Kendall County Dissolution of Marriage
Kendall County dissolution of marriage records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk office in Yorkville. The 16th Judicial Circuit handles all divorce cases in Kendall County. If you need to search for a dissolution of marriage case, confirm a decree, or get a copy of court papers, the clerk office is your starting point. Kendall County has grown fast over the past two decades, and the court system handles a rising number of family law cases each year. This page covers how to find records, what fees apply, and where to get help with a dissolution of marriage in Kendall County.
Kendall County Quick Facts
Kendall County Circuit Clerk Office
The Circuit Clerk in Kendall County is Matthew Prochaska. His office holds all dissolution of marriage records filed in the county. This includes the original petition, all motions, any temporary orders, the final decree, and any post-decree modifications. Staff can help you look up a case by name or case number. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours. You can also call ahead to ask about record availability or to confirm what documents you need to bring.
The clerk office is located at 807 West John Street in Yorkville. This is the main courthouse for Kendall County and the place where all family law matters are filed under the 16th Judicial Circuit. The office handles in-person requests for copies of dissolution of marriage records. Certified copies are available for a fee. Plain copies cost less. Both are legal documents you can use in court or for personal matters. If you need a record from a case that is several years old, call first to confirm the file is available on site.
The Illinois Courts website lists all circuit court clerks statewide. You can find contact details and links at illinoiscourts.gov.
| Circuit Clerk | Matthew Prochaska |
|---|---|
| Address | 807 West John Street Yorkville, IL 60560 |
| Phone | 630/553-4183 |
| Fax | 630/553-4964 |
| Judicial Circuit | 16th Judicial Circuit |
| County Seat | Yorkville |
Online Dissolution of Marriage Records in Kendall County
Kendall County dissolution of marriage cases may be available through Judici, a statewide online court records platform used by many Illinois counties. Judici lets you search by party name or case number at no cost for basic case info. More detailed records or document images may require a small fee. Visit judici.com and select Kendall County to begin your search.
The Illinois Courts system also provides general access to case information. For state-level guidance on how to access court records, see Illinois Legal Aid's guide on getting court records. This resource explains what types of records are public, what may be sealed, and how to request documents through the clerk office. Kendall County follows the same rules as all other Illinois counties under 750 ILCS 5/, which governs dissolution of marriage statewide.
The state image below shows the Judici search interface used across Illinois counties including Kendall County.
Judici provides free case lookup for Kendall County and dozens of other Illinois circuits.
Dissolution of Marriage Filing Fees in Kendall County
Filing fees for dissolution of marriage cases in Kendall County are set by state law and the local court. The fee to file a new dissolution of marriage petition varies based on whether minor children are involved and the type of case. Fees typically range from $200 to $350 for most standard filings in Illinois circuit courts. Copy fees are separate. Plain copies are usually $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more, often $4 to $6 for the first page plus a per-page fee after that.
If you cannot pay the filing fee, you may ask the court for a fee waiver. You fill out a form showing your income and expenses. The judge reviews it and decides whether to waive all or part of the fee. This is sometimes called an In Forma Pauperis filing. The clerk office in Yorkville can provide the form. Fee waivers do not cover service fees or third-party costs. Call 630/553-4183 for current fee information before you file.
Note: Filing fees in Illinois can change. Always confirm the current amount with the Kendall County Circuit Clerk before you go.
Dissolution of Marriage Process in Kendall County
Illinois law governs all dissolution of marriage cases in Kendall County. The main statute is 750 ILCS 5/, known as the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. 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 either spouse lives at the time of filing. For most Kendall County residents, this means filing at the Yorkville courthouse.
The process starts when one spouse files a petition for dissolution of marriage. The other spouse is then served with a copy of the petition and a summons. Both parties must disclose their finances. If they reach an agreement, a marital settlement agreement is filed along with the petition. The judge reviews the terms and, if they are fair, approves the final judgment for dissolution of marriage. If the parties disagree, the case may go to mediation or trial. Most cases in Kendall County settle before a hearing.
For couples who qualify, Illinois offers a simplified process under 750 ILCS 5/452. The Joint Simplified Dissolution procedure applies when both spouses agree, have been married less than eight years, have no children, and meet certain asset and income limits. It is faster and costs less. The clerk office can explain whether your case qualifies.
Approved court forms for dissolution of marriage are available from the Illinois Courts website at illinoiscourts.gov. These forms are free to download and cover both contested and uncontested cases.
What Kendall County Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage file in Kendall County holds every document filed from the start of the case to the end. The petition for dissolution is the first paper. It names both spouses, states the grounds, and lists what the filing spouse is asking for. The response from the other spouse follows. Temporary orders for custody, support, or property may be filed while the case is open. All of these become part of the public record in the Kendall County court file.
The final judgment for dissolution of marriage is the key document most people need. It contains the judge's orders on all issues: division of property, maintenance if any, child custody and parenting time, and child support under 750 ILCS 5/503 and 750 ILCS 5/505. This judgment is a public record. Certified copies are available at the clerk office. You may need a certified copy to change your name, update a deed, or handle matters with a pension or retirement account after the divorce.
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, certain personal identifiers are redacted from public court records. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and some other data are blacked out in documents available to the general public. The full record is available to the parties themselves. This rule applies to all dissolution of marriage files in Kendall County.
Illinois IDPH Dissolution of Marriage Verification
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a separate index of dissolution of marriage records going back to 1962. This is not a court record. It is a statistical record used to verify that a divorce took place. The IDPH does not issue certified copies of divorce decrees. What it provides is a verification letter confirming the basic facts of the dissolution. Many people use this when they need quick proof of a prior divorce before remarrying or for a name change.
To request a verification from the IDPH, write to 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737 or call (217) 782-6554. The fee is $5 per search. Payment must be by check or money order made out to "Illinois Department of Public Health." The IDPH does not accept credit cards for mail requests. Processing takes four to six weeks. If you need the actual decree with all the terms, you must get that from the Kendall County Circuit Clerk, not the IDPH.
The IDPH page for dissolution of marriage records is at dph.illinois.gov.
The IDPH verification service covers dissolutions recorded statewide from 1962 forward, including those filed in Kendall County.
Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in Kendall County
Several resources exist to help Kendall County residents with dissolution of marriage cases. Illinois Legal Aid Online offers free legal information and guided forms at illinoislegalaid.org. The site covers all steps of the divorce process and helps you understand what Illinois law requires. It also has a tool that lets you build court forms step by step based on your situation. This is a good starting point if you plan to handle your own case.
If you need in-person help, ask the Kendall County Circuit Clerk about self-help resources available at the courthouse. Some courts have law libraries or facilitator programs for people without a lawyer. For low-income residents, Prairie State Legal Services serves Kendall County and may be able to provide free or reduced-cost help with a dissolution of marriage case. Legal aid eligibility depends on income. Call to ask about current availability.
The Illinois Courts website has a full set of approved forms for dissolution of marriage cases. These standardized forms are accepted in all Illinois circuit courts including Kendall County. Download them at illinoiscourts.gov.
Cities in Kendall County
Kendall County includes Yorkville, Oswego, Plano, Sandwich, and several smaller communities. None of these cities currently exceed the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All dissolution of marriage cases for Kendall County residents are filed at the Circuit Clerk office in Yorkville, regardless of which city or town the parties live in. The courthouse at 807 West John Street in Yorkville handles the entire county.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Kendall County. If you are unsure which county handles your dissolution of marriage case, check the residence address. You file where one of the spouses currently lives.