McLean County Divorce Decree Records
McLean County divorce decree records are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk at the Law and Justice Center in Bloomington, the county seat and home of the 11th Judicial Circuit. This page explains how to search dissolution of marriage cases using the county's online records system, request certified copies from the clerk, verify records through the Illinois Department of Public Health, and find legal help available to McLean County residents.
McLean County Quick Facts
McLean County Circuit Court Clerk
Donald R. Everhart, Jr. is the Circuit Court Clerk for McLean County. The clerk's office is located at 104 West Front Street, Room 404, in Bloomington, inside the McLean County Law and Justice Center. This office maintains all civil and domestic court records for the county, including every divorce decree and dissolution of marriage judgment. It is the only place that can issue certified copies of those records.
| Office | McLean County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Donald R. Everhart, Jr. |
| Address | 104 West Front Street, Room 404, Bloomington, IL 61701-5005 |
| Phone | (309) 888-5301 |
| Fax | (309) 888-5281 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
The McLean County Law and Justice Center is in downtown Bloomington. Call the office before visiting to confirm what you need and whether the record you want is available in person or in storage. For older files, calling ahead saves time. Staff can also confirm the current fee schedule for certified copies.
The McLean County website has general courthouse information and links to county departments including the circuit clerk.
McLean County Online Court Records Search
McLean County offers its own online court records search at mcleancountyil.gov. The system contains data going back to 1991. You can search by name or case number. Civil cases that are currently open are available from 2008 forward. Closed civil cases from the last 10 years are also included in the online search. For older closed cases, you will need to contact the clerk directly.
This county-run tool is specific to McLean County and is updated more frequently than third-party search sites. It is the most reliable starting point for any McLean County divorce record search.
Below is a view of the McLean County Circuit Clerk's online court records search portal, which includes divorce and dissolution of marriage cases from 1991 to present.
The McLean County court records search is free and accessible to the public without an account. It covers civil, domestic relations, and other case types in the 11th Judicial Circuit.
Statewide Online Search Tools
McLean County cases also appear on Judici.com, the free statewide court search covering more than 80 Illinois counties. Judici lets you search by name or case number across the state. It is a backup option if the county's own system is unavailable or if you need to check whether a case was filed in a neighboring county.
The re:SearchIL cross-county portal is another free tool. If you are not certain whether a dissolution was filed in McLean County or in Logan, De Witt, Champaign, or another nearby county, re:SearchIL lets you run a single search across multiple circuits. Neither Judici nor re:SearchIL provides certified copies of court records.
Getting Certified Copies of a Divorce Decree
Certified copies of McLean County divorce decrees come only from the Circuit Court Clerk at the Law and Justice Center in Bloomington. The copies have the court seal and the clerk's certification. They are required for legal purposes like a name change, proof of prior marriage ending, or updates to beneficiary designations.
In person, bring a valid photo ID and any information about the case: names of both parties, the year filed, and the case number. For mail requests, write a letter with the same details and include a check or money order for the fee. Call (309) 888-5301 to confirm the current per-page fee before mailing. Processing time for mail requests varies. In-person requests are generally faster.
McLean County's online case search can help you find the case number before you visit or mail your request. If the record is in the online system, you'll already know the case number and filing year, which speeds up the clerk's process considerably.
IDPH Divorce Verification
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of divorces from 1962 to the present. For $5, IDPH mails a verification letter confirming a dissolution occurred, identifying the county and year of filing. This is not a certified copy and is not accepted for most legal purposes that require the court document.
| 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 |
Visit the IDPH dissolution of marriage records page for full instructions. For a certified copy with the court seal, contact the McLean County Circuit Court Clerk in Bloomington.
Illinois Divorce Law in McLean County
McLean County divorce cases follow the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/). At least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing. The case is filed in the county where one of the spouses lives. Bloomington-area residents file in McLean County.
Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. Irreconcilable differences is the only ground recognized by the courts. If both parties have lived apart for at least six months, the court treats that separation as an irrebuttable presumption that the marriage cannot be saved. This applies in McLean County as it does everywhere in Illinois.
Vital records law is in the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535/). Court access and procedural rules are in the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/).
E-Filing and Legal Help in McLean County
McLean County uses the statewide eFileIL portal for electronic filing of civil and domestic cases. This requirement has been in place since July 1, 2018. Attorneys and self-represented parties submit filings through registered e-filing service providers. The clerk's office at the Law and Justice Center can advise on access to filing resources if needed.
Free standardized Illinois divorce forms are on the Illinois Courts forms page. These court-approved forms work in all Illinois circuits. They cover every document needed for a dissolution case from the petition to the final judgment.
Illinois Legal Aid Online provides free guides, forms, and self-help resources for people handling their own divorces. Low-income McLean County residents may qualify for free legal services through Prairie State Legal Services or Central Illinois Legal Services. The Illinois State Bar referral service at (217) 525-1760 can connect you with a private family law attorney in the Bloomington area.
Cities in McLean County
Bloomington and Normal are the two qualifying cities in McLean County. Divorce filings for the entire county are handled through the Circuit Court Clerk in Bloomington.
Nearby Counties
McLean County is surrounded by several counties in central Illinois. Each maintains its own divorce records through its circuit court clerk.