Search Chicago Divorce Decree Records
Chicago divorce decree records are filed with the Circuit Court of Cook County at the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago. This page explains where to find case records, how to get certified copies, and what online and state tools are available for searching Cook County divorce filings.
Chicago Quick Facts
Where Chicago Divorce Cases Are Filed
All Chicago divorce filings go to the Circuit Court of Cook County. The primary location for filing and for in-person records access is the Richard J. Daley Center at 50 West Washington Street, Room 802, Chicago, IL 60602. The circuit clerk is Mariyana T. Spyropoulos. The Daley Center is easily accessible by public transit and handles dissolution of marriage cases for all of the City of Chicago.
Cook County also has suburban courthouse locations around the county. If your case was filed at one of those suburban courthouses, records may be stored there rather than at the Daley Center. Call the clerk's office to confirm which location has your specific case file. For Chicago city residents, the Daley Center is the standard venue. Cases involving both a Chicago and a suburban party may be assigned differently based on which spouse filed first and their address at the time of filing.
| Office | Cook County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Mariyana T. Spyropoulos |
| Address | Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, Room 802, Chicago, IL 60602 |
| Phone | (312) 603-5030 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
The City of Chicago's official website provides access to local government services and legal resource listings for Chicago residents navigating a divorce matter.
The Chicago city website includes listings for legal aid organizations and local government contacts that can be helpful when dealing with a divorce case in the city.
Cook County Clerk of Court for Chicago Divorces
The Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court manages all case records, filings, and certified copy requests for Chicago divorce cases. The clerk's website has online case search tools, fee schedules, and information on how to request records both in person and by mail. It is the authoritative source for everything related to Cook County divorce decrees.
Visit the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court website to access case search, certified copy request forms, and up-to-date information on fees and procedures for Chicago divorce records.
The Cook County Clerk website provides online case search and certified copy request information for Chicago divorce cases filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Searching Chicago Divorce Cases Online
Cook County participates in Judici.com, a free statewide case search tool that covers 80+ Illinois counties. No login required. Search by party name or case number and select Cook County. Results show case details, filing dates, and parties. Some older Chicago cases have limited online data depending on when records were digitized.
re:SearchIL is a second free option. It searches across multiple Illinois counties in one query. For Chicago-specific searches, Cook County is almost certainly the right county, so Judici alone is usually enough. But re:SearchIL is worth trying if you get no results on Judici, since case data coverage varies. Cook County's own online portal on the clerk's website may also have case lookup capability. Check there for the most current Chicago-specific access.
Neither of these tools gives you a certified copy. They are for finding cases and confirming filings. For a legally valid document, you need to contact the clerk.
Certified Copies of Chicago Divorce Decrees
Get a certified copy of a Chicago divorce decree from the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk. Visit the Daley Center in person at 50 West Washington Street, Room 802. Bring a photo ID. Have the case number ready if you can find it first through an online search. If you only have names, the clerk can look up the case. Fees are charged per page for certified copies. Call (312) 603-5030 to ask about current fees before going downtown.
Mail requests are possible for some types of records. Check the clerk's website for the mail request process. Cook County is a large and busy court system. In-person requests at the Daley Center are generally handled the same day for active cases. Archived older records take longer. Arrive early if you need the copy quickly. The clerk's office gets busy, especially later in the week.
Certified copies are what you need for any legal purpose: name changes, insurance claims, remarriage applications, benefits changes, and more. A screenshot or printout will not work in place of a certified document. Only the clerk's office can provide the real thing.
IDPH Statewide Divorce Verification
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide divorce index going back to 1962. For $5, they will send a written verification confirming a divorce is in the state's records. This is not a certified copy. It is a letter confirming the divorce occurred. For many situations where you only need to confirm the event, this is all you need.
Mail your request to 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include the names of both spouses, the approximate year, and the county if known. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. Call (217) 782-6554 with questions. For a certified copy of the actual decree, the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk is the only source. IDPH does not provide copies of court documents.
Illinois Divorce Law Overview
Illinois uses a no-fault divorce system. The only ground for divorce is irreconcilable differences. Neither party has to prove fault. The controlling statute is the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5/. Illinois requires at least one spouse to have been a state resident for 90 days before filing. For Chicago residents, venue is Cook County. If both spouses have lived apart for 6 months or more, the law treats that as proof the marriage has broken down, making the standard easier to meet.
Court records from dissolution of marriage cases are public records under 735 ILCS 5/. Some items in a case file may be sealed by court order. Financial records and records involving children are more likely to be restricted. But the final decree itself is typically accessible to any member of the public who requests it from the court clerk. This applies to Chicago cases just as it does in any other Illinois county.
Free Divorce Forms and Legal Help
The Illinois Courts forms page offers free standardized divorce forms that apply in Cook County. Download the forms, read every instruction sheet, and complete them carefully. Cook County has specific local rules on top of state requirements. Check the clerk's website for any Cook County-specific instructions before you file.
Illinois Legal Aid Online is a free resource with plain-language guides on every step of the Illinois divorce process. Chicago has several legal aid organizations serving residents who qualify for free or reduced-cost legal help. The Chicago Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a private attorney if you need one. For electronic filing, eFileIL is mandatory for attorneys in Cook County and available for self-represented filers as well. It lets you file documents without making a trip to the Daley Center for routine submissions.
eFileIL for Chicago Residents
Attorneys in Cook County have been required to use eFileIL since July 1, 2018. Self-represented filers can use the system too and many find it much easier than going downtown. You create an account, prepare your documents in the required format (typically PDF), upload them, pay the filing fee by credit or debit card, and submit. The clerk accepts or rejects the filing and sends you an email notification. Rejection notices explain what needs to be fixed.
After filing, you can check case status through the portal. Documents accepted by the clerk become part of the official court record. Electronic access to filed documents may also be available through the portal depending on the case type. If something goes wrong or you have questions about a submission, call the clerk at (312) 603-5030. The eFileIL help center also offers technical support for users having trouble with the platform.
Nearby Cities
Evanston, Cicero, Oak Park, Skokie, and Berwyn all border or sit near Chicago, and most are also in Cook County with the same circuit court system.
Cook County Court Records
The Cook County page covers the full circuit court system, all courthouse locations, and detailed guidance on finding and requesting divorce decree records throughout the county.