Peoria County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Peoria dissolution of marriage records are kept at the Peoria County Circuit Clerk's office in downtown Peoria. Peoria County handles all dissolution of marriage filings for Peoria residents. The courthouse is at 324 Main Street, and the Circuit Clerk office is in Room G-22. Peoria is the Peoria County seat, so the court is right in the city. You can search dissolution of marriage records by name or case number, in person or using available online tools. The clerk's office handles new filings, copy requests, and record lookups.
Peoria Quick Facts
Where to File Dissolution of Marriage in Peoria
All dissolution of marriage cases for Peoria residents go through the Peoria County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk is Robert Spears. The office is at Room G-22, 324 Main Street, Peoria, IL 61602. The main phone number is 309/672-6989. The courthouse is in the heart of downtown Peoria, making it easy to reach for most residents. Parking is available in nearby public lots and garages.
| Court | Peoria County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Circuit Clerk | Robert Spears |
| Address | 324 Main Street, Room G-22 Peoria, IL 61602 |
| Phone | 309/672-6989 |
| Website | peoriacounty.gov/149/Circuit-Clerk |
The Peoria County Courthouse at 324 Main Street is open Monday through Friday. Call ahead to check current hours and confirm what you need to bring for your specific request. When you visit for dissolution of marriage records in Peoria, bring a valid photo ID and any case information you have on hand. Staff can search by name if you do not have a case number.
The screenshot below is from the Peoria County Circuit Clerk website, which is the official source for all dissolution of marriage records filed in Peoria.
How to Search Peoria Dissolution of Marriage Records
The Peoria County Circuit Clerk at peoriacounty.gov is the main source for dissolution of marriage records in Peoria. You can search online for basic case information or visit in person at Room G-22 for more detail. In-person visits allow you to view the full case file and request certified copies. The clerk can search by the name of either party or by case number.
You can also use Judici.com to search Peoria County dissolution of marriage cases online. Judici provides public court data for many Illinois counties including Peoria County. It is free to use and lets you search by name without knowing the case number in advance. Once you find the case on Judici, contact the Peoria County Circuit Clerk for certified copies or additional case detail.
For dissolution of marriage cases filed before online records were available, older files may be stored in archives. Call 309/672-6989 to ask about retrieval times and fees for older Peoria dissolution records. Staff can tell you whether a specific case file is accessible and what it costs to get copies. Most cases going back several decades are available on request from the Peoria County Circuit Clerk.
Note: Mail requests for Peoria dissolution records are accepted. Include the full names of both parties and an approximate filing year. Enclose a check or money order for the search fee and any copy fees.
Peoria Dissolution of Marriage Fees
The Peoria County Circuit Court sets the fees for dissolution of marriage filings and copies. These are the main fee amounts for dissolution of marriage records in Peoria:
- Name search: $6 per name
- First page copy: $2
- Additional pages: $0.50 each
- Certification stamp: $4 per document
Filing fees for a new dissolution of marriage case in Peoria depend on the case type and whether children are involved. Illinois circuit courts generally charge $200 to $400 to file a dissolution case. Call the Peoria County Circuit Clerk at 309/672-6989 to confirm the current filing fee before you appear to file. Fees can be updated from time to time, and it is best to check current rates before your visit.
Fee waivers are available for Peoria residents who cannot afford the filing fee. You file an Application to Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person with the court and show proof of income. The judge reviews the application and decides whether to waive the fees. Free Illinois dissolution of marriage forms are at illinoiscourts.gov and work in Peoria County court.
Illinois Dissolution of Marriage Law for Peoria Cases
All Peoria dissolution of marriage cases follow the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5/. This is the controlling statute for all dissolution cases in Illinois, including those filed in Peoria County. The 90-day residency requirement under 750 ILCS 5/401 applies to all Peoria filers. One spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before the case is filed.
Illinois uses irreconcilable differences as the only ground for dissolution of marriage under 750 ILCS 5/401. You do not prove fault or blame one spouse. If the couple has been separated for six months, the court treats irreconcilable differences as established. This keeps the focus on resolving the case rather than relitigating past conflicts. Most Peoria dissolution cases move through the system using this no-fault approach.
Property is divided under 750 ILCS 5/503 using equitable distribution. The court looks at the length of the marriage, each party's contributions, and other relevant facts. Child support in Peoria cases follows the income-shares formula at 750 ILCS 5/505. Both parents' incomes factor into the calculation. Eligible Peoria couples may use joint simplified dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452 for short marriages with no children and limited shared property. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 requires that sensitive personal data be redacted from public dissolution filings in Peoria County, protecting Social Security numbers and financial account numbers from public view.
IDPH Dissolution of Marriage Verification for Peoria
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a dissolution of marriage index for all Illinois counties, including Peoria County. IDPH records go back to 1962. If you need to verify that a dissolution of marriage was finalized for a Peoria resident, IDPH is a starting point. Contact IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737 or call (217) 782-6554. The search fee is $5 per name. Mail requests take 4 to 6 weeks. Full details are at dph.illinois.gov.
IDPH does not issue certified copies of dissolution decrees for Peoria cases or any other county. They only provide verification that a dissolution occurred and basic identifying information. For a certified copy of a Peoria dissolution decree, contact the Peoria County Circuit Clerk at Room G-22, 324 Main Street. The clerk holds the complete case file and can issue certified copies on request.
Legal Resources for Peoria Dissolution Cases
Peoria residents have access to free and low-cost legal help for dissolution of marriage cases. Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org has guides on how to file for dissolution of marriage in Illinois and navigate Peoria County court procedures. The site also covers how to get copies of court records at illinoislegalaid.org.
Prairie State Legal Services serves the Peoria area and provides free legal help to income-qualifying residents for family law matters including dissolution of marriage. Their intake team screens for eligibility and connects qualifying Peoria residents with attorneys. The Peoria County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service for residents who want to consult a private family law attorney. A first meeting is typically available at a reduced cost. The Peoria County courthouse self-help desk assists filers with procedural questions about dissolution of marriage cases. Staff can direct you to forms, help you understand the filing steps, and point you to local legal aid resources in Peoria.
Peoria County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Peoria is the seat of Peoria County, and the Peoria County Circuit Court holds all dissolution of marriage records for the city. The county page covers the full court system, fee schedule, online access options, and resources for dissolution of marriage cases throughout Peoria County.