Randolph County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Randolph County in 2026
RandolphRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Randolph County, Illinois. Members of the public may find dissolution of marriage filings, final decrees, case numbers, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include court case files, final judgments of dissolution, parenting plans, property settlement agreements, and post-judgment modification orders.
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce records in Randolph County.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Circuit Clerk of Randolph County maintains court case information accessible to the public. Members of the public may search for case information online at no charge for basic docket entries. Obtaining copies of filed documents may require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts provides a statewide portal through which members of the public may search court records across jurisdictions. This consolidated database allows searches by party name, case number, and filing date.
3. State Vital Records
The Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records maintains dissolution of marriage records at the state level. The Division of Vital Records can verify the facts of a dissolution and issue certified verification letters. Fees apply to requests submitted to the state vital records office.
In-Person Searches
Randolph County Circuit Clerk — Family Division:
Randolph County Circuit Clerk
One Taylor Street
Chester, IL 62233
Phone: (618) 826-5211
Circuit Clerk - Randolph County, Illinois
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Receive staff assistance with record location
- Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Randolph County Clerk & Recorder:
Randolph County Clerk & Recorder
One Taylor Street
Chester, IL 62233
Phone: (618) 826-5000
County Clerk & Recorder - Randolph County, Illinois
The County Clerk & Recorder maintains land records, genealogy records, and related public filings that may supplement divorce record research, particularly for property transfer documentation arising from dissolution proceedings.
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Randolph County Circuit Clerk, One Taylor Street, Chester, IL 62233
- Include the full names of both parties
- Include the approximate date of the divorce
- Include the case number, if known
- Include your name, mailing address, and daytime phone number
- Include the purpose of the request, if required
- Include payment for applicable copy fees
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately one to two weeks, subject to volume and record availability
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
- Randolph County Circuit Clerk: (618) 826-5211
- Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide the case number, confirm case status, and provide the filing date
- Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or confidential case information by telephone
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Illinois may access court records on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing, and assist with complex record retrieval. The Illinois State Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation in family law matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of the divorce
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Randolph County
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Under Illinois law, a petition for dissolution of marriage is filed in the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce may not be located by searching the county where the marriage ceremony occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.
Illinois law under 750 ILCS 5/401 requires that at least one spouse have been a resident of Illinois for 90 days prior to the entry of a judgment of dissolution.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing
- Members of the public should allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final judgment is entered
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may be maintained in paper archives
- Archived records may require additional retrieval time
- Not all historical records have been digitized
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- The divorce was filed in a different county
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case remains pending and has not been finalized
- Very old records are stored in off-site archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Circuit Clerk at (618) 826-5211
- Attempt alternate name spellings
- Search under both spouses' names
- Submit a verification request to the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records
What Are Randolph County Divorce Records?
Randolph County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Randolph County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the permanent court file maintained by the Circuit Clerk and are subject to Illinois public records law.
Court Case Files
A complete divorce case file contains the following categories of documents:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Summons and proof of service
- Response or answer filed by the respondent
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Parenting plans and custody agreements, if applicable
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders entered during the proceeding
- Transcripts of court hearings, if prepared
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
Final Decree
The final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the official court order that legally ends the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, the division of marital property and debts, any spousal support obligations, child custody and parenting time arrangements, child support orders, and any court-ordered name restoration. Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Circuit Clerk upon payment of applicable fees.
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents filed in a dissolution case may include marriage certificates, financial disclosure statements, property appraisals, business valuations, parenting plan worksheets, child support calculation worksheets, and post-judgment modification orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records
Legal Purposes:
- Proof of marital status for remarriage
- Documentation for name change proceedings
- Property transfer and title documentation
- Estate planning and beneficiary designations
- Immigration and naturalization proceedings
- Social Security benefit determinations
Personal Purposes:
- Genealogical and family history research
- Personal record verification
- Confirmation of divorce terms
Who Maintains Divorce Records
The Randolph County Circuit Clerk is the primary custodian of all dissolution of marriage case files. The Circuit Clerk indexes records by the names of both parties and provides certified copies upon request. At the state level, the Illinois Department of Public Health maintains dissolution of marriage records and can issue verification letters confirming the facts of a dissolution.
