Union County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Dissolution of marriage records in Union County are filed and kept at the Circuit Clerk office in Jonesboro. The 1st Judicial Circuit Court covers Union County and handles all dissolution cases for residents of this southern Illinois county. If you need to search for a dissolution case, get a certified copy of a decree, or learn what steps to take when filing, the Circuit Clerk office in Jonesboro is where you begin. This page covers the process, fees, record contents, and resources for dissolution of marriage in Union County.
Union County Quick Facts
Union County Circuit Clerk Office
Clerk Keri Clark runs the Union County Circuit Clerk office at 309 West Market Street, Room 101, in Jonesboro. This office holds all dissolution of marriage records for Union County. Staff process new filings, keep case files, and give out copies of court documents. Because this is a small county office, it is best to call ahead before visiting in person.
Walk-in visits are accepted during regular courthouse hours. Bring a photo ID and know the names of both spouses and the approximate year of the dissolution. Staff can search by name or case number. If you need certified copies, they are available at the time of your visit once the file is found. For mail requests, write to 309 West Market Street, Room 101, Jonesboro, IL 62952 and include a check for the copy fee payable to the Union County Circuit Clerk. Call 618/833-5913 to confirm current fees and hours.
| Circuit Clerk | Keri Clark |
|---|---|
| Address | 309 West Market Street, Room 101 Jonesboro, IL 62952 |
| Phone | 618/833-5913 |
| Fax | 618/833-5223 |
| Judicial Circuit | 1st Judicial Circuit |
| Illinois Courts | Circuit Court Clerks Directory |
Searching Union County Dissolution Records Online
Union County may be searchable through Judici, the statewide online court records tool. Visit Judici.com to check whether Union County is available and to search dissolution cases by name or case number. If the county is listed, basic docket information is free. Full document copies still need to be requested from the clerk in Jonesboro.
The Illinois Legal Aid Online guide for requesting court records is at illinoislegalaid.org. It covers the steps you need to take for in-person, mail, and online requests. The state courts directory at illinoiscourts.gov keeps updated contact information for all circuit clerks in Illinois, including Union County.
Judici is a free public tool for searching Illinois court records, and may cover Union County dissolution of marriage cases.
Union County Dissolution of Marriage Fees
Filing fees for dissolution of marriage in Union County are set by state law and the 1st Judicial Circuit. Across Illinois, petition fees for dissolution generally run between $200 and $300. Union County is a smaller circuit, so the fee may vary. Call the clerk at 618/833-5913 before you file to get the exact current fee. Fees are subject to change and the clerk always has the latest schedule.
Copy fees apply per page for all document requests. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and are required for most legal purposes. If you cannot pay the filing or copy fees, ask the clerk for an Application to Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person. This form lets you ask the judge to waive some or all fees based on your income. The clerk cannot waive fees on their own. A judge must approve the waiver.
Note: Check whether the 1st Judicial Circuit has any local fee schedules that differ from state minimums, as local additions are allowed under Illinois law.
Dissolution of Marriage Process in Union County
Illinois law at 750 ILCS 5/ governs all dissolution cases in Union County. At least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing under 750 ILCS 5/401. Illinois does not require proof of fault to dissolve a marriage. Irreconcilable differences is the only ground needed under current law.
You file a petition at the Union County courthouse in Jonesboro. The clerk gives you a case number. You then serve your spouse with the summons and petition. After service, your spouse has 30 days to file a response. If both parties agree on all issues, you can schedule a prove-up hearing and close the case. For cases with disputes over property, children, or support, the court may order mediation or set a trial date in Union County.
Property is divided under equitable distribution rules at 750 ILCS 5/503. Child support is calculated under the income shares model at 750 ILCS 5/505. Couples who meet specific requirements may qualify for a joint simplified dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452. Standard Illinois dissolution forms are at illinoiscourts.gov.
What Union County Dissolution Files Show
A dissolution of marriage case file in Union County contains all documents generated from the time the petition is filed until the case is closed. This includes the petition, the summons, the return of service, any responses by the other party, motions filed during the case, temporary orders, and the final judgment. The file is kept by the clerk at the Jonesboro courthouse and is a public record.
The final judgment is the document most people need. It confirms the dissolution and sets out all the terms, including who gets what property, any support obligations, and the parenting arrangement if children are involved. Certified copies of the judgment are available from the clerk. Rule 138 requires that personal identifying information like Social Security numbers be redacted from public copies of court records in Union County.
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Summons and return of service
- Response or appearance by respondent
- Marital settlement agreement
- Parenting plan if applicable
- Final judgment for dissolution
IDPH Records for Union County Dissolutions
The Illinois Department of Public Health indexes dissolution of marriage records from all Illinois counties including Union County. An IDPH search can confirm that a dissolution was recorded, but it will not give you the court record or the terms of the decree. This is a verification service, not a full record.
Contact IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737 or call (217) 782-6554. The fee is $5 per name searched. Mail requests take 4 to 6 weeks. IDPH does not issue certified court copies. For certified records from Union County, contact the Circuit Clerk in Jonesboro. Details on the IDPH process are at dph.illinois.gov.
IDPH maintains a statewide index that covers Union County dissolutions and provides verification letters for a $5 fee.
Legal Help for Union County Dissolution Cases
Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org is a good starting point for Union County residents who need help with dissolution. The site has free guides, approved forms, and an easy form tool to help you prepare your paperwork. It covers every step from filing the petition to getting the final decree.
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid serves southern Illinois, including Union County. They offer free legal help for people who qualify based on income. Call their office to ask about dissolution services and eligibility. The Illinois State Bar Association's referral line can also match you with a local attorney for cases that need full legal representation. The clerk's office in Jonesboro can direct you to the proper forms but is not able to give legal advice.
Cities in Union County
Union County is a small county in the far southern part of Illinois. Jonesboro is the county seat. Anna is the largest city in the county, with a population around 4,600. No city in Union County meets the threshold for a separate city page here. All dissolution of marriage cases for Union County residents are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Jonesboro.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Union County in southern Illinois. File dissolution cases in the county where you currently live.