Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in Aurora
Aurora dissolution of marriage records are kept at the county circuit court where the case was filed. Aurora is unique in Illinois because it spans both DuPage County and Kane County. Residents in the DuPage portion file at the DuPage County Circuit Clerk in Wheaton. Residents in the Kane portion file at the Kane County Circuit Clerk in St. Charles. To look up a dissolution of marriage case from Aurora, you need to know which county the filing was made in.
Aurora Quick Facts
Where to File Dissolution of Marriage in Aurora
Aurora is Illinois' second-largest city, and its city limits cross two county lines. This creates a key step that Aurora residents must handle first: figure out which county your address falls in before you file for dissolution of marriage. The circuit clerk for the county where the case was filed is the one who holds the records. You cannot find dissolution of marriage records in Aurora by looking in just one county if you are not sure where the filing was made.
The screenshot below is from the DuPage County Circuit Clerk website, which serves the larger DuPage portion of Aurora. Most Aurora residents file their dissolution of marriage cases here.
| DuPage Circuit Clerk | Candice Adams |
|---|---|
| DuPage Address | 505 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187 |
| DuPage Phone | 630/407-8700 |
| DuPage Website | dupagecircuitclerk.gov |
| Kane Circuit Clerk | Matthew Prochaska |
| Kane Address | 540 S. Randall Rd., St. Charles, IL 60174 |
| Kane Phone | 630/232-3413 |
| Kane Portal | kanecoportal.co.kane.il.us |
If you are not sure which county your Aurora address is in, check a county boundary map or call both clerk offices. The clerks can often tell you over the phone which county handles your address. Both courts follow Illinois state law for dissolution of marriage, so the process is the same regardless of which one you file with.
Searching Aurora Dissolution of Marriage Records
Both DuPage County and Kane County offer online access to dissolution of marriage case records. DuPage County's Circuit Clerk website at dupagecircuitclerk.gov has a public case search tool. You can look up cases by name or case number at no cost for basic information. Kane County's online portal is at kanecoportal.co.kane.il.us and provides similar access for Kane County dissolution cases filed in Aurora.
You can also use Judici.com to search Illinois court records across multiple counties at once. Judici covers many Illinois counties and lets you search by name without knowing which county first. This is helpful if you are looking for an Aurora dissolution of marriage case and are not sure whether it was filed in DuPage or Kane. Judici is a free tool that pulls from public court data.
For copies of dissolution of marriage documents from an Aurora case, contact the clerk for the county where the case was filed. In-person visits are the fastest way to get certified copies. Both DuPage and Kane county clerks can provide certified copies of decrees and other case documents. Call ahead to ask about current fees and what ID you need to bring.
Note: The City of Aurora does not keep dissolution of marriage records. Contact the circuit clerk for DuPage or Kane County to get Aurora dissolution records.
Aurora Dissolution of Marriage Fees
Because Aurora spans two counties, fees can vary slightly between DuPage and Kane. Each county sets its own fee schedule for filing and copy requests. In both counties, you pay a filing fee to start a dissolution of marriage case. You also pay copy fees if you want documents from an existing case file. The fees below are general guides. Call the clerk office before you go to confirm current rates.
DuPage County circuit court fees for dissolution of marriage cases typically run in line with state standards. Certified copies of court documents generally cost $5 to $10 per document plus copy fees. Plain copies are cheaper. Kane County uses a similar fee structure. Both counties offer fee waivers for people who cannot afford to pay. You file an Application to Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person and show proof of income. The judge decides whether you qualify for a waiver.
Illinois Supreme Court standardized dissolution of marriage forms are free to download at illinoiscourts.gov. These forms work in both DuPage and Kane counties for Aurora filers. Using the correct forms helps avoid delays and extra fees from having to refile papers.
Illinois Law and Aurora Dissolution Cases
All dissolution of marriage cases in Aurora follow the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5/. The law is the same whether you file in DuPage or Kane County. The 90-day residency rule under 750 ILCS 5/401 applies. At least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing for dissolution of marriage in Aurora.
Illinois uses irreconcilable differences as the only ground for dissolution of marriage under 750 ILCS 5/401. You do not need to prove fault. If the spouses have been separated for six months, the court treats irreconcilable differences as established. Property is split under 750 ILCS 5/503 using equitable distribution. Child support uses an income-shares model under 750 ILCS 5/505. Joint simplified dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452 is available for eligible Aurora couples with short marriages and no children.
Court documents in Aurora dissolution of marriage cases may contain sensitive personal data. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 requires that certain information like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers be redacted from public filings. Clerks in both DuPage and Kane counties follow this rule. If you are reviewing an Aurora dissolution file, know that some details may be blocked out per Rule 138.
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140/ also applies if you request records from a county office. Most dissolution of marriage case records are public, but some portions may be sealed by court order. Ask the clerk if any part of the file you need is restricted before making your request.
Dissolution of Marriage Verification for Aurora
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of dissolution of marriage records going back to 1962. This index covers cases from both DuPage and Kane counties, so it can be useful for Aurora residents who are not sure where a dissolution was filed. IDPH does not issue certified copies of the actual decree. They provide verification that a dissolution occurred.
IDPH is at 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Phone: (217) 782-6554. The search fee is $5 per name. Mail requests take 4 to 6 weeks. More information is at dph.illinois.gov. For a certified copy of the court decree, contact the DuPage or Kane County Circuit Clerk directly, depending on where the Aurora case was filed.
Legal Resources for Aurora Residents
Aurora residents have access to legal aid and self-help resources for dissolution of marriage cases. Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org has plain-language guides on how to file for dissolution in Illinois and what to expect at each step. The site also explains how to get copies of court records at illinoislegalaid.org.
For free legal help, Prairie State Legal Services serves DuPage County and parts of Kane County, including Aurora. Their intake line connects Aurora residents with attorneys who handle family law cases including dissolution of marriage. The DuPage County Bar Association and Kane County Bar Association both have lawyer referral services if you need to find a family law attorney in Aurora. Both referral lines offer a reduced-fee first meeting. Court self-help centers at the DuPage and Kane courthouses also help filers with procedural questions on dissolution of marriage cases.
DuPage County Dissolution of Marriage Records
The majority of Aurora residents live in the DuPage County portion of the city. DuPage County Circuit Court handles dissolution of marriage filings for that area. Visit the DuPage County page for full details on the court system, fees, online access, and resources for dissolution cases.