Brown County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Brown County dissolution of marriage records are kept at the Circuit Clerk office in Mt. Sterling, Illinois. The 8th Judicial Circuit covers Brown County, and all dissolution cases filed here are stored and maintained by the clerk. If you need a copy of a final dissolution decree, want to confirm a case was filed, or need documents from an older case, the Circuit Clerk in Mt. Sterling is your first stop. This page explains how to find and request Brown County dissolution of marriage records using in-person and online methods.
Brown County Quick Facts
Brown County Circuit Clerk
Brooke Robinson is the Circuit Clerk for Brown County. The office in Mt. Sterling holds all dissolution of marriage records for cases filed in the 8th Judicial Circuit for Brown County. The clerk maintains every petition, order, and final decree filed in the county. Staff can search by party name or case number and provide copies of any public document in the dissolution file. This is the only official source for dissolution of marriage court records in Brown County.
The office is at 200 Court Street, Room 5, in Mt. Sterling. Phone is 217/773-2713 and fax is 217/773-3648. Brown County is a small, rural county, so it is a good idea to call ahead before making the trip. Confirm office hours and let staff know what you need so they can have any stored files ready. Bring a photo ID and come prepared with the names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed in Brown County.
| Circuit Clerk | Brooke Robinson |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Court Street, Room 5 Mt. Sterling, IL 62353 |
| Phone | 217/773-2713 |
| Fax | 217/773-3648 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Circuit | 8th Judicial Circuit |
Searching Brown County Dissolution Records Online
Judici is the most widely used public portal for Illinois court case information. It covers many Illinois counties, and you can search by name or case number. For Brown County dissolution cases, Judici may show docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. Checking there first can save you time by confirming whether a case was filed before you contact the clerk in Mt. Sterling.
The Illinois courts circuit clerk directory at illinoiscourts.gov lists current contact details for every circuit clerk in the state. Use it to confirm the Brown County clerk's current phone number and address. The site is maintained by the Illinois Supreme Court and is kept up to date.
If you are not sure what to say when you contact the clerk or what documents to ask for, the Illinois Legal Aid guide on getting court records is a helpful resource. It explains the process in plain terms and covers what to do if the clerk cannot immediately locate an older Brown County dissolution case.
Judici can help you confirm that a dissolution case was filed in Brown County before you contact the clerk's office in Mt. Sterling.
Brown County Dissolution Record Copy Fees
Copy fees in Brown County follow the guidelines set under 705 ILCS 105/, the Illinois Clerks of Courts Act, Section 27.2a. The standard 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. Always call 217/773-2713 to confirm current fees before you send payment or visit the clerk's office in Mt. Sterling.
Filing a new dissolution petition in Brown County also requires a fee. The amount varies depending on whether the case is contested or a joint simplified dissolution. Under 750 ILCS 5/452, couples who have been married less than eight years, have no minor children, and agree on all terms may use the simplified process, which typically costs less to file. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about an Application to Sue or Defend as a Poor Person, which may allow you to waive the filing fee.
Dissolution of Marriage Law in Brown County
Brown County dissolution cases are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5/. This is the same law applied in all Illinois counties. The 8th Judicial Circuit judges assigned to Brown County cases follow this statute when making decisions on property, support, and custody.
To file in Brown County, at least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before the petition is filed, per 750 ILCS 5/401. The case must be filed in the county where at least one spouse lives at the time of filing. Illinois is a no-fault state, so you do not need to prove marital misconduct. The only required ground is irreconcilable differences. Once the petition is served, the case becomes active and either party can request temporary orders while waiting for the final hearing.
Property division in Brown County follows equitable distribution under 750 ILCS 5/503. The court will divide marital assets in a way it finds fair, taking into account factors such as the length of the marriage, each party's economic situation, and contributions to the marriage. This is not a guaranteed 50/50 split. If children are part of the case, child support is determined using the income shares formula under 750 ILCS 5/505. The final dissolution decree sets out all these terms and becomes a permanent public record in Brown County.
Free standardized dissolution forms approved by Illinois courts are available online and are accepted when filing in Brown County.
What Brown County Dissolution Records Contain
The dissolution case file kept by the Brown County Circuit Clerk includes all documents submitted during the case. The petition is the opening document. It names both parties and describes what the filing spouse is asking the court to order. If the other spouse files a response or counter-petition, it goes in the file too. Any motions, temporary orders, agreed orders, or hearing notices are also part of the public record.
The final dissolution decree is the most sought-after document. It is the Brown County judge's signed order that ends the marriage and sets all terms. It covers property and debt division, maintenance if ordered, and all parenting matters if the couple has minor children. Certified copies of this decree are often needed for legal purposes such as name changes, refinancing a mortgage, or updating financial accounts. The Circuit Clerk in Mt. Sterling can certify copies and provide them at the time of your visit.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 requires that personal identifiers such as social security numbers and financial account numbers be removed from public filings. The rest of the dissolution record is open. Brown County dissolution records are public under Illinois law, and the clerk must make them available for inspection or copying when requested.
IDPH Dissolution Verification for Brown County
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of dissolution records dating back to 1962. Brown County dissolutions recorded during that period are included. IDPH does not issue court-certified copies of decrees. Their service confirms basic facts only: the names of both parties, dates of birth, and the date and county where the dissolution occurred.
Mail your request to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include $5 per search as a check or money order payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health." Processing by mail takes four to six weeks. For questions, call (217) 782-6554. The full request process and a downloadable form are available on the IDPH dissolution of marriage records page.
IDPH verification works well when you only need to confirm that a dissolution occurred in Brown County and do not need certified court documents from the clerk in Mt. Sterling.
Legal Help for Brown County Dissolution Cases
Illinois Legal Aid Online has free information about dissolution of marriage on their site at illinoislegalaid.org. It explains the law in plain terms and covers property, children, support, and what to expect in court. The easy form tool also helps you fill out the right dissolution forms for filing in Brown County.
Prairie State Legal Services may be able to help income-eligible Brown County residents who need legal assistance with a dissolution. Call their office to ask about eligibility. They often give priority to cases that involve domestic violence, children, or significant financial hardship. Even a brief conversation with their intake staff can tell you what resources are available in your area.
All standardized dissolution forms used in Illinois are free at the Illinois courts forms page. These are the correct forms to use when filing in Brown County. Using approved forms prevents your papers from being returned by the Circuit Clerk.
Illinois Legal Aid's easy form tool walks you through each section of the dissolution paperwork in a way that is clear and easy to follow when filing in Brown County.
Cities in Brown County
Brown County does not have any cities with a population over 50,000. Mt. Sterling is the county seat and the largest community in Brown County. All dissolution of marriage cases for Brown County residents are filed at the Circuit Clerk office in Mt. Sterling. Other small communities in the county include Versailles and Timewell. All residents of Brown County file their dissolution petitions at the same courthouse in Mt. Sterling.
Nearby Counties
Brown County borders several other counties in west-central Illinois. Each has its own Circuit Clerk. You must file in the county where you or your spouse lives at the time of filing.