Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in White County
White County dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained at the Circuit Clerk office in Carmi. The 2nd Judicial Circuit Court serves White County and handles all dissolution cases for residents of this small southeastern Illinois county. If you need to find a dissolution case, get a certified copy of a decree, or start a new filing, the Circuit Clerk in Carmi is the place to go. This page covers how to access White County dissolution of marriage records, what fees to expect, what the case files contain, and where to find legal help.
White County Quick Facts
White County Circuit Clerk
Clerk Kelly L. Fulkerson runs the White County Circuit Clerk office in Carmi. This office is the official keeper of all dissolution of marriage records for White County. Staff process new filings, maintain the case files, and handle requests for copies. The clerk uses a P.O. Box for mail, so make sure to use the correct address for written requests.
Walk-in visits are accepted during regular courthouse hours. Bring a photo ID. Know the names of both spouses and an approximate filing year for the case you need. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. If the record is found, you can get plain copies or certified copies at that visit. Certified copies are needed for legal uses. For mail requests, write to P.O. Box 310, Carmi, IL 62821 and include a check for the copy fee payable to the White County Circuit Clerk. Call 618/382-2321 to confirm hours and fees before you visit or mail.
| Circuit Clerk | Kelly L. Fulkerson |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 310 Carmi, IL 62821 |
| Phone | 618/382-2321 |
| Fax | 618/382-2322 |
| Judicial Circuit | 2nd Judicial Circuit |
| Illinois Courts | Circuit Court Clerks Directory |
Searching White County Dissolution Records Online
White County may be searchable through Judici, the online Illinois court records system. Visit Judici.com to check availability and search by party name or case number. If White County is listed, basic case docket information is free to view. For full document copies, contact the Circuit Clerk in Carmi.
Illinois Legal Aid Online has a guide on how to get copies of court records at illinoislegalaid.org. The state courts directory at illinoiscourts.gov has updated contact information for all Illinois circuit clerks, including White County.
Judici may have White County dissolution records available online at no cost for basic case information.
White County Dissolution of Marriage Fees
Dissolution filing fees in White County are set by the 2nd Judicial Circuit and state statute. Base petition fees across Illinois commonly range from $200 to $300. Call the clerk at 618/382-2321 before filing to get the exact current fee. Fees can change and the clerk is always the best source for up-to-date information.
Copy fees in White County follow the per-page schedule set by 705 ILCS 105/. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. You need certified copies for legal purposes like name changes, property matters, or proving the dissolution to an employer or government agency. If you cannot pay the fees, request an Application to Sue or Defend as an Indigent Person from the clerk. A judge must approve any fee waiver.
Dissolution of Marriage Filing Process in White County
Illinois law at 750 ILCS 5/401 requires at least one spouse to have lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing. File at the courthouse in Carmi if you or your spouse lives in White County. Illinois is a no-fault dissolution state. You do not need to prove wrongdoing. Irreconcilable differences is the only grounds recognized under current law.
Start by filing the petition with the Circuit Clerk. Pay the fee and get a case number. Serve your spouse with the summons and petition through an approved method. Your spouse has 30 days to respond. If both parties agree on all issues, a brief prove-up hearing in Carmi can close the case. For contested cases, mediation or a full hearing before a judge may be needed. The 2nd Judicial Circuit covers several southeastern Illinois counties, but each county has its own clerk office and file.
Property is split equitably under 750 ILCS 5/503. Child support follows the income shares model at 750 ILCS 5/505. Eligible couples can use the joint simplified dissolution procedure at 750 ILCS 5/452. Standard forms are at illinoiscourts.gov.
Note: You must file in the county where you or your spouse lives, not just any county within the 2nd Judicial Circuit.
What White County Dissolution Files Contain
A dissolution of marriage file in White County holds all documents generated during the case. The petition is filed first. Proof of service on the other spouse follows. Any temporary orders for support, custody, or asset protection are added as the case is pending. The case ends with the final judgment for dissolution signed by the judge.
The final judgment is the most commonly requested document from White County dissolution files. It ends the marriage and sets all the terms: property allocation, support if ordered, and parenting arrangements if children are involved. Certified copies are available from the clerk in Carmi. Under Rule 138, personal data including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers must be redacted from all public copies of White County court records.
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Summons and return of service
- Respondent's answer or appearance
- Marital settlement agreement
- Parenting plan if children are involved
- Final judgment for dissolution of marriage
IDPH Dissolution Verification for White County
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of dissolution records that includes White County. An IDPH search can confirm that a dissolution took place. It does not provide the court record or the settlement terms. IDPH is useful when you only need to verify that a dissolution was recorded.
Write to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave, Springfield, IL 62702-2737 or call (217) 782-6554. The search fee is $5 per name. Mail requests take 4 to 6 weeks. For certified copies of White County court records, contact the Circuit Clerk in Carmi. Full details on the IDPH process are at dph.illinois.gov.
IDPH can verify whether a White County dissolution was recorded in their statewide index for a $5 per-name search fee.
Legal Help for White County Dissolution Cases
Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org has free guides and easy form tools for dissolution cases in White County. Their resources cover every step of the process, from the initial petition to the final decree. Land of Lincoln Legal Aid serves southeastern Illinois and may offer free legal help to qualifying low-income White County residents.
If you need an attorney, the Illinois State Bar Association's referral program can connect you with someone who handles dissolution cases in or near Carmi. The clerk's office staff can help you find the right forms, but cannot give legal advice on your specific case.
Cities in White County
Carmi is the county seat and largest city in White County with a population around 4,600. Other communities include Grayville and Norris City. No city in White County has a population large enough to qualify for a separate city page here. All dissolution of marriage cases for White County residents go to the Circuit Clerk office in Carmi.
Nearby Counties
These counties border White County in southeastern Illinois. File your dissolution in the county where you currently live.