Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in Henry County
Henry County dissolution of marriage records are kept at the Circuit Clerk office in Cambridge, the county seat in northwestern Illinois. The 14th Judicial Circuit Court handles all family law matters for Henry County, including dissolution of marriage petitions, orders, and final decrees. Henry County has around 49,000 residents and sits between the Quad Cities metro area to the north and Galesburg to the south. If you need to look up a dissolution case, request a certified copy of a decree, or find out how to file, the Circuit Clerk office in Cambridge is where you start. This guide covers how to access Henry County dissolution of marriage records and what you need to know about the process.
Henry County Quick Facts
Henry County Circuit Clerk Office
Terilyn Kuster Motley serves as Circuit Clerk for Henry County. Her office at 307 West Center Street in Cambridge maintains all dissolution of marriage case records for the county. This includes petitions, temporary orders, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and final decrees. Staff can search the case index by party name or case number. Certified copies of court documents are available upon request, either in person or by mail.
Cambridge is a small county seat that serves as the hub for all circuit court activity in Henry County. The 14th Judicial Circuit covers Henry County and Whiteside County. Henry County has a larger population than many downstate counties, which means the clerk's office handles a reasonable volume of dissolution cases each year. Call 309/937-3752 before visiting to confirm office hours and what payment methods are accepted.
| Circuit Clerk | Terilyn Kuster Motley |
|---|---|
| Address | 307 West Center Street Cambridge, IL 61238 |
| Phone | 309/937-3752 |
| Fax | 309/937-3990 |
| Judicial Circuit | 14th Judicial Circuit |
| County Seat | Cambridge, IL |
Search Henry County Dissolution Records Online
Henry County participates in the Judici online court records portal, which gives the public free access to circuit court case data across Illinois. You can search dissolution of marriage cases in Henry County by name or case number at www.judici.com. The system shows case-level data including filing dates, parties, and case status. Judici is a good first stop when you want to confirm a case exists or get a case number before contacting the clerk.
For certified copies or access to the physical case file, you need to contact the Henry County Circuit Clerk directly. Judici may not include scanned document images for all counties. The Illinois Courts website at www.illinoiscourts.gov lists all circuit clerks in Illinois with current phone numbers and addresses, including Henry County.
The Judici system offers free access to Henry County dissolution of marriage case records, searchable by party name or case number without a courthouse visit.
Dissolution of Marriage Fees in Henry County
Filing a dissolution of marriage petition in Henry County requires a fee paid to the Circuit Clerk when you submit the petition. Illinois circuit court fees are set in part by state statute and in part by local rule. The typical base filing fee for a dissolution petition in Illinois ranges from $200 to $250. Henry County's specific fee may vary. Call the clerk at 309/937-3752 to confirm the current amount before you file. Copy fees apply for records requests, with certified copies costing more than plain photocopies on a per-page basis.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may apply for a waiver by filing an Application to Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person. You submit it with your petition, and a judge reviews your financial situation to decide whether to waive all or part of the fee. This is a standard option in Illinois courts. Getting a fee waiver does not affect how the court handles your dissolution case.
Note: The Clerks of Courts Act at 705 ILCS 105/ sets standards for fee collection that apply to the Henry County Circuit Clerk.
Dissolution of Marriage Law and Process in Henry County
Dissolution of marriage in Henry County is governed by 750 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Under 750 ILCS 5/401, one spouse must have been an Illinois resident for at least 90 days before filing. The petition goes to the Circuit Clerk's office at 307 West Center Street in Cambridge. After filing, the other party must be served with legal notice. They then have time to respond before the case moves forward.
Illinois law does not require proof of fault. The only ground for dissolution is irreconcilable differences. For qualifying couples, a Joint Simplified Dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452 is available. This option works for short marriages with no minor children, limited marital property, and both parties agreeing to waive maintenance. For most Henry County cases, the standard process applies. Property is divided under 750 ILCS 5/503, and child support is calculated under 750 ILCS 5/505 when children are part of the case.
Kewanee is the largest city in Henry County, and many dissolution cases in the county come from residents there. The court may issue temporary orders for support, custody, or property use during the case. These orders, along with all filings, become part of the public record held by the Henry County Circuit Clerk. The final decree is the judge's order that legally dissolves the marriage and closes the case.
Official Illinois dissolution of marriage forms are available from the Illinois Courts website for use in Henry County filings, including petitions, financial affidavits, and parenting plan templates.
What Henry County Dissolution of Marriage Records Include
A dissolution of marriage case file in Henry County contains the petition, the other party's response if filed, temporary court orders, the marital settlement agreement, and the final decree. The petition states who the parties are, when and where they married, and what the petitioner is asking for. The settlement agreement covers property division, debt, maintenance, and, when children are involved, the parenting plan and child support terms.
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers must be redacted from public court filings. The final decree is the document most people need for name changes, real estate matters, or remarriage. Certified copies of the decree are available from the Henry County Circuit Clerk. Most of the dissolution case file is open to the public under 5 ILCS 140/, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. You do not need to be a party to the case to request copies.
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Summons and proof of service
- Temporary orders for support, custody, or property
- Marital settlement agreement
- Parenting plan and child support order (when applicable)
- Final decree of dissolution
IDPH Verification for Henry County Dissolution Records
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of dissolution of marriage records from 1962 to the present. If you need to verify that a dissolution was filed in Henry County without requesting the full case file, IDPH offers a written verification service for $5 per search. Mail your request with both parties' names and the approximate year to 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. IDPH responds by mail in 4 to 6 weeks. They do not issue certified copies of decrees, so contact the Henry County clerk for those. Call IDPH at (217) 782-6554 for more information.
IDPH provides written verification of dissolution of marriage records from 1962 forward, including cases filed in Henry County, through its statewide index.
Note: For Henry County dissolution records predating 1962, contact the Circuit Clerk directly for case file access.
Legal Help for Henry County Dissolution Cases
Illinois Legal Aid Online offers free legal guidance for Henry County residents who need help with dissolution of marriage. Visit their divorce section at www.illinoislegalaid.org for step-by-step guides, legal articles, and their Easy Form builder that lets you prepare court documents without paying a lawyer. The site covers everything from filing the petition to handling property, custody, and support issues in a dissolution case.
For help getting copies of your court records from the Henry County clerk, Illinois Legal Aid has a specific guide at www.illinoislegalaid.org that explains what to ask for and how to submit a request. Free standardized forms for dissolution cases are available from the Illinois Courts at www.illinoiscourts.gov. These forms are accepted in Henry County and across all Illinois circuit courts.
Illinois Legal Aid Online explains how Henry County residents can request dissolution of marriage records from the Circuit Clerk and what to expect in the process.
The Easy Form tool from Illinois Legal Aid helps Henry County residents create dissolution of marriage court documents step by step at no cost.
Cities in Henry County
No city in Henry County meets the 50,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page. Kewanee is the largest city in the county, and Cambridge is the county seat. Geneseo and Galva are other notable communities. All Henry County residents, regardless of which city or town they live in, file dissolution of marriage cases at the Circuit Clerk office in Cambridge.
Nearby Counties
Henry County borders these counties. If you are unsure which county to file in, your current address determines the correct venue for your dissolution of marriage petition under Illinois law.