Find Divorce Decree Records in Marshall County

Marshall County divorce decree records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Lacon, the county seat and home of the 10th Judicial Circuit. This page explains how to search dissolution of marriage cases online, request certified copies from the clerk, verify records through the Illinois Department of Public Health, and find legal help available to Marshall County residents.

Marshall County Circuit Court Clerk

Gina M. Noe serves as Circuit Court Clerk for Marshall County. The clerk's office in Lacon is the official holder of all civil and domestic court records, including every divorce decree and dissolution of marriage judgment entered in the county. This office is where certified copies are issued and where new domestic cases are filed.

Call ahead before visiting. Staff can confirm whether a case is in the system and what identifying information you need to bring or include in a mail request. For physical visits, use the 122 N. Prairie address. For mail, use the P.O. Box.

Below is the Marshall County official website, a useful resource for locating courthouse contacts and county office information.

The Marshall County website provides contact details for county offices in Lacon, including the circuit clerk's office where divorce records are maintained.

Searching Marshall County Divorce Records Online

Marshall County cases appear on Judici.com, the free Illinois court search tool covering 82 counties. You search by party name or case number. Results show the filing date, case type, and a list of court events. This is a good first step when you need to confirm a case number before requesting a copy from the clerk.

The re:SearchIL tool runs searches across multiple Illinois circuits at once. If you are unsure whether a case was filed in Marshall County or in neighboring Bureau, LaSalle, or Woodford County, re:SearchIL can help narrow it down. Neither tool gives you a certified copy. Both are reference tools only.

For older records, especially those before online databases were maintained, a mail or in-person request to the Lacon clerk is the right path. Staff can search the physical index for older cases. Give them as much detail as you can: full party names, approximate year, and any case number you have found.

Getting Certified Copies of a Divorce Decree

Only the Marshall County Circuit Court Clerk can issue certified copies of divorce decrees. Certified copies carry the court seal and the clerk's certification. They are the legally recognized form of a divorce record for purposes like a name change or proof of marital status.

In person, bring a valid photo ID and as much case information as possible. By mail, include a written request with the names of both parties, the year the case was filed, and any case number you have. Enclose a check or money order for the fee. Call (309) 246-6435 to confirm the current fee per page before mailing your request.

Processing time for mail requests depends on volume. In-person requests are typically handled the same day if the file is not in storage. Older records may need to be retrieved, which can add time to either type of request. Ask when you call if you are requesting a record that is more than 10 or 15 years old.

IDPH Divorce Verification Service

The Illinois Department of Public Health runs a statewide index of divorce and dissolution of marriage records from 1962 to the present. For $5, IDPH will send a verification letter confirming a dissolution occurred, identifying the county and year of filing. This is not a certified copy and does not replace the court document.

Full instructions are on the IDPH dissolution of marriage records page. Use this service when you just need basic confirmation of a dissolution. For certified copies, go to the Marshall County Circuit Court Clerk in Lacon.

Illinois Divorce Law and Marshall County

All divorces in Marshall County are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/). At least one spouse must be an Illinois resident for 90 days before filing. The case is filed in the county where one of the spouses resides. Marshall County residents file at the courthouse in Lacon.

Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. Irreconcilable differences is the only recognized ground. The law creates an irrebuttable presumption that the marriage is over if the parties have lived apart for at least six months. This means the court doesn't require fault to be proved. It simplifies the process for most couples.

Vital records are covered by the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535/). Court record access and procedure are in the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/).

Filing and Legal Help in Marshall County

New divorce cases in Marshall County are filed through the statewide eFileIL portal. Electronic filing has been mandatory since July 1, 2018. Self-represented parties who need access to a computer to file can ask the clerk's office about available resources at the Lacon courthouse.

Free standardized divorce forms are on the Illinois Courts forms page. These are court-approved forms that work in every Illinois county, including Marshall. They cover the petition, summons, financial disclosure, and the final judgment of dissolution.

Illinois Legal Aid Online offers free guides and step-by-step instructions for people handling their own divorce cases. Low-income residents of Marshall County may qualify for free legal services through Prairie State Legal Services or a similar organization serving the 10th Judicial Circuit area.

Nearby Counties

Marshall County borders several counties in central Illinois. Divorce records for each nearby county are held by that county's circuit court clerk.