Legal Framework
Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Illinois are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, codified at 750 ILCS 5/101 et seq. Public access to court records is governed by Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, which addresses the protection of personal identity information in court filings, and by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.
Are Randolph County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in the Randolph County Circuit Court are public court records subject to the presumption of public access under Illinois law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or purpose.
What Is Public
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the petitioner and respondent
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status information
What May Be Restricted
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138
- Bank account numbers and credit card numbers are redacted
- Detailed financial statements may be subject to limited access in certain circumstances
- Tax returns submitted as exhibits may be sealed upon motion
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside may be withheld in cases involving safety concerns
- Schools attended by minor children may be restricted
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children may be sealed
- Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access
- Child custody evaluation reports may be sealed by court order
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records are protected
- Personal addresses of domestic violence victims may be withheld
- Mediation communications are confidential and not part of the public record
Sealed Records
A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
Who Can Access Records
General Public: Members of the public may access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents. Photo identification may be required at the clerk's office.
Parties to the Case: Each party to a dissolution proceeding has full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public access.
Attorneys: Licensed attorneys may access case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed documents upon a proper showing.
Researchers and Media: Journalists and academic researchers may access the public portions of divorce case files. Access to sealed records requires a court order.
Restrictions on Use
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use that information for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a protective order entered in the case. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting, and personal verification.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Randolph County?
The Randolph County Circuit Clerk charges fees for copies and certified copies of court records. Current fees are established pursuant to 705 ILCS 105/27.1, which governs clerk fees in Illinois circuit courts.
Standard Copy and Certification Fees:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy of court document | $6.00 per document (plus per-page copy fee) |
| Certification seal | Included in certification fee |
| Search fee (when applicable) | Variable; confirm with clerk |
- Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge during regular business hours
- Electronic copies, where available, may be subject to the same per-page fee as paper copies
- Accepted payment methods at the Randolph County Circuit Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order payable to the Randolph County Circuit Clerk; members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods directly with the office
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties who have been granted in forma pauperis status by the court in connection with their own case
- Fees for certified copies requested by mail should be submitted by check or money order; cash is not accepted for mail requests
Members of the public may view basic case docket information through the online case search system at no charge. Fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Randolph County
A Randolph County dissolution of marriage case file is a comprehensive collection of documents reflecting every stage of the proceeding. The contents vary depending on whether the case was contested or uncontested, whether children were involved, and the complexity of the marital estate.
Basic Case Information
Every case file contains a case caption identifying the case number, the name of the court, the names of the petitioner and respondent, the judge assigned, and the attorneys of record. Filing information includes the date the petition was filed, the filing fees paid, and the jurisdictional basis for the proceeding.
Initial Pleadings
The petition for dissolution of marriage sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for dissolution, information regarding minor children, claims regarding marital property, and the relief requested. Under Illinois law, the sole ground for dissolution is irreconcilable differences, as established by 750 ILCS 5/401. The respondent's answer or response sets forth the respondent's position, admissions or denials, and any counterpetition for dissolution.
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investment accounts, and retirement accounts, and all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Discovery Documents
In contested cases, the file may contain interrogatories and answers, requests for production of documents, responses to those requests, deposition notices, and subpoenas. Financial disclosure documents may include tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment account statements, retirement account statements, and business financial records.
Property-Related Documents
The case file may contain a marital asset inventory listing all real property, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property with estimated values. A corresponding debt inventory lists all marital liabilities. Appraisal reports and business valuation reports may be filed as exhibits.
Children-Related Documents
When minor children are involved, the case file contains a parenting plan addressing legal custody, physical custody, the regular parenting time schedule, holiday and vacation schedules, transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities. Child support documentation includes the Illinois child support calculation worksheet, income information for both parties, the number of overnights with each parent, health insurance costs, and childcare costs. Custody evaluation reports and guardian ad litem reports, where ordered, are part of the file but may be subject to restricted access.
Settlement Documents
A marital settlement agreement, when the parties resolve their case by agreement, is a comprehensive document addressing all issues in the dissolution, including the division of all marital assets and debts, spousal support terms, child-related provisions, tax treatment of transfers, and attorney fee allocations. The agreement is incorporated into and merged with the final judgment of dissolution.
