Logan County Dissolution of Marriage Lookup
Logan County dissolution of marriage records are kept at the Circuit Clerk office in Lincoln, Illinois. The 11th Judicial Circuit handles all family law matters in Logan County, including dissolution of marriage and legal separation cases. If you need to search for a past case, request a copy of a final decree, or find out what records are available, start with the Circuit Clerk in Lincoln. This page covers how to reach the clerk, how to look up records online, what the process involves under Illinois law, and where to get help.
Logan County Quick Facts
Logan County Circuit Clerk Office
Kelly Elias is the Circuit Clerk for Logan County. Her office holds all dissolution of marriage records filed in the 11th Judicial Circuit in Logan County. The mailing address for the clerk is P.O. Box 158, Lincoln, IL 62656. All dissolution of marriage cases, from the initial petition to the final judgment, are on file with this office. Staff can search records by name or case number and prepare copies on request.
The Logan County courthouse in Lincoln is where all family law filings happen. If you need to visit in person, call 217/735-2376 ahead of time to confirm office hours and to ask whether the records you need are ready to view at the counter. Some older case files may need additional time to retrieve. For recent cases, staff can usually pull the file right away. Bring a photo ID and, if you have it, your case number. The office processes both plain and certified copies for a fee.
Contact details for all Illinois circuit court clerks are available at illinoiscourts.gov.
| Circuit Clerk | Kelly Elias |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 158 Lincoln, IL 62656 |
| Phone | 217/735-2376 |
| Fax | 217/732-1231 |
| Judicial Circuit | 11th Judicial Circuit |
| County Seat | Lincoln |
Online Records for Logan County Dissolution of Marriage
Logan County dissolution of marriage cases may be available through Judici, the statewide Illinois online court records system. Judici allows searches by name or case number for cases in the 11th Judicial Circuit. Basic case details are typically free. Document images may require a fee. Go to judici.com and select Logan County to begin your search.
Illinois Legal Aid Online provides a free guide on how to get copies of court records in Illinois. Visit illinoislegalaid.org to read about what types of records are public, how to request them from the clerk, and what to do if a record appears to be sealed or unavailable. Logan County follows the same statewide rules on public access that govern all other Illinois circuit courts under 5 ILCS 140/ and 705 ILCS 105/.
Judici provides case-level access for Logan County and other counties in the 11th Judicial Circuit.
Logan County Dissolution of Marriage Filing Fees
Dissolution of marriage filing fees in Logan County are based on state law and local court rules. Most standard petitions cost between $200 and $350 to file. Cases involving children may have a different fee than cases without. Copy fees apply on top of filing fees. Plain copies are usually under $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Call the Logan County Circuit Clerk at 217/735-2376 to confirm current fees before making the trip to Lincoln.
If you have low income and cannot pay the filing fee, you may ask the court to waive it by submitting an In Forma Pauperis petition. The form asks for your income, household size, and monthly expenses. The Logan County judge reviews the request and decides whether to waive all or part of the fee. Even if granted, third-party costs for service of process are not covered by the waiver. Ask the clerk in Lincoln for the form.
Illinois Law and the Logan County Dissolution Process
All dissolution of marriage cases in Logan 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. You file in the county where either spouse currently lives. For Logan County residents, that means the 11th Judicial Circuit courthouse in Lincoln.
Illinois recognizes only irreconcilable differences as a ground for dissolution of marriage. There is no fault-based divorce. If both spouses agree the marriage has permanently broken down, one spouse files the petition, and the other is served with a copy. Both parties exchange financial statements. If all issues are resolved, they submit a marital settlement agreement. If children are involved, a parenting plan is also required. The 11th Circuit judge reviews the documents. If everything meets the legal requirements, the court enters a final judgment for dissolution of marriage and the case is closed.
For cases where the parties disagree, the court may order mediation. Logan County follows state guidelines on property division under 750 ILCS 5/503 and child support under 750 ILCS 5/505. For couples who qualify, Illinois offers a faster process under 750 ILCS 5/452, the Joint Simplified Dissolution. This applies when both spouses agree, the marriage was short, there are no children, and assets and income fall within specific limits. The Logan County clerk can tell you more.
Approved dissolution forms for Illinois courts are at illinoiscourts.gov and are accepted in the Logan County circuit court.
What Logan County Dissolution Records Contain
The dissolution of marriage case file in Logan County holds every document filed in the case. The petition is the first paper. It identifies both parties, states the date and place of the marriage, and lists what the filing spouse is requesting. The response from the other party follows. If the court enters temporary orders during the case for support, custody, or use of the family home, those go in the file too. All of these are public records under Illinois law and can be viewed at the Logan County courthouse in Lincoln.
The final judgment for dissolution of marriage is what most people need a copy of. It contains the court's orders on all matters in the case: property division under 750 ILCS 5/503, maintenance if ordered, child support under 750 ILCS 5/505, and the parenting plan if applicable. Certified copies of the judgment are needed for many purposes after a dissolution, including name changes, real estate transfers, pension division orders, and remarriage. The Logan County Circuit Clerk issues certified copies at the Lincoln office. Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers are redacted from copies given to the public.
IDPH Dissolution of Marriage Verification for Logan County
The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps a statewide statistical index of dissolution of marriage records from 1962 to the present. Logan County is included in this index. The IDPH does not issue court decrees. It provides a verification letter confirming that a dissolution was recorded, along with the names of the parties and the year and county. This is often enough when you need to prove a prior divorce without going through the full record request process at the courthouse.
Send your written request to the IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include both parties' full 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. Allow four to six weeks for processing. Phone: (217) 782-6554. For the actual Logan County dissolution decree, contact the Circuit Clerk in Lincoln at 217/735-2376.
More information on the IDPH verification process is available at dph.illinois.gov.
Legal Help in Logan County for Dissolution of Marriage
Logan County residents who need guidance on dissolution of marriage can use the free resources at Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org. The site provides plain-language explanations of the dissolution process, including what forms you need, how to file them, and what happens at each stage of the case. The easy form tool is especially useful for people handling an uncontested dissolution without a lawyer in the 11th Judicial Circuit.
Prairie State Legal Services covers Logan County and provides free legal assistance to income-eligible residents. Family law matters, including dissolution of marriage, are among the cases they handle. Contact them to ask about eligibility and current service availability. If you do not qualify for legal aid, local attorneys in Lincoln may be able to assist. The Logan County Bar Association can provide a referral. Some attorneys offer a reduced-cost consultation for family law matters in the Lincoln area.
Illinois approved dissolution of marriage forms, accepted in Logan County, are available at illinoiscourts.gov.
Cities in Logan County
Logan County includes Lincoln, Atlanta, Broadwell, Chestnut, Elkhart, and other small communities. None of these cities exceed the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All dissolution of marriage cases for Logan County residents are filed at the Circuit Clerk office in Lincoln. The 11th Judicial Circuit courthouse in Lincoln serves every community in the county.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Logan County in central Illinois. File your dissolution of marriage case in the county where you or your spouse currently lives.