Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in Fulton County
Fulton County dissolution of marriage records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk office in Lewistown. The 9th Judicial Circuit Court serves Fulton County and handles all family law matters, including dissolution cases. If you need to look up a divorce case, request a certified copy of a decree, or find out where to file, the clerk office in Lewistown is where you start. Fulton County has around 35,000 residents spread across central Illinois, and this guide explains what you need to know about accessing dissolution of marriage records in the county.
Fulton County Quick Facts
Fulton County Circuit Clerk Office
Charlene Markley serves as the Circuit Clerk for Fulton County. Her office is the official keeper of all dissolution of marriage case records filed in the county. The clerk's office stores petitions, orders, agreed settlement agreements, parenting plans, and final decrees. You can request certified copies of any of these documents for legal purposes. Staff can search the case index by party name or case number.
The office is in Lewistown, which is the county seat of Fulton County. Lewistown sits in the center of the county, roughly 40 miles southwest of Peoria. The 9th Judicial Circuit also covers McDonough and Knox counties, among others. If you are not sure whether to file in Fulton or a neighboring county, the general rule is to file in the county where you live. Call the clerk at 309/547-3041 to confirm before you come in.
| Circuit Clerk | Charlene Markley |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 152 Lewistown, IL 61542 |
| Phone | 309/547-3041 |
| Fax | 309/547-3420 |
| Judicial Circuit | 9th Judicial Circuit |
| County Seat | Lewistown, IL |
Search Fulton County Dissolution Records Online
Fulton County participates in the Judici online court records system. Judici gives the public free access to circuit court case data, including dissolution of marriage filings. You can search by name or case number and see basic information like the filing date, case type, and current status. Go to www.judici.com and select Fulton County from the list to start your search.
This is a good tool for confirming a case exists or getting a case number before you contact the clerk. Judici does not always have document images, but it shows you what is in the system. For certified copies or the full case file, you still need to contact the Fulton County Circuit Clerk directly.
Judici provides free online access to Fulton County dissolution of marriage case records, including filing dates and party names.
The Illinois Courts website lists all circuit court clerks and their contact details. Visit www.illinoiscourts.gov to find updated contact information for Fulton County and surrounding counties in the 9th Circuit.
Fees for Dissolution of Marriage in Fulton County
Filing a dissolution of marriage petition in Fulton County requires a fee paid to the Circuit Clerk at the time of filing. Illinois circuit court fees vary by county, but base filing fees across the state generally range from $200 to $250 for dissolution cases. Copy fees apply when you request records. Certified copies typically cost more than plain photocopies. Call the Fulton County Circuit Clerk at 309/547-3041 to get current amounts before you file or request documents.
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. You file an Application to Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person. The judge reviews it and can waive all or part of the fees. This does not slow down your case or affect how the court handles it. Many Fulton County residents who qualify for fee waivers receive full relief from filing costs.
Dissolution of Marriage Law and Filing in Fulton County
Illinois law governs how dissolution of marriage works in Fulton County. The main statute is the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5/. Under 750 ILCS 5/401, one spouse must have lived in Illinois for at least 90 days before filing. The petition goes to the Circuit Clerk in Lewistown. The other party must be served with legal notice after the petition is filed.
Illinois does not require a showing of fault. The law recognizes irreconcilable differences as the sole ground for dissolution. If both parties agree on all issues and meet certain conditions, they may qualify for a Joint Simplified Dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452. This streamlined process is available for short marriages with no minor children, limited marital property, and both parties waiving maintenance. For cases with children, a parenting plan is required under Illinois law, and child support is set under 750 ILCS 5/505.
Property division follows 750 ILCS 5/503, which calls for equitable distribution of marital assets. This does not always mean a 50/50 split. The court looks at many factors including the length of the marriage, each party's financial situation, and contributions to the marriage. Once the judge signs the final decree, the dissolution is complete and the record is filed with the Fulton County Circuit Clerk.
Standardized Illinois court forms for dissolution of marriage, including petitions and parenting plans, are available through the Illinois Courts website for use in Fulton County filings.
What Fulton County Dissolution of Marriage Records Show
When you request a dissolution of marriage file from the Fulton County Circuit Clerk, you will find several types of documents. The petition for dissolution is the first one. It names both spouses, lists the date and place of marriage, and states the grounds. Any response filed by the other party is also in the file. Temporary orders for support or custody, if issued while the case was open, are included too.
The marital settlement agreement is often the most detailed document in the file. It covers how the parties divided property and debts, any maintenance arrangements, and, if there are kids, the parenting plan and child support terms. Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, personal identifiers like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers must be redacted before documents become part of the public record. The final decree of dissolution ends the case. It is signed by the circuit judge and is the document most often needed for legal matters like name changes, title transfers, or remarriage.
Dissolution records are public in Illinois under 5 ILCS 140/. Most of the file is open to anyone who requests it. Records related to minor children may have some restrictions, but the core documents are accessible.
IDPH Verification for Fulton County Dissolutions
The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps a statewide index of dissolution of marriage records going back to 1962. You can request a written verification through IDPH if you need to confirm a dissolution occurred but do not need the full court file. IDPH charges $5 per search and responds by mail. The process takes 4 to 6 weeks. Send your request to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737, or call (217) 782-6554 for more information.
IDPH provides written verification of dissolution of marriage records for events from 1962 to the present, including cases filed in Fulton County.
Note: IDPH does not issue certified copies of divorce decrees. For certified copies, contact the Fulton County Circuit Clerk directly.
Legal Help for Dissolution Cases in Fulton County
Illinois Legal Aid Online is a strong resource for Fulton County residents who need help with dissolution of marriage. Their site at www.illinoislegalaid.org has guides on how the dissolution process works, what forms you need, and how to handle common issues like property and custody. They also offer an Easy Form builder that helps you create court documents step by step without a lawyer.
For help getting your records, Illinois Legal Aid has a specific guide at www.illinoislegalaid.org on how to request dissolution of marriage records from the clerk. The Illinois Courts website at www.illinoiscourts.gov has the official standardized forms used in Fulton County. These include the petition, summons, financial affidavit, and final judgment forms.
Illinois Legal Aid Online provides free guided forms and legal information for Fulton County residents working through a dissolution of marriage case.
Cities in Fulton County
No city in Fulton County reaches the 50,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page. Lewistown is the county seat and the main population center. Canton is the largest city in the county. All Fulton County residents, whether they live in Canton, Lewistown, Farmington, or smaller communities, file dissolution of marriage cases at the Circuit Clerk office in Lewistown.
Nearby Counties
The counties listed below share borders with Fulton County. Each one has its own Circuit Clerk office for dissolution of marriage filings. File in the county where you live.