Find Divorce Decrees in Kendall County
Kendall County divorce decree records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Yorkville, Illinois, the county seat of this fast-growing 16th Judicial Circuit county southwest of Chicago. This page covers how to find a dissolution of marriage case online, how to request a certified copy from the clerk, and how to use the state's verification service for Kendall County records.
Kendall County Quick Facts
Kendall County Circuit Clerk Office
Matthew Prochaska serves as the Circuit Court Clerk for Kendall County. The clerk's office keeps all civil and domestic court filings, including divorce decrees and dissolution of marriage judgments going back many years. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree filed in Kendall County, this is the only office authorized to issue one.
| Office | Kendall County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Matthew Prochaska |
| Address | 807 West John Street, Yorkville, IL 60560-0259 |
| Phone | (630) 553-4183 |
| Fax | (630) 553-4964 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Kendall County has grown significantly in recent years, so the clerk's office can be busy. Call ahead to confirm current fees and wait times. Have the names of both spouses and the year the divorce was finalized ready when you call or visit.
Search Kendall County Divorce Cases Online
Kendall County is part of the Judici network, which offers free public case searches at Judici.com. No sign-up is required. Enter the name of either party or a case number to see filing dates, case type, and a record of court activity. You can confirm whether a divorce was finalized in Kendall County and find out when the judgment was entered.
If you are not certain which county handled a divorce filing, re:SearchIL lets you search across multiple Illinois counties simultaneously. This is helpful when a case could be in Kendall, Kane, DuPage, Will, Grundy, or LaSalle County. Both tools are view-only. They do not allow you to get certified documents or submit filings.
For cases not yet indexed online, visit the clerk's office in Yorkville in person. Bring a photo ID and any case details you have.
Judici provides free public access to Kendall County court records, including dissolution of marriage cases in the 16th Judicial Circuit.
Getting Certified Copies in Kendall County
Certified copies of divorce decrees carry an official court seal. They are accepted for legal purposes that plain copies are not -- name changes, property transfers, and similar needs. The Kendall County Circuit Court Clerk is the only source for certified copies of cases filed here.
In-person requests are the fastest route. Go to the clerk's office at 807 West John Street in Yorkville with a government-issued photo ID. You will need the names of both parties and, if you have it, the case number. Call (630) 553-4183 before you go to confirm the current fee. Fees change periodically and vary between certified and plain copies.
Mail requests are accepted. Write out the case details, enclose a copy of your ID, and send a check or money order payable to the Kendall County Circuit Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests process in one to three weeks. If you need the copy urgently, in-person is the better option.
IDPH Divorce Verification for Kendall County
The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps a statewide divorce index covering all Illinois counties, including Kendall, from 1962 to the present. IDPH verification is not a certified copy -- it confirms that a divorce occurred and provides basic details like names and county of filing.
The fee is $5 per search. Mail your request to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737, or call (217) 782-6554. Processing takes four to six weeks. For divorces before 1962, contact the Kendall County clerk directly since IDPH has no records from that period.
Illinois Divorce Law and Kendall County Cases
The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5/, governs all divorces in the state including those filed in Kendall County. The only ground is irreconcilable differences. No fault is required. Under Section 401(a)(2), if spouses have lived apart for six months, that separation counts as conclusive proof of irreconcilable differences. Many couples in Kendall County take advantage of this provision.
At least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing. Venue rules in Section 104 allow filing in any county where either spouse lives. Kendall County's location in the outer Chicago suburbs means some residents may also have a venue option in Kane, DuPage, or Will County. Choose the county that works best logistically for you and your case.
Court records, including divorce decrees, are public under 735 ILCS 5/, so most people can view them without special justification.
Divorce Forms and Legal Help in Kendall County
Free, court-approved divorce forms are available at the Illinois Courts forms page. These forms work in all Illinois circuits, including the 16th Circuit serving Kendall County. Download petition forms, financial disclosures, parenting plans, and judgment templates from the site.
For free legal guidance, Illinois Legal Aid Online covers every stage of the Illinois divorce process in plain language. The site also provides a directory of legal aid organizations by county. Kendall County residents may have access to organizations serving the broader Chicago metro area. The clerk's office in Yorkville can point you to self-help resources and forms, though staff cannot give legal advice.
Illinois Legal Aid Online provides free divorce guidance that applies to Kendall County filers in the 16th Judicial Circuit.
eFileIL and Electronic Filing in Kendall County
Attorneys in all Illinois courts have been required to use electronic filing since July 1, 2018. Kendall County is part of the eFileIL system, and self-represented parties can also use it to submit petitions and other documents online. This can save a trip to Yorkville for routine case filings.
E-filing does not replace in-person visits for certified copy requests. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, contact the clerk's office at (630) 553-4183 or visit in person. Questions about which approach to use can also be directed to the clerk's staff.
Cities in Kendall County
Joliet is one of the largest cities in the greater Chicago area and partially spans into Kendall County. Confirm your specific address falls in the Kendall County portion before filing a divorce case here.
Nearby Counties
Illinois law requires that you file in the county where at least one spouse lives. If Kendall County is not the right venue, check the nearby county pages below.