protective order information
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiation communications not incorporated into filed documents
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Jersey County
Proof of dissolution of marriage in Jersey County is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution issued by the Jersey County Circuit Clerk. A certified copy bears the clerk's official seal and signature and is accepted as legal proof of dissolution for remarriage, name change, immigration, and other official purposes.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
- Gather the full names of both parties and the approximate date of dissolution; the case number, if known, will expedite the search
- Contact or visit the Jersey County Circuit Clerk's office to confirm the case file location and current fee schedule
- Submit a written request in person, by mail, or as directed by the clerk's office, including the required identifying information and payment
- For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and allow one to two weeks for processing
Jersey County Circuit Clerk
200 N. Lafayette St.
Jerseyville, IL 62052
Phone: (618) 498-5571
Jersey County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds
For verification of dissolution facts without a certified court copy, members of the public may submit a request to the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records, which maintains a statewide index of dissolutions from 1962 forward. The state office provides verification of dissolution facts but does not issue certified copies of court decrees.
The Jersey County Clerk's vital records office maintains additional vital record information, including marriage records, which may be relevant when establishing the chain of marital status documentation required for certain legal proceedings.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Jersey County?
Dissolution of marriage records in Jersey County are presumptively public, but Illinois law and court rules permit certain records or portions of records to be sealed or restricted under defined circumstances.
- A party may petition the circuit court to seal dissolution records upon a showing of good cause; the court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children
- Records involving domestic violence allegations, sexual abuse, or safety concerns for a party or child may be sealed or have identifying information redacted pursuant to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act and related court rules
- Mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment records, and psychological assessments of children are subject to restricted access under applicable state and federal privacy laws, including HIPAA
- Guardian ad litem reports and child custody evaluation reports may be sealed by court order to protect the best interests of minor children
- Mediation communications are confidential under 710 ILCS § 35/5 and are not part of the public court record
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible court documents pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court rules
- High-profile cases may be sealed upon motion, though courts apply a strong presumption in favor of public access consistent with First Amendment principles
Members of the public seeking access to sealed dissolution records must file a motion with the Jersey County Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access.
How Long Does Jersey County Keep Divorce Records?
The Jersey County Circuit Clerk retains dissolution of marriage records in accordance with the Illinois Local Records Act and applicable retention schedules established by the Illinois Local Records Commission.
- Final judgments of dissolution and complete case files for contested dissolution proceedings are retained permanently as part of the official court record
- Uncontested dissolution case files are subject to the same permanent retention requirement under Illinois court records retention schedules, as final judgments constitute permanent legal records
- Temporary orders, motions, and interlocutory documents within a case file are retained as part of the complete case file for the duration of the retention period applicable to that case
- Post-judgment modification orders and enforcement actions are retained as part of the original case file and share the same retention period
- Paper records from older cases may be stored in archival format and require additional retrieval time; members of the public should contact the Circuit Clerk in advance when requesting records more than ten years old
- The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains its dissolution of marriage index from 1962 forward on a permanent basis, as noted on the IDPH dissolution of marriage records page
- Electronic case management systems currently in use by the Jersey County Circuit Court retain digitized records in accordance with state-mandated schedules, with older paper records converted to digital format on a rolling basis where resources permit