Divorce records in Bureau County, Illinois, can be accessed through several channels. BureauCourt.us can help find publicly available divorce record information. Additional access points include the Bureau County Circuit Clerk's Office, which maintains court case files, and the Illinois Department of Public Health, which keeps dissolution of marriage records at the state level. The Bureau County Clerk and Recorder's Office handles other vital records and can direct requesters to the correct office.
Bureau County Divorce Records Search
The Bureau County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of court records, including all divorce (dissolution of marriage) case files. This office maintains divorce decrees, judgments of dissolution, settlement agreements, custody orders, property division orders, and related filings for cases heard in Bureau County.
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of dissolution of marriage records but does not issue certified copies. Certified copies of divorce records must be obtained from the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
Bureau County is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit, which also serves La Salle and Grundy counties. All dissolution of marriage cases filed in Bureau County are handled at the Bureau County Courthouse.
Bureau County Circuit Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Bureau County
In Illinois, divorce cases — formally called dissolution of marriage proceedings — are filed in the Circuit Court. Bureau County falls within the Bureau County Circuit Court. When a judge enters a judgment of dissolution, the decree and all associated orders become part of the permanent court file maintained by the Circuit Clerk.
The office you need depends on what type of record you're looking for:
- Full court file (decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, motions): Contact the Bureau County Circuit Clerk's Office.
- Verification or abstract of a dissolution record: The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index and can verify that a dissolution occurred, but will refer you to the circuit clerk for certified copies.
Bureau County Circuit Clerk's Office
Illinois Department of Public Health — Division of Vital Records
The IDPH maintains dissolution records from January 1962 to the present. For records before 1962, contact the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Approved statewide divorce forms are available through the Illinois Courts website.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Bureau County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record (Circuit Clerk) | $2.00 per page plus $6.00 certification fee | Same day to several business days (in-person requests processed faster) |
| IDPH dissolution verification search | $10.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| IDPH expedited processing (optional) | Additional $10.00 plus overnight shipping costs | Approximately 1–2 weeks |