Get your Certified Illinois Divorce Certificate

Illinois divorce certificates serve as important documents that verify several critical aspects related to the dissolution of marriage. They confirm the legal end of marriage, provide evidence of a change in marital status, and indicate the date and location of the divorce. These certificates are official state-issued documents that contain essential details about the divorce proceedings and the relevant court information and are frequently required for various legal matters, including obtaining marriage licenses and passports and executing name changes.

Important in financial matters like securing pensions, Social Security benefits, and handling insurance claims, divorce certificates also serve personal needs such as keeping records, tracing family history, proving legal status, and meeting employment requirements.

Divorce certificates are often useful or required for:

Applying for a driver's license

Applying for a new passport

Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

Applying for Social Security benefits

Claiming pension or insurance benefits

Genealogy research

Claiming family inheritance

Applying for a new job

Enrolling in school

Enlisting in the military

Obtaining a marriage license

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 COUNTY.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the county health department. 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 County.
      
      Varies by COUNTY.
      
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. The county will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

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

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal names of the spouses.
• Date of Birth: The exact date of divorce of the spouses.
• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.
• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the divorce certificate.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified divorce certificate may also include:

Corrections and amendments are usually handled by the county clerk’s office that issued the certificate. 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 $149, 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; Certified documents from a government official or documents that are notarized by an Illinois Notary Public.
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: