Search Clinton County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Clinton County dissolution of marriage records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk's office in Carlyle. The 4th Judicial Circuit covers Clinton County and handles all dissolution cases filed here. You can search case records, request copies of decrees, or find out the status of an open case through the clerk's office in Carlyle. This guide explains where to search, what you will find, and what to expect in terms of fees and process in Clinton County.
Clinton County Quick Facts
Clinton County Circuit Clerk
Rod Kloeckner is the Circuit Clerk for Clinton County. The clerk's office is the official custodian of all court records in Clinton County, which includes dissolution of marriage case files. Every document created during a dissolution case, from the first petition to the final judgment, is filed with this office and available for public inspection. Copies can be obtained in person or by mail request.
The office address is 850 Fairfax Street, Carlyle, IL 62231. You can call 618/594-6615 during business hours to search for a case or ask about copy fees. The fax number is 618/594-0197. Staff can locate cases by name or case number. If you are requesting older records that predate digital filing systems, allow extra time and consider calling ahead to confirm the record exists. For all dissolution of marriage matters in Clinton County, this is the primary office to contact.
| Circuit Clerk | Rod Kloeckner |
|---|---|
| Address | 850 Fairfax St., Carlyle, IL 62231 |
| Phone | 618/594-6615 |
| Fax | 618/594-0197 |
| Judicial Circuit | 4th Judicial Circuit |
| Circuit Clerks Directory | Illinois Courts - Circuit Court Clerks |
Clinton County Dissolution Records Online
Judici is the free online tool for searching dissolution of marriage case records in Clinton County. The database covers circuit court cases across many Illinois counties and includes filings, case status, and hearing schedules. Go to judici.com and select Clinton County to run a public search by party name or case number. No account or fee is needed to view basic case information.
For records not available through Judici, especially older cases or closed files that were never digitized, you need to contact the Clinton County Circuit Clerk directly. A written request sent to 850 Fairfax Street, Carlyle, IL 62231 should include both parties' names, the approximate year of filing, and any case number you already have. The clerk's staff will search and let you know what is available and what it will cost to get copies. The Illinois Legal Aid Online guide on court records is a good resource if you are not sure how to request records properly.
Judici provides free online access to Clinton County court records, including dissolution of marriage case filings and status information.
Fees for Dissolution Records in Clinton County
The Clinton County Circuit Clerk charges per-page fees for copies of dissolution of marriage records. Certified copies, which carry the clerk's official seal, cost more than plain copies. Call the office at 618/594-6615 before you visit or send a payment to confirm the current fee amounts. Fees can change and it is always best to ask first.
When filing a new dissolution petition in Clinton County, you also pay court filing fees. These are set in part by 705 ILCS 105/, the Illinois Clerks of Courts Act. People who cannot afford the fees can ask for a fee waiver. The Application to Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person is the form you need to request this, and the clerk's office can tell you whether you are likely to qualify.
Dissolution of Marriage in Clinton County
All dissolution of marriage cases in Clinton County are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/). Illinois no longer has fault-based grounds. The only basis for dissolution is irreconcilable differences. A court will grant the dissolution if the marriage has broken down and cannot be saved.
Under 750 ILCS 5/401, at least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before the petition is filed in Clinton County. You file at the Circuit Clerk's office in Carlyle. The other spouse receives a copy through service of process. Cases can move quickly when both parties agree. If they do not agree, the case may need hearings on property under 750 ILCS 5/503, child support under 750 ILCS 5/505, and parenting time. Mediation may be ordered by the court as well.
For couples who qualify, a Joint Simplified Dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452 is a faster option. Free Illinois court forms are available at the Illinois Courts forms page.
What Clinton County Dissolution Files Include
Dissolution of marriage records in Clinton County are a set of documents accumulated through the life of the case. The petition is the first document and sets out the facts of the marriage and what the petitioner is asking the court to order. The respondent files an answer or counter-petition if contesting any issue. As the case moves forward, financial documents, parenting plans, and any temporary orders are added to the file.
The judgment for dissolution of marriage is the final document in the case file. Signed by the judge, it officially ends the marriage and sets out all the terms. Property is divided, support amounts are established, and parenting responsibilities are assigned if children are involved. This document is the main one most people need after a dissolution is complete in Clinton County. Certified copies from the Circuit Clerk are valid for legal purposes including mortgage applications, name changes, and remarriage.
Under 5 ILCS 140/, Illinois FOIA, court records are public documents. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 limits public access to certain personal identifiers in filed documents, so some portions of a dissolution file may be redacted in the copy you receive.
IDPH Dissolution Verification for Clinton County
The Illinois Department of Public Health tracks dissolution of marriage records statewide from 1962 to the present. If you need to confirm that a dissolution of marriage occurred in Clinton County, IDPH can verify the names of both parties, their dates of birth, and the date and county of the dissolution. IDPH does not provide the full decree or certified copies of court documents.
You can request a verification by writing to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737, or by calling (217) 782-6554. The search fee is $5, paid by check or money order made out to "Illinois Department of Public Health." Expect a 4 to 6 week wait for mail requests. For full information on the IDPH dissolution verification process, visit dph.illinois.gov.
IDPH has records of Clinton County dissolutions going back to 1962 and can verify facts about any dissolution filed in the county during that period.
Legal Help in Clinton County
Several resources serve people going through dissolution of marriage in Clinton County. Illinois Legal Aid Online has free guides covering every stage of the dissolution process in Illinois. Start at illinoislegalaid.org to find step-by-step instructions, download court forms, and search for legal aid providers near Carlyle.
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to income-eligible residents of Clinton County and surrounding southern Illinois counties. They handle dissolution of marriage, child support, and related family law cases. Apply through their office or the Illinois Legal Aid Online referral tool. If you need an attorney but do not qualify for free help, the Illinois State Bar Association can refer you to a family law attorney who practices in the 4th Judicial Circuit. Clinton County is also served by private family law attorneys based in Carlyle and nearby St. Clair and Madison County communities.
Note: Court forms for dissolution of marriage in Illinois, accepted in all counties including Clinton, are free at the Illinois Courts website.
Cities in Clinton County
Clinton County includes Carlyle, Breese, Trenton, Aviston, and other communities. All dissolution of marriage cases filed by residents of any Clinton County city or town are handled at the Circuit Clerk's office in Carlyle. No cities in Clinton County reach the qualifying population threshold for a dedicated city records page on this site.
Nearby Counties
These counties are adjacent to Clinton County. Each has its own circuit court for dissolution of marriage matters. You must file your petition in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.