Montgomery County Public Records /Montgomery County Divorce Records

Montgomery County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Montgomery County in 2026

MontgomeryILRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Montgomery County, Illinois. Members of the public may find dissolution of marriage filings, final decrees, case numbers, party names, and related court documents. Available record categories may include divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, support determinations, and post-judgment modifications. Access and completeness of records vary depending on the case, filing date, and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, the State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts portal, and the Illinois Department of Public Health's vital records division.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk maintains the official index of dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. Members of the public may search basic case information at no charge. Obtaining copies of filed documents may require payment of applicable per-page fees.

2. State Court System Portal

The State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts provides information about circuit court operations statewide. Members of the public seeking records across multiple Illinois jurisdictions may use this portal to identify the appropriate circuit court for a given case.

3. State Vital Records

The Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records maintains dissolution of marriage records reported by circuit court clerks. The Division can verify the facts of a dissolution of marriage for events that occurred in Illinois. Fees apply for verification requests.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Montgomery County Circuit Court:

Montgomery County Circuit Clerk
120 N. Main Street
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: (217) 532-9546
Circuit Clerk - Montgomery County, Illinois

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating records

Records Department:

Historical and archived dissolution cases may be stored separately from active files. Members of the public seeking records from older proceedings should notify Circuit Clerk staff at the time of the request to allow for retrieval from archive storage.

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail to: Montgomery County Circuit Clerk, 120 N. Main Street, Hillsboro, IL 62049
Include the following in the written request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of dissolution
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and return address
- Purpose of the request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
Processing time: Requests are processed in the order received; allow one to two weeks for standard requests.

By Phone

Limited Information:

Circuit Clerk: (217) 532-9546
Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the county's index
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information

Through Attorneys

An attorney of record may access the complete case file, including documents subject to restricted access upon a proper showing. Members of the public who require access to sealed or confidential portions of a dissolution file may retain legal counsel to file the appropriate motion with the court. The Illinois State Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service for individuals seeking legal representation in family law matters.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of dissolution or filing year
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and county of marriage
Last known addresses of the parties
Names of minor children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Illinois law, a petition for dissolution of marriage is filed in the circuit court of the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. The county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not necessarily the county where the dissolution was filed, unless one or both parties resided there at the time of filing.

Residency Requirement:

Pursuant to 750 ILCS 5/401, one spouse must have been a resident of Illinois or stationed in Illinois as a member of the armed services for a minimum of 90 days before the filing of the petition. The petition is filed in the circuit court of the county of that spouse's residence.

Time Considerations

Recent Dissolutions:

Newly finalized cases may not appear in the index immediately following the final hearing.
Allow several business days to two weeks for processing after entry of the final judgment.

Older Dissolutions:

Cases filed prior to electronic filing implementation may exist only in paper form.
Archived records may require additional retrieval time.
Pre-digitization records may not be searchable through online tools.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

The dissolution was filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in the index
The case has not yet been finalized
Very old records stored in off-site archives
The case is sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Circuit Clerk at (217) 532-9546 to request a manual search
Attempt alternate name spellings
Search under both spouses' names
Check the Illinois Department of Public Health dissolution of marriage records for statewide verification

What Are Montgomery County Divorce Records?

Divorce records in Montgomery County are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Montgomery County Circuit Court. These records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk as part of the permanent family law case file and constitute public records subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq., with certain statutory and court-ordered exceptions.

Types of Divorce Records

Court Case Files contain the complete record of the dissolution proceeding, including:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and custody agreements
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, responses, and court orders
Transcripts of court hearings
Final judgment of dissolution of marriage

Final Decree is the official court order that legally terminates the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, division of marital property and debts, any spousal maintenance award, child custody and parenting time arrangements, child support obligations, and any court-approved name restoration. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Circuit Clerk upon payment of applicable fees.

Supporting Documents filed as part of the case record may include the original marriage certificate, financial disclosure statements, property appraisals, business valuations, parenting plan worksheets, and any post-judgment modification orders.

Purpose of Divorce Records

Dissolution records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including:

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Supporting name change documentation with government agencies
Verifying property transfer and title history
Documenting support obligations for enforcement proceedings
Supporting immigration and naturalization applications
Facilitating Social Security benefit determinations
Genealogical and family history research

Who Maintains Divorce Records

The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk is the primary custodian of all dissolution of marriage case files originating in the county. The County Clerk & Recorder maintains related land records that may reflect property transfers ordered in dissolution proceedings. At the state level, the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records maintains a registry of dissolution of marriage records reported by circuit court clerks throughout Illinois.

Are Montgomery County Divorce Records Public?

Dissolution of marriage records filed in Montgomery County are public court records under Illinois law. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act and the Illinois Supreme Court's rules governing access to court records establish a presumption of public access to court filings. As the Circuit Clerk - Montgomery County, Illinois states, "all services, information, and court records will be provided with courtesy and cost efficiency." Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of most documents in a dissolution case file without demonstrating a specific need or purpose.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the petitioner and respondent
Names of attorneys of record
Scheduled court hearing dates
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
Docket entries reflecting the chronological history of the case
General case status

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from public-facing documents pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed financial statements may be subject to limited access upon court order

Children's Information:

Addresses where minor children reside may be withheld in cases involving safety concerns
Psychological evaluations of minor children may be sealed
Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access
Child custody evaluation reports may be sealed by court order

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be subject to protective orders
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records incorporated into the file are restricted
Personal addresses of parties in cases involving orders of protection may be withheld

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a dissolution case file upon a showing of good cause. Circumstances that may support sealing include cases involving allegations of abuse, cases with confidential settlement terms, and cases where public disclosure would endanger a party or child. Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not part of the public court record.

Who Can Access Records:

General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of fees. Photo identification may be required at the clerk's office.
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents subject to restricted access for the general public.
Attorneys of record: Have access to the complete case file and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing.
Researchers and media: May access public portions of the record. Access to sealed materials requires a court order. First Amendment considerations apply to media access requests.

Prohibited Uses of Divorce Records:

Stalking, harassment, or intimidation of any party
Identity theft or fraudulent purposes
Violation of any existing protective or restraining order
Any use prohibited by applