Jersey County Divorce Records
Jersey County divorce records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Jerseyville. These records cover all dissolutions of marriage handled in the 7th Judicial Circuit, and residents can access case information through the clerk's office by phone, mail, or in person. The Illinois Department of Public Health also holds statewide divorce verification records going back to 1962, giving residents two separate avenues to find what they need.
Jersey County At a Glance
Circuit Court Clerk
The Jersey County Circuit Court Clerk holds all divorce case files for the county. This office is your first stop for any divorce record filed in Jerseyville. The clerk handles both recent and older cases, though records from many decades ago may be stored differently than current filings. When you call, be ready to give the full names of both parties and an approximate year for the divorce. That speeds up the search considerably.
You can reach the clerk's office at 618/498-5571. For a full directory of Illinois circuit court clerks, including contact details and mailing addresses, the Illinois Courts clerk directory lists every county in the state. That page is useful if you need a mailing address or want to confirm current office hours before you drive to Jerseyville.
Certified copies of divorce decrees are available from the clerk. These carry an official court seal and are often needed for legal purposes like name changes, insurance updates, or remarriage. Plain copies cost less and work fine for personal reference. Ask the clerk which type fits your situation when you call.
Note: The clerk's office does not provide legal advice. If you need help interpreting a divorce decree, contact a licensed Illinois attorney.
What Divorce Records Contain
A divorce record in Jersey County typically includes the names of both parties, the date the petition was filed, the date the final decree was entered, and the case number assigned by the court. Some records also show property division agreements, child custody arrangements, and spousal support orders. What appears in a record depends partly on when the divorce was filed and whether the case was contested or uncontested.
Older records may have less detail than more recent filings. Courts began standardizing what must appear in divorce files more aggressively in the latter part of the 20th century. If you are looking for a divorce from the 1940s or 1950s, the record may be brief but still legally valid. For anything from the 1980s forward, expect a more complete file.
Illinois Department of Public Health Verifications
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of divorces granted in Illinois from 1962 to the present. IDPH does not provide full certified copies of divorce decrees. What they offer is a verification letter, which confirms that a divorce occurred, the names of the parties, the county, and the year. This costs $5 per search.
To request a verification, you must submit a completed request form along with a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID. The IDPH page on valid ID requirements lists exactly what forms of ID are accepted. Mail requests to IDPH in Springfield. Processing by mail takes about 4 to 6 weeks. If you need the full divorce decree rather than just a verification, you must go to the Jersey County Circuit Court Clerk instead.
IDPH can be reached by phone at (217) 782-6553 if you have questions about the verification process before you mail anything in. Their office handles a large volume of requests, so calling first can save time if your situation is unusual.
Note: IDPH verifications are not the same as certified copies of a divorce decree and may not satisfy all legal requirements.
The IDPH dissolution of marriage records page explains what verifications are available and how to submit a request by mail.
Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act
Divorce proceedings in Jersey County follow the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5. This statute governs how divorces are filed, what grounds apply, and how courts divide property and address child-related matters. Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, meaning either spouse can file without alleging wrongdoing by the other.
The Vital Records Act, found at 410 ILCS 535, sets out the rules for how vital records, including divorce records, are maintained and who can access them. Public access is generally permitted, though some information may be restricted if a court has ordered it sealed.
Historical and Archived Records
For very old divorce records in Jersey County, particularly those predating state-level record-keeping, the Illinois State Archives is a useful resource. The archives can be reached at (217) 782-4682 or visited through illinois.gov/ihpa/Archives. Genealogists looking for 19th-century or early 20th-century divorce records often find the archives helpful when the circuit court no longer holds the original files.
The Illinois State Genealogical Society also offers guidance on locating historical records, including divorce filings. Their resources are particularly useful when you are not sure which county originally handled a case or when records may have been transferred.
How to Request Records
Most people start by calling the Jersey County Circuit Court Clerk at 618/498-5571 to confirm what records are on file and what the current copy fees are. You can also submit a written request by mail. In your request, include the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and your contact information. Some people prefer to visit in person, especially if they are not certain which year the case was filed.
If you need a statewide verification rather than a full court record, submit your request directly to IDPH. Their process is entirely by mail. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for a response. For urgent needs, the circuit court is the faster option since you can often get copies the same day if you visit in person.
The Illinois Courts website lists every circuit court clerk in the state, with contact details for each county.
Nearby Counties
Divorce records for surrounding counties are held by their own circuit court clerks. Neighboring counties include Madison County, Macoupin County, Greene County, and Calhoun County. Each has its own clerk's office and fee schedule.