Clark County Divorce Records
Clark County divorce records are maintained by the 5th Judicial Circuit Court Clerk in Marshall, Illinois. Whether you need to look up an old dissolution case, get a certified decree copy, or learn how the state-level IDPH system fits in, this page covers the key resources for divorce records in this east-central Illinois county near the Indiana border.
County at a Glance
Clark County Circuit Court Clerk
The 5th Judicial Circuit Court Clerk in Marshall holds all official Clark County divorce records. Every dissolution of marriage case the county court handled is on file here. That includes the petition for dissolution, any responses filed by the other party, motions and orders entered during the case, required financial statements, and the final judgment of dissolution. Cases involving children add parenting plans and support orders to the file.
Call the clerk's office at 217/826-2811. When you call or come in, have the names of both parties and an approximate filing year. A case number is helpful but not required to start a search. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID when visiting in person. The Illinois Courts circuit clerk directory can confirm current hours and contact details for Clark County's office. It is a reliable backup if you cannot reach the office by phone.
Certified copies come with a court seal and are required for legal matters. Plain copies cost less and are adequate for personal use. Confirm which type you need before you pay.
The IDPH page on dissolution of marriage records describes how to request a state certificate confirming a divorce was granted in Illinois, including Clark County cases.
Note: Clark County sits on the Indiana border. If a case involved parties with ties to both states, the Illinois circuit court holds only the records for cases filed in Illinois. Indiana divorces are handled by Indiana courts.
Getting Records Through IDPH
The Illinois Department of Public Health operates a statewide index of dissolution of marriage records starting in 1962. IDPH records are not the same as the court file. A certificate from IDPH confirms that a divorce occurred, names both parties, and gives the county and date. It does not include the specific terms of any property settlement, support order, or parenting plan. Many agencies and institutions accept the IDPH certificate for official purposes without needing the full decree.
Write to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702, or call (217) 782-6553. The fee is $5 per search. Submit a completed request form and a copy of a valid government-issued ID. The IDPH valid ID list shows which forms of identification are accepted. Mail processing takes about four to six weeks. The search fee is not refunded if no record is found, so double-check the case details before mailing your request.
Full details on the IDPH process are at the IDPH dissolution of marriage records page, including how to handle requests for third parties or for research purposes.
What the File Holds
Clark County divorce case files can be thin or thick depending on the nature of the case. A simple case with both parties in agreement produces fewer documents. A contested case with disputes over property or children can create an extensive record. Most files include the petition for dissolution, the other party's response or default, motions and orders from the court, financial disclosures required by court rules, and the final judgment of dissolution.
The judgment is the document people most often request. It states when the court dissolved the marriage, identifies both parties, and describes property division, any support obligations, and parenting arrangements if the couple had children. Illinois courts issue judgments under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5, a statute that applies to all 102 counties equally. So a judgment from Marshall, Illinois, follows the same legal framework as one from Chicago.
Some case records may be partially or fully sealed by court order. This is uncommon in dissolution cases but does happen. Ask the clerk when you make your request whether any restrictions apply.
Making a Request
The most direct way to get Clark County divorce records is to visit the circuit clerk in Marshall in person. Call 217/826-2811 first to confirm hours and learn what payment forms are accepted. Bring your photo ID and the case information you have. Staff will search and let you know what is on file and what you will pay for copies.
You can also make a mail request. Write a letter with both parties' names, the approximate filing year, the type of copy you want, your contact information, and a copy of your ID. Include a check or money order payable to the Clark County Circuit Clerk. Do not send cash. Confirm the current mailing address by phone or through the Illinois Courts directory before mailing. Most mail requests take one to three weeks, though the timeline can stretch during busy periods.
Applicable Law
Clark County divorce courts follow state law like every other Illinois circuit. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5, governs how dissolution proceedings work from start to finish, covering grounds for divorce, how assets are divided, and how parenting time is allocated. The Vital Records Act, 410 ILCS 535, governs IDPH's role in maintaining the statewide index and sets rules for who can access the state records.
Illinois treats divorce records as public by default, with limited exceptions for sealed cases. Clark County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit. That circuit also serves Coles, Cumberland, Edgar, and Vermilion counties. Each county in the circuit has its own clerk and maintains separate records. There is no shared access portal across those counties.
Older Records
Pre-1962 divorces are not in the IDPH index. The Clark County circuit clerk may hold older records locally, or they may have been archived at the Illinois State Archives in Springfield. Call the archives at (217) 782-4682 or visit illinois.gov/ihpa/Archives to find out what historical Clark County records they hold and how to request them.
The Illinois State Genealogical Society at ilgensoc.org publishes guides that help researchers find county-level records not available online. Older Clark County records may exist only in paper or microfilm and require an in-person visit to the courthouse or archives to view.
Nearby Counties
Clark County is in east-central Illinois near the Indiana state line. These neighboring counties each have their own circuit clerk handling divorce records.