Lawrence County Divorce Decree Records

Lawrence County divorce decree records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Lawrenceville, Illinois, the county seat of this small 2nd Judicial Circuit county along the Wabash River on the Illinois-Indiana border. This page covers how to search for a dissolution of marriage case, request a certified copy, or verify a divorce through the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Lawrence County Circuit Clerk Office

Cheryl Winkles serves as the Circuit Court Clerk for Lawrence County. The clerk's office is the official custodian of all civil and domestic court records in this county, including divorce decrees and dissolution of marriage judgments. Certified copies of divorce decrees can only be issued by this office for cases filed in Lawrence County.

Lawrence County is small and rural. Office hours and staffing can vary, so call ahead before making a trip. Have the names of both spouses and the year of the divorce ready. Staff can search records by name or case number and tell you the current fee for certified copies.

How to Search Lawrence County Divorce Records

Lawrence County is part of the Judici network. Free case searches are available at Judici.com without requiring an account. Enter either party's name or the case number to view the case type, filing date, and a log of court events. You can confirm whether a dissolution judgment was entered in Lawrence County and when that happened.

If you are unsure which county holds a record, try re:SearchIL. This covers multiple Illinois counties at once, which is useful when a case could be in Lawrence, Crawford, Wabash, or Richland County. Both platforms are view-only. They do not let you file documents or get certified copies.

For records not yet indexed online, or for very old cases, visit the clerk in person at 1100 State Street in Lawrenceville. Bring a photo ID and any case information you have.

The Lawrence County website provides contact information and links to clerk services for residents seeking divorce records in the 2nd Judicial Circuit.

Getting Certified Copies in Lawrence County

Certified copies of divorce decrees carry an official court seal. They are required for many legal purposes -- name changes, property transfers, Social Security updates, and out-of-state remarriage procedures. The Lawrence County Circuit Court Clerk is the only source for certified copies of cases filed here.

In-person requests are processed at 1100 State Street in Lawrenceville. Bring a government-issued photo ID and the names of both parties. Call (618) 943-2815 before your visit to confirm the current fee. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. If you are not sure which type you need, explain your purpose to the clerk's staff and they can help you choose.

Mail requests are also accepted. Write out the case details, enclose a copy of your ID, and send a check or money order payable to the Lawrence County Circuit Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests typically process in one to three weeks. Rural courts with smaller staffs may take a bit longer during busy periods.

IDPH Statewide Divorce Verification

The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps a statewide divorce index that includes Lawrence County cases from 1962 to the present. IDPH verification confirms basic facts -- the parties' names, the county where the divorce was filed, and when it was granted. This is not a certified court document.

The verification fee is $5. Mail your request to IDPH, 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737, or call (217) 782-6554. Processing takes four to six weeks. For divorces before 1962, the state index has no records. Contact the Lawrence County Circuit Clerk directly for those.

Illinois Divorce Law and Lawrence County Cases

The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5/, governs all Illinois divorces including those in Lawrence County. The only ground for divorce is irreconcilable differences. Under Section 401(a)(2), living apart for six months is conclusive proof of irreconcilable differences, making the legal standard straightforward for most couples.

At least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing. Lawrence County borders Indiana, so spouses who live near the state line should confirm they meet Illinois residency requirements. Venue rules under Section 104 allow filing in any county where either spouse resides. If one spouse lives in Lawrence County and the other is in Crawford, Wabash, or Richland County, Lawrence County is still a valid venue.

Court records including divorce decrees are public under 735 ILCS 5/. Most people can access them without a specific legal reason.

Divorce Forms and Legal Help in Lawrence County

Free, court-approved divorce forms are available for download at the Illinois Courts forms page. The forms are approved for all Illinois circuit courts, including the 2nd Circuit serving Lawrence County. Download petition forms, financial disclosures, parenting plans, and judgment templates at no cost.

For free legal guidance, Illinois Legal Aid Online has plain-language explanations of every step in the Illinois divorce process. It also lists legal aid providers by county. Rural legal aid can be harder to find in smaller counties like Lawrence, but the statewide hotline can help connect you with available resources in southeastern Illinois.

Illinois Legal Aid covers the full divorce process under Illinois law and links to resources for Lawrence County residents in the 2nd Judicial Circuit.

eFileIL and Electronic Filing in Lawrence County

Electronic filing is mandatory for Illinois attorneys in all circuit courts since July 1, 2018. Self-represented parties in Lawrence County can also use eFileIL to submit petitions and documents online. This is helpful for filers who live far from the Lawrenceville courthouse.

E-filing is for document submissions only. Certified copies of divorce decrees still require contact with the clerk's office. Call (618) 943-2815 if you have questions about what can be handled electronically versus in person for Lawrence County cases.

Nearby Counties

Under Illinois law, divorce must be filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. If Lawrence County is not the right venue for your case, check these neighboring county pages.