Kankakee County Divorce Records Search
Kankakee County divorce records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk for the 21st Judicial Circuit, with offices at 450 East Court Street in Kankakee city. All dissolution of marriage cases filed in Kankakee County are recorded and maintained here, from the initial petition through the final decree and any post-judgment modifications. This page explains how to find and request those records, what state resources exist, and what Illinois law applies.
County at a Glance
Kankakee County Circuit Court Clerk
Sandra Cianci serves as the Circuit Court Clerk for Kankakee County. Her office at 450 East Court Street is the official keeper of all case records for the 21st Judicial Circuit, which covers Kankakee County alone. Because the 21st Circuit is a single-county circuit, all matters that come before the circuit court here stay within Kankakee County's system. There is no cross-county sharing of records within this circuit.
| Clerk | Sandra Cianci |
|---|---|
| Address | 450 East Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901-3917 |
| Phone | (815) 936-5700 |
| Fax | (815) 939-8830 |
| Website | k3county.net/department/circuit-clerk.php |
| Judicial Circuit | 21st Judicial Circuit |
The fact that the 21st Circuit covers only Kankakee County makes the records system here simpler than in multi-county circuits. Every divorce filed in Kankakee County is at this one office. There is no question about which county within the circuit holds a specific case: if it was filed in Kankakee County, it is at 450 East Court Street.
The office handles records requests on weekdays during standard business hours. For older files, call ahead to ask whether the case has been moved to storage. Staff at (815) 936-5700 can confirm availability and help you figure out what you will need to bring or send to get copies.
Note: The 21st Judicial Circuit's single-county structure means Kankakee County divorce records are only at this one location. No other circuit court holds Kankakee County filings.Searching and Requesting Records
Start with the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk's website to check whether online case search is available. Many Illinois circuits have moved to online public access portals where you can look up a case by party name or case number. If that is available for Kankakee County, it gives you basic case information: filing date, status, and the list of documents on file. You will still need to contact the Clerk for full document copies or certified copies of orders.
In-person requests are the most direct way to get records. Visit 450 East Court Street in Kankakee city with a valid government-issued photo ID. The type of ID accepted is explained on the IDPH valid ID page, and those same standards generally apply at the circuit court. Tell staff whether you need plain copies or certified copies, because fees differ. If you know the case number, have it ready. If you only have names and an approximate year, staff can still conduct a search.
Mail requests are accepted at 450 East Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901. Write a clear letter with the names of both parties, the filing year, and the case number if known. Include a check or money order for the anticipated copy fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail turnaround depends on whether the file is on-site or needs to come from storage. Calling first to confirm the file is accessible can save time.
The Illinois Courts directory lists circuit clerks for every county, which is useful if you need to verify contact details for Kankakee County or compare with neighboring counties.
That directory also links to each county's local resources, which can help if you need to reach the Clerk's office for questions before making a trip.
Illinois Law on Dissolution of Marriage
Illinois law has recognized only one ground for divorce since 2016: irreconcilable differences. The legal framework is in 750 ILCS 5 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Fault-based grounds like adultery and cruelty were removed when the law was updated that year. A six-month period of separation creates a legal presumption that irreconcilable differences exist, though the court can find them with a shorter separation if both spouses agree.
The residency requirement is 90 days. At least one spouse must have been an Illinois resident for 90 days before filing. In Kankakee County, the filing goes to the 21st Circuit courthouse at 450 East Court Street. The case stays there permanently, even if both parties leave Illinois after the divorce is final. That means anyone looking for records from a Kankakee County divorce will always find them at this office, regardless of when the case was filed.
Courts in Kankakee County follow the same statewide rules for dissolution proceedings. Property is divided equitably. Maintenance may be ordered based on the statutory factors. Parenting plans must be in the best interest of any minor children. All of these terms end up in the final judgment for dissolution, which is the key document in any divorce case file and the one most people need when requesting records.
IDPH Verification of Divorce Records
The Illinois Department of Public Health runs a statewide index of dissolution of marriage records from 1962 forward. A verification from IDPH is a letter confirming that their index shows a dissolution for two named individuals. It is not a certified copy of a court decree and does not include the terms of the divorce. But for many purposes, a verification is enough to confirm that a divorce happened.
IDPH verifications cost $5. Mail your request to IDPH Division of Vital Records, 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702. You can also call (217) 782-6553 with questions. Mail processing takes four to six weeks, so plan ahead if you need this for a deadline. Provide both parties' full names and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. IDPH does not hold certified copies of decrees. For those, you go to the Kankakee County Circuit Court Clerk.
Note: IDPH verifications do not include information about property division, custody, or any other terms of the divorce. For that detail, only the court file will do.What a Kankakee County Divorce File Contains
A divorce file in Kankakee County is a record of every document filed with the court during the dissolution proceedings. What is in the file varies a lot based on whether the case was contested, how long it took, and whether children were involved.
Almost every divorce file starts with the petition for dissolution of marriage. This document identifies the parties, states the basis for divorce, and sets out what the petitioner is asking the court to order. From there, the file grows as documents are added. These often include a summons and proof of service, the other spouse's response or waiver, financial disclosures from both parties, a marital settlement agreement if one was reached, any temporary orders entered during the case, and the final judgment for dissolution of marriage.
Cases with children also include a parenting plan and a child support worksheet. Contested cases may include motions, court hearing transcripts, expert witness reports, and multiple interim orders. The final judgment is the document that legally ends the marriage. It is signed by the judge and entered into the record. Most people requesting records from the Clerk's office are looking for this specific document. Some portions of the file may be sealed or restricted. The Clerk can tell you what is available for public inspection in any specific case.
Legal Aid and Research Help
Kankakee County residents who need help navigating a divorce or accessing records have a few resources worth knowing. The Illinois Courts website lists all circuit court clerks and provides self-help resources for people who are filing or responding without a lawyer. The state courts self-help section has downloadable forms and step-by-step instructions for dissolution proceedings under Illinois law.
For low-income residents, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid serves Kankakee County and can assist with divorce matters, including accessing court records, filing petitions, and modifying existing orders. Income limits apply. Contact their office to check eligibility before requesting services. The Kankakee County courthouse may also have self-help materials available at the clerk's window.
For older or historical records, the Illinois State Archives at (217) 782-4682 is a useful starting point. Records from before the IDPH index started in 1962 may only exist at the county level. The Illinois Genealogical Society is another resource if you are researching family history through old court records and need help locating specific historical filings.
Cities in Kankakee County
Kankakee County's largest cities are Kankakee city (around 26,000 residents) and Bourbonnais (around 19,000). Neither meets the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All divorce records for residents of Kankakee city, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Manteno, and all other communities in the county are held at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 450 East Court Street. The nearest qualifying city with a dedicated page is Bolingbrook in neighboring Will County.
Nearby Counties
Kankakee County is surrounded by several Illinois counties. If a divorce may have been filed in a neighboring county, check these pages: