Divorce records in Vermilion County, Illinois, are available through several channels. VermilionCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about divorces in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the circuit court that issued the decision, at the office of the circuit court clerk, as well as at the Division of Vital Records of the Illinois Department of Public Health. Each of these sources maintains different types of documents, so the choice depends on what exactly you need.
Vermilion Divorce Records Search
In Illinois, divorce cases (officially — dissolution of marriage) are handled by Circuit Courts. In Vermilion County, the responsible court is the 5th Judicial Circuit Court, which operates at the Rita B. Garman Vermilion County Courthouse. The circuit court clerk maintains complete court records, including:
- Judgment of dissolution of marriage
- Property settlement agreements
- Orders regarding child custody and support
- Statements of the parties and accompanying motions
Note: The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) does not issue certified copies of divorce records. It only maintains an index record since 1962, which confirms the fact of divorce but does not contain case details.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Vermilion
The structure of divorce record storage in Illinois has two levels — the circuit court and the state. Understanding this structure will help you contact the right place where the document you need is stored.
Circuit Court — complete court case
All divorce cases in Vermilion County are handled by the 5th Judicial Circuit Court. After a decision is made, the court clerk retains the complete case file: the decision itself, settlement agreements, custody orders, and any subsequent modifications. If you need a copy of a specific court document or a certified copy of the decision, contact the court clerk. A list of all Illinois circuit court clerks is available on the state court system's website.
Illinois Department of Public Health — index record
IDPH maintains a statistical register of divorces since 1962. This register can confirm that a divorce occurred, but IDPH does not issue certified copies of decisions. For a certified copy of the decision, the department will direct you to the clerk of the court that handled the case.
Where to Contact Depending on Your Need
| What You Need | Where to Contact |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of the divorce decree | Circuit Court Clerk, Vermilion County |
| Copy of property settlement or custody agreement | Circuit Court Clerk, Vermilion County |
| Confirmation of divorce (verification letter) | IDPH, Division of Vital Records |
| Online public record search | VermilionCourt.us |
Electronic filing of documents to Illinois courts can be done through eFileIL, the official electronic document filing system. Additional information about the state court system and approved standard forms can be found on the Office of the Illinois Courts website.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Vermilion
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Regular copy of court document (Circuit Clerk) | $0.50 – $2.00 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Circuit Clerk) | $5.00 – $10.00 | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce verification letter (IDPH) | $10.00 | 4–6 weeks |