Champaign County Divorce Decree Records
Champaign County divorce decree records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Urbana, Illinois, county seat of one of the more populous counties in the 6th Judicial Circuit. Whether you need to search a dissolution of marriage case online, get a certified copy from the clerk's office, or verify a record through the Illinois Department of Public Health, this guide covers every step of the process along with free legal resources available to Champaign County residents.
Champaign County Quick Facts
Champaign County Divorce Decree Office
Susan McGrath is the Circuit Court Clerk for Champaign County. The clerk's office at 101 East Main Street in Urbana maintains all civil and domestic court records, including dissolution of marriage decrees. This is the only office that can issue certified copies of divorce decrees filed in Champaign County. The office processes both in-person and mail requests and can answer questions about fees, case status, and what documents to bring.
| Office | Champaign County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Susan McGrath |
| Address | 101 East Main Street, Urbana, IL 61801-2736 |
| Phone | (217) 384-3725 |
| Fax | (217) 384-3879 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
The Champaign County Circuit Clerk's office has online information about services, forms, and court procedures. The county's main website at co.champaign.il.us is another resource for navigating county services.
The Champaign County website provides department information, courthouse details, and resources for residents dealing with court matters.
The Champaign County official website shown above provides details on courthouse services and the Circuit Clerk's office where divorce decree records are filed and maintained in Urbana.
Searching Champaign County Divorce Decree Cases Online
Champaign County is included in Judici.com, the free public case search platform covering 82 Illinois counties. You can look up dissolution of marriage cases by party name or case number. The search returns filing dates, case type, parties, and a list of docket events. No account is required and there is no fee for basic searches.
The re:SearchIL cross-county search tool lets you search across several Illinois counties at once. This is helpful if you are not certain a divorce was filed in Champaign County specifically. With a population over 200,000, Champaign County handles a significant volume of divorce cases, and its records go back well before online systems were available.
For older records or cases not appearing online, the clerk's office at 101 East Main Street in Urbana is the place to go. Staff can search by name and approximate year even without a case number. Call (217) 384-3725 ahead of time to confirm what information to bring.
Getting Certified Copies of Divorce Decrees in Champaign County
A certified copy of a divorce decree is the legally recognized form of the document. It carries the court seal and the clerk's signature. You need a certified copy for things like a Social Security name change, property transfers, or remarriage documentation. A plain photocopy will not be accepted for those purposes.
To get a certified copy in person, visit the clerk's office at 101 East Main Street in Urbana. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and the full names of both parties. The case number is helpful but not required if you have names and the approximate year. Fees vary by page count and certification; call (217) 384-3725 to confirm current rates before going.
Mail requests are accepted. Write a letter with both parties' full names, the approximate year of the divorce, your mailing address, and a copy of your photo ID. Include payment by check or money order payable to the Champaign County Circuit Clerk and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests typically take one to three weeks. Note: confirm the fee by phone before mailing so you include the correct amount.
IDPH Verification for Champaign County Divorces
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of divorce records from 1962 to the present. For $5, IDPH will provide a verification document confirming that a divorce occurred and listing the names and county of filing. This is not a certified court copy and cannot replace one for legal uses.
Mail requests go to IDPH, 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Phone: (217) 782-6554. Processing by mail takes four to six weeks. For Champaign County divorces before 1962, the circuit clerk's historical records are the only source.
Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act
Divorce in Illinois is governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/). Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. The only recognized ground is irreconcilable differences. Section 401(a)(2) says that if the spouses have lived apart for at least six months, that separation is conclusive proof -- no further evidence is required.
A 90-day Illinois residency requirement applies before filing. Under Section 104, the filing can go in any county where either spouse lives. Champaign County residents can file in Urbana. Court records, including divorce decrees, are public under 735 ILCS 5/. Some parts of a case file may be sealed by the court, but the decree itself is typically accessible to the public.
Illinois has a simplified dissolution process under Sections 452 and 453 for qualifying couples. The marriage must be short, there must be no children, and assets must be limited. Both spouses must agree on all issues. If you qualify, the process is faster and less costly than a standard contested divorce. The clerk's office in Urbana can tell you what forms are needed.
Divorce Forms and Free Legal Aid in Champaign County
Standardized divorce forms approved by the Illinois Supreme Court are free to download from the Illinois Courts forms page. These cover every type of dissolution filing used in Champaign County's 6th Circuit and all other Illinois courts. Available forms include the petition, summons, financial disclosure statement, and judgment of dissolution.
Illinois Legal Aid Online gives free guidance on the full divorce process. The site explains each stage in plain language, from how to file a petition to what happens at the final hearing. There is also a directory of legal aid organizations that serve Champaign County residents who need additional help or cannot afford an attorney. Champaign County, with its large university population, has a relatively active legal aid community.
Since July 1, 2018, attorneys filing in all Illinois courts must use eFileIL for electronic filing. Self-represented parties in Champaign County may also use this platform. The clerk's office at (217) 384-3725 can walk you through the process if you have questions about how e-filing works.
Cities in Champaign County
The city of Champaign, located in Champaign County, has its own page with city-specific divorce decree information for residents filing in Urbana.
Nearby Counties
Illinois lets you file for divorce in any county where either spouse lives. If Champaign County is not the right jurisdiction, check these neighboring counties in and around the 6th Circuit.