Divorce records in Kankakee County, Illinois, are available through several channels. KankakeeCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about divorce cases in the county. Additionally, the original court documents are maintained by the Circuit Clerk, and the Illinois Department of Public Health keeps records of marriage dissolutions. The County Clerk's Office can also assist with questions regarding vital records. Below is a detailed guide for searching and obtaining these documents.
Kankakee Divorce Records Search
In Illinois, divorce cases are officially referred to as "dissolution of marriage" and are handled by Circuit Courts. In Kankakee County, all divorce case materials—from the initial petition to the final judgment—are maintained by the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk. This office is the official custodian of court files.
The collection of records includes:
- Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
- Settlement agreements
- Orders regarding child custody and support
- All interim motions and court orders
The Illinois Department of Public Health has maintained an index of marriage dissolutions since 1962 but does not issue certified copies. For a certified copy of the judgment, you must contact the Circuit Clerk.
Kankakee County Circuit Clerk
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Kankakee
Divorce cases in Kankakee County are handled by the Circuit Court of the 21st Judicial Circuit. After a final judgment is issued by a judge, the court clerk enters the record into the registry, and this office retains the complete case file—every document from the complaint to the final decree.
The state also records the fact of divorce. The Illinois Department of Public Health receives notification from the court and adds the record to its registry. However, there is an important nuance: the department does not issue certified copies of divorce judgments. It only confirms that the divorce has occurred.
Where to Contact Depending on Your Needs
Full copy of the court judgment or case materials:
The court clerk will provide a certified copy of the judgment, settlement agreement, or custody order. To search for a case, you usually need the parties' names and the approximate date the complaint was filed.
State-level confirmation of divorce:
This office can confirm that a divorce is registered in the state from January 1962 onward. To obtain a certified copy of the judgment itself, the department will direct you to the Circuit Clerk where the case was heard.
Standardized divorce forms are approved by the Illinois Supreme Court and accepted by all circuit courts in the state. These forms are available for free on the Illinois Courts website.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Kankakee
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce record search (Circuit Clerk) | Check with the clerk's office at 815-936-5700 | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Regular copy of court document (Circuit Clerk) | $0.50 per page (standard rate in Illinois) | During visit |
| Certified copy of divorce judgment (Circuit Clerk) | $6.00 per document (standard certification fee) | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce verification (IDPH, State of Illinois) | $10.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |