Divorce records in St. Clair County, Illinois, are available through several channels. StClairCourt.us allows quick access to public information on divorce records in the county. Additionally, you can contact the Circuit Clerk's office of the county, which maintains court cases, the County Clerk for vital records, or the Illinois Department of Public Health at the state level.
St. Clair Divorce Records Search
In Illinois, divorce is officially referred to as "dissolution of marriage." The Circuit Court of the 20th Judicial Circuit maintains complete court cases regarding divorces, including:
- Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
- Settlement agreements
- Orders regarding child custody and support
- Associated motions and court orders
The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's Office is the primary custodian of these documents. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) registers the fact of divorce but does not issue certified copies of divorce records — you need to contact the Circuit Clerk of the county where the court made the decision.
St. Clair County Circuit Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in St. Clair
Divorce cases in St. Clair County are handled by the Circuit Court of the 20th Judicial Circuit. Once a judge signs the judgment, it remains in the case file maintained by the Circuit Clerk. This is the complete court file — it is where judgments, agreements, and all procedural documents are stored.
At the state level, the IDPH only records statistical information about divorces. Certified copies of the court judgment are issued exclusively by the Circuit Clerk. If you need a certificate of marriage registration or its dissolution for other purposes, contact the County Clerk.
Where to Contact Depending on Your Needs
For court documents (judgments, agreements, orders):
Online court case search is available through the Courts section on the Circuit Clerk's website. According to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9, electronic filing (eFiling) is mandatory for all civil cases, including divorce cases.
For vital records (marriage certificates, etc.):
At the state level:
Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records — maintains index records but does not issue certified copies of divorce judgments. For any certified copy, contact the Circuit Clerk of the county where the decision was made.
Standardized forms for divorce, child support, and maintenance cases are approved by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission and are available on the official Illinois courts website. All county courts in the state are required to accept these forms.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in St. Clair
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Case Search online | Free | Instant |
| Regular copy of a court document | $0.50 per page | 1–3 business days |
| Certified copy of a divorce judgment | $2.00 for the first 2 pages + $0.50 for each additional page | 3–5 business days |
| Certified copy of a marriage certificate (County Clerk) | $12.00 | 1–5 business days |