Waukegan Divorce Decree Lookup
Waukegan divorce decree records are filed with the Lake County Circuit Court, which serves all Waukegan residents seeking dissolution of marriage in Illinois. This page covers where to search for those records, how to get certified copies, what online tools are available, and what Waukegan residents need to know before filing.
Waukegan Quick Facts
Where Waukegan Divorce Cases Are Filed
Waukegan is the Lake County seat, and it is also where the Lake County Circuit Court is located. All divorce filings for Waukegan residents go to the 19th Judicial Circuit at 18 North County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085. The circuit clerk is Erin Cartwright Weinstein, and you can reach the office at (847) 377-3380.
Because the courthouse is right in Waukegan, residents don't need to travel far to handle in-person court business. The clerk's office processes new filings, copy requests, and case inquiries during regular business hours. Bring a government-issued photo ID and a case number if you have one. Staff can search by name if you don't know the number. Walk-in service is available, but calling ahead for complex requests saves time.
| Office | Lake County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Erin Cartwright Weinstein |
| Address | 18 North County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085 |
| Phone | (847) 377-3380 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
The 19th Circuit handles family law matters for all of Lake County. Divorce cases are assigned to family law judges within the circuit. The docket moves at a pace that depends on whether the case is contested or uncontested, and on the current case load of the circuit.
Online Case Search for Waukegan Records
Lake County is part of the Judici.com network. This free statewide platform lets you search court records across more than 80 Illinois counties without creating an account. Search by party name or case number to pull up Lake County divorce cases, including those filed by Waukegan residents. Results show case status, key dates, and docket activity.
The re:SearchIL platform also covers the 19th Circuit and provides access to electronic court documents. If a case was filed through the mandatory e-filing system, some documents may be viewable there. Basic case lookups are generally free, while full document access may require a fee. Use Judici first for a quick name or case number search, then check re:SearchIL if you need to see actual filed documents.
Neither Judici nor re:SearchIL replaces the clerk's office for certified copy requests. They're useful for confirming a case exists and finding the case number before making a formal records request.
Waukegan City and County Resources
The Waukegan city website provides local government information and contacts for city departments.
Waukegan's city website lists municipal contacts and links to community resources that residents may find helpful when navigating government processes, though the city does not maintain court records directly.
The Lake County Clerk provides county-level resources that may also be useful for Waukegan filers researching their options.
Lake County Clerk resources can help Waukegan residents understand county filing procedures and access county-level record information related to their divorce case.
Getting Copies of a Divorce Decree
The Lake County Circuit Court Clerk issues certified and plain copies of divorce decrees. You can request them in person at the courthouse on North County Street, or by mail. For mail requests, include both party names, the case number, the filing year, and a check or money order payable to the Lake County Circuit Court Clerk. Call (847) 377-3380 to confirm current per-page fees and the total cost before sending payment.
Certified copies carry the court's official seal and are required for legal purposes. Name changes on social security cards, passports, and financial accounts all typically require a certified copy. Plain copies are fine for personal reference. Order more certified copies than you think you need the first time, since each new request takes time and costs additional fees.
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide divorce index covering 1962 to the present. IDPH can confirm whether a divorce occurred in Illinois and send a verification letter for $5. Mail requests to 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737 or call (217) 782-6554. Allow 4 to 6 weeks. IDPH verification does not replace a certified court decree. It only confirms a record exists in the state index, which is useful when you don't know which county has the case.
Filing for Divorce in Waukegan
Illinois requires at least one spouse to live in the state for 90 days before filing. Under 750 ILCS 5/, the sole ground for divorce in Illinois is irreconcilable differences. Fault-based grounds are not available. You don't need to prove your spouse did anything wrong. You just need to show the marriage has broken down with no reasonable chance it can be restored.
If both spouses have lived apart for 6 months, that separation creates an irrebuttable presumption of irreconcilable differences under state law. The court accepts this without further proof. If both spouses agree the marriage cannot be saved, they can waive the 6-month requirement. Uncontested divorces often close faster than contested ones, especially in circuits with lighter case loads than Cook County.
Attorneys must file through eFileIL, which became mandatory in Illinois on July 1, 2018. Self-represented parties can use eFileIL or file paper in person at the Lake County clerk's office. Free standardized Illinois divorce forms are available at the Illinois Courts forms page. For free legal help, Illinois Legal Aid Online offers self-help resources and attorney referrals for eligible residents.
Illinois Divorce Law Applied to Lake County Cases
The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5/ governs all Illinois divorces. It covers residency, grounds, marital property, spousal maintenance, child custody, and child support. The 19th Circuit in Waukegan applies this statute along with any local court rules specific to Lake County.
Civil procedure under 735 ILCS 5/ controls how cases move through the court: how papers are filed, how the other party is served, motion practice, and how judgments are entered. Understanding both statutes helps when reading a case docket or figuring out what a specific court order requires.
Lake County and the 19th Circuit may have local rules that add requirements on top of state law. These can include mandatory financial disclosures in contested cases, required parenting class completion before custody orders are finalized, and case management timelines. Ask the clerk's office or check the 19th Circuit's local court rules for the most current requirements.
Older Waukegan Divorce Records
Cases from earlier decades may be archived rather than in the active file system. The clerk's office can still retrieve them. Older cases may take longer to locate, so call ahead before visiting if you need a case from before the 1990s.
Some archived records exist on microfilm or in physical file storage. The docket entries are usually intact even when original paper files are no longer in the active file room. Staff can advise on retrieval fees and timelines for archived case requests.
Nearby Cities
Other Illinois cities with divorce decree pages include several within the northeastern part of the state.
Lake County Court Records
All Waukegan divorce filings are part of the Lake County court system. Visit the county page for more information on the circuit court, the clerk's office, and county resources for dissolution of marriage cases.