Stark County Dissolution of Marriage
Dissolution of marriage records for Stark County are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk office in Toulon. The 10th Judicial Circuit Court serves Stark County and handles all dissolution cases for residents in this small north-central Illinois county. If you need to search for a dissolution case, get a copy of a decree, or start a new filing, the Circuit Clerk office in Toulon is where you begin. This page covers the process, fees, record contents, and resources available for dissolution of marriage in Stark County.
Stark County Quick Facts
Stark County Circuit Clerk Office
Clerk Julie Kenney runs the Circuit Clerk office in Toulon. This office holds all dissolution of marriage records for Stark County. Staff handle filings, maintain case files, and give out copies of court documents. The office uses a P.O. Box for mail, so make sure you use the correct address for any written requests.
For walk-in searches, go to 130 West Main Street in Toulon. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk the names of both parties and the approximate year of the case. Staff can search by name or case number. If you find the record, you can get plain copies or certified copies at that visit. For mail requests, write to P.O. Box 426, Toulon, IL 61483. Include a check for the copy fee made payable to the Stark County Circuit Clerk. Call 309/286-5941 to confirm hours and fees before you go, since this is a small county office.
| Circuit Clerk | Julie Kenney |
|---|---|
| Address | 130 West Main Street P.O. Box 426 Toulon, IL 61483 |
| Phone | 309/286-5941 |
| Fax | 309/286-4039 |
| Judicial Circuit | 10th Judicial Circuit |
| Circuit Court Info | Illinois Courts - Circuit Court Clerks |
Online Dissolution of Marriage Records in Stark County
Stark County may be listed on Judici, the state court records search tool that covers many Illinois counties. Check Judici.com to search for dissolution of marriage cases by party name or case number. If Stark County is available on Judici, you can view basic case docket entries online for free. Full documents still need to come from the clerk in Toulon.
Illinois Legal Aid Online walks through how to search for and request court records in the state. Read the guide at illinoislegalaid.org. The state's court clerk directory at illinoiscourts.gov also has updated contact information for all Illinois circuit clerks including Stark County.
Judici covers many Illinois counties and may have Stark County dissolution of marriage records available for free online search.
Filing Fees for Dissolution of Marriage in Stark County
Dissolution of marriage filing fees in Stark County are governed by state statute and local court rules. Across Illinois, base petition fees commonly run between $200 and $300. In a small county like Stark, the fee may be on the lower end. Call the clerk at 309/286-5941 to confirm current fees before filing. Fees can change each year.
Per-page copy fees apply to all records. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Most legal matters require certified copies, which have the clerk's seal and signature. Fax fees may apply if you request records by fax. If money is a barrier, you can ask the court to waive fees by filing an indigent petition. The judge will decide whether to grant the waiver.
Note: Always ask the clerk for a current fee schedule, as local fee changes are sometimes made mid-year.
Dissolution of Marriage Process in Stark County
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Stark County follows Illinois law under 750 ILCS 5/. At least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing under 750 ILCS 5/401. You file at the courthouse in Toulon if you or your spouse lives in Stark County. The clerk issues a case number when you submit the petition and pay the fee.
Once filed, you serve your spouse with the petition. This can be done through the local sheriff, a licensed process server, or certified mail. Your spouse then has a chance to respond. If both parties agree on all terms, the case can move quickly. Couples with no children and limited assets may qualify for a joint simplified dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452. For contested cases, the court may schedule a hearing before a judge.
Property is divided based on equitable distribution under 750 ILCS 5/503. Child support, if needed, follows the Illinois income shares formula under 750 ILCS 5/505. All court forms approved for Illinois dissolution cases are available at illinoiscourts.gov.
What Stark County Dissolution Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage file in Stark County grows as the case moves through the court. The petition is the first document. Proof of service on the other party is filed next. Any temporary orders for support or custody protection are added to the file as the case is pending. Once the parties reach a resolution or the judge rules, the final decree is filed and the case closes.
The final decree from the Stark County Circuit Court sets out the terms of the dissolution. It covers property division, any spousal support, custody arrangements, and child support if children are involved. Certified copies of the decree are available from the clerk. Under Rule 138, the clerk must redact sensitive personal information from public copies, including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers.
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Summons and proof of service
- Temporary orders if filed
- Settlement agreement
- Parenting plan if applicable
- Final judgment for dissolution of marriage
Verifying Stark County Dissolutions Through IDPH
The Illinois Department of Public Health indexes dissolution records at the state level. This includes dissolutions from Stark County. An IDPH search can verify that a dissolution was recorded and give you the basic date and county. IDPH does not provide the full decree or any of the terms from the case.
Contact IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737 or call (217) 782-6554. The fee is $5 per name search. Mail requests take 4 to 6 weeks to process. IDPH does not issue certified court copies. For certified copies of the Stark County dissolution decree, contact the Circuit Clerk in Toulon. Full details on IDPH dissolution records are at dph.illinois.gov.
IDPH is a low-cost option for verifying dissolution records from Stark County without visiting the courthouse.
Legal Help for Dissolution Cases in Stark County
Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org is the best free resource for people who need help with a dissolution case in Stark County. The site has plain-language guides on every step of the process. You can also use their easy form builder to fill out the required forms online.
Prairie State Legal Services covers parts of central Illinois. Contact them to see if Stark County is in their service area and if you qualify for free help. The Illinois State Bar Association's referral program can connect you with an attorney who handles dissolution cases in or near Stark County. The clerk's office in Toulon can direct you to the right forms, but staff cannot advise you on legal strategy.
Cities in Stark County
Stark County is a small rural county in north-central Illinois. Toulon is the county seat. Wyoming is another small community in the county. No city in Stark County has a population large enough to qualify for its own page here. All dissolution of marriage filings in Stark County go to the Circuit Clerk in Toulon.
Nearby Counties
Stark County borders these counties. File your dissolution petition in the county where you currently live.