Lake County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Lake County dissolution of marriage records are maintained at the Circuit Clerk office in Waukegan. The 19th Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases in Lake County, one of Illinois's most populous counties with over 718,000 residents. Whether you need to search for a past case, get a certified copy of a final decree, or confirm that a dissolution of marriage took place, the Lake County Circuit Clerk is the right place to start. This page covers the clerk's online portal, fees, the filing process under Illinois law, and where to find help in Lake County.
Lake County Quick Facts
Lake County Circuit Clerk Office
Erin Cartwright Weinstein is the Circuit Clerk for Lake County. Her office handles all dissolution of marriage records filed in the 19th Judicial Circuit. This includes the original petition, all motions and orders entered during the case, financial disclosures, parenting plans, settlement agreements, and the final judgment for dissolution. The clerk office is at 18 North County Street in Waukegan. You can visit in person or use the county's online portal to search cases and request documents.
Lake County has a dedicated website for the Circuit Clerk at lakecountycircuitclerk.org. The site provides information on office hours, services, and how to request copies of court records including dissolution of marriage files. Given the size of Lake County, the office processes a high volume of family law cases each year. Staff are experienced with dissolution of marriage requests and can guide you to the right documents.
The image below shows the Lake County Circuit Clerk's website, where you can find hours, contact info, and links to the online case portal.
Visit lakecountycircuitclerk.org for the latest information on hours, services, and how to reach the clerk office by phone or email.
| Circuit Clerk | Erin Cartwright Weinstein |
|---|---|
| Address | 18 North County Street Waukegan, IL 60085-4340 |
| Phone | 847/377-3380 |
| Fax | 847/360-6409 |
| Judicial Circuit | 19th Judicial Circuit |
| County Seat | Waukegan |
| Website | lakecountycircuitclerk.org |
Lake County Online Portal for Dissolution of Marriage Records
Lake County has its own online public access portal powered by JournalTech. This portal lets you search for dissolution of marriage cases by name, case number, or business name. You can view case events and some document information. Accessing document images and paying for copies can be done through the portal as well. Free registration is required to use the full set of features. Once you have an account, you can search Lake County court records at any time from any device.
The Lake County eCourt public portal is at prod-portal-ecourt-lakecounty-il.journaltech.com. Registration is free and takes only a few minutes. After you log in, search for a dissolution of marriage case by entering a party's last name or a known case number. The portal shows case history, filed documents, and court events. Document copy fees vary by type. You can pay online through the portal when ordering copies.
The Lake County eCourt portal provides direct online access to dissolution of marriage records filed in the 19th Judicial Circuit.
For general guidance on accessing Illinois court records, the Illinois Legal Aid guide at illinoislegalaid.org is a useful starting point. It explains what records are public, what may be restricted, and how to make formal requests through the clerk office in Lake County.
Dissolution of Marriage Fees in Lake County
Lake County charges filing fees for dissolution of marriage cases consistent with state law. The fee to file a new petition varies based on whether the case involves minor children and what type of case it is. Most standard dissolutions cost between $200 and $350 to file in Illinois. Lake County may also have local administrative fees on top of the state filing fee. Copy fees at the clerk office vary by document type. Certified copies are available. Check the current fee schedule at lakecountycircuitclerk.org or call 847/377-3380.
Through the online portal, you can also pay for document copies electronically. This is convenient if you have already found the case and know what you need. The portal shows the cost before you complete the purchase. For in-person requests at the Waukegan courthouse, bring cash or a check to cover copy fees. If cost is an issue, you may ask the court for a fee waiver. Submit an In Forma Pauperis application with proof of low income. The clerk can provide the form at the front desk.
Note: Lake County fee schedules are subject to change. Confirm current rates with the clerk office or on the official website before filing.
Dissolution of Marriage Law and Process in Lake County
All dissolution of marriage cases in Lake County are governed by 750 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Under 750 ILCS 5/401, at least one spouse must have been an Illinois resident for 90 days before filing. The case must be filed in the county where either spouse currently lives. Lake County residents file at the 19th Judicial Circuit courthouse in Waukegan.
