Records of divorce in Peoria County, Illinois, are available through several channels. PeoriaCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorce records. Additionally, you can contact the county court that issued the decision directly, the County Clerk of Peoria County, or the Illinois Department of Public Health. Each of these institutions maintains a certain type of document — from complete court cases to marriage dissolution certificates.
Peoria Divorce Records Search
In Illinois, divorce cases are officially called "dissolution of marriage." All materials of such cases in Peoria County are kept by the Circuit Clerk — the clerk of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court. This official is the custodian of the court seal and all court records.
The collection of divorce records includes:
- Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
- Settlement agreements
- Orders regarding child custody and support
- Accompanying motions and procedural documents
At the state level, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) does not issue certified copies of marriage dissolution records. IDPH only maintains an index of divorces registered after 1962 and can confirm the fact of divorce. For a full copy of the judgment, you need to contact the Circuit Clerk.
Peoria County Circuit Clerk
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Peoria
Divorces in Peoria County are handled by the Circuit Court of Illinois — a court of general jurisdiction. Peoria County is part of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, which also serves Marshall, Putnam, Stark, and Tazewell counties.
Once a judge signs the judgment of dissolution of marriage, the document is filed in the Circuit Clerk's office. There, the complete case is stored: the complaint, response, parties' agreements, court judgment, and any subsequent changes. Electronic filing of documents is mandatory — all procedural documents are submitted through the eFileIL system.
Where to contact depending on the need:
- Complete court case or certified copy of the court judgment — Peoria County Circuit Clerk at the address listed above.
- Verification of divorce (verification letter) — Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records.
Illinois Department of Public Health — Division of Vital Records
IDPH can only issue a verification letter, not a certified copy of the court judgment. For legal purposes — such as remarriage or distribution of pension assets — a certified copy from the Circuit Clerk is usually required.
You can also view the public court records portal of Peoria County, where family case records are available online. The portal allows you to find the case number, hearing dates, and basic information about the proceedings.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Peoria
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce judgment (Circuit Clerk) | $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional; plus $5.00 for certification | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Regular (uncertified) copy of court document | $0.50 per page | During visit |
| Divorce verification letter (IDPH, Division of Vital Records) | $10.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| IDPH registry search (for every 5 years searched) | $10.00 | Included in request processing |