Lee County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Lee County dissolution of marriage records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk office in Dixon. The 15th Judicial Circuit handles family law matters in Lee County, including all dissolution of marriage and legal separation cases. If you need to look up a case, request a copy of a decree, or verify that a dissolution of marriage took place in Lee County, this page explains where to go, how the process works, and what resources are available to help you.

Lee County Circuit Clerk

Amy Johnson is the Circuit Clerk for Lee County. Her office keeps all dissolution of marriage records filed in the 15th Judicial Circuit in Lee County. The clerk office is at 309 S. Galena, Suite 320, in Dixon. This is where you file a new dissolution of marriage case and where you go to request copies of an existing case file. Every document in a dissolution case, from the petition to the final judgment, is part of the official court record kept by this office.

Walk-in service is available during regular courthouse hours in Dixon. If you know your case number, bring it. If not, staff can search by the name of either party in the dissolution of marriage. For old or archived cases, call ahead at 815/284-5234 to ask whether records are on site and ready to view. Copies are made at the clerk office. Certified copies are also available for a fee. You can pay for copies at the counter when you visit.

All circuit court clerk contact information for Illinois can be found at illinoiscourts.gov.

Online Dissolution of Marriage Records in Lee County

Lee County dissolution of marriage cases may be searchable through Judici, a statewide online court records platform used across many Illinois circuits. Judici allows searches by party name or case number. Basic case data is usually free. Document images may require a small fee. Go to judici.com and select Lee County to search for dissolution of marriage cases filed in Dixon.

For a broader overview of how to access court records in Illinois, the Illinois Legal Aid guide at illinoislegalaid.org explains what is public, how to request records, and what to expect when dealing with sealed or restricted files. Lee County follows Illinois statewide rules on public access under 750 ILCS 5/ and the Illinois FOIA, 5 ILCS 140/.

Judici is a useful tool for searching Lee County dissolution of marriage case records without making a trip to the Dixon courthouse.

Lee County Dissolution of Marriage Fees

Filing fees for dissolution of marriage cases in Lee County are set by state law. Most filings cost between $200 and $350. The exact amount depends on the case type and whether children are involved. Local court fees may also apply. Copy fees are separate. Plain copies are usually under $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Call 815/284-5234 before you file to confirm current fees at the Lee County clerk office in Dixon.

If you cannot pay the fee, you may file an In Forma Pauperis petition asking the court to waive it. You provide income documentation. The Lee County judge decides whether to grant the waiver. It covers the filing fee only. Third-party costs like service fees still apply even if the waiver is granted. The clerk office in Dixon has the form you need to apply.

Note: Always confirm current fees with the Lee County Circuit Clerk before filing. Fees may be updated by court order and can change without notice on third-party sites.

Dissolution of Marriage Law in Lee County

Dissolution of marriage cases in Lee County follow Illinois law under 750 ILCS 5/. Under 750 ILCS 5/401, at least one spouse must have been an Illinois resident for 90 days before the case is filed. The case is filed in the county where either spouse currently lives. Lee County residents file at the 15th Judicial Circuit courthouse in Dixon.

Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. The only recognized ground for dissolution of marriage is irreconcilable differences. Both parties must acknowledge that the marriage has permanently broken down. If both spouses agree on all terms, the case moves faster. One party files the petition. The other is served. Financial disclosures are exchanged. A marital settlement agreement and, if there are children, a parenting plan are submitted. The judge reviews and enters a final judgment for dissolution of marriage if everything is in order.

Contested cases take longer and may go to mediation or trial. The 15th Circuit court in Lee County may order mediation when the parties disagree on parenting matters. Property is divided under 750 ILCS 5/503. Child support is calculated using the state income shares model under 750 ILCS 5/505. For couples who qualify under specific criteria, the Joint Simplified Dissolution process under 750 ILCS 5/452 is an option. The Lee County clerk can explain the requirements.

Illinois Supreme Court approved forms for dissolution cases, which are accepted in Lee County, are available free at illinoiscourts.gov.

What Lee County Dissolution of Marriage Files Contain

A dissolution of marriage case file in Lee County holds all documents from the start of the case to its close. The petition is the first document. It names both spouses, states the facts of the marriage, and lists what the filing party wants from the court. The other spouse's answer follows. Any temporary orders for child support, maintenance, or custody during the pending case are also filed and kept in the record. These documents are public under Illinois law and can be reviewed at the Dixon courthouse.

The final judgment for dissolution of marriage is the key document in the file. It contains the judge's orders on all issues: how marital property is divided under 750 ILCS 5/503, whether maintenance is paid, child support amounts under 750 ILCS 5/505, and the parenting plan if children are involved. Certified copies of this judgment are needed for real estate transactions, name changes, pension division orders, and many other legal tasks that come after a dissolution. The Lee County Circuit Clerk can issue certified copies for a fee at the Dixon courthouse. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 requires that Social Security numbers and account numbers be redacted from public copies.

IDPH Verification for Lee County Dissolution of Marriage

The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of dissolution of marriage records from 1962 to the present. This index includes cases filed in Lee County. The IDPH does not issue court decrees. It issues a verification letter that confirms a dissolution of marriage took place and provides the parties' names and the year and county of the dissolution. Many people use this service when they need proof of a prior divorce but do not need the full decree with all its terms.

To request a verification, write to the IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include both parties' names and the approximate year of the dissolution. Enclose a $5 check or money order made out to "Illinois Department of Public Health." Mail requests take four to six weeks. Phone: (217) 782-6554. For the actual Lee County dissolution decree, contact the Circuit Clerk in Dixon at 815/284-5234 or use the Judici online search.

The IDPH page on dissolution of marriage verification is at dph.illinois.gov.

Legal Help in Lee County for Dissolution Cases

Lee County residents who need guidance on dissolution of marriage can use the free resources at Illinois Legal Aid Online. The site at illinoislegalaid.org covers the process from start to finish in plain language. It includes a form tool that walks you through the paperwork step by step, which is especially useful if you are handling an uncontested case in the 15th Judicial Circuit without a lawyer.

Prairie State Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents of Lee County. They handle family law cases including dissolution of marriage. Contact them to check eligibility and service availability. If you do not qualify for free legal aid, the Lee County Bar Association can provide attorney referrals. Some family law attorneys in the Dixon area offer an initial consultation at a reduced rate. For self-represented parties, the Dixon courthouse may have informational resources available at the clerk's office.

Free approved court forms for Illinois dissolution cases are at illinoiscourts.gov.

Cities in Lee County

Lee County includes Dixon, Amboy, Ashton, Franklin Grove, and other smaller communities. None of these cities currently exceed the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All dissolution of marriage cases for Lee County residents are handled by the Circuit Clerk office at 309 S. Galena, Suite 320 in Dixon. Every city and town in Lee County files at this courthouse under the 15th Judicial Circuit.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lee County in northern Illinois. File your dissolution of marriage case in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.