Find Logan County Divorce Records
Logan County divorce records are held by the 11th Judicial Circuit Court Clerk in Lincoln, Illinois. Whether you need a certified copy of a dissolution decree, want to look up a case filed years ago, or need to confirm a marriage ended in this county, this page explains where records are kept and how to request them.
County at a Glance
Logan County Circuit Court Clerk
Kelly Elias serves as the 11th Judicial Circuit Court Clerk for Logan County. The clerk's office in Lincoln holds the full record of every divorce case filed in the county. That means the initial petition, all motions, any temporary orders, financial disclosures, and the final judgment of dissolution. Cases involving children also include parenting plans and child support orders as part of the file. This office is your starting point when you need any Logan County divorce document.
Call the clerk at 217/735-2376 or fax at 217/732-1231. The mailing address is P.O. Box 158, Lincoln, IL 62656. If you want to visit in person, bring a photo ID and whatever details you have about the case. At minimum, bring the names of both parties and an approximate year. Staff can search by party name or case number. The clerk's website at logancountyil.gov may have posted hours and any forms you can fill out in advance.
Ask whether you need a certified or plain copy before you pay. Certified copies carry a court seal and are required for legal actions. Plain copies cost less and are fine for research or personal reference.
The Illinois Courts website provides a full directory of circuit court clerks by circuit, including the 11th Judicial Circuit that covers Logan County and neighboring counties.
Note: The physical courthouse is in Lincoln. If you are mailing documents, use the P.O. Box address rather than a street address to make sure mail reaches the correct department.
IDPH Statewide Divorce Records
The Illinois Department of Public Health operates a statewide index of divorce records dating from 1962 to the present. IDPH records are not full case files. They are summary certificates that confirm a dissolution of marriage occurred in Illinois. The certificate gives the names of the parties, the county, and the date of the divorce. For many official uses, this is enough.
To get a certificate from IDPH, contact them at 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702, or call (217) 782-6553. The fee is $5 per search. You must submit a completed request form along with a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID. Check the IDPH valid ID list for accepted documents. Allow four to six weeks for mail processing. The $5 fee applies whether or not IDPH finds the record, so confirm the case details before you send the request.
The IDPH dissolution of marriage records page has full instructions and answers common questions about eligibility, third-party requests, and what to do when older records are not in the database.
What a Divorce File Contains
Logan County divorce files vary in depth. A short, uncontested case can produce as few as five or six documents. A longer contested case can fill a folder with dozens of filings. Core documents in most files include the petition for dissolution of marriage, a response from the other party, any court orders entered while the case was active, the mandatory financial affidavit required under Illinois court rules, and the final judgment of dissolution.
The final judgment is the primary document most people request. It names both parties, records the date the judge signed off on the dissolution, and details the division of property and debts. If the couple had children, the judgment references the parenting agreement or includes its terms directly. Courts in Logan County follow the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5, the same statute that governs every divorce court in Illinois.
How to Get Copies
You can request Logan County divorce records in person or by mail. In-person visits to the circuit clerk in Lincoln are the most direct route. Bring a valid photo ID and any case information you have. Staff will search the records and tell you what is available. You pay for copies at the time of the request. Confirm current fees and payment methods by calling 217/735-2376 before your visit, as fees and accepted payment types can change.
For mail requests, write a letter describing the case you need. Include the names of both parties, the approximate year the case was filed, the type of document you want, your mailing address, and a copy of your photo ID. Enclose a check or money order payable to the Logan County Circuit Clerk. Do not mail cash. Send everything to P.O. Box 158, Lincoln, IL 62656. Response times vary. A few days to a few weeks is typical. Urgent requests are better handled in person.
The clerk's website at logancountyil.gov may offer a request form. Using it correctly often speeds up processing.
Legal Framework for Divorce Records in Illinois
The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5, is the primary law governing divorce in Illinois. It sets out how courts must handle petitions, divide property, determine support, and allocate parental responsibilities. Logan County courts follow this law like every other circuit in the state. The law also establishes what records courts must create and maintain as part of a divorce proceeding.
The Vital Records Act, 410 ILCS 535, authorizes IDPH to collect and maintain divorce data at the state level. It also controls who can request those records and under what circumstances. By default, divorce records in Illinois are public. However, a judge can seal individual documents or an entire file if there is a compelling reason, such as protecting minor children or sensitive financial information.
Note: Logan County is part of the 11th Judicial Circuit, which also serves Ford, Livingston, McLean, and Woodford counties.
Older Records and Historical Searches
For divorces that occurred before 1962, IDPH does not hold records. Those older cases are at either the circuit clerk's office in Lincoln or the Illinois State Archives in Springfield. The archives are reachable at (217) 782-4682. Their site at illinois.gov/ihpa/Archives explains what they hold and how to submit a request.
Researchers working on family history will find the Illinois State Genealogical Society at ilgensoc.org a valuable starting point. The society publishes research guides for county-level records across Illinois and can point you toward old ledgers, indexes, and other sources that are not available digitally. Some of the oldest Logan County divorce records exist only in paper form at the courthouse or in the archives.
Nearby Counties
Logan County is surrounded by several other central Illinois counties, each with its own circuit clerk handling divorce records.