Find Dissolution of Marriage in Boone County
Boone County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk office in Belvidere, Illinois. The 17th Judicial Circuit serves Boone County, and all dissolution cases are filed and stored here. If you need a copy of a dissolution decree, want to look up a case, or need documents from an older case file, the Circuit Clerk in Belvidere is the place to go. This page explains how to locate and request Boone County dissolution of marriage records both online and in person at the courthouse.
Boone County Quick Facts
Boone County Circuit Clerk Office
Pamela Coduto is the Circuit Clerk for Boone County. Her office in Belvidere holds all dissolution of marriage records filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit for Boone County. The clerk's office takes in new case filings, stores all case documents, and handles public requests for copies. Staff can search by party name or by case number and make copies of any public court record you need.
The office is at 601 North Main, Suite 303, in Belvidere. Phone is 815/544-0371 and fax is 815/547-9213. The office is open Monday through Friday. If you plan to visit, bring a photo ID. It also helps to have as much information as possible, including the names of both spouses and the approximate year the dissolution was filed in Boone County. Staff can use the case management system to search the records. For older files that may be in storage, call ahead so the clerk can retrieve them before your visit.
| Circuit Clerk | Pamela Coduto |
|---|---|
| Address | 601 North Main, #303 Belvidere, IL 61008 |
| Phone | 815/544-0371 |
| Fax | 815/547-9213 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Circuit | 17th Judicial Circuit |
Online Dissolution of Marriage Records for Boone County
Judici covers many Illinois counties and is the primary public access portal for circuit court case information. You can search Boone County dissolution cases by name or case number. The portal shows docket entries, hearing dates, and current case status. It is useful for confirming that a dissolution was filed in Boone County and for finding the case number before requesting copies from the clerk in Belvidere.
The Illinois courts system maintains a directory of all circuit court clerks at illinoiscourts.gov. You can use this to verify the Boone County clerk's current contact details or to look up other clerks in the 17th Judicial Circuit. The directory is kept current by the Illinois Supreme Court.
If you are unsure how to request records or what to bring when you visit the clerk, the Illinois Legal Aid guide on getting court records is a good starting point. It explains the process in plain language and covers situations where records are harder to find, such as older Boone County dissolution cases.
The Illinois circuit court clerks directory is a reliable tool for confirming current contact details for the Boone County Circuit Clerk office before making a trip to Belvidere.
Fees for Dissolution Records in Boone County
Court record fees in Boone County are set within the limits of the Illinois Clerks of Courts Act at 705 ILCS 105/, Section 27.2a. The standard copy fee is $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Certified copies of the dissolution decree cost more and include the court seal. Confirm the current fee schedule by calling the Boone County Circuit Clerk at 815/544-0371 before submitting a payment or visiting in person.
Filing fees for a new dissolution petition in Boone County depend on the type of case. A standard contested dissolution costs more than a joint simplified dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452. The simplified process is for couples married less than eight years with no minor children who agree on all terms. If cost is a concern, you can ask the Boone County Circuit Clerk about a fee waiver for people who qualify based on income.
Note: Fee schedules can change when Illinois updates the Clerks of Courts Act, so always confirm the current amounts directly with the Boone County clerk before visiting or mailing payment.
Illinois Dissolution Law Applied in Boone County
Boone County dissolution cases follow the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5/. This law governs every step of the dissolution process, from filing the initial petition to the entry of the final decree. Judges in the 17th Judicial Circuit apply this law when deciding all issues in Boone County dissolution cases.
Before filing in Boone County, at least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days as required by 750 ILCS 5/401. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently resides. Illinois uses a no-fault system, so the only required ground is irreconcilable differences. After the petition is served on the other spouse, the case moves through the court process. Temporary orders for custody, support, or use of property can be entered early in the case while the final hearing is pending.
Marital property is divided under the equitable distribution standard in 750 ILCS 5/503. The court considers many factors, including the length of the marriage, each party's financial situation, and the contributions each made. This does not mean a 50/50 split in Boone County. Child support is calculated using the income shares formula under 750 ILCS 5/505. All final terms appear in the dissolution decree, which is a public record filed with the Boone County Circuit Clerk.
Illinois courts provide standardized forms for dissolution cases, and these are accepted at the Boone County Circuit Clerk office in Belvidere.
What Boone County Dissolution of Marriage Records Include
A dissolution case file at the Boone County Circuit Clerk contains all documents submitted to the court from start to finish. The petition is the first document, followed by any response filed by the other party. Motions, temporary orders, and hearing notices are added as the case moves forward. These documents are public records and anyone can request them from the clerk.
The most requested document is the final dissolution decree. This is the court's signed order that ends the marriage. It covers property and debt division under 750 ILCS 5/503, whether maintenance is ordered, and all parenting terms if minor children are involved. The decree signed by the Boone County judge is the legal proof that the marriage ended. A certified copy with the court seal is what government agencies, banks, and title companies need to see.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 requires that social security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal data be removed from public copies of court filings. Everything else in the dissolution file is open. Boone County dissolution records are public, and the Circuit Clerk must make them available for inspection and copying upon request under Illinois law.
IDPH Verification for Boone County Dissolutions
The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps a statewide index of dissolution records from 1962 forward. Boone County dissolutions filed during that time are in this index. IDPH can confirm whether a dissolution occurred and provide basic facts: the names of both parties, their dates of birth, and the date and county of the dissolution. IDPH does not issue certified copies of court documents.
To request verification, write to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. The search fee is $5, payable by check or money order to "Illinois Department of Public Health." Mailed requests take four to six weeks. For more information, call (217) 782-6554 or visit the IDPH dissolution of marriage records page where you can download the request form.
IDPH is a good option when you only need to confirm that a Boone County dissolution occurred and do not need the full court file from the clerk in Belvidere.
Legal Resources for Boone County Dissolution Cases
Illinois Legal Aid Online provides free information about dissolution of marriage at illinoislegalaid.org. The site explains Illinois dissolution law in clear terms and covers property division, child custody, support, and maintenance. They also offer a guided easy form tool that helps you fill out the right paperwork for your Boone County case.
Boone County residents who need free legal help may qualify through Prairie State Legal Services or a similar legal aid organization serving northern Illinois. Call their intake line to find out if your situation qualifies. Cases involving children or domestic violence are often prioritized. Even a brief consultation can help you understand your rights under Illinois law before you file in Boone County.
The Illinois courts system has all standardized dissolution forms available for free at the Illinois courts forms page. Using these forms when filing in Boone County ensures your paperwork is in the right format for the Circuit Clerk to accept it.
The Illinois Legal Aid guide on court record access explains what to bring and what to ask for when you visit the Boone County Circuit Clerk in Belvidere.
Cities in Boone County
Boone County does not have any cities with a population over 50,000. Belvidere is the county seat and largest city in Boone County. All dissolution of marriage cases for Boone County residents are filed at the Circuit Clerk office in Belvidere. Other communities in Boone County include Capron and Poplar Grove. Residents throughout the county use the same clerk office in Belvidere to file and access dissolution records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Boone County. Each has its own Circuit Clerk. File your dissolution case in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.