Champaign County Divorce Records
What Are Champaign County Divorce Records?
Divorce records in Champaign County are official legal documents that provide evidence of the dissolution of marriage between two individuals. These records are maintained pursuant to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/), which governs divorce proceedings throughout the state. Divorce records typically consist of various court documents filed during divorce proceedings, including petitions, judgments, and decrees.
The primary custodian of divorce records in Champaign County is the Circuit Clerk's Office, which maintains these records as part of its official duties. Divorce records serve multiple important purposes:
- Legal proof of marital status change
- Documentation required for remarriage
- Evidence for name change processes
- Verification for Social Security benefits
- Supporting documentation for loan applications
- Required evidence for immigration matters
- Historical and genealogical research
Divorce records in Champaign County are created and maintained as part of the judicial process that legally terminates marriages within the county's jurisdiction. These records document the court's decisions regarding property division, child custody arrangements, spousal support, and other matters pertinent to the dissolution of marriage.
Are Champaign County Divorce Records Public?
Champaign County divorce records have a complex public access status that varies depending on the specific document type and information contained therein. Generally, court divorce case files are considered public records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/), but with significant exceptions and limitations.
The public accessibility of divorce records is governed by several factors:
- Court case files: Basic divorce case information, including party names, case numbers, and filing dates, is typically available to the public through the Champaign County Circuit Clerk's Office.
- Certified divorce certificates: These documents have restricted access and are generally only available to the parties involved in the divorce, their legal representatives, or individuals with a qualifying direct interest.
- Sensitive information: Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, certain personal information within divorce records is protected from public disclosure, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account information
- Children's identifying information
- Sensitive medical or mental health information
The Champaign County Circuit Clerk implements these privacy protections while maintaining public access to non-confidential portions of divorce records. Members of the public seeking access to divorce records must follow established procedures and may be required to demonstrate legitimate interest or legal authorization for certain documents.
How To Find a Divorce Record In Champaign County in 2026
Members of the public seeking divorce records in Champaign County may utilize several methods to locate these documents. The primary repository for divorce records is the Champaign County Circuit Clerk's Office, which maintains official court records for divorce proceedings within the county.
To obtain divorce records, individuals may:
- Visit the Champaign County Circuit Clerk's Office in person:
Champaign County Circuit Clerk
101 E. Main Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3725
Champaign County Circuit Clerk
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
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Submit a written request by mail to the Circuit Clerk's Office, including:
- Full names of both parties to the divorce
- Approximate date of divorce filing or finalization
- Case number (if known)
- Requestor's contact information
- Specific documents requested
- Required fees (currently $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page)
-
Request certified copies of divorce decrees from the Illinois Department of Public Health's Division of Vital Records for divorces finalized after January 1962:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702
(217) 782-6553
Illinois Department of Public Health
- Utilize the Champaign County Circuit Clerk's online case access system for basic case information (full documents may not be available online).
Requestors should be prepared to provide identification and may need to complete a formal request form. Processing times vary based on the age and accessibility of the requested records.
How To Look Up Divorce Records in Champaign County Online?
Champaign County provides limited online access to divorce record information through the Circuit Clerk's electronic case management system. This system allows for basic case searches but typically does not provide full document access due to privacy considerations.
To search for divorce records online:
- Visit the Champaign County Circuit Clerk's website
- Navigate to the "Court Records Search" or "Case Information" section
- Select the appropriate search option (typically "Case Search")
- Enter search criteria, which may include:
- Party name (last name, first name)
- Case number (if known)
- Case type (select "Dissolution of Marriage" or "Divorce")
- Filing date range (if known)
- Review the search results, which typically include:
- Case number
- Filing date
- Party names
- Case type
- Current status
- Judge assigned
- Upcoming court dates
Online searches are subject to the following limitations:
- Complete case documents are generally not available for download
- Certain cases may be restricted from online viewing
- Historical records (typically pre-2000) may not be included in the online database
- Sensitive information is redacted pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138
For comprehensive divorce record information, individuals may need to request records in person or by mail from the Circuit Clerk's Office after identifying the relevant case through the online system.
How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Champaign County?
Members of the public may access certain divorce record information in Champaign County without payment, though comprehensive document access typically involves fees. Free access options include:
- Public access terminals at the Champaign County Circuit Clerk's Office:
Champaign County Circuit Clerk
101 E. Main Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3725
Champaign County Circuit Clerk
These terminals allow visitors to search basic case information at no charge during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
-
Limited online case information through the Circuit Clerk's website, which provides basic case details without charge:
- Case numbers
- Party names
- Filing dates
- Case status
- Scheduled court dates
-
Champaign County Law Library resources:
Champaign County Law Library
101 E. Main Street, 2nd Floor
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-7046
The law library provides public access to legal research materials and may assist with locating case information.
