Introduction to Illinois Divorce Certificates

This article is designed to help you get an Illinois Divorce certificate.  Divorce Certificates are a bit more difficult to obtain than Divorce Certificates and Death Certificates.  The main difficulty in obtaining Divorce Certificates is that states have not been registering Divorces for as long as other vital records.  There are some states that still do not register Divorces.  Due to this lack of centralization it is common to contact the county in which the Divorce took place.

Counter to common belief, not everything is a few clicks away on the Internet.  Divorce Certificates are one of the items that you can’t just click some links and get a copy of your Divorce Certificate; this is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Divorce certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Divorce certificate by following the correct procedure. 
    

Illinois Divorce index have been maintained by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records for individuals divorced in the state of Illinois since 1962.  Selected items may be verified (fee $5.00). Certified copies are NOT available from State office.  For certified copies, write to the County Clerk in county where license was issued.

Illinois Divorce Certificate Authorized Persons

By Illinois state law, Illinois Divorce certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Illinois Divorce Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Illinois Divorce Certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Illinois Divorce Certificate

Illinois Divorce Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Uncertified copies of Illinois Divorce certificates may be available for genealogy and other purposes on a restricted basis.

Illinois Divorce Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Illinois Divorce Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Illinois Divorce Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Illinois Divorce Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Illinois Divorce Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Illinois Divorce certificate online.  It usually takes 3-4 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Illinois Divorce certificate:

• Full name of husband on the Illinois Divorce certificate
• Full maiden name of wife on the Illinois Divorce certificate
• Date of Divorce on the Illinois Divorce certificate
• County (or city) of Divorce on the Illinois Divorce certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Illinois Divorce certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Illinois Divorce certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Illinois Department of Public Health

Division of Vital Records

605 W. Jefferson St.

Springfield, IL 62702-5097

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Illinois: You may go to any county health department in the State of Illinois to obtain a certified copy of an Illinois Divorce certificate. Most Illinois Divorce certificates can be issued while you wait.

Illinois Divorce Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for an Illinois Divorce certificate is $5.00, which includes one certified copy of the Illinois Divorce certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Illinois Divorce certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $5.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.