Edgar County Dissolution of Marriage Lookup
Edgar County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the Circuit Clerk office in Paris, Illinois. The 5th Judicial Circuit handles all family law matters for Edgar County, including dissolution filings, judgments of dissolution, and post-decree orders. If you need to search for a case or get copies of dissolution of marriage documents in Edgar County, the Paris courthouse is where you start. This page explains how to access those records, what the law requires, and where to get help.
Edgar County Quick Facts
Edgar County Circuit Clerk Office
Clerk Angela Barrett leads the Edgar County Circuit Clerk office at the courthouse on West Court Street in Paris. The office stores all dissolution of marriage records filed in the 5th Judicial Circuit for Edgar County. You can search cases by name or case number at the clerk's counter. Copies of petitions, orders, and final judgments are available during regular business hours.
For dissolution of marriage records, the Edgar County Circuit Clerk is the primary source. The clerk keeps both active and closed case files. Post-decree modifications and enforcement orders are also on file. These records are open to the public under Illinois law. Call 217/466-7447 to ask about a specific case before you drive to the Paris courthouse. The Illinois Courts clerk directory confirms current contact information for Edgar County.
| Circuit Clerk | Angela Barrett |
|---|---|
| Address | 115 West Court Street Paris, IL 61944 |
| Phone | 217/466-7447 |
| Fax | 217/466-7443 |
| County Seat | Paris |
| Judicial Circuit | 5th Circuit |
Online Case Search for Edgar County
Judici.com is the online portal for Edgar County dissolution of marriage case records. You can search by party name or case number free of charge. The site shows case status, scheduled hearings, and the parties involved. This is the fastest way to find basic information about a dissolution case in Edgar County without going to the Paris courthouse. Go to judici.com and filter by Edgar County to begin.
Document images are not available for download through Judici. If you need actual copies of papers in a dissolution file, contact the clerk at 217/466-7447. The office can tell you the cost, how long it will take, and whether you can pick up copies or need them mailed. For older cases, staff may need extra time to locate the physical file.
The Illinois Courts circuit clerk listing provides verified contact information for the Edgar County Circuit Clerk in Paris, the office that holds all dissolution of marriage records for the county.
Edgar County Dissolution Record Fees
Copy fees in Edgar County follow the Illinois schedule under 705 ILCS 105. The first page costs $2.00. Pages two through twenty cost $0.50 each. Additional pages beyond twenty cost $0.25 each. Certified copies carry an added certification fee. Call the clerk at 217/466-7447 to get the exact total for the number of pages in your case before mailing a check.
Filing a dissolution of marriage case in Edgar County requires payment of filing fees at the time of submission. The total depends on whether children are part of the case and what other motions are filed along with the initial petition. If you cannot afford the fees, you may request a fee waiver by submitting an indigency affidavit. Ask the clerk for the form when you arrive at the courthouse or call ahead to ask about the process.
Note: Fee schedules can change. Confirm the current cost directly with the Edgar County Circuit Clerk before submitting any payment for dissolution records.
Dissolution of Marriage Law in Edgar County
All dissolution of marriage cases in Edgar County are governed by 750 ILCS 5, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. The 5th Judicial Circuit applies this statute to every case. Illinois law does not require proof of fault. The only ground for dissolution is irreconcilable differences. This means one spouse does not have to show wrongdoing by the other. The court only needs to find the marriage has permanently broken down.
Under 750 ILCS 5/401, at least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing. You file in the county where you or your spouse lives. Edgar County residents file at the Paris courthouse. The process starts with filing the petition, paying the filing fee, and serving the other spouse. If the other party does not respond, the case may move forward as an uncontested dissolution. If there is disagreement, the case proceeds to hearings or trial.
Property division follows 750 ILCS 5/503. Courts in the 5th Circuit split marital property equitably based on the specific facts of each case. Child support is set under 750 ILCS 5/505 using the Illinois income shares model. The Joint Simplified Dissolution option under 750 ILCS 5/452 is available for short marriages with no children and limited shared assets. Ask the clerk if your case fits this option.
What Edgar County Dissolution Files Include
Dissolution of marriage records in Edgar County cover the full life of a case. The file starts with the petition, which identifies the parties, states the grounds, and lists what the filer wants the court to order. From there, the response from the other spouse, financial affidavits from both sides, and any proposed parenting plans are added. All of these go into the permanent case file kept by the Edgar County Circuit Clerk.
The judgment of dissolution of marriage is the final and most important document. It ends the marriage and sets the terms going forward. Property and debt division, maintenance awards, child custody and visitation schedules, and child support amounts are all in the judgment. Certified copies are needed for many legal tasks after a dissolution. Get a certified copy from the Circuit Clerk in Paris. Under 5 ILCS 140, dissolution records are public. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 requires removal of personal identifiers from public copies.
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Summons and proof of service
- Financial disclosure statements
- Parenting plan (if children are involved)
- Settlement agreement
- Judgment of dissolution of marriage
IDPH Verification for Edgar County
The Illinois Department of Public Health indexes dissolution of marriage records from across the state, including Edgar County cases from 1962 forward. The IDPH can confirm a dissolution took place and provide the basic facts: names, date, and county of filing. This is a verification, not a certified copy of the court judgment. If you need the actual decree or settlement agreement from an Edgar County case, contact the Circuit Clerk in Paris.
To request IDPH verification, send $5.00 by check or money order payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health." Processing takes four to six weeks by mail. Send to 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Phone: (217) 782-6554. The current request form is on the IDPH dissolution of marriage records page.
Legal Help in Edgar County
Edgar County residents can use Illinois Legal Aid Online for free guidance on dissolution of marriage. The site at illinoislegalaid.org covers every part of the process in plain language. It also has an Easy Form tool that walks you through completing Illinois Supreme Court standardized dissolution forms. These forms are available at the Illinois Courts forms page and are accepted at the Edgar County courthouse.
If you need legal representation and have limited income, Prairie State Legal Services serves east-central Illinois including Edgar County. They may be able to assist with dissolution cases that involve domestic violence or other urgent issues. Call their intake line to see if you qualify for help. The Edgar County Bar Association can also provide referrals to local family law attorneys in the Paris area.
The Illinois Legal Aid Easy Form guides Edgar County residents through completing dissolution of marriage forms step by step without needing a lawyer for the paperwork itself.
Cities in Edgar County
Edgar County is in east-central Illinois near the Indiana border. All dissolution of marriage cases for Edgar County residents are filed at the Circuit Clerk in Paris. No city in Edgar County meets the population threshold for its own page on this site.
Communities in Edgar County include Paris, Kansas, Chrisman, Hume, and Metcalf. All residents file dissolution cases at the courthouse in Paris.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Edgar County. If you are unsure which county to file in, check your current address. Illinois law requires you to file in the county where you or your spouse lives at the time of filing.