Downers Grove Divorce Decree Records

Divorce decree records for Downers Grove are maintained by the DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk under the 18th Judicial Circuit. This page explains how to find and access those records, whether you need a certified copy of a final decree, want to look up a case number, or just need to confirm a filing date.

Where Downers Grove Divorce Cases Are Filed

Downers Grove sits entirely within DuPage County. That means all divorce filings go through the 18th Judicial Circuit, and the clerk you deal with is Candice Adams. The DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton handles these cases. It's not a far drive from Downers Grove, and the clerk's office there is well-staffed and used to handling a high volume of dissolution of marriage filings from across the county.

One thing worth knowing: DuPage County has a dedicated family law division. When you file for divorce, your case gets assigned to that division and stays there through final judgment. The circuit clerk's office keeps all case records, including the final decree, post-decree motions, and any support or custody orders that were entered along the way. Those are all public records unless the court sealed specific documents.

Online Case Search for DuPage County

DuPage County is part of Judici.com, a free public court records portal used by over 80 Illinois counties. No account is needed. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. Divorce and dissolution of marriage cases appear in the civil division. The system shows case status, hearing dates, and basic filing history. It does not display the full text of documents, but it is a solid starting point for finding a case number before you request records from the clerk.

If you need to search across multiple counties, try re:SearchIL. That tool lets you pull records from different Illinois circuit courts in one place. It can be useful if you are not certain which county a case was filed in or if someone has had filings in more than one jurisdiction.

For cases predating the online system, you may need to contact the clerk's office directly and request a manual search. Staff can check indexes and locate older case numbers. There may be a small fee for that service depending on how far back the records go.

Getting a Certified Copy of a Divorce Decree

A certified copy of a divorce decree is the version that carries the court's official seal and the clerk's signature. That's what most agencies want when you need to prove a marriage ended. Banks, the Social Security Administration, and the Illinois Secretary of State typically require a certified copy rather than a plain photocopy.

To get one, you can visit the DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk's office in person at 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton. Bring the case number if you have it. If you don't, staff can look it up by party name. Fees apply. DuPage County charges per page for certified copies, so the total cost depends on how long the decree is. Call (630) 407-8700 first to confirm current fees and whether you can order by mail.

Mail requests are also an option. Include a written request, the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and a check or money order for the estimated fee. The clerk will contact you if additional payment is needed.

Illinois Statewide Divorce Verification

The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps a statewide index of divorces granted in Illinois from 1962 to the present. This is not a copy of the actual decree. It is a verification letter confirming that a divorce was recorded in the state system. That can be enough for many purposes.

The fee is $5. Mail your request to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737. You can also call (217) 782-6554 with questions. Processing typically takes four to six weeks. If you need the full decree with all the terms of the settlement, property division, or custody arrangements, the IDPH record is not enough. You will need to go through the DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk for that.

Illinois Divorce Law and Filing Rules

Illinois law governing divorce is found at 750 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. The only ground for divorce in Illinois is irreconcilable differences. You do not need to prove fault. You also don't need to show that the marriage is beyond repair if you have lived apart for six months. That six-month separation creates an irrebuttable presumption of irreconcilable differences under state law.

The residency requirement is 90 days. At least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing. That applies to anyone in Downers Grove filing in DuPage County. Courts follow 735 ILCS 5/ for public access to court records. Most divorce records are public, though financial affidavits and records involving minor children may have restricted access.

Attorneys must use eFileIL, the state's mandatory e-filing platform, since July 1, 2018. Self-represented filers can also use the system. Free approved forms are available through the Illinois Courts forms page. If you need legal guidance and cannot afford an attorney, Illinois Legal Aid Online has free resources and tools specific to Illinois divorce law.

Downers Grove Village Website

The Downers Grove village website provides local government information for residents, including contact details for village departments and links to local services.

The village site is a good starting point for general local government questions, though divorce records themselves are handled through DuPage County's court system.

In-Person Access and What to Bring

If you visit the DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton, go to the clerk's office on the ground floor. Bring a photo ID. If you know the case number, bring it. If you only have names and an approximate year, that's enough to get started. Staff will search the index and locate the file.

Public terminals at the courthouse let you view case information at no charge. If you want copies, you pay the per-page fee. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. The difference matters if the document is going to a government agency or being used in another legal proceeding. Ask the clerk which type you need before you pay.

Parking at the DuPage County Courthouse is available on site. The facility is accessible. If you have mobility concerns, call ahead and the clerk's office can advise on the best entrance to use and whether any services can be handled at a lower floor.

Secondary Sources and Related Records

A divorce decree is just one document in a larger case file. The full file may include the original petition, financial disclosure statements, parenting agreements, settlement agreements, and any interim orders. Each of those is a separate document within the same case number. You can request the full file or specific documents depending on what you need.

If property was transferred as part of the divorce, there may be a separate quitclaim deed or transfer-on-death instrument recorded with the DuPage County Recorder. That office is also located in Wheaton and handles real estate records. For name change records tied to a divorce, the Circuit Court Clerk handles those as part of the same case file. A court order restoring a former name is typically entered as part of the final decree or as a separate order in the same case.

Marriage records themselves are maintained by the DuPage County Clerk (not the Circuit Court Clerk). If you need proof of the original marriage along with the divorce record, contact the county clerk's office separately. The two offices are distinct, even though both are in Wheaton.

Nearby Cities

Other DuPage County and suburban communities with qualifying city pages are listed below.

DuPage County Court Records

All Downers Grove divorce cases are filed and maintained through DuPage County's 18th Circuit Court. Visit the county page for full clerk details, courthouse hours, and additional filing information.