Lee County Divorce Records Search
Lee County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Dixon, Illinois, where all dissolution of marriage cases heard in the 15th Judicial Circuit are on file. This page covers how to search those records, what information a case file typically holds, how state law applies to filings in Lee County, and how the Illinois Department of Public Health's statewide index fits into the picture.
County Overview
The Lee County Circuit Court Clerk
Amy Johnson is the Circuit Court Clerk for Lee County. Her office at Suite 320, 309 S. Galena Avenue in Dixon, is the official custodian of all divorce case records in the county. Every dissolution of marriage filed in Lee County, from the initial petition through the final decree and any post-decree actions, is kept in that office. Staff there can help you locate a case and tell you how to get copies of specific documents.
Lee County is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Ogle, Carroll, Whiteside, Jo Daviess, and Stephenson counties in northwestern Illinois. A circuit judge assigned to family law handles dissolution matters filed in Lee County. All case filings route through Amy Johnson's office, which serves as both the point of entry and the long-term keeper of the record. If you are unsure whether a case was filed in Lee or one of the neighboring counties, the clerk's office can help you check.
The clerk's phone number is 815/284-5234. The fax is 815/288-5615. The clerk's website may list current office hours, any fees, and whether an online case search tool is available. Checking the website before you go or call can save time.
Note: The 15th Circuit is a multi-county circuit, but Lee County's clerk keeps its own records independently from the other counties in the circuit.
How to Look Up Divorce Cases in Lee County
An in-person visit to the clerk's office in Dixon is the most efficient way to search for a specific divorce record. Staff at Suite 320 on S. Galena can look up cases by the names of the parties or by case number. Having the filing year narrows the search considerably, especially if the name is common. You can review documents on the spot during a visit and request certified or plain copies right away.
Mail requests work well if you can't get to Dixon. Send a written request to 309 S. Galena, Suite 320, Dixon, IL 61021-0325. Include both parties' full legal names, the approximate year the case was filed, and a way to reach you if staff have questions. Enclose payment for copy fees. Call 815/284-5234 before mailing to confirm what the current fees are and what payment methods the office accepts. Turnaround time on mail requests depends on how busy the office is and how easy the record is to pull.
The Illinois Courts circuit court clerk directory covers all circuits statewide, including the 15th. The screenshot below shows that directory page, which lists contact information and any available online tools for each circuit's clerk office.
The Illinois Courts site lists every circuit court clerk by district and circuit, including the 15th Circuit that covers Lee County.
Phone searches are possible for basic inquiries. A quick call to 815/284-5234 can sometimes confirm whether a case exists and produce a case number you can use in a more detailed follow-up request. Keep in mind that the office can tell you a case exists but will typically require a written or in-person request to provide actual documents.
What's in a Lee County Divorce File
Every divorce file in Lee County starts with the petition for dissolution of marriage. What comes after that depends on how the case unfolded. At minimum, the file will contain the final judgment for dissolution of marriage, which is the order that legally ends the marriage. That document, commonly called the divorce decree, is what most people need when they contact the clerk's office years after the fact.
For divorces that involved property, the marital settlement agreement is usually part of the file, either as a separate document or incorporated directly into the decree. The agreement sets out how assets and debts were divided. If the couple had minor children, parenting plans, child support orders, and any custody rulings will also be in the file. Later modifications to those arrangements are filed as separate post-decree cases in the same system and are accessible through the same clerk's office.
Some parts of a divorce file may be restricted. Courts can seal documents on request, and records involving minor children are sometimes limited in what the public can view. Financial disclosure forms filed during the case may also carry access restrictions. If something you're looking for doesn't appear in a search, ask the clerk's office whether any records in that case are sealed or otherwise restricted.
Relevant Illinois Statutes
The law that governs every divorce in Lee County is the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5. This statute defines grounds for divorce, residency requirements, how property gets divided, and how child-related matters are handled. Illinois allows divorce only on the ground of irreconcilable differences, making it a true no-fault state. Neither party has to prove that the other did anything wrong.
One spouse must have lived in Illinois for at least 90 days before the case can be filed. That requirement appears in 750 ILCS 5 and applies everywhere in the state. Once filed, the time it takes to reach a final decree varies. Uncontested divorces, where both parties have already agreed on all terms, can move quickly. Contested cases, particularly those with disputes over property division or child custody, tend to take much longer and involve more court appearances.
The state's record of the divorce, as opposed to the court file, is governed by the Vital Records Act, 410 ILCS 535. That law gives the Illinois Department of Public Health the authority to maintain a separate index of divorces granted in Illinois starting in 1962.
Note: Illinois courts apply equitable distribution to marital property, which means a judge divides assets fairly based on the facts of the case, not necessarily fifty-fifty.
State Verification of Divorces Through IDPH
The Illinois Department of Public Health keeps a statewide record of divorces granted in Illinois from 1962 to the present. If you need to confirm that a divorce took place but don't need the full court file, IDPH can issue a verification letter. The cost is $5. This is not a certified copy of the court record; it's a letter from the state confirming that a record of the dissolution exists in the IDPH index.
To request it, write to 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702, or call (217) 782-6553. Include both parties' full names, the approximate year the divorce was granted, and a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID. The IDPH valid ID page lists accepted forms. The IDPH dissolution of marriage records page has the request form and full instructions. Processing by mail generally takes four to six weeks.
For Lee County divorces predating 1962, the Illinois State Archives holds the older records. Contact them at (217) 782-4682 or through the Illinois Archives website. The Illinois State Genealogical Society can also support historical record searches for older Lee County cases.
Note: The IDPH verification letter and the certified court decree are two different documents that serve different purposes; know which one you need before you request it.
Cities in Lee County
No city in Lee County reaches the 50,000-person population threshold for a dedicated divorce records page on this site. Dixon is the county seat and largest city, with about 15,000 residents. It is also where the courthouse and clerk's office are located. Other communities in the county include Amboy, Ashton, Franklin Grove, Paw Paw, and Steward. Residents of all these towns file divorce cases at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Dixon.
Nearby Counties
Lee County is bordered by several other Illinois counties in the northern part of the state. Each has its own circuit court handling dissolution filings. Contact those clerks directly for records from cases filed outside Lee County.