Joliet Dissolution of Marriage Records

Joliet dissolution of marriage records are filed and kept at the Will County Circuit Clerk's office in downtown Joliet. Joliet is the Will County seat, and the main courthouse is right in the city at 100 West Jefferson Street. That makes it easy for Joliet residents to file a dissolution of marriage case or get copies of records without a long drive. The Will County Circuit Court handles all dissolution, child support, and parenting cases for the area. Records go back many decades and are accessible by name or case number.

Where to File Dissolution of Marriage in Joliet

The Will County Circuit Clerk handles all dissolution of marriage filings for Joliet. The main courthouse is at 100 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60432. The Circuit Clerk is Andrea Chasteen. The main office phone is 815/727-8592. Because Joliet is the Will County seat, the courthouse is right in the city, which makes filing and record access straightforward for Joliet residents.

Will County also has a branch clerk's office in Bolingbrook at 375 West Briarcliff Road for residents in the northern part of the county. Joliet residents typically use the main downtown courthouse since it is nearby. Both locations are part of the same Will County Circuit Clerk system and have access to the same dissolution of marriage case records.

The screenshot below is from the Will County Circuit Clerk website, which serves all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Joliet and throughout Will County.

How to Search Joliet Dissolution of Marriage Records

The Will County Circuit Clerk provides public access to case records online. The public access portal is at circuitclerkofwillcounty.com/public-access. You can search for dissolution of marriage cases in Joliet by party name or case number. The portal shows case status, hearing dates, and other basic details. Access to the online portal is free for basic searches.

For full document copies from a Joliet dissolution of marriage case, you can make an in-person request at the main courthouse on West Jefferson Street. Staff can look up cases and pull files from the clerk's records system. Certified copies of dissolution decrees are available for cases where the final order has been entered. Call 815/727-8592 before coming in to confirm hours and what you need to bring.

You can also use Judici.com to search Will County court records alongside other Illinois counties. Judici is a free service that pulls public court data. For Joliet dissolution of marriage cases, it can be a good starting point if you do not have a case number. Once you find the case, the official Will County clerk site has the most complete and current record details.

Note: Mail-in requests for Joliet dissolution records are also accepted by the Will County Circuit Clerk. Include the full names of both parties and the approximate filing year to help staff locate the file.

Joliet Dissolution of Marriage Fees

Fees for dissolution of marriage in Joliet are set by the Will County Circuit Court. The fee to file a new dissolution of marriage case in Joliet depends on whether children are involved and what claims are included. Basic dissolution filing fees in Illinois circuit courts are generally in the $200 to $400 range. The exact current fee for a Will County dissolution case can be confirmed by calling the clerk at 815/727-8592.

For copies of existing Joliet dissolution of marriage records, the Will County Circuit Clerk charges per-page and per-document fees. Certified copies of decrees cost more than plain copies. In-person copy requests are typically processed the same day. If the file is large or older, it may take more time. Always call ahead when requesting copies of older Joliet dissolution cases.

Will County offers fee waivers for Joliet residents who qualify based on income. You file an Application to Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person. The clerk's office can give you this form, or you can download it from the Illinois courts website. The judge reviews the application and decides if the fees are waived. Free and reduced-cost legal aid is also available for qualified Joliet residents through local legal services organizations.

Illinois Dissolution of Marriage Law in Joliet

All dissolution of marriage cases in Joliet follow the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5/. This is the same law that applies statewide, including all of Will County. The 90-day residency requirement under 750 ILCS 5/401 applies to Joliet filers. At least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before the dissolution case is filed.

Illinois allows dissolution of marriage on the ground of irreconcilable differences only. Under 750 ILCS 5/401, fault grounds are no longer used. If the couple has been separated for six months, the court presumes irreconcilable differences without further proof. This keeps Joliet dissolution cases simpler and avoids the need to prove bad conduct by either spouse.

Property division in a Joliet dissolution case is governed by 750 ILCS 5/503, which uses equitable distribution. This means the court divides marital property fairly based on the circumstances of each case. Child support is calculated under 750 ILCS 5/505 using an income-shares formula. Both parents' incomes determine the support amount. Joint simplified dissolution of marriage under 750 ILCS 5/452 is an option for Joliet couples with no children, short marriages, and limited property. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 requires that sensitive data like Social Security numbers be redacted from public dissolution filings in Will County courts.

Verifying a Joliet Dissolution of Marriage

The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a dissolution of marriage index for the entire state, including Will County and Joliet. IDPH records cover dissolutions from 1962 to the present. To request a search, write to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737, or call (217) 782-6554. The fee is $5 per name searched. Mail requests take 4 to 6 weeks. More information is at dph.illinois.gov.

IDPH does not issue certified copies of dissolution decrees. The IDPH record only confirms that a dissolution was finalized. For legal matters in Joliet that require a certified copy of the dissolution decree, contact the Will County Circuit Clerk at the Jefferson Street courthouse. They hold the full case file and can issue certified copies.

Legal Help for Joliet Dissolution Cases

Joliet residents have access to legal aid and self-help resources for dissolution of marriage. Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org provides free guides on how to file for dissolution of marriage in Illinois and navigate the Will County court process. The site also explains how to get copies of dissolution records at illinoislegalaid.org.

Illinois Supreme Court approved forms for dissolution of marriage are free at illinoiscourts.gov. These forms work in Will County for Joliet filers. Legal Aid Chicago serves Will County and has a Joliet-area intake line for residents who need free legal help with dissolution cases. Prairie State Legal Services also covers Will County. The Will County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service for Joliet residents who need a family law attorney. Call the bar association to ask about referral fees and intake procedures for dissolution cases.

The Will County Circuit Clerk self-help desk at the main Joliet courthouse assists filers with procedural questions. Staff can help you find the right forms and understand the filing steps for dissolution of marriage. They cannot give legal advice but can direct you to resources.

Will County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Joliet is the seat of Will County, and all dissolution of marriage records for the city are at the Will County Circuit Court. The county page covers the full fee schedule, court locations, online access, and additional resources for dissolution of marriage cases throughout Will County.

View Will County Dissolution of Marriage Records →

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