McDonough County Divorce Records
McDonough County divorce records are filed and kept by the 8th Judicial Circuit Court Clerk in Macomb, Illinois. If you need a final decree, want to look up a dissolution case, or are researching a past marriage in this west-central Illinois county, this page covers where to go, how to ask, and what state resources can support your search.
County at a Glance
Circuit Court Clerk in Macomb
Ian Fischer serves as the 8th Judicial Circuit Clerk for McDonough County, with offices at #1 Courthouse Square in Macomb. The clerk's office holds the official record of every divorce case filed in the county. That includes the original petition, any motions or orders issued during the case, financial disclosures, and the final decree of dissolution. If property, spousal support, or parenting time was part of the case, those documents are in the file as well.
Reach the clerk at 309/837-4889 or by fax at 309/833-4493. The website at mcdonoughcountyil.gov may post hours, forms, and fee information. Before you visit the courthouse, check there. Bring a photo ID when you go in person. Knowing the approximate year of filing and the names of both parties helps staff find the record faster. Without at least one name and a rough date, searches can be slow or inconclusive.
Certified copies are what you need for legal transactions. They carry the court seal. Plain copies are fine for personal use and cost less. Ask the clerk what type you need when you make contact.
The Illinois Courts directory lists all circuit court clerks by district and circuit, including the 8th Circuit that covers McDonough County.
State Divorce Certificates Through IDPH
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of dissolution of marriage records from 1962 forward. IDPH does not provide full court files. What it provides is a certified certificate confirming that a divorce was granted, who the parties were, when it happened, and in which county. This certificate is accepted for many official purposes including name change filings and insurance updates.
Send requests to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702. The phone line is (217) 782-6553. Each search costs $5. You must include a completed request form and a copy of a valid government-issued ID. The IDPH valid ID page lists accepted documents. Mail requests typically take four to six weeks. The fee applies whether the record is found or not, so verify your information before mailing.
For full details on the IDPH process, visit the IDPH dissolution of marriage records page. It also explains what to do when a record cannot be located.
Note: IDPH certificates confirm the divorce happened. For the actual case documents, you must go to the McDonough County circuit clerk.
What Divorce Files Typically Include
A McDonough County divorce file can range from a thin packet to a substantial folder depending on how the case went. Most files contain a petition for dissolution of marriage, a response or entry of appearance by the other party, temporary orders if any were issued, required financial affidavits, and the final judgment of dissolution. Cases involving children include parenting plans, custody allocations, and child support orders.
The judgment of dissolution is the key document for most people. It identifies both parties by name, gives the date the divorce was finalized, and details how property and debts were divided. If spousal support was ordered, the amount and duration appear in the judgment. Illinois law under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act sets the framework courts must use to reach these decisions, so the structure of the final judgment is consistent across Illinois.
Records sealed by a judge are not accessible to the public. The clerk will tell you if a case is sealed. Most divorce records are not sealed, but it is worth confirming.
How to Request Records
You have two ways to request McDonough County divorce records: in person or by mail. In-person visits to the courthouse at #1 Courthouse Square in Macomb are the fastest option. Bring your photo ID, the case information you have, and cash or a check for any fees. Call 309/837-4889 ahead of time to confirm hours and current fee amounts. Some clerks accept credit cards; others only take checks or cash. It is better to ask than to show up unprepared.
Mail requests take longer but work if you are not near Macomb. Write a letter identifying the case you need, include copies of your ID, and enclose a check or money order payable to the McDonough County Circuit Clerk. Do not send cash. Mail to: Circuit Clerk, #1 Courthouse Square, Macomb, IL 61455. The clerk's website at mcdonoughcountyil.gov may have a request form. Using it can make processing smoother.
Illinois Law and Records Access
Illinois divorce records are governed by two main statutes. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5, sets the rules courts follow when granting divorces. The Vital Records Act, 410 ILCS 535, gives IDPH authority to maintain the statewide index. Together these laws make divorce records public by default in Illinois, though a judge can restrict access to specific documents or entire cases in rare circumstances.
McDonough County is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Mason, and Schuyler counties. All of these courts follow the same state laws, but each has its own clerk and its own local procedures for record requests. If you need records from more than one county, you will need to contact each clerk separately.
Historical and Archived Records
For divorces granted before 1962, IDPH does not have records. Older cases are held either by the circuit clerk in Macomb or at the Illinois State Archives. The archives can be reached at (217) 782-4682. Their site at illinois.gov/ihpa/Archives explains how to request records and what types of historical materials are stored there.
The Illinois State Genealogical Society at ilgensoc.org is another helpful resource for older research. The society publishes guides to county-level records and can point you toward resources that are not online. Some McDonough County records from the 1800s may be available only in handwritten ledgers held locally.
Nearby Counties
McDonough County borders several other counties in west-central Illinois. Each has its own circuit clerk for divorce records.