- Illinois State Archives for historical divorce records:
Illinois State Archives
Margaret Cross Norton Building
Springfield, IL 62756
(217) 782-4682
Illinois State Archives
While viewing basic information may be free, obtaining copies of actual divorce documents typically requires payment of statutory fees. Current fees include $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page of court documents, with certified copies carrying additional charges.
What's Included in a Divorce Records In Champaign County
Divorce records in Champaign County comprise multiple documents that collectively document the legal dissolution of marriage. These records are maintained pursuant to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/) and typically include:
-
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage:
- Filing date
- Names and addresses of both parties
- Marriage date and location
- Grounds for divorce
- Residency information
- Children of the marriage (if applicable)
- Property information
-
Summons and Service of Process documentation
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Response or Answer from the respondent spouse
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Financial Affidavits from both parties detailing:
- Income sources and amounts
- Assets and their values
- Debts and liabilities
- Monthly expenses
-
Parenting Plans (for divorces involving minor children):
- Allocation of parental responsibilities
- Parenting time schedules
- Decision-making authority
-
Child Support Calculations and Orders
-
Marital Settlement Agreement detailing:
- Division of marital property
- Allocation of debts
- Spousal maintenance provisions
- Tax considerations
-
Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage (Final Divorce Decree):
- Court's final ruling on all matters
- Effective date of divorce
- Judge's signature
- Court seal
-
Post-decree motions or modifications (if applicable)
The comprehensiveness of divorce records varies based on case complexity, contested issues, and whether the divorce was resolved through settlement or trial. Certain sensitive information may be redacted or filed under seal pursuant to court rules and privacy statutes.
How To Get Proof of Divorce In Champaign County?
Individuals requiring official proof of divorce in Champaign County may obtain this documentation through established channels. The type of proof needed often depends on the requesting party's specific requirements.
To obtain official proof of divorce:
- Request a certified copy of the Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage from the Champaign County Circuit Clerk:
Champaign County Circuit Clerk
101 E. Main Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3725
Champaign County Circuit Clerk
This document serves as the official court record confirming the divorce. Requestors must:
- Provide the case number (if known) or names of both parties
- Present valid identification
- Pay the required fee (currently $6.00 per certified copy)
- Complete a request form
- Obtain a certified divorce record from the Illinois Department of Public Health for divorces finalized after January 1962:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702
(217) 782-6553
Illinois Department of Public Health
The state-issued divorce record provides verification of the divorce but contains less detail than court documents. Requestors must:
- Submit a completed application form
- Provide identification
- Pay the required fee ($5.00 per copy)
- Demonstrate eligibility (parties to the divorce, legal representatives, or those with direct interest)
- For divorces finalized before 1962, contact the Illinois State Archives:
Illinois State Archives
Margaret Cross Norton Building
Springfield, IL 62756
(217) 782-4682
Illinois State Archives
Processing times vary based on record age and request volume. Expedited service may be available for additional fees in certain circumstances.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Champaign County?
While divorce proceedings in Champaign County are generally matters of public record, certain aspects may be kept confidential under specific circumstances. The Illinois courts recognize legitimate privacy interests in sensitive family matters while balancing the public's right to access court records.
Confidentiality in divorce proceedings may be established through:
-
Sealing of Records: Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, parties may petition the court to seal all or portions of divorce records when:
- Disclosure would create risk of substantial harm to a party or child
- Sensitive financial information requires protection
- Domestic violence concerns exist
- Other compelling privacy interests outweigh public access
-
Automatic Protection of Sensitive Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Children's identifying information
- Medical and mental health records
- Victims' information in cases involving domestic violence
-
Confidential Settlement Agreements: While the divorce decree itself remains public, parties may negotiate confidential settlement agreements with non-disclosure provisions, subject to court approval.
-
Alternative Dispute Resolution: Mediation proceedings and communications remain confidential under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 99, even if the final agreement becomes part of the public record.
Parties seeking confidentiality must file appropriate motions with the court demonstrating good cause for restricting public access. The court balances privacy interests against the presumption of openness in judicial proceedings when making determinations about confidentiality.
How Long Does a Divorce Take In Champaign County?
The duration of divorce proceedings in Champaign County varies significantly based on multiple factors. Under Illinois law, specifically the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/), divorces cannot be finalized until at least 30 days after filing, but most cases take considerably longer.
Key factors affecting divorce timeline include:
-
Type of Divorce:
- Uncontested divorces with complete agreements: Typically 2-4 months
- Contested divorces requiring court intervention: 6-18 months or longer
- Simplified divorces (meeting strict eligibility requirements): As little as 30-60 days
-
Complexity Factors:
- Child custody and parenting time disputes: Add 3-6 months
- Complex property division: Add 2-8 months
- Business valuation requirements: Add 3-6 months
- Pension and retirement account division: Add 1-3 months
-
Court Scheduling:
- Current caseload in the Sixth Judicial Circuit
- Judge availability
- Statutory waiting periods
- Required parenting education completion (for cases involving children)
-
Party Cooperation:
- Willingness to negotiate
- Responsiveness to discovery requests
- Availability for court appearances
According to the Illinois Supreme Court's Statistical Summary, the average time to disposition for domestic relations cases in the Sixth Judicial Circuit (which includes Champaign County) is approximately 9 months, though individual cases may resolve more quickly or take significantly longer depending on the factors above.