Court Orders and Judgments
Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case may address temporary custody, temporary support, temporary use of the marital residence, and temporary restraining orders. The final judgment of dissolution is the court's definitive order ending the marriage, containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, and all orders regarding property, support, and children. Where retirement accounts are divided, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order is prepared as a separate court order directing the plan administrator to divide the benefit.
Post-Judgment Documents
The case file is supplemented after entry of the final judgment by any petitions to modify custody or support, court orders on those petitions, contempt motions and orders, income deduction orders, and enforcement actions. Approved statewide forms for post-judgment proceedings are available through the Illinois Courts divorce and child support forms portal.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from all public filings
- Addresses and school information for minor children in cases involving safety concerns
- Domestic violence details and supporting evidence, which may be sealed by court order
- Mental health evaluations and substance abuse records
- Mediation communications, which are confidential by statute and not filed with the court
- Settlement negotiations, which are not part of the court record
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Randolph County
Proof of divorce in Randolph County is obtained through the Randolph County Circuit Clerk or, for a state-level verification, through the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records.
Step 1 — Obtain a Certified Copy of the Final Decree from the Circuit Clerk:
The most widely accepted form of proof of divorce is a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution of marriage issued by the Randolph County Circuit Clerk. Members of the public may request a certified copy in person, by mail, or, where available, through the online case portal.
Randolph County Circuit Clerk
One Taylor Street
Chester, IL 62233
Phone: (618) 826-5211
Circuit Clerk - Randolph County, Illinois
- In-person requests: Present photo identification and the case number or names of both parties; pay the applicable certification fee
- Mail requests: Submit a written request with the names of both parties, the approximate date of dissolution, the case number if known, a check or money order for the applicable fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope
Step 2 — Request a Dissolution of Marriage Verification from the State:
The Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records can issue a verification letter confirming the facts of a dissolution of marriage registered with the state. This verification is accepted for many administrative purposes, including name changes with the Social Security Administration and the Illinois Secretary of State. The Division of Vital Records does not issue certified copies of the full court record; that document is available only from the Circuit Clerk.
Step 3 — Use Approved Court Forms for Related Proceedings:
Members of the public who need to present proof of divorce in connection with a subsequent legal proceeding may obtain approved statewide forms through the Illinois Courts divorce and child support forms portal. The Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice has approved standardized forms for use in Illinois circuit courts.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Randolph County?
A divorce proceeding in Randolph County may be made confidential, in whole or in part, by court order, though the default rule under Illinois law is that court records are open to public inspection.
- A party may file a motion requesting that specific documents or the entire case file be sealed, and the court will apply a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children
- Cases involving credible allegations of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or threats to the safety of a party or child are the most common basis for sealing orders
- Mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment records, and psychological assessments of minor children are subject to restricted access under Illinois law and applicable federal privacy statutes
- Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other personal identity information are redacted from all public filings pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, regardless of whether a sealing order has been entered
- Mediation communications are confidential by statute under the Illinois Uniform Mediation Act and are not filed with the court or accessible as part of the public record
- Sealed records are not accessible to the general public; a party seeking access to a sealed file must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for disclosure
- The State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts provides guidance on court record access policies applicable to all Illinois circuit courts
How Long Does Randolph County Keep Divorce Records?
Randolph County divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Illinois court record retention requirements, and final judgments of dissolution are maintained as permanent records.
- Final judgments of dissolution of marriage are permanent records and are not subject to destruction; they are maintained by the Randolph County Circuit Clerk indefinitely
- Complete case files, including all pleadings, orders, and exhibits, are retained for a minimum of 20 years from the date of the final judgment under Illinois court record retention schedules
- Post-judgment modification orders and enforcement records are retained as part of the original case file for the same retention period applicable to the underlying case
- Cases involving minor children may be subject to extended retention periods to ensure availability of custody and support records until the children reach adulthood
- Paper records predating electronic filing systems may be stored in off-site archives; retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time
- The Illinois Supreme Court establishes record retention schedules for all circuit court records; members of the public may consult the State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts for current retention policy guidance
- Records that have reached the end of their retention period may be destroyed in accordance with approved schedules, though final judgments are exempt from destruction as permanent records