Find Divorce Decree Records in Madison County
Madison County divorce decree records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Edwardsville, the seat of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, and this page explains how to search dissolution of marriage cases online, request certified copies in person or by mail, verify records through the Illinois Department of Public Health, and access legal resources available to Madison County residents.
Madison County Quick Facts
Madison County Circuit Court Clerk
Patrick McRae serves as Circuit Court Clerk for Madison County. The clerk's office at 155 North Main Street in Edwardsville is where all divorce decrees and dissolution of marriage judgments are filed, maintained, and made available to the public. Madison County is one of the larger counties in Illinois, and the clerk's office handles a significant volume of domestic relations cases each year.
| Office | Madison County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Patrick McRae |
| Address | 155 North Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025-1955 |
| Phone | (618) 692-6240 |
| Fax | (618) 692-0676 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
The clerk's office issues certified copies of divorce decrees with the official court seal. It also handles filing of new domestic relations cases, collection of court costs, and maintenance of the county's civil case docket. You can visit in person, request copies by mail, or call to confirm what you need before making a trip.
Below is a look at the Madison County official website, which links to courthouse departments and services including the circuit clerk.
The Madison County website is the starting point for finding courthouse contacts, office hours, and links to county departments including the circuit clerk's office.
Madison County Circuit Clerk Online Services
The Madison County Circuit Clerk maintains its own online records access for civil cases including divorce. You can access case information through the Circuit Clerk's department page. The page links to available online search tools and e-filing resources specific to the county.
The image below shows the Madison County Circuit Clerk's department page, where case search and e-filing links are available.
The circuit clerk's online portal for Madison County allows parties and their attorneys to check case status, review docket entries, and access filing instructions without a trip to the courthouse.
Madison County cases also appear on Judici.com, the free statewide court search tool covering more than 80 Illinois counties. Judici lets you search by party name or case number and see filing dates and case events. It is useful for confirming a case number before contacting the clerk for a certified copy.
The re:SearchIL cross-county search is another option if you are unsure whether a divorce was filed in Madison County or a neighboring county. It searches multiple circuits at once. Neither Judici nor re:SearchIL provides certified copies -- you must go through the clerk for those.
Getting Certified Copies of a Divorce Decree
Certified copies of Madison County divorce decrees are issued only by the Circuit Court Clerk in Edwardsville. These copies bear the court seal and are required for legal matters such as remarriage, a legal name change, or updating beneficiary records. Online case search tools do not substitute for certified documents.
To request a copy, you need the full names of both parties and ideally the year the case was filed or the case number. In-person requestors must show a valid photo ID. Mail requests require a written letter with your return address, the identifying information for the case, and a check or money order for the applicable fee.
Fees in Madison County depend on the number of pages in the decree and the certification charge. Call (618) 692-6240 to confirm the current fee schedule before sending a mail request. Processing time for mail requests varies. In-person requests are generally handled the same day if the record is not in off-site storage.
E-Filing Divorce Cases in Madison County
Madison County uses mandatory electronic filing for all civil and domestic relations cases. Attorneys and self-represented litigants file through the eFileIL portal, which has been required for Illinois circuit courts since July 1, 2018. Madison County's volume of filings makes the e-filing system especially important for keeping the docket moving efficiently.
Self-represented parties who have difficulty filing electronically can contact the clerk's office to ask about public access terminals at the courthouse. Waivers of the electronic filing requirement are available in limited circumstances, including for those without internet access or a computer.
Standardized divorce forms approved by the Illinois Supreme Court are free to download from the Illinois Courts forms page. These cover everything from the initial petition to the final judgment of dissolution. Using the standard forms reduces the risk of rejection when you file.
IDPH Divorce Record Verification
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of divorces from 1962 forward. For a $5 fee, IDPH will send you a verification letter confirming that a dissolution of marriage was recorded, the county of filing, and the year. This is not a certified copy and cannot replace the court document for most legal purposes.
| Agency | Illinois Department of Public Health - Division of Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737 |
| Phone | (217) 782-6554 |
| Fee | $5 per verification |
| Records Available | 1962 to present |
| Processing Time | Approximately 4-6 weeks |
Full details are on the IDPH dissolution of marriage records page. If you need a certified court document, only the Madison County Circuit Court Clerk can provide that.
Illinois Divorce Law in Madison County
Divorces in Madison County are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/). At least one spouse must have been an Illinois resident for 90 days before filing. Cases are filed in the county where one of the spouses lives, making Madison County the correct venue for residents of Edwardsville and the surrounding communities.
Illinois recognizes only one ground for divorce: irreconcilable differences. This is a no-fault approach. If the parties have lived apart for at least six months, the court accepts that separation as an irrebuttable presumption that the marriage cannot be saved. Many Madison County cases proceed as uncontested matters when both parties agree on the terms.
Vital records related to marriage and divorce are covered by the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535/). Court procedures and access to court records fall under the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/).
Legal Resources in Madison County
Illinois Legal Aid Online offers free step-by-step guides for divorce, including how to fill out forms, how to file, and what to expect at a hearing. The site covers both contested and uncontested cases. People with low incomes may qualify for free legal representation through Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, which serves the Madison County area.
The Illinois State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (217) 525-1760. If you need a private family law attorney in Madison County, this is a good starting point. Many family law attorneys in the Edwardsville area offer initial consultations at no charge or a reduced fee.
Nearby Counties
Madison County shares borders with several counties in southwestern Illinois and across the river from the St. Louis area. Each neighboring county has its own circuit court clerk for divorce records.