How Long Does Champaign County Keep Divorce Records?
Champaign County maintains divorce records in accordance with the Illinois Supreme Court's Record Retention Schedule and applicable state laws. These records are preserved for varying periods depending on their type and historical significance.
The retention schedule for divorce records includes:
-
Case Files and Judgments:
- Current practice: Permanent retention of all divorce case files
- Historical records (pre-1970): Maintained in the Champaign County Circuit Clerk's archives
- Judgments for Dissolution of Marriage: Permanently retained as essential court records
-
Supporting Documentation:
- Financial disclosure statements: Minimum 5 years after case closure
- Discovery materials: Minimum 3 years after case closure
- Temporary orders: Minimum 5 years after case closure
- Guardian ad litem reports: Minimum 5 years after case closure
-
Electronic Records:
- Case management system data: Permanently maintained
- Digitized case documents: Retention mirrors physical document requirements
- Audio recordings of proceedings: Minimum 2 years
-
State-Level Records:
- Illinois Department of Public Health maintains divorce certificates from 1962 to present
- Illinois State Archives preserves historical divorce records
For records that have exceeded their retention period but hold historical or genealogical value, the Circuit Clerk may transfer them to the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) system hosted at Eastern Illinois University rather than destroying them.
Researchers seeking historical divorce records should note that older records may be stored off-site or in archival facilities, potentially requiring additional time for retrieval.
How To Get a Divorce In Champaign County
Individuals seeking to dissolve a marriage in Champaign County must follow procedures established under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/). The process involves several key steps:
-
Establish Residency Requirements:
- Either spouse must have resided in Illinois for at least 90 days prior to filing
- The petition may be filed in Champaign County if either spouse resides there
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Prepare and File Initial Documents with the Circuit Clerk:
Champaign County Circuit Clerk
101 E. Main Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3725
Champaign County Circuit Clerk
Required documents include:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Summons
- Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage
- Filing fee (currently $337, with fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
-
Serve the Non-Filing Spouse:
- Personal service through the Champaign County Sheriff's Office or private process server
- Publication service if the spouse cannot be located (requires court approval)
- Waiver of service if the spouse agrees to accept the documents voluntarily
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Disclosure and Discovery:
- Both parties must complete financial affidavits
- Exchange relevant financial documentation
- Comply with mandatory disclosure requirements
-
Parenting Requirements (for cases involving minor children):
- Complete parenting education program
- Develop parenting plan
- Address child support calculations
-
Resolution Methods:
- Negotiated settlement
- Mediation (may be court-ordered for parenting disputes)
- Collaborative divorce process
- Litigation and trial if agreement cannot be reached
-
Finalization:
- Prove grounds (Illinois recognizes irreconcilable differences as the primary grounds)
- Submit Marital Settlement Agreement and Parenting Plan (if applicable)
- Attend final hearing
- Obtain Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage
Legal assistance is strongly recommended, though not required. The Champaign County Self-Help Center provides resources for self-represented litigants.
How To Get Divorce Papers In Champaign County
Individuals initiating divorce proceedings in Champaign County must obtain and complete the appropriate legal forms. These documents are available through several channels:
- Champaign County Circuit Clerk's Office:
Champaign County Circuit Clerk
101 E. Main Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3725
Champaign County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk provides basic divorce forms for a nominal fee. Available forms include:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Summons
- Entry of Appearance
- Financial Affidavit
- Certificate of Dissolution
- Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage
- Champaign County Law Library:
Champaign County Law Library
101 E. Main Street, 2nd Floor
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-7046
The law library maintains reference materials and form books that include divorce templates.
-
Online Resources:
- Illinois Supreme Court Standardized Forms - Official court-approved divorce forms
- Illinois Legal Aid Online - Interactive forms with completion guidance
- Champaign County Circuit Clerk's website - Selected downloadable forms
-
Self-Help Legal Center:
Champaign County Self-Help Center
101 E. Main Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3725
The center provides assistance with form selection and completion but cannot offer legal advice.
- Legal Services:
- Private attorneys
- Land of Lincoln Legal Aid (for income-qualifying individuals):
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid
302 N. First Street
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 356-1351
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid
Individuals should select forms appropriate to their specific circumstances, particularly noting differences between:
- Divorces with or without children
- Contested versus uncontested proceedings
- Joint simplified dissolution (for qualifying couples)
Completed forms must be filed with the Circuit Clerk's Office along with required filing fees or approved fee waiver.