Find Whiteside County Divorce Decree Records
Whiteside County divorce decree records are maintained by the 14th Judicial Circuit Court Clerk in Morrison. Cases can be searched online through Judici.com and re:SearchIL, certified copies can be requested from the clerk's office, and the IDPH statewide index provides a low-cost verification option for Illinois divorces from 1962 to the present.
Whiteside County Quick Facts
Circuit Clerk Office, Morrison
Sue Scott is the Whiteside County Circuit Court Clerk. Her office maintains the official record of all civil cases in the county, including dissolution of marriage filings and decrees from the 14th Judicial Circuit. All certified copy requests for Whiteside County divorce records must go through this office. Staff can search by party name or by case number.
| Office | Whiteside County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Sue Scott |
| Address | 200 East Knox Street, Morrison, IL 61270-2819 |
| Phone | (815) 772-5188 |
| Fax | (815) 772-5187 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Bring a valid photo ID when you visit in person. Know the names of both parties and, if possible, the approximate year the divorce was finalized. Mail requests go to 200 East Knox Street, Morrison, IL 61270-2819. Include both party names, the filing year, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment. Call (815) 772-5188 before sending to confirm the current fee.
Whiteside County Government Website
The Whiteside County government website is the official source for county department contacts, services, and local government information for residents in Morrison and across the county.
The county website is where you can find current clerk hours, office contact details, and any updates to county services that might affect your records request in Whiteside County.
The county site does not host individual case records. You still need to use Judici.com or contact the clerk's office to look up specific divorce cases. But the website is useful for verifying clerk addresses and hours, especially if you are planning a trip to the Morrison courthouse and want to confirm the office will be open. Check there for holiday closures or changes in office hours before heading out.
Online Divorce Case Search
Whiteside County is covered by Judici.com, which provides free access to court records for over 80 Illinois counties. No account or login is needed. Search by party name or case number to locate dissolution of marriage cases filed in the 14th Circuit in Morrison.
re:SearchIL is a cross-county search tool that queries multiple Illinois counties at once. This can help if you are not sure whether a divorce was filed in Whiteside County or a neighboring county like Carroll, Lee, Henry, or Rock Island. Both tools are free. They show case status and basic filing information but cannot issue certified copies. Use them to find the case number before contacting the clerk's office for official documents.
IDPH Statewide Divorce Index
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide divorce index from 1962 to the present. For $5, IDPH will search the index and send a verification letter confirming the divorce took place in Illinois. This is not a certified copy of the decree.
Mail requests to IDPH, 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include both party names and the approximate year of the divorce. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. Call (217) 782-6554 if you have questions before sending your request. For the actual court decree with all supporting orders, contact the Whiteside County Circuit Clerk in Morrison. The IDPH option is best when you only need to confirm a divorce occurred and do not need the full document.
Illinois Divorce Law and Filing in Whiteside County
All divorces filed in Whiteside County fall under 750 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Illinois uses no-fault divorce. The only ground is irreconcilable differences. There is no fault-based option.
To file in Whiteside County, at least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days. The case should be filed where one spouse currently resides, making Morrison the proper courthouse for residents of Whiteside County. A separation of six months or more creates an irrebuttable presumption that irreconcilable differences exist. That means the court accepts the marriage has broken down without needing more proof. Civil court records are public under 735 ILCS 5/, though certain portions may be sealed by court order.
Forms, Legal Aid, and eFileIL
Free standardized divorce forms approved for all Illinois courts are available on the Illinois Courts forms page. These work in the 14th Circuit. Download and print them at home, or fill them out online before printing. They cover uncontested divorce, child support, and maintenance.
For help understanding the process, Illinois Legal Aid Online offers free guides and document preparation tools. Attorneys in Whiteside County must use eFileIL to file court documents electronically, as required since July 1, 2018. Self-represented parties may also file through eFileIL, which allows you to upload documents, pay fees, and receive electronic confirmation without visiting the Morrison courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Under Illinois law, divorce must be filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. If Whiteside County is not the right venue for your situation, check the nearby county pages below.