Adams County Divorce Decree Records

Adams County divorce decree records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Quincy, Illinois. Whether you need a certified copy of a dissolution of marriage judgment or want to search case history, this guide walks you through every option available to residents of the 8th Judicial Circuit, from online case lookup and in-person requests to state-level verification through the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Adams County Circuit Clerk Office

Lori Geschwandner serves as the Circuit Court Clerk for Adams County. The clerk's office is the official keeper of all civil and domestic court filings, which includes divorce decrees and dissolution of marriage judgments going back many decades. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, this is the only office that can provide one.

The clerk's office handles case filings, maintains docket records, issues certified copies, and processes mail-in document requests. Staff can tell you which case number to reference and what fees apply. Call ahead if you have questions about what to bring or how to pay.

Search Adams County Divorce Decree Cases Online

Adams County is among the 82 Illinois counties covered by Judici.com, a free public case search tool used by circuit courts across the state. You can look up a divorce case by party name or case number without creating an account. Results show case status, filing date, and court events.

Another option is re:SearchIL, which lets you search across multiple Illinois counties at once. This is useful if you are not sure which county a divorce was filed in, or if you want to confirm a case before making a trip to the courthouse. Both tools are read-only; you cannot get certified copies through them.

For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at 521 Vermont Street in Quincy during regular business hours. Staff can pull records by name, case number, or approximate year. Bring a photo ID and, if possible, any prior case information you have.

The Judici platform provides free public access to Adams County court records, including divorce case history.

The Judici case search interface shown above covers Adams County and lets you look up dissolution of marriage filings by name or case number at no cost.

Getting Certified Copies of Adams County Divorce Decrees

A certified copy of a divorce decree carries an official court seal and signature, making it valid for legal use -- for name changes, property transfers, remarriage applications, and similar purposes. Only the Adams County Circuit Court Clerk can issue certified copies for cases filed in Adams County.

To request a certified copy in person, go to the clerk's office at 521 Vermont Street in Quincy. Bring a government-issued photo ID. You will need the full names of both parties and, if you have it, the case number and approximate year of the divorce. Fees vary and are set by the county; contact the clerk at (217) 277-2100 for current rates before you go.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request with the case details, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to the Adams County Circuit Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing times for mail requests can take one to three weeks depending on workload. Note: plain uncertified copies cost less than certified ones, but may not be accepted for legal purposes.

IDPH Divorce Verification for Adams County Records

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) maintains a statewide index of divorces granted in Illinois from 1962 to the present. This index is used for verification only. IDPH does not provide certified copies -- those must come from the county clerk where the case was filed.

IDPH charges $5 per verification search. You can submit a request by mail to the Illinois Department of Public Health, 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737, phone (217) 782-6554. Mail requests typically take four to six weeks. The verification confirms that a divorce occurred and lists basic facts like names and the county where the decree was entered, but it is not a court-issued document.

Note: If the divorce happened before 1962, IDPH will not have a record of it. Contact the Adams County Circuit Clerk directly for older cases.

Illinois Divorce Law and Adams County Filings

Illinois divorce law is governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/). Under this law, the only ground for divorce in Illinois is irreconcilable differences. There is no fault-based divorce. If both parties have lived apart for at least six months, that separation is treated as conclusive proof of irreconcilable differences under Section 401(a)(2).

Before filing in Adams County, at least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days. Venue rules under Section 104 allow you to file in any county where either spouse resides, so both Adams County residents and those in neighboring counties may file here depending on circumstances.

Court records, including divorce decrees, are public records under 735 ILCS 5/. Most people can access them without special permission. Certain portions of a file may be sealed by court order, but the decree itself is generally available.

Illinois also has a simplified dissolution process under Sections 452 and 453 of the same act. Both spouses must qualify -- short marriage, no children, limited assets -- but the process is faster and cheaper. Check with the clerk's office or an attorney to see if you qualify.

Divorce Forms and Legal Help in Adams County

The Illinois Courts website offers standardized divorce forms at no cost. You can download petitions, financial disclosure forms, and judgment templates from the Illinois Courts forms page. These forms are approved for use in all Illinois circuit courts, including the 8th Circuit serving Adams County.

If you cannot afford an attorney, Illinois Legal Aid Online provides free guidance on the divorce process in plain language. The site explains what forms to file, how service works, and what to expect at hearings. It also has a directory of legal aid providers by county if you need more hands-on help.

The Adams County Courthouse in Quincy has a self-help area where you can access forms and get basic procedural guidance from court staff. Staff can show you where to file but cannot give legal advice. For advice, contact a licensed attorney or Illinois Legal Aid.

The Illinois Legal Aid divorce resource page covers every stage of the process and links to county-specific information for Adams County filers.

The Illinois Legal Aid divorce information page shown above gives step-by-step guidance for anyone navigating the dissolution process in Adams County or elsewhere in Illinois.

eFileIL and Online Filing in Adams County

Since July 1, 2018, electronic filing has been mandatory for attorneys in all Illinois circuit courts, including Adams County. Self-represented parties can also use e-filing through eFileIL. The platform accepts petitions, responses, financial disclosures, and other case documents.

E-filing does not replace in-person visits for certified copy requests or for cases where original documents are required. But it speeds up the filing process and creates a clear electronic record. If you are unsure whether to file electronically or in person, the clerk's office at (217) 277-2100 can advise you.

Nearby Counties

Divorce cases must be filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. If you are unsure whether Adams County is the right place to file, check the county pages below for neighboring jurisdictions.