Union County Divorce Decree Search
Divorce decree records in Union County are filed with the 1st Judicial Circuit Court Clerk in Jonesboro. You can search cases online using Judici.com or re:SearchIL, request certified copies from the clerk's office, or use the IDPH statewide index to verify that a divorce took place in Illinois.
Union County Quick Facts
Circuit Clerk Office, Jonesboro
Keri Clark is the Union County Circuit Court Clerk. Her office files and stores all court records in the county, including petitions, orders, and final decrees for dissolution of marriage cases heard in the 1st Judicial Circuit. If you need official documents from a Union County divorce case, contact her office directly.
| Office | Union County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Keri Clark |
| Address | 309 West Market Street, Rm 101, Jonesboro, IL 62952 |
| Phone | (618) 833-5913 |
| Fax | (618) 833-5223 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
When you visit in person, bring a photo ID and know the names of the parties involved. Staff can search by name or case number. For mail requests, write to 309 West Market Street, Rm 101, Jonesboro, IL 62952. Include both party names, the approximate year of the divorce, and a check or money order for the fee. Call (618) 833-5913 to confirm current copy fees before sending anything.
Online Records Search Options
Union County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit, and its cases are available through Judici.com. No account is needed. You can search by party name or case number and see basic case information like filing dates, case type, and case number.
If you are not certain which county the divorce was filed in, try re:SearchIL. It searches multiple Illinois counties at once and can help you locate a case even if you are not sure of the exact venue. Neither tool gives you a certified copy. They are best used to confirm a case exists and to get the case number before contacting the clerk's office.
IDPH Divorce Verification
For a quick, low-cost confirmation that a divorce occurred in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health offers a statewide divorce index search for $5.
IDPH maintains records of all Illinois divorces from 1962 onward, including those filed in Union County, making it a reliable way to confirm whether a dissolution of marriage was recorded with the state.
To request a search, mail your request to Illinois Department of Public Health, 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. Call (217) 782-6554 if you have questions. Note that IDPH sends a verification letter, not a certified copy of the actual decree. If you need the decree itself, you have to contact the Union County Circuit Clerk.
Certified Copies: What to Expect
Certified copies carry the court seal and the clerk's signature. They are the only form of a decree that most agencies will accept. Plain copies, even if they look identical, do not count.
In-person requests at the Jonesboro courthouse are generally processed same-day. Mail requests take longer, sometimes a week or more depending on office volume. Include your return address and a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the documents mailed back to you. Fees vary by page count. Call the office at (618) 833-5913 to get the current rate before sending a check.
Illinois Law and the Divorce Process
All Illinois divorces fall under 750 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Illinois is a no-fault state. The only legal ground for divorce is irreconcilable differences. You do not need to prove wrongdoing by either spouse.
Before filing, at least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days. Divorce cases must be filed in the county where at least one spouse currently resides, which means Union County is the proper venue if you or your spouse lives here. If both spouses have lived apart for at least six months, the law presumes irreconcilable differences exist without needing further proof. The court records themselves are governed by 735 ILCS 5/, which generally makes civil court records public once a case is closed.
Forms and Legal Aid
Standardized divorce forms are free to download from the Illinois Courts forms page. These forms work in all Illinois circuit courts, including the 1st Circuit covering Union County. They cover basic uncontested divorce cases, child support, and maintenance.
Illinois Legal Aid Online offers free guidance on navigating a divorce without an attorney. The site has articles, guided interview tools, and referral services. It is a good resource if you are unsure about the process or need help filling out forms correctly. Union County does not have a large local legal aid office, so this online resource is especially valuable for residents here.
Electronic Filing
Attorneys practicing in Union County must file through eFileIL, the state's electronic filing system. That mandate took effect July 1, 2018. If you are representing yourself, you can also use eFileIL to submit your divorce documents online.
Sign up for a free account at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. You can upload documents, pay filing fees online with a credit card, and get electronic confirmation once the clerk accepts your submission. This is useful if you live far from Jonesboro or if office hours do not work with your schedule.
Nearby Counties
Under Illinois law, divorce must be filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. If Union County is not the right venue for your situation, check the nearby county pages below.