Search Livingston County Dissolution of Marriage
Livingston County dissolution of marriage records are filed at the Circuit Clerk office in Pontiac. The 11th Judicial Circuit covers Livingston County and handles all family law cases, including dissolution of marriage. Whether you need to find a past case, get a certified copy of a final decree, or understand what records are available, the clerk office in Pontiac is the right place to start. This page covers how to reach the clerk, what records are available, what the process looks like, and where to get help with a dissolution of marriage in Livingston County.
Livingston County Quick Facts
Livingston County Circuit Clerk Office
Jacquelyn Gragson serves as the Circuit Clerk for Livingston County. The clerk office holds all dissolution of marriage records filed in the 11th Judicial Circuit in Livingston County. This includes every document in the case from start to finish: the petition, any temporary orders, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and the final judgment for dissolution of marriage. The office is at 110 N. Main St. in Pontiac.
In-person service is available at the Pontiac courthouse during regular business hours. You can search for a dissolution of marriage case by name or case number. Bring a photo ID when you visit. Staff can pull the file and help you identify which documents you need. Copies are made at the office. Certified copies are also available at a higher cost. If you are looking for a case that is more than a few years old, call 815/844-2602 ahead of time to confirm it is available at the counter.
The Illinois Courts website has a full list of circuit court clerks at illinoiscourts.gov.
| Circuit Clerk | Jacquelyn Gragson |
|---|---|
| Address | 110 N. Main St. Pontiac, IL 61764 |
| Phone | 815/844-2602 |
| Fax | 815/844-2322 |
| Judicial Circuit | 11th Judicial Circuit |
| County Seat | Pontiac |
Online Access to Livingston County Dissolution Records
Livingston County dissolution of marriage cases may be available on Judici, the Illinois online court records system. Judici lets you search by party name or case number. Basic case information is usually free to view. Document images may carry a small access fee. Go to judici.com and choose Livingston County to search for cases filed in the 11th Judicial Circuit in Pontiac.
Illinois Legal Aid Online has a guide on accessing court records in Illinois at illinoislegalaid.org. This resource explains what is in a court file, what is public, and how to request copies from a circuit court clerk. Livingston County follows the same public records rules as all other Illinois counties under 5 ILCS 140/ and the Illinois Clerks of Courts Act, 705 ILCS 105/. Dissolution of marriage records are public unless a court order seals specific parts of the file.
Illinois Legal Aid's guide walks you through the steps to get dissolution of marriage records in Livingston County and across Illinois.
Livingston County Dissolution of Marriage Fees
Filing fees for dissolution of marriage cases in Livingston County follow state law. Most standard petitions cost between $200 and $350 to file. The fee depends on the case type and whether children are involved. Local court fees may be added. Copy fees are charged separately. Plain copies are typically under $1.00 per page, and certified copies cost more. Call the clerk at 815/844-2602 to get current fee information before you file in Pontiac.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may ask the court to waive it by submitting an In Forma Pauperis application. You need to show your income and household size. The Livingston County judge reviews the form and decides whether to grant the waiver. A waiver covers the filing fee but not third-party costs like service or publication. Ask for the form at the clerk office in Pontiac.
Note: Livingston County fees are set by court order and can change. Get the current rate from the clerk before you file.
Dissolution of Marriage Law and Process in Livingston County
Livingston County dissolution of marriage cases 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 lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing. The case must be filed in the county where either spouse currently lives. Livingston County residents file at the 11th Judicial Circuit courthouse in Pontiac.
Illinois is a no-fault dissolution state. Irreconcilable differences is the only ground. If both spouses agree the marriage has broken down, one files the petition and the other is served. Both exchange financial disclosures. If they agree on all issues, they submit a marital settlement agreement and, if children are involved, a parenting plan. The 11th Circuit judge reviews both documents. If they are complete and meet the law, the judge enters the final judgment for dissolution of marriage. The case is then closed and the records are retained by the Livingston County clerk.
For contested cases, mediation may be ordered. Livingston County judges often encourage parties to resolve parenting disputes before going to trial. Property division follows 750 ILCS 5/503. Child support is set under 750 ILCS 5/505 using the income shares model. Eligible couples may use the Joint Simplified Dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452 if they meet all qualifications. The clerk in Pontiac can tell you more about whether a simplified case applies to your situation.
Free standard Illinois dissolution forms are at illinoiscourts.gov and are accepted in Livingston County.
What Livingston County Dissolution of Marriage Records Include
The dissolution of marriage file in Livingston County contains all documents filed in the case. The petition is the first document. It states both parties' names, when and where the marriage took place, and what relief the filing spouse is seeking. The response from the other spouse is next. While the case is open, the court may enter temporary orders for child support, exclusive use of property, or maintenance. These are all part of the official record and are generally available to the public at the Pontiac courthouse.
The final judgment for dissolution of marriage is the most commonly requested document. It contains the judge's rulings on everything: property division under 750 ILCS 5/503, any maintenance, child support under 750 ILCS 5/505, and the parenting plan if children are involved. Certified copies of this judgment are used for name changes, real estate closings, pension orders, and other legal matters after the dissolution. The Livingston County clerk issues certified copies at the Pontiac office. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 requires redaction of Social Security numbers and account numbers from copies provided to the public.
IDPH Verification of Livingston County Dissolution Records
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of dissolution of marriage records from 1962 to the present. Cases from Livingston County are included in this index. The IDPH does not provide the actual court record. It issues a verification letter confirming that a dissolution of marriage was recorded, along with the names of the parties, the year, and the county. This is often sufficient for purposes like proving a prior divorce before remarrying or handling a name change without needing the full decree.
To get a verification from the IDPH, send a written request to 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." Credit cards are not accepted for mail requests. Processing takes four to six weeks. Phone: (217) 782-6554. To get the actual Livingston County dissolution decree, contact the Circuit Clerk in Pontiac at 815/844-2602.
Full details on the IDPH verification service are at dph.illinois.gov.
Legal Help for Livingston County Dissolution Cases
Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org is a free starting point for anyone handling a dissolution of marriage in Livingston County. The site explains the process, covers what the court needs, and provides a form-builder tool that walks you through completing court papers step by step. This is most useful for uncontested cases where both parties agree on all issues.
Prairie State Legal Services covers Livingston County and may be able to provide free legal help to low-income residents. Contact them to ask about eligibility and what family law services are currently available. If you do not qualify for legal aid, the Livingston County Bar Association can refer you to a local attorney. Some family law attorneys in the Pontiac area offer a reduced-fee initial consultation. For self-represented parties, the Pontiac courthouse clerk office can direct you to available self-help resources.
Standard dissolution forms accepted in Livingston County are available free of charge at illinoiscourts.gov.
Cities in Livingston County
Livingston County includes Pontiac, Streator, Fairbury, Forrest, Dwight, and several other smaller communities. None of these cities currently exceed the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All dissolution of marriage cases filed by Livingston County residents are handled by the Circuit Clerk office at 110 N. Main St. in Pontiac. Residents of every city and town in the county file at the Pontiac courthouse in the 11th Judicial Circuit.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Livingston County in central Illinois. File your dissolution of marriage case in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.