Madison county il divorce records are files that show when a marriage ends in the local court system. These files stay at the Madison County Circuit Clerk office. You can see the original petition, the answer from the other person, and the final judge’s order. Some files also talk about kids and money. These records go back as far as the year 1910. Most people can look at these files if they have the right names and case numbers. You need a photo ID from the government to get official copies of these papers.
Where to get madison county il divorce records
The main office for these files is in Edwardsville. The address is 157 North Main Street. This office is the Circuit Clerk’s home. They keep every paper filed for a divorce case. If you live far away, you can use an online portal. The online system lets you search for cases by name. It is better to use the online search early in the morning. Many people use it between 10 am and 2 pm. That makes the website slow. If it stops working, you can call 800-250-9884 for help with the computer system.
There are other offices in the county too. The Madison City Clerk is at 615 Madison Avenue. Their phone is 618-876-6268. They have marriage licenses from 1850. The Collinsville office is at 125 South Center Street. Their phone is 618-344-3813. They help with cases in the western part of the county. The Granite City office is at 2000 Edison Avenue. Their phone is 618-877-4171. They keep old records that started in 1813. You can go to any of these places to ask for help with your search.
The cost of divorce records and filings
Filing for a divorce costs money. The person who starts the case pays 314 dollars. This covers the petition. The other person must pay 189 dollars to give their answer. The total cost for one case is 503 dollars. You can pay with cash or a check. You can also use a credit card at the window. People who do not live in Illinois use a secure website to pay. All this money goes into the Madison County General Fund. The county uses this money to pay for the court staff and the building.
If you only need a copy of a record, it costs 12 dollars. This is for a certified copy. A certified copy has a raised seal on it. This seal proves the paper is real. You need these for social security or bank needs. You must show your ID to get these copies. Most copies arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 days. If the record is less than 30 years old, you might get it the same day you visit the office in Edwardsville.
How to start a divorce case in Madison County
You must call 618-251-6214 to get the right papers. Ask for the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage packet. This packet has all the forms you need. It has a list of things to bring. You will need your marriage certificate. You will need proof that you live in the county. You will also need to show how much money you make. Every form must be signed in front of a notary. A notary is a person who watches you sign to make sure it is really you. You can find a notary at the courthouse or a bank.
The court has a special rule for parents. If you have kids, you must do the Children First program. You call the same number, 618-251-6214, to sign up. This program teaches parents how to help their kids during a divorce. You cannot finish your divorce until you do this class. The judge wants to see that you are taking care of your children’s feelings. The court keeps a record of who finishes the class.
Simplified joint divorce rules
Some couples can use a faster way to divorce. This is for people who agree on everything. You must make less than 60,000 dollars a year together. One person cannot make more than 30,000 dollars alone. You cannot own a house or land. Your property must be worth less than 50,000 dollars. This is called a joint simplified dissolution. The cost is still 314 dollars. You fill out a joint petition and a settlement agreement. The judge usually signs the order in 10 to 14 days. This is the quickest way to end a marriage in Madison County.
You must also meet residency rules. You or your spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days. The court check this before they start the case. If you just moved here, you have to wait. You can use utility bills or a driver’s license to show how long you have lived in the county. The clerk will look at these papers when you file your petition.
Using the online court records search
The computer system is a fast way to look at dockets. A docket is a list of everything that happened in a case. It shows the dates of meetings with the judge. It shows when papers were filed. The system has cases from 1995 to today. If you need something older, you must call the clerk. The website works 24 hours a day. If you see an error message, call the tech support line. They can help you with your password or browser problems. This service is free for anyone to look at basic case info.
Lawyers have a different way to get papers. They can sign up for an email service. This lets them get court orders as PDF files. It is faster than the regular mail. It helps cases move along without waiting for a letter carrier. This service follows the rules from the Illinois Supreme Court. It keeps the files safe and private. If you have a lawyer, they will likely use this system to get your final decree.
Help for people without a lawyer
You can go to the Madison County Law Library if you do not have a lawyer. It is in the courthouse. They have a Legal Self-Help Center. The phone number is 618-296-4472. They give out forms and explain how to fill them out. They cannot give legal advice, but they can show you the rules. They have computers you can use to look up your records. They also have books that explain Illinois law in simple ways. This center is a good place to start if you are worried about the cost of a lawyer.
The clerk’s office also has a walk-in window. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. You can ask the people at the window questions about your file. They can tell you if a judge has signed your order yet. They can also tell you how much money you owe in fees. They are very busy, so it is smart to go early in the morning.
Topical Authority Improvement Plan
- Add details about the 1995 digital records transition.