Illinois is a no-fault state. Irreconcilable differences is the only ground for dissolution of marriage. The parties must show the marriage has broken down and that efforts at reconciliation have failed or would not be in the best interest of the family. Once filed, the other spouse is served. Both parties exchange financial information. If they agree on all issues, they submit a marital settlement agreement and, if there are children, a parenting plan. The 19th Judicial Circuit judge reviews the documents and, if they satisfy the law, enters the final judgment for dissolution of marriage.
Lake County handles a large number of dissolution cases each year due to its population. The court encourages mediation when parties disagree on parenting or financial issues. Property division follows 750 ILCS 5/503, which calls for an equitable split of marital property. Child support is set under 750 ILCS 5/505 using the state income shares model. Couples who meet the criteria can use the simplified dissolution procedure under 750 ILCS 5/452, which is faster and involves less paperwork.
Court forms approved for use in Lake County are available for free download at illinoiscourts.gov.
What Lake County Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage case file in Lake County includes every document entered into the record from the filing date to the closing of the case. The petition for dissolution is first. It identifies both parties, states when the marriage took place, and lists the relief being requested. The response follows. During the case, temporary orders for child support, maintenance, or exclusive use of the family home may be filed. These all become part of the Lake County court record and are accessible to the public under Illinois law.
The final judgment for dissolution of marriage is what most people need. It contains the judge's rulings on all issues in the case. This includes property division under 750 ILCS 5/503, child support under 750 ILCS 5/505, any maintenance order, and the parenting plan if children are involved. Certified copies of this judgment are needed for many legal purposes after a dissolution, including real estate transactions, name changes, pension division orders, and remarriage. The Lake County Circuit Clerk issues certified copies at the courthouse and, for some documents, through the online portal.
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, personal identifiers are redacted from copies made available to the public. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other protected data are removed. The parties themselves retain access to the full unredacted file. This rule applies to all dissolution of marriage records in Lake County.
IDPH Verification for Lake County Dissolution of Marriage
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of dissolution of marriage records dating back to 1962. This index covers cases from Lake County and every other Illinois county. The IDPH does not provide the divorce decree itself. It issues a verification letter that confirms the basic facts of the dissolution: names of both parties, date, and county. This is sometimes enough for purposes like a name change or remarriage when you do not need the full decree.
To request a verification from IDPH, send a written request to 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include the full names of both spouses and the approximate year of dissolution. Enclose a $5 check or money order payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health." The IDPH does not accept credit cards by mail. Processing time is four to six weeks. Their phone number is (217) 782-6554. For the actual Lake County dissolution decree, contact the Circuit Clerk at the Waukegan courthouse or use the online portal.
More information on the IDPH verification service is at dph.illinois.gov.
Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in Lake County
Lake County residents have access to several legal resources for dissolution of marriage cases. Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org offers free information on every step of the divorce process in Illinois. The site includes a guided form tool that helps you complete the paperwork for an uncontested dissolution. This is a good option if you and your spouse agree on all issues and want to handle the case on your own in Lake County.
For those who need in-person legal help, Lake County has several organizations. LAF (Legal Aid Chicago) serves residents of Lake County and handles family law cases for low-income individuals. Call to ask about eligibility. The Lake County Bar Association can provide lawyer referrals. Some attorneys in Waukegan and other Lake County cities offer free or reduced-cost first consultations for dissolution cases. The courthouse in Waukegan also has self-help resources for people representing themselves.
Approved Illinois court forms for dissolution are free at illinoiscourts.gov. These forms work in Lake County's 19th Judicial Circuit.
Cities in Lake County
Lake County includes Waukegan and many other communities. Waukegan is the county seat and the largest city in Lake County.
Other cities in Lake County include North Chicago, Zion, Round Lake Beach, Gurnee, Lake Zurich, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Libertyville, Winthrop Harbor, and Antioch. All dissolution of marriage cases for Lake County residents are filed at the 19th Judicial Circuit courthouse in Waukegan, regardless of which city the parties live in.
Nearby Counties
Lake County borders these Illinois and Wisconsin counties. File your dissolution of marriage case in the Illinois county where you or your spouse currently lives.