Get your Certified Illinois Divorce Certificate

Certified copies of an Illinois divorce decree come from the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized, and fees vary by county; for example, the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk charges $6 per certified document, plus copy charges. The Illinois Department of Public Health only issues divorce verifications, which cost $5. A verification is a short-form document confirming the divorce took place, but it is not a certified copy.

An Illinois divorce verification is a short-form document issued by IDPH (for divorces from 1962) that confirms the divorce occurred, listing the names of the parties and the date. It is not a certified copy of the divorce record. A divorce decree is the full court order issued by the Circuit Court that includes all settlement terms such as property division, custody, and support orders. Most legal purposes require the decree rather than the verification.

In Illinois, eligible requesters include either party named in the divorce, immediate family members, or a legal representative. If you need someone else to request the record on your behalf, they may use a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) from an authorized party to obtain the document.

Illinois divorce records are generally considered public records unless sealed by court order. You can request a certified copy of the full decree from the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized. IDPH only issues divorce verifications, not certified copies.

If you lose your divorce certificate:

1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Some counties may accept walk-ins; check with the specific county where the divorce record is filed.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted.
      
      Mailing addresses vary by county.
      
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
3. The Clerk of the Circuit Court will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

The design and security elements of these certificates can differ significantly from state to state.

• Names of Both Parties: The full legal names of both parties to the divorce.
• Date and County of Divorce: The date the divorce was granted and the county where it was granted.
• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.
• Signature of the Clerk: The signature of the Clerk of the Circuit Court or authorized official responsible for issuing the certified copy.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

Requirements and security features vary by county.

Corrections and amendments are usually handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Divorce certificates can be amended if information was entered incorrectly at the time the certificate was created. You must follow county law requirements and provide documentation to support any changes. Some amendments may also require court orders.

Common errors that may need correction include:

• Misspelled names
• Incorrect dates
• Wrong location information

The County may require you to provide legal documentation to verify changes and obtain court orders for specific amendments, along with original or certified copies of supporting documents.

When filing a vital record with a foreign government, an apostille certification is often required. An apostille for Illinois vital records can be acquired through the Secretary of State or Vital Records Online (VRO).

VRO offers online apostille services that are accepted by governments and organizations in over 100 countries. Their service includes professional assistance for obtaining apostilles for divorce certificates in all 50 states, starting at $49, plus government fees.

Once the apostille is issued, it will be sent to you by FedEx or DHL for global delivery. This ensures that your documents arrive at your doorstep regardless of location, whether in the US or internationally.

If you request by mail, you'll need to provide the following:

1. Original document(s) to be authenticated; a certified copy of the divorce decree from the Circuit Clerk (do not notarize documents signed by a Circuit Clerk).
2. Name of the country where the document(s) will be used.
3. $2.00 fee per document. If you have multiple documents to be processed, please submit only one check or money order, payable to the Secretary of State, for the total amount.
4. Self-addressed, stamped return envelope. When using prepaid Express Mail, Priority Mail, Federal Express, UPS or Airborne Express, include a prepaid bill receipt and pre-printed shipping label from that carrier.

Mail-in Orders:

Courier Orders:

In-Person Orders: