Find Divorce Records in Naperville
Divorce records for Naperville are filed with DuPage County Circuit Clerk Candice Adams, since most of Naperville falls within DuPage County, though a small portion of the city extends into Will County. This page explains where to search and how to get copies.
Naperville at a Glance
Which County Handles Naperville Divorce Records
Naperville sits mostly within DuPage County, with a smaller portion crossing into Will County along the southern edge. The city itself does not maintain divorce records. When a Naperville resident files for divorce, the case goes to the circuit court of the county where that person lives. For the vast majority of Naperville residents, that is DuPage County.
The DuPage County Circuit Clerk is Candice Adams. Her office is at P.O. Box 707, Wheaton, IL 60187-0707. The main phone number is 630/407-8700. The clerk's website is at dupageco.org/CircuitCourtClerk. If you live in the southern part of Naperville and are not sure which county you are in, check your property tax bill or voter registration, which will list your county.
Will County handles divorces for the smaller portion of Naperville that falls within its boundaries. The Will County Circuit Clerk's office is at 100 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60432, phone 815/727-8592. Their site is at willcountyillinois.com/circuit-clerk. When in doubt, call DuPage first, since most Naperville cases are there.
The City of Naperville website provides general information for residents, but divorce record requests go through DuPage County Circuit Court.
Most Naperville divorce records are held by the DuPage County Circuit Clerk in Wheaton.
How to Get Divorce Records in Naperville
Start with the online case search. DuPage County has a public access portal through the clerk's website at dupageco.org/CircuitCourtClerk. The state's Judici platform at judici.com also provides free public case lookups for many Illinois counties, including DuPage. These tools let you search by party name or case number and see basic docket information without charge.
To get actual copies of documents, you have a few options. In person is the most straightforward. Go to the DuPage County courthouse at 505 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187. Bring a photo ID and any information you have about the case, such as party names or case number. Staff can locate the file and print copies. Fees are set by the court and can change, so it helps to call 630/407-8700 to confirm the current per-page rate before you visit.
Mail requests are accepted too. Write to the DuPage County Circuit Clerk at P.O. Box 707, Wheaton, IL 60187-0707. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year the divorce was filed, your mailing address, and a check or money order to cover copy fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests generally take longer than in-person visits.
Note: Certified copies of the judgment cost more than plain copies. If you need the certified version, say so clearly in your request or when you visit the clerk's office in person.
What Naperville Divorce Files Contain
Every Illinois divorce file begins with the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. That document is filed by one spouse and served on the other. It identifies the parties, gives the grounds for divorce (irreconcilable differences), and states what the petitioner is asking the court to do about property, children, and support. The responding spouse files a written response, which is also part of the record.
Financial disclosures from both parties are required under Illinois law. These forms show income, assets, debts, and monthly expenses. They become part of the public court file. If the couple has minor children, a parenting plan or allocation judgment sets out custody, parenting time, and child support. The court must approve any parenting plan before the divorce is finalized, and that document stays in the file permanently.
Property settlement agreements, which spell out how the couple is dividing real estate, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and debts, are also part of the file. So are any court orders issued along the way, such as temporary support orders or restraining orders.
The final document is the Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage. That is the court order that legally ends the marriage. It is the document most people need when they want to prove a divorce happened. All of these documents are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5).
IDPH Statewide Divorce Verification
The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps a statewide index of divorce records going back to 1962. If you need to confirm that a divorce happened without pulling the full court file, the IDPH can provide a verification certificate. This is often enough for legal or administrative purposes.
The fee is $5 per search. Send requests to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702. Phone: (217) 782-6553. Processing by mail takes about four to six weeks. You must include a copy of a valid photo ID with your request. The IDPH's list of accepted IDs is at dph.illinois.gov.
The full dissolution of marriage records page is at dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records/dissolution-marriage-records.html. For Naperville divorces that predate 1962, you must contact the DuPage County Circuit Clerk directly.
Illinois Divorce Law Basics
Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. The only ground for dissolving a marriage is irreconcilable differences. Neither party has to prove fault, abuse, or infidelity. The couple just needs to show that the marriage has broken down and that fixing it is not possible. If both spouses agree on that point, the process can move faster.
There is a 90-day residency requirement. At least one spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing. Naperville residents who meet that requirement can file in DuPage County (or Will County, if they live in that portion). There is no state-mandated waiting period once the judge signs the judgment. The divorce is final from that date.
The key statute is the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5). It governs all aspects of the process in Illinois. The Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535) controls how the state handles dissolution records at the IDPH level.
Legal Resources for Naperville Residents
Prairie State Legal Services covers DuPage County and offers free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents. They handle family law cases including divorce. The Illinois Legal Aid Online site at illinoislegalaid.org has self-help guides, approved court forms, and step-by-step instructions for uncontested divorce. People who want to file without a lawyer can find the forms and instructions they need there.
The DuPage County courthouse has a law library and self-help resources for people who are representing themselves. Staff at the clerk's office can help you find the right forms but cannot give legal advice. If you need an attorney, the DuPage County Bar Association can provide referrals.
The Illinois State Archives at illinois.gov/ihpa/Archives holds older records and supports genealogical research. The Illinois Genealogical Society at ilgensoc.org is another resource for historical record searches. The Illinois Courts directory at illinoiscourts.gov lists all circuit clerks and courthouses, which can help you confirm contact information for DuPage or Will County.
Nearby Illinois Cities
These other Illinois cities also use the county court system to maintain divorce records: