Search Tazewell County Dissolution of Marriage
Tazewell County dissolution of marriage records are filed at the Circuit Clerk office in Pekin and handled by the 10th Judicial Circuit Court. Tazewell County is one of the larger counties in central Illinois, with a population over 130,000 and a well-staffed clerk office. If you need to find a dissolution case, get a copy of a decree, or understand how to start the filing process, this page covers what you need to know about dissolution of marriage records in Tazewell County.
Tazewell County Quick Facts
Tazewell County Circuit Clerk
Clerk Lincoln C. Hobson leads the Tazewell County Circuit Clerk office at 342 Court Street in Pekin. This is the main office for all dissolution of marriage records in Tazewell County. Staff process dissolution filings, keep court files, and handle copy requests. Given Tazewell County's size, this is a busy office. Plan accordingly if you are visiting in person, and consider calling ahead.
Walk-in visitors can search by name or case number. Bring a photo ID. Both plain copies and certified copies of dissolution decrees are available at the clerk office. Certified copies are required for legal purposes like name changes, property transfers, or social security updates. Mail requests go to 342 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554. Include the names of both parties, the approximate filing year, and a check made payable to the Tazewell County Circuit Clerk for the copy fee. Call 309/477-2214 to confirm the current fee schedule and office hours before you visit.
| Circuit Clerk | Lincoln C. Hobson |
|---|---|
| Address | 342 Court Street Pekin, IL 61554 |
| Phone | 309/477-2214 |
| Fax | 309/478-5792 |
| Judicial Circuit | 10th Judicial Circuit |
| Illinois Courts | Circuit Court Clerks Directory |
Online Dissolution Records Search in Tazewell County
Tazewell County dissolution of marriage cases are searchable through Judici, the statewide online court records portal. Go to Judici.com and enter the party's name or case number. Case docket information, including filing dates and case type, is available for free. For document copies, you need to contact the Circuit Clerk in Pekin.
Illinois Legal Aid Online has an easy-to-follow guide for requesting court records in Illinois. Read it at illinoislegalaid.org. The Illinois courts also list all circuit court clerks at illinoiscourts.gov. Both are good resources if you need help figuring out where to start your search for Tazewell County dissolution records.
Judici makes it easy to search for Tazewell County dissolution of marriage case records online without a visit to the clerk's office.
Tazewell County Dissolution of Marriage Fees
Filing a dissolution of marriage petition in Tazewell County comes with a fee set by the 10th Judicial Circuit and state law. Illinois base fees for dissolution petitions commonly fall between $200 and $300 for most counties. Tazewell County, being a larger circuit, may have fees at or above the midpoint. Call 309/477-2214 to confirm the exact filing fee before you go to the courthouse in Pekin.
Copy fees apply to every document request. Per-page charges for plain copies are lower than for certified copies. Certified copies of the final dissolution decree carry the clerk's seal and signature and are required for most legal uses. Under 705 ILCS 105/, the Clerks Act sets copy fee limits across Illinois. If you qualify as low income, you can file for a fee waiver. Ask the clerk for the indigency application.
Note: Tazewell County may also have fees for motion filings, subpoenas, and other court actions tied to a dissolution case.
Filing Dissolution of Marriage in Tazewell County
All dissolution of marriage cases in Tazewell County are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5/. Illinois requires 90 days of state residency before filing under 750 ILCS 5/401. Illinois is a no-fault state. You do not have to prove wrongdoing to get a dissolution. You just need to show that irreconcilable differences have caused an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
You start by filing a petition at the Tazewell County courthouse in Pekin. Pay the filing fee and get a case number. Then serve your spouse with the petition through an approved method. The respondent has 30 days to file an answer. If both parties agree on all issues, a settlement agreement can be filed and a short prove-up hearing scheduled. If there are disputes, the court may refer the case to mediation or schedule a trial.
For couples with no children, limited income, and limited assets, a joint simplified dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452 is available. Property division follows equitable distribution rules under 750 ILCS 5/503. Child support is based on the income shares formula under 750 ILCS 5/505. All standard Illinois dissolution forms are available at illinoiscourts.gov.
What Tazewell County Dissolution Records Include
A dissolution of marriage file in Tazewell County is a complete record of everything filed in the case. The petition is the first document. After service, the summons return goes in. Any responses, motions, or temporary orders are filed as the case progresses. The final judgment for dissolution closes the case file. All of these documents are public records under Illinois law.
The final judgment from Tazewell County's 10th Circuit Court is the key document most people seek. It states that the marriage is dissolved and sets out all the terms agreed to or ordered by the court. These include property division, allocation of parenting responsibilities, parenting time, and child support. Certified copies of the judgment are available from the clerk in Pekin. Rule 138 requires redaction of sensitive personal data from all public copies.
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Summons and return of service
- Respondent's answer or appearance
- Marital settlement agreement
- Allocation judgment for parental responsibilities
- Final judgment for dissolution of marriage
IDPH Dissolution Verification for Tazewell County
The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps a statewide index of dissolution records that includes Tazewell County cases. An IDPH search can confirm that a dissolution took place and give the basic date and county. IDPH does not provide the full judgment or the terms of the settlement. It is a verification service only.
Write to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737 or call (217) 782-6554. The fee is $5 per name search. Processing by mail takes 4 to 6 weeks. For more information visit dph.illinois.gov. For a certified copy of the actual Tazewell County court record, contact the Circuit Clerk in Pekin.
IDPH dissolution searches are a quick, affordable way to confirm a dissolution took place in Tazewell County or elsewhere in Illinois.
Legal Help in Tazewell County
Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org has free guides and forms for dissolution cases in Tazewell County. Their easy form tool lets you fill out dissolution paperwork step by step online. Prairie State Legal Services may offer free legal help to qualifying low-income Tazewell County residents.
The Illinois State Bar Association's lawyer referral program can connect you with a local attorney if you need full legal representation. The Tazewell County Bar Association may also have local resources and referrals available in the Pekin area. The clerk's office can point you to the correct forms but staff cannot give legal advice on your specific case.
Cities in Tazewell County
Tazewell County includes several cities and towns. Pekin is the county seat and serves as the hub for all dissolution of marriage filings. Other communities include East Peoria, Washington, Morton, and Creve Coeur. No cities in Tazewell County have a population over the threshold for a separate city page here. All residents of Tazewell County file dissolution cases at the Circuit Clerk in Pekin.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Tazewell County. File your dissolution in the county where you live.