Gallatin County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Gallatin County dissolution of marriage records are kept at the Circuit Clerk office in Shawneetown, the county seat located along the Ohio River in far southeastern Illinois. The 2nd Judicial Circuit Court serves Gallatin County and processes all family law filings, including divorce and dissolution cases. Gallatin is one of Illinois's smallest counties by population, with fewer than 6,000 residents, but the Circuit Clerk maintains complete records for all dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. This page explains how to find records, what the process looks like, and where to get help.
Gallatin County Quick Facts
Gallatin County Circuit Clerk
Jamie Beadles is the Circuit Clerk for Gallatin County. The clerk's office holds all dissolution of marriage case files for the county. This includes the original petition, any orders issued during the case, the marital settlement agreement, and the final decree of dissolution. You can request certified copies of any of these documents from the clerk. Staff can search records by party name or case number.
Shawneetown is a small community, so the clerk's office may have limited staff. It is a good idea to call ahead before visiting to confirm hours and what you need to bring. The 2nd Judicial Circuit serves Gallatin and several neighboring counties in southeastern Illinois. If you live near the county line, make sure you file in the county where you actually reside.
| Circuit Clerk | Jamie Beadles |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 230 Shawneetown, IL 62984 |
| Phone | 618/269-3025 |
| Fax | 618/269-3027 |
| Judicial Circuit | 2nd Judicial Circuit |
| County Seat | Shawneetown, IL |
Online Records for Gallatin County Dissolution Cases
The Judici system offers free online access to circuit court records for many Illinois counties, including Gallatin. You can search dissolution of marriage cases by name or case number and see basic case information at no charge. Visit www.judici.com and choose Gallatin County from the search options. This is useful for confirming that a case was filed or getting a case number before you contact the clerk's office.
The Illinois Courts website maintains a full list of circuit court clerks across the state. If you need contact details for Gallatin County or nearby counties, you can find them at www.illinoiscourts.gov. Online searching is a good first step, but you will need to contact the Gallatin County clerk directly for certified copies or documents from the physical file.
The Judici system allows free searches of Gallatin County circuit court records, including dissolution of marriage cases, without visiting the courthouse.
Dissolution of Marriage Filing Fees in Gallatin County
Gallatin County follows Illinois state guidelines for circuit court fees. Filing a petition for dissolution of marriage requires a fee paid to the Circuit Clerk at the time of filing. Base fees in Illinois generally range from $200 to $250 for dissolution cases, though Gallatin County's exact amount may differ. Call Jamie Beadles's office at 618/269-3025 to confirm the current filing fee before you submit your petition.
Copy fees apply when you request records. Plain copies cost less than certified copies. Certification adds a fee on top of the per-page copy cost. If you cannot afford to pay court fees, you may apply for a fee waiver using the Application to Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person. Submit it with your petition, and a judge will review your financial situation before deciding whether to waive the fees. Fee waivers do not hurt your case in any way.
Note: The Clerks of Courts Act at 705 ILCS 105/ sets standards for how Illinois circuit clerks collect and manage fees.
Dissolution of Marriage Law in Gallatin County
Illinois law controls how dissolution of marriage works in Gallatin County. The governing statute is the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5/. One spouse must have been a resident of Illinois for 90 days before filing, as required by 750 ILCS 5/401. The petition is filed with the Gallatin County Circuit Clerk in Shawneetown. After filing, the other party must receive legal notice of the case.
Illinois uses a no-fault system. You do not need to prove that your spouse did anything wrong. The law requires only that irreconcilable differences have caused the breakdown of the marriage. For couples who meet certain criteria, a Joint Simplified Dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452 is an option. This is for short marriages with no children, limited property, and both parties agreeing to waive maintenance. Most cases in Gallatin County involve a standard dissolution process where the court addresses property under 750 ILCS 5/503 and child support under 750 ILCS 5/505.
The Illinois Courts website provides standardized forms for dissolution of marriage filings that Gallatin County residents can use when filing with the Circuit Clerk.
What Gallatin County Dissolution Records Include
A dissolution of marriage case file in Gallatin County contains the petition, any response filed by the other party, temporary orders, the marital settlement agreement, and the final decree. The petition identifies both parties and asks the court to end the marriage. The settlement agreement covers property, debt, maintenance, and if there are children, the parenting plan and child support terms.
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, documents filed in court must have sensitive personal information redacted. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are removed from the public record. The final decree of dissolution is the key document most people need. It is signed by the judge and is the legal proof that the marriage ended. Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Gallatin County Circuit Clerk for a fee.
Dissolution records are public under 5 ILCS 140/, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. You do not have to be a party to the case to request copies. Some records involving minor children may have access limits, but most of the case file is open to the public.
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Summons and proof of service
- Temporary orders for support or custody
- Marital settlement agreement
- Parenting plan and child support order (if applicable)
- Final decree of dissolution
IDPH Verification of Gallatin County Dissolutions
The Illinois Department of Public Health indexes dissolution of marriage records statewide from 1962 forward. If you need to verify that a dissolution occurred in Gallatin County, you can request a written verification from IDPH. This service costs $5 per name search and takes 4 to 6 weeks by mail. IDPH does not provide certified copies, so you still need the Gallatin County clerk for those. Contact IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737, or call (217) 782-6554.
IDPH maintains a statewide index of dissolution records from 1962 to the present and can verify whether a dissolution was filed in Gallatin County.
Legal Help in Gallatin County
Illinois Legal Aid Online provides free legal information for dissolution of marriage cases. Gallatin County residents can use their guides and online forms without paying for a lawyer. The divorce section at www.illinoislegalaid.org explains the steps in a dissolution case and what documents you need. Their Easy Form builder helps you draft a petition and other required paperwork step by step.
For help requesting your court records, Illinois Legal Aid has a guide at www.illinoislegalaid.org that explains how to contact the Gallatin County clerk and what to ask for. Because Gallatin County is a rural area with a small population, in-person legal help may be limited. Legal aid organizations that serve southern Illinois may be able to provide phone or remote assistance to residents of Gallatin County who qualify based on income.
Illinois Legal Aid Online offers step-by-step guidance for Gallatin County residents who need help accessing their dissolution of marriage case records.
Cities in Gallatin County
No city in Gallatin County meets the 50,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page. Shawneetown is the county seat and the main population center in this small, rural county. All Gallatin County residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the Circuit Clerk office in Shawneetown.
Nearby Counties
Gallatin County borders these counties. Each has its own Circuit Clerk for dissolution of marriage filings. File in the county where you currently live.