Dissolution of Marriage in Lawrence County
Lawrence County dissolution of marriage records are kept at the Circuit Clerk office in Lawrenceville. The 2nd Judicial Circuit covers Lawrence County and handles all family law filings, including divorce and legal separation. If you need to search for a dissolution of marriage case, request a copy of a final decree, or confirm that a divorce took place in Lawrence County, the clerk office is the right place to contact. This page covers how to reach the clerk, how to access records, what the process looks like under Illinois law, and where to find help in Lawrence County.
Lawrence County Quick Facts
Lawrence County Circuit Clerk Office
Cheryl Winkles is the Circuit Clerk for Lawrence County. The clerk office holds all dissolution of marriage records filed in the 2nd Judicial Circuit. This includes the petition, the response, all motions and orders during the case, and the final judgment for dissolution of marriage. Staff can search cases by party name or case number. The office is at 1100 State Street in Lawrenceville, Illinois.
Lawrence County is a smaller county in southeast Illinois, and the clerk office provides personal service to residents looking for dissolution of marriage records. Walk-in visits are the most direct way to search for records and get copies. Call 618/943-2815 before your visit to confirm hours and to check whether the records you need are readily available. For old cases, some records may need to be pulled from storage. Staff can tell you how long that takes.
You can find the full list of Illinois circuit court clerks, with addresses and contact info, at illinoiscourts.gov.
| Circuit Clerk | Cheryl Winkles |
|---|---|
| Address | 1100 State Street Lawrenceville, IL 62439 |
| Phone | 618/943-2815 |
| Fax | 618/943-5205 |
| Judicial Circuit | 2nd Judicial Circuit |
| County Seat | Lawrenceville |
Online Search for Lawrence County Dissolution Records
Lawrence County dissolution of marriage cases may be available through Judici, the Illinois statewide court records platform. Judici lets users search cases by name or case number. Basic case information is often available for free. Document images may carry a small fee. Go to judici.com and look for Lawrence County in the circuit court list.
For an overview of how Illinois court records work and what the public can access, see the Illinois Legal Aid guide at illinoislegalaid.org. This guide explains what is in a court file, what is sealed, and how to request records from the clerk. Lawrence County follows the same rules that apply to all Illinois counties under the Illinois FOIA statute, 5 ILCS 140/, and the Illinois Clerks of Courts Act, 705 ILCS 105/. Dissolution of marriage records are generally public. Some information may be redacted per Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138.
Judici provides case search access for Lawrence County and many other counties in the 2nd Judicial Circuit.
Lawrence County Dissolution of Marriage Filing Fees
Filing fees for dissolution of marriage cases in Lawrence County are based on state law. Most standard dissolution petitions cost between $200 and $350 to file. The exact fee depends on the case type and whether minor children are part of the case. Copy fees are separate. Plain copies are typically $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Call the clerk at 618/943-2815 for the current fee schedule before you go to the Lawrenceville courthouse.
If paying the filing fee is a hardship, you may file an In Forma Pauperis petition to ask the court to waive the fee. You provide documentation of your income and household size. The judge reviews the request. If granted, the filing fee is waived, though other costs such as service fees still apply. The Lawrence County Circuit Clerk can provide the waiver form at the office in Lawrenceville.
Illinois Law and the Lawrence County Dissolution Process
All dissolution of marriage cases in Lawrence County are governed by 750 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Under 750 ILCS 5/401, one spouse must have lived in Illinois for at least 90 days before filing. The case is filed in the county where either spouse currently resides. Lawrence County residents file at the courthouse in Lawrenceville under the 2nd Judicial Circuit.
Illinois uses irreconcilable differences as the sole ground for dissolution of marriage. There is no fault-based divorce in this state. If both spouses agree the marriage is over, the case can move quickly. One spouse files the petition, the other is served, and both exchange financial information. If both agree on property division, support, and custody, they file a marital settlement agreement. The 2nd Circuit judge reviews everything and, if it meets the requirements of the law, signs the final judgment for dissolution of marriage.
Cases that are contested take longer. The court may order mediation for disputes over parenting time. If mediation does not resolve things, a trial is scheduled. Property division follows 750 ILCS 5/503, and child support is calculated under 750 ILCS 5/505. For couples who qualify, the Joint Simplified Dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452 is available. It requires no children, a short marriage, limited assets, and full agreement between both parties. The Lawrence County clerk can tell you more about eligibility.
Free dissolution forms accepted in Lawrence County are available at illinoiscourts.gov.
What Lawrence County Dissolution of Marriage Records Include
The dissolution of marriage case file in Lawrence County contains every document entered in the case. The petition is first. It names both spouses, lists the date and place of marriage, and states what the filing party is asking for. The other spouse's response is next. Any temporary orders entered while the case is open are also in the file. These might cover who uses the family home, child support during the case, or temporary maintenance. All of these papers are public records in Lawrence County.
The final judgment for dissolution of marriage is the document that ends the marriage. It is the most commonly requested record. It contains all of the judge's orders: property division, custody, parenting time, child support under 750 ILCS 5/505, maintenance if any, and any other terms agreed to by the parties. Certified copies of this judgment are needed for legal tasks like changing your name, handling a pension, or transferring property. The Lawrence County Circuit Clerk issues certified copies for a fee at the Lawrenceville office. Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from public copies.
IDPH Verification of Lawrence County Dissolution Records
The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps a statistical index of dissolution of marriage records statewide, covering cases from 1962 to the present. Lawrence County dissolutions are included in this index. The IDPH does not issue certified copies of court decrees. What it provides is a verification letter confirming that a dissolution of marriage occurred, along with the names of the parties and the year and county. This is sometimes all that is needed when someone wants proof of a prior divorce without obtaining the full decree.
To request a verification, write to: Illinois Department of Public Health, 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include both parties' names and the approximate year of dissolution. Enclose a check or money order for $5 payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health." Credit cards are not accepted for mail requests. Allow four to six weeks. Phone: (217) 782-6554. If you need the actual Lawrence County dissolution decree, contact the Circuit Clerk in Lawrenceville at 618/943-2815.
The IDPH verification page is at dph.illinois.gov.
Legal Resources for Lawrence County Dissolution Cases
Lawrence County residents who need help with a dissolution of marriage case can start with Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org. This free resource covers the full dissolution process in plain language. It includes information on how to complete forms, what to do if your spouse won't cooperate, and how to handle custody and support questions in Illinois. The easy form tool walks you through each step of the paperwork.
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid serves Lawrence County and provides free legal help to those who qualify based on income. They handle family law matters including dissolution of marriage. Call to find out if you are eligible and what help is available in your area. For those who do not qualify for legal aid, the Lawrence County Bar Association may be able to provide a referral. Some local attorneys in Lawrenceville handle family law cases and offer an initial consultation at a reduced rate.
Standard dissolution forms for Illinois courts, including those accepted in Lawrence County, are at illinoiscourts.gov.
Cities in Lawrence County
Lawrence County includes Lawrenceville, Bridgeport, Sumner, Russellville, and a number of smaller towns. None of these communities exceed the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All dissolution of marriage cases filed by Lawrence County residents go to the Circuit Clerk at 1100 State Street in Lawrenceville. The 2nd Judicial Circuit courthouse in Lawrenceville serves the entire county.
Nearby Counties
These counties are adjacent to Lawrence County in southern Illinois. File your dissolution of marriage in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.