Waukegan Divorce Records Search
Divorce records for Waukegan are filed and held by the Lake County Circuit Court Clerk, which is located in Waukegan itself since the city serves as the Lake County seat. All dissolution of marriage cases involving Waukegan residents are processed at 18 North County Street in downtown Waukegan. This page explains how to request and search those records.
Waukegan at a Glance
Which County Handles Waukegan Divorce Records
Waukegan is the county seat of Lake County, which means the Lake County Courthouse and the Circuit Court Clerk's office are both located within the city. Divorce records are created and stored at the circuit court level in Illinois. Cities have no role in filing or maintaining them. Every dissolution of marriage case filed by a Waukegan or Lake County resident goes through the Lake County Circuit Court Clerk.
The clerk receives the initial petition, processes all documents filed during the case, and stores the final judgment once the court enters it. Most documents in a divorce file are part of the public record. Some items, such as those involving minor children's personal information, may be restricted, but the core file is generally accessible.
| Office | Lake County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Erin Cartwright Weinstein |
| Address | 18 North County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085-4340 |
| Phone | 847/377-3380 |
| Fax | 847/360-6409 |
| Website | lakecountyil.gov/897/Circuit-Clerk |
Note: The courthouse is in downtown Waukegan near the lakefront. Parking is available in nearby lots. Check the county website for current office hours.
How to Access Waukegan Divorce Records
Lake County offers three main ways to get divorce records: in person, by mail, or through an online portal. Lake County is ahead of many Illinois counties in offering online document access through a dedicated e-court portal.
In person: Visit 18 North County Street during business hours. Bring a government-issued photo ID. Staff can help you search the index by party name or case number. You can view the file and request copies. Per-page fees apply for regular copies; certified copies cost more and carry the official court seal.
By mail: Send a written request to the clerk's office at the address above. Include both parties' full names, the approximate filing or final divorce year, and a check or money order for copy fees. Allow one to two weeks for processing under normal conditions.
Online: Lake County operates its own online case portal. You can search cases and access court records through the Lake County e-Court Public Portal. Case information and some documents are available online. This portal is more robust than the general Judici system. Judici.com also indexes some Lake County case data for basic name searches.
Waukegan city information is available at waukeganil.gov, though court records are the responsibility of the Lake County Circuit Clerk, not the city.
Direct all record requests to the Lake County Circuit Clerk at 18 North County Street, not to city hall.
What Waukegan Divorce Files Contain
A Lake County divorce file holds all documents from the petition through the final decree. The petition for dissolution of marriage is the first document filed. After that, the file grows to include proof of service, financial disclosures from both parties, any motions or hearings, and eventually the judgment for dissolution of marriage.
If the couple has minor children, the file also includes a parenting plan, support worksheets, and any orders about custody and visitation. A marital settlement agreement, if the parties negotiated their own property split, is usually attached to or referenced in the final decree.
Illinois uses the no-fault standard under 750 ILCS 5. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act covers the entire process. A 90-day Illinois residency requirement applies before filing, per 750 ILCS 5/413. Lake County is the proper venue when either spouse lives in the county.
Note: Certified copies of the final judgment are needed for remarriage applications, legal name changes, and some financial or government processes. Ask the clerk specifically for certified copies if that is what you need.
IDPH Statewide Divorce Verification
Beyond the court file, the Illinois Department of Public Health keeps a statewide index of divorces finalized in Illinois since 1962. If you just need to confirm a divorce happened and do not need full case documents, the IDPH record can work. It is a shorter certificate, not the court file itself. It lists names, county, and year. That is often enough for things like insurance updates or basic verification.
Requests go by mail to the IDPH office in Springfield. The fee is $5. Processing takes four to six weeks. A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID must accompany the request.
| Agency | Illinois Department of Public Health |
|---|---|
| Address | 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702 |
| Phone | (217) 782-6553 |
| Fee | $5 per search |
| Mail time | 4 to 6 weeks |
Full details are on the IDPH dissolution of marriage records page. ID requirements are described on the valid photo ID page. For the complete court file, go to the Lake County Circuit Clerk, not IDPH.
Illinois Divorce Law Overview
Illinois law requires irreconcilable differences as the sole ground for divorce. There are no fault-based grounds any longer. Courts look at whether the marriage has broken down and whether efforts at reconciliation have failed or would not be in the family's best interest. Both parties do not have to agree. One spouse can allege irreconcilable differences and the court will act.
The governing statute is 750 ILCS 5. Illinois uses equitable distribution for marital property. Courts weigh each spouse's contributions, earning potential, the length of the marriage, and other factors. The split does not have to be 50/50. Separate property owned before the marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance during it, is usually not divided.
How dissolution records are created, preserved, and accessed at the state level is governed by the Vital Records Act, 410 ILCS 535. Circuit clerks send dissolution data to IDPH as required by this statute.
Legal Resources and Historical Records
If you need older records or legal help beyond what the clerk provides, several resources are worth knowing about.
The Illinois State Archives holds historical court and vital records from across the state. Very old divorce cases, or those that have been transferred out of the active court system, may be at the archives. Contact their research staff before making the trip to Springfield.
The Illinois Genealogical Society offers county-level indexes and guides that cover marriages and divorces going back well before the IDPH index starts in 1962. If you are tracing family history and need a pre-1962 case, the society's resources can help you figure out where to look and what records might still exist.
For current legal help, the Lake County Bar Association has a referral service. Illinois Legal Aid Online offers free legal information and may be able to connect eligible residents with legal assistance at no cost.
Nearby Illinois Cities
These other Illinois cities also use the county court system for divorce records: