Randolph County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Randolph County dissolution of marriage records are kept at the Circuit Clerk office in Chester. The 20th Judicial Circuit handles all dissolution and divorce cases in the county. If you need to search for a past filing, get a certified copy of a decree, or learn how to start a case, this page covers those steps for Randolph County. It also explains the Illinois laws that govern the dissolution process and where to find legal help in the area.

Randolph County Circuit Clerk Office

Kari D. Miller is the Circuit Clerk for Randolph County. The clerk's office maintains all dissolution of marriage records for the county, from initial petitions through final decrees. The office is in Chester, which is the county seat of Randolph County on the Mississippi River. Staff can search records by name or case number and give you plain or certified copies. They handle both current cases and historical records.

To get copies of dissolution records, visit the Randolph County clerk's office in Chester or mail a request to P.O. Box 416, Chester, IL 62233. Include the names of both spouses, the approximate year of the filing, and payment for copy fees. Call 618/826-5000 ahead of time to confirm the current fee schedule and office hours. Mail requests take longer than in-person requests, so plan accordingly if you need the records quickly.

Note: The clerk's office can search for and copy records, but staff cannot give you legal advice about your dissolution case.

Online Dissolution Records for Randolph County

Randolph County dissolution of marriage records may be available through Judici, the Illinois online court portal. Judici lets you search case records by name or case number. Free access covers basic case information. Document images are available for a small per-page fee. Checking Judici first can save you a trip to Chester or a phone call to the clerk. Start there if you need to confirm a case exists or find a case number.

The Illinois Courts website at illinoiscourts.gov maintains a current directory of all circuit court clerks, including Randolph County. The 20th Judicial Circuit serves Randolph County along with Perry and Washington counties in southern Illinois. The directory is updated regularly and lists current phone numbers and addresses.

Judici is the fastest way to check whether a Randolph County dissolution case is on file before contacting the clerk.

Fees for Randolph County Dissolution Records

The Randolph County Circuit Clerk charges copy fees for dissolution of marriage records. Standard fees at Illinois circuit courts are typically $2.00 per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost more. Call 618/826-5000 before sending a payment to confirm current rates. Fees may change, and you want the right amount in your request the first time.

Filing fees apply when you open a new dissolution case in Randolph County. Under 705 ILCS 105/, Illinois circuit clerks set their own filing fee schedules. If you cannot afford the fees, you can request a waiver under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 298. File a financial affidavit alongside your petition. The judge decides whether to waive the fees. Approved Illinois dissolution forms are available at illinoiscourts.gov and can be used in Randolph County court.

Filing Dissolution of Marriage in Randolph County

Illinois dissolution of marriage cases in Randolph County are governed by 750 ILCS 5/. Under 750 ILCS 5/401, at least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before the court can grant the dissolution. You file in the county where either spouse currently lives. Randolph County residents file with Circuit Clerk Miller in Chester.

Illinois requires only one ground for dissolution: irreconcilable differences. You do not need to prove fault. Couples who agree on all terms and meet the criteria may use the Joint Simplified Dissolution process under 750 ILCS 5/452. This works for short marriages with no children and limited assets. For other cases, the standard process applies: file a petition, serve the other spouse, and schedule a hearing in the 20th Judicial Circuit.

Courts divide marital property under 750 ILCS 5/503, which uses equitable distribution. Child support is calculated under 750 ILCS 5/505 using the income shares model. The judge may also award maintenance based on the length of the marriage and each spouse's financial position. All signed orders go into the Randolph County Circuit Clerk's public file. Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, personal financial account numbers and Social Security numbers are removed from public copies of the record.

What Randolph County Dissolution Records Contain

A dissolution of marriage file at the Randolph County Circuit Clerk includes every document from the case. The petition is first. It names both spouses, states the date of marriage, and asks the court to grant the dissolution. Temporary orders entered while the case is open are also in the file. These might cover support, use of property, or parenting arrangements during the case. Once the judge signs the final decree, the case is closed.

The final dissolution decree is what most people request from the Randolph County clerk. It covers all the terms: property division, maintenance if any was ordered, parenting plan for children, and child support amounts. Certified copies of the decree are often required for name changes, refinancing, and dividing retirement benefits. Anyone can request a public copy of a Randolph County dissolution record under 5 ILCS 140/. You do not have to be a party to the case.

IDPH Dissolution Records - Randolph County

The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps a statewide dissolution index separate from the Randolph County Circuit Clerk. The IDPH index covers dissolutions statewide from 1962 to the present, including Randolph County cases. It confirms that a dissolution occurred but does not include decree terms or any financial or custody information. This is a useful check if you are not sure which county has the record you need.

To request an IDPH index search, write to 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737, or call (217) 782-6554. The fee is $5.00 per name searched. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks by mail. IDPH does not issue certified copies of dissolution decrees. For certified copies, go to the Randolph County Circuit Clerk in Chester. More information is available at dph.illinois.gov.

The IDPH search costs $5 per name and takes 4 to 6 weeks to process.

Legal Help for Randolph County Dissolution Cases

Illinois Legal Aid Online provides free dissolution guides at illinoislegalaid.org. The site walks you through the entire process from filing through the final hearing. Easy Form tools help you prepare required paperwork without a lawyer. This is a strong resource for uncontested cases in Randolph County where both spouses agree on the terms.

The guide for getting copies of court records is at illinoislegalaid.org. For people who need a lawyer and cannot afford one, legal aid organizations in southwestern Illinois and the 20th Circuit area may be able to help. Income-based eligibility applies. Use the Illinois Legal Aid Online referral tool to find an organization that serves Randolph County residents. The clerk in Chester can also point you toward any local self-help resources at the courthouse.

Cities in Randolph County

Chester is the county seat of Randolph County and where the Circuit Clerk office is located. All dissolution of marriage cases in Randolph County are filed at the clerk's office. Other communities in Randolph County include Red Bud, Sparta, Steeleville, and Coulterville. None of the cities in Randolph County exceed the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All residents file their dissolution cases with the Randolph County Circuit Clerk in Chester.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Randolph County in southwestern Illinois. Each has its own circuit clerk. File your dissolution case in the county where you or your spouse lives when you submit the petition.