Search Madison County Dissolution of Marriage

Madison County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk office in Edwardsville, Illinois. With a population of over 263,000, Madison County is one of the larger Metro East counties in the state, and it handles a significant volume of dissolution cases through the Third Judicial Circuit. The county provides online access to court records through its own search portal, making it easier to find dissolution of marriage filings without visiting the courthouse in person. This page covers how to search records, request copies, understand fees, and get legal help in Madison County.

Madison County Circuit Clerk Office

The Madison County Circuit Clerk is Patrick McRae, and his office at 155 North Main Street in Edwardsville handles all dissolution of marriage filings in the county. This office is responsible for accepting petitions, maintaining case files, issuing certified copies of judgments, and managing the court records system. Madison County is part of the Third Judicial Circuit of Illinois, which gives it a robust infrastructure for handling family law cases. The clerk's office processes dissolution of marriage records with an average turnaround of about five business days for record requests.

The Third Judicial Circuit serves both Madison and Bond counties. Madison County, however, is by far the larger of the two and generates most of the circuit's caseload. As a major Metro East county bordering St. Clair County and the Greater St. Louis region, Madison County sees dissolution filings from a large and diverse population. The clerk's office handles in-person visits, online requests through the court records search portal, and mail requests. Call 618/692-6240 during business hours with any questions about your case or how to get records.

Madison County Dissolution of Marriage Online Search

Madison County offers its own online court records search portal, which is one of the better county-level tools available in Illinois. The portal lets you search by party name or case number and returns case status, filing dates, and hearing information for dissolution of marriage cases. This is free to use and does not require registration. You can access it at madisoncountyil.gov court records search.

The Madison County Circuit Clerk's website at madisoncountyil.gov/departments/circuit_clerk also provides general information about the clerk's services, mail request procedures, and what you can expect when filing or searching for records. Online record access does not give you full document images, but it does let you confirm whether a case exists and what its current status is. For full documents including the judgment of dissolution, you still need to contact the clerk either in person or by mail.

The Madison County court records search portal is shown in the screenshot below, demonstrating how to search for dissolution of marriage cases by name.

The search results show case numbers, party names, filing dates, and current status, which is enough to confirm a dissolution of marriage was filed and finalized in Madison County.

For mail requests in Madison County, send a written request to the Circuit Clerk's office with the full names of both parties, approximate year of the dissolution, and your contact information. Include a check or money order for the copying fee. Mail processing takes approximately five business days.

Dissolution of Marriage Fees in Madison County

Madison County follows Illinois state fee guidelines for dissolution of marriage filings. Fees are collected at the time of filing and cover clerk processing, document storage, and service of process. The exact amounts can vary slightly by year and case type, so confirm current fees with the clerk at 618/692-6240 before you file.

Typical fees for dissolution cases in Madison County include the petition filing fee (which ranges from $289 to $388 depending on case complexity), an appearance fee for the responding spouse, and per-page charges for copies. Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost more than plain copies. If you need multiple certified copies for things like a name change, bank accounts, or property transfers, factor that into your budget. The Madison County Circuit Clerk can tell you exactly what you will pay before you submit your documents.

Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. File an Application to Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person with the clerk's office. The court reviews income and household expenses. If approved, all filing fees are waived for your dissolution of marriage case in Madison County.

Note: Mail-in requests for record copies should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and the correct fee to avoid delays.

Illinois Law and the Dissolution Process

Illinois law governs dissolution of marriage under 750 ILCS 5/, which is the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. This statute covers residency, grounds, property division, child support, maintenance, and the final judgment. The 90-day residency requirement under 750 ILCS 5/401 means that at least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing in Madison County. Irreconcilable differences is the only recognized ground for dissolution in Illinois today.

Property in Madison County dissolution cases is divided under the equitable distribution standard in 750 ILCS 5/503. The court looks at each spouse's contribution to the marriage, the value of marital and non-marital assets, tax consequences, and other factors. Equitable does not mean equal, but the division must be fair. Child support calculations follow the income shares model under 750 ILCS 5/505, which considers both parents' incomes and the time each spends with the child. Maintenance, formerly called alimony, is addressed in 750 ILCS 5/504 and depends on factors like the length of the marriage and each spouse's earning capacity.

Madison County handles a large volume of family law cases given its population. The Third Judicial Circuit has established procedures that move cases through efficiently. Parties who reach a full agreement early in the process tend to have shorter timelines. Contested cases that require hearings or trials take considerably longer. Court-connected mediation is available in Madison County to help parties resolve disputes before going to a judge.

What Madison County Dissolution Records Include

A dissolution of marriage file in Madison County contains the entire history of the case from start to finish. The petition for dissolution is the opening document. It identifies both parties, states the date of marriage, and outlines what the petitioner wants from the court. The response from the other party follows. Any temporary orders for support, custody, or use of the family home are also filed during the case and become part of the record.

The judgment of dissolution of marriage is the final court order. This is the document that officially ends the marriage under Illinois law. In Madison County, the judgment also incorporates any marital settlement agreement the parties signed. The settlement agreement covers how property and debts are divided, which parent has primary custody, the parenting time schedule, child support amounts, and any maintenance payments. All of these are public records in Madison County, subject to the redaction rules under Rule 138 that remove Social Security numbers and financial account information from public-facing copies.

Illinois FOIA provisions under 5 ILCS 140/ apply to court records, meaning public access is the default. Sealed cases are the exception and require a court order. Most dissolution of marriage cases in Madison County are accessible to anyone who requests them at the clerk's office or through the online portal.

IDPH Verification for Madison County Dissolutions

The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of dissolutions of marriage that goes back to 1962. For cases filed in Madison County, the IDPH can confirm that a dissolution occurred and provide basic details. The search fee is $5 and does not include certified copies. Only the Madison County Circuit Clerk can issue certified copies of the actual dissolution judgment.

The IDPH is located at 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Call (217) 782-6554 or visit dph.illinois.gov for instructions on how to submit a request. Mail requests take 4 to 6 weeks to process. This is a useful tool if you need to verify a dissolution for a name change or remarriage but are not sure which county has the file.

The screenshot below shows the IDPH page dedicated to dissolution of marriage records in Illinois.

The Madison County Circuit Clerk's official website provides direct access to services, online record searches, and contact information for dissolution of marriage cases.

Legal Resources for Madison County Dissolution Cases

Madison County residents have access to several legal resources for dissolution of marriage cases. Illinois Legal Aid Online covers the entire dissolution process and is a good starting point for those handling their own case. Visit illinoislegalaid.org for free guidance. They also explain how to get court record copies at this page on accessing records.

Southwestern Illinois Legal Clinic and Land of Lincoln Legal Aid both serve Madison County residents who qualify for free legal help based on income. Land of Lincoln Legal Aid has an office in the Metro East area and handles family law cases including dissolution of marriage. Call their intake line to see if your income qualifies. The Madison County Bar Association also provides attorney referrals for residents looking for a local family law lawyer.

Standardized dissolution forms approved by the Illinois Courts are available at illinoiscourts.gov. These forms are accepted in Madison County and all other Illinois circuit courts. Using them correctly the first time avoids delays and additional trips to the courthouse in Edwardsville.

Cities in Madison County

Madison County includes cities like Edwardsville, Alton, Granite City, Collinsville, Troy, and many other communities. All dissolution of marriage cases from these cities are handled by the Madison County Circuit Clerk in Edwardsville. No cities in Madison County meet the 50,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Madison County in southern Illinois. File your dissolution case in the county where you or your spouse resides at the time of filing.