Des Plaines Dissolution of Marriage Records
Des Plaines divorce decree records are filed with the Circuit Court of Cook County. As a northwest suburban Cook County city, Des Plaines cases may be handled at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse rather than the downtown Chicago location. This page explains how to find and request dissolution of marriage records for Des Plaines residents.
Des Plaines Quick Facts
Where Des Plaines Divorce Cases Are Filed
Des Plaines is in the northwest part of Cook County. Divorce cases here fall under the Circuit Court of Cook County, the same circuit that serves all of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. The circuit clerk is Mariyana T. Spyropoulos. The main clerk's office is at the Daley Center in downtown Chicago, but northwest suburban cases are commonly assigned to the Rolling Meadows Courthouse at 2121 Euclid Avenue, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008.
This matters when you need to find or retrieve records. If a divorce case was filed by someone with a Des Plaines address, there is a good chance the physical file and any in-person records counter is at Rolling Meadows rather than Chicago. Call the Cook County clerk's main line at (312) 603-5030 and give them the case number or names to confirm which courthouse holds the file before making the trip. Going to the wrong location wastes a visit.
| Office | Cook County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Mariyana T. Spyropoulos |
| Address | 50 W. Washington Street, Suite 1001, Chicago, IL 60602-1305 |
| Phone | (312) 603-5030 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
The Rolling Meadows Courthouse also has clerk's office staff on site. That location at 2121 Euclid Ave. is closer for Des Plaines residents than traveling downtown and typically handles the same records requests for northwest suburban cases. Confirm your case's location with the clerk before visiting either site.
Cook County Clerk of Court Online Access
The Cook County Clerk of Court website is the primary online resource for Des Plaines divorce case lookups. The portal lets you search by name or case number at no charge.
The Cook County Clerk of Court handles all divorce record requests for Des Plaines residents, including case lookups, certified copies, and document filings for the northwest suburban area.
The online case search shows filing dates, party names, case numbers, and hearing schedules. It does not show the full text of filed documents or let you download certified copies. Use it to locate a case and get the case number, then contact the appropriate courthouse to request documents. The system is most complete for cases filed in the last two decades. Older paper records may need to be searched manually by clerk staff.
Free Online Case Search Tools
Beyond the clerk's own portal, two other free tools cover Cook County cases. Judici.com includes Cook County in its coverage and allows name-based searches at no cost with no login required. It is a good first stop if you are not sure whether a case exists or if you need the case number before calling the clerk.
re:SearchIL provides access to electronically filed cases across Cook County and other Illinois circuits. Mandatory e-filing for attorneys began July 1, 2018, under the eFileIL system. Cases filed by attorneys since that date are generally well indexed. Earlier filings or cases involving self-represented parties may not appear in re:SearchIL and require direct contact with the clerk.
None of these online tools allow you to download certified decree copies. They are search and finding tools only. Once you have the case number, contact the clerk to request official copies.
Requesting Certified Copies of Des Plaines Divorce Decrees
Certified copies are required for legal purposes. You need them to remarry in Illinois, change your name on a driver's license or passport, or handle estate and financial matters that require proof of marital status. Plain photocopies do not meet those standards. Always ask for "certified copies" specifically.
For in-person requests, go to the courthouse where the case was filed, either Rolling Meadows or the Daley Center. Bring the case number and a valid photo ID. Pay the copy fee, which the clerk can quote you over the phone before your visit. Most certified copies for existing cases can be produced the same day. If the file is old or stored off site, same-day production may not be possible, so call ahead.
Mail requests take longer but work the same way. Write to the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk at 50 West Washington Street, Suite 1001, Chicago, IL 60602. Include both parties' full names, the year of filing, the case number, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Processing time by mail is typically one to three weeks.
Illinois State Divorce Index
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of divorce records going back to 1962. Cook County cases, including those from Des Plaines, are included in this index.
IDPH provides verification letters for $5. You send a request by mail to 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include both parties' names, the county and approximate year of divorce, and your return address. The response arrives in 4 to 6 weeks and confirms the divorce took place along with basic details like the county and date. Call (217) 782-6554 if you have questions about the process.
An IDPH verification is not the same as a certified copy. If you need a document with legal weight, you still need to contact the Cook County Circuit Clerk for the certified decree. The IDPH letter is useful for confirming a record exists before making a trip or sending a formal copy request to the court.
Illinois Divorce Law and Filing Requirements
Illinois requires irreconcilable differences as the sole ground for divorce. This is set out in 750 ILCS 5/. The state moved to no-fault divorce and no longer recognizes fault-based grounds. One spouse must have lived in Illinois for at least 90 days before filing. Couples who have been separated for 6 months benefit from an irrebuttable presumption of irreconcilable differences, which can move the case forward without a contested hearing on the breakdown of the marriage.
Free approved forms for divorce cases are available on the Illinois Courts forms page. These forms work for straightforward uncontested cases. If the case involves children, contested property, or support disputes, getting legal help is strongly recommended. Illinois Legal Aid Online has free guides and can help connect Des Plaines residents with low-cost legal services in Cook County.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Cook County and suburban Chicago cities file divorce cases with the same Circuit Court of Cook County.
Cook County Court Records
The Cook County page has full circuit clerk contact details, courthouse locations for all suburban districts, and guidance for searching divorce records across the entire county.