- List the specific room numbers in the Edwardsville courthouse for the Circuit Clerk.
- Explain the difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate in Illinois.
- Include information about how to fix a mistake on a filed divorce record.
- Add a section about military divorce records in Madison County.
- Explain the retention policy for paper files vs microfilm in the county archive.
Intent Map
| User Need | Content Section | How it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Get a copy of records | Where to get records | Gives the address and phone numbers for all county offices. |
| Know the cost | The cost of divorce records | Lists the exact fees for filing and for copies. |
| Start a new case | How to start a divorce case | Explains the phone number to call and what forms to ask for. |
| Do it fast/cheap | Simplified joint divorce | Shows the income limits and rules for the quick process. |
| Search online | Using online search | Gives technical support numbers and best times to search. |
Official Office Details
Madison County Circuit Clerk
Address: 157 N. Main Street, Suite 109, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: 618-692-6240 (General Questions)
Divorce Packet Line: 618-251-6214
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed on holidays)
Technical Support: 800-250-9884
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up a divorce record in Madison County for free?
You can look up case information for free through the Madison County Circuit Clerk online portal. This system allows you to search by the first and last names of the parties involved. Once you find the case, you can view the docket, which is a timeline of events. It shows when the case was filed and when the judge made decisions. However, viewing the actual images of the documents often requires a fee or a trip to the courthouse. If you go to the courthouse in Edwardsville, you can use the public computer terminals for free. This is the best way to see the details without paying for a subscription. Many people use this to verify if a divorce is final before they get married again. The information on the website is updated daily, but it may take 24 to 48 hours for new filings to appear on the screen. If you cannot find the record online, it might be older than 1995. For older cases, you must ask the staff to look in the paper archives or on microfilm.
Can I get a copy of my divorce decree the same day?
Yes, you can often get a certified copy of your divorce decree on the same day if you visit the Edwardsville office in person. You must go to the Circuit Clerk’s window during regular business hours. Be sure to bring a valid government photo ID like a driver’s license. You will need to provide the case number or the full names of both spouses. The staff will look up the file and print the copy for you. They will then place a raised seal on the paper and sign it. This seal makes the document “certified.” The cost for this service is usually 12 dollars for the first page and a smaller fee for more pages. It is best to arrive before 3:30 pm to make sure the staff has enough time to pull the file and process your payment. If the record is very old, they may have to retrieve it from a storage vault, which could take longer. For most modern cases, the process is quick and takes less than thirty minutes.
What if I lost my divorce case number?
If you lost your case number, you can still find your records. The clerk can search the records using your full name or the name of your former spouse. You can do this yourself using the online search tool by entering the names in the party search boxes. If the search results show too many names, you can narrow it down by the date the divorce happened. If you are calling the office, the clerk will ask for the approximate year of the divorce to help find the right file. In Madison County, records are well organized by year and name. If the divorce happened a long time ago, like in the 1950s, the clerk will look in the historical indexes. These are big books that list every case by year. Once they find your name in the index, it will give them the case number. Then they can find the actual folder. Do not worry if you do not have the number, as long as you have the correct spelling of the names.
Are all divorce records in Madison County public?
Most divorce records are public in Madison County. This means anyone can ask to see them. The law says that court records should be open to the people. However, some parts of a file might be private. For example, social security numbers are usually blocked out so people cannot steal your identity. Files that involve very sensitive information about children might be sealed by a judge. If a file is sealed, only the people in the case or their lawyers can see it. Most people will find that they can see the petition and the final judgment without any problems. After a judge signs the final order, the record becomes a permanent part of the public archive. If you are worried about your privacy, you can talk to your lawyer about asking the judge to hide certain personal details from the public view. This is not common, but it can happen in special cases where safety is a concern.
How do I get a divorce record if I live in another state?
If you live in another state, you can get your Madison County records by mail or online. The easiest way is to use the online request portal on the Circuit Clerk’s website. You can pay the fee with a credit card and have the certified copy mailed to your current home. If you prefer to use the mail, you must send a written request. Include both names, the case number, and a copy of your ID. You also need to send a check or money order for the fee. It is a good idea to include a self-addressed stamped envelope to help the clerk send it back to you faster. Most out-of-state requests are finished and mailed within 7 to 10 business days. If you are in a big hurry, you can call the clerk and ask about overnight shipping options, though this will cost more money. This is a common way for people to get the papers they need for a new marriage license or for legal matters in their new state.
Related Search Terms
Jefferson County Court How To Get A Birth Certificate In California Death Records Pennsylvania Public Criminal Records Michigan Free Public Arrest Records Los Angeles Clearwater County Minnesota Jail Inmate List