LaSalle County Divorce Decree Records

LaSalle County divorce decree records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Ottawa, Illinois, the county seat for this 13th Judicial Circuit county in north-central Illinois with over 109,000 residents. This page explains how to search for a dissolution of marriage case, request a certified copy from the clerk, or run a statewide verification through the Illinois Department of Public Health.

LaSalle County Circuit Clerk Office

Greg Vaccaro serves as the Circuit Court Clerk for LaSalle County. The clerk's office holds all civil and domestic court records filed in this county, including divorce decrees and dissolution of marriage judgments. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree for any case that was filed in LaSalle County, this office in Ottawa is the only place authorized to issue one.

Call the office before visiting to confirm the current fee schedule and wait times. Staff can search records by party name or case number. Have the names of both spouses and the approximate year of the divorce on hand. If the record is old, ask whether it has been transferred to storage and how long retrieval might take.

Search LaSalle County Divorce Cases Online

LaSalle County is part of the Judici network, meaning you can search cases for free at Judici.com. No account is required. Search by the name of either party or by case number to see the case type, filing date, and a log of court events. This includes the date a final dissolution judgment was entered, which is often the most important fact searchers need.

For searches across several counties at once, try re:SearchIL. LaSalle County is surrounded by Bureau, Grundy, Kendall, Livingston, Lee, and Marshall Counties, so a multi-county search can confirm where a case was actually filed. Both Judici and re:SearchIL are view-only. You cannot file anything or get certified copies through them.

For older records not yet in online systems, visit the clerk's office at 119 W. Madison Street in Ottawa in person. Bring a photo ID.

The LaSalle County website provides contact information and links to clerk services for residents seeking divorce decree records in the 13th Judicial Circuit.

Getting Certified Copies of LaSalle County Divorce Decrees

A certified copy of a divorce decree carries the court's official seal. It is required for name changes on government-issued IDs, property deed changes, some insurance policy updates, and remarriage procedures in certain states. Only the LaSalle County Circuit Court Clerk can issue certified copies for cases filed here.

To get a copy in person, go to Room 201 at 119 W. Madison Street in Ottawa. Bring a government-issued photo ID and the names of both spouses. The case number helps but is not always required. Call (815) 434-8671 before your visit to ask about the current fee. Certified copies cost more than plain copies, so ask for the right type when you request.

Mail requests also work. Write a letter with the case details, include a copy of your ID, and send payment by check or money order payable to the LaSalle County Circuit Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing by mail typically takes one to three weeks. Older records may take longer if they need to be retrieved from offsite storage.

IDPH Statewide Divorce Verification

The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide divorce index that includes LaSalle County cases from 1962 forward. IDPH verification is not a certified copy. It confirms that a divorce took place and shows the parties' names and the county where the decree was entered, but it has no court seal.

The fee is $5 per verification. Send your request by mail to IDPH, 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737, or call (217) 782-6554 for guidance. Processing takes four to six weeks. For divorces before 1962, IDPH has no records. Contact the LaSalle County clerk directly for those older cases.

Illinois Divorce Law and LaSalle County Filings

All divorces in Illinois, including those filed in LaSalle County, are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5/. The only ground for divorce is irreconcilable differences. There are no fault grounds. A six-month separation is conclusive proof of irreconcilable differences under Section 401(a)(2), which simplifies the process for many couples.

At least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing. Section 104's venue rules allow filing in any county where either spouse resides. LaSalle County spans a large geographic area, so residents in communities like Ottawa, Streator, La Salle, and Peru all file in the same courthouse. Confirm your address falls within LaSalle County before filing.

Divorce decrees are public records under 735 ILCS 5/. Most people can view or obtain copies without giving a specific reason.

Divorce Forms and Legal Help in LaSalle County

Free divorce forms approved for use in all Illinois circuit courts are available at the Illinois Courts forms page. Download petition forms, financial disclosures, parenting plans, and proposed judgment templates. These forms are valid for the 13th Circuit serving LaSalle County.

For free legal guidance, Illinois Legal Aid Online provides plain-language explanations of the entire Illinois divorce process, including what forms to use, how service works, and what to expect at hearings. The site lists legal aid providers by county and may connect you with resources in the Ottawa area or the broader north-central Illinois region.

Illinois Legal Aid covers the full dissolution process and links to resources relevant to LaSalle County residents in the 13th Judicial Circuit.

eFileIL Electronic Filing in LaSalle County

Electronic filing has been mandatory for Illinois attorneys in all circuit courts since July 1, 2018. Self-represented parties in LaSalle County can also use eFileIL to submit petitions and documents online. This is practical for filers who live far from the Ottawa courthouse or who want to avoid in-person visits for routine case submissions.

E-filing does not let you get certified copies. For those, contact the clerk directly at (815) 434-8671 or visit the office at 119 W. Madison Street in Ottawa. Staff can advise you on whether a particular document must be filed in person or can be submitted electronically.

Nearby Counties

Illinois law requires that you file your divorce in the county where at least one spouse lives. If LaSalle County is not the right venue for your case, check the neighboring county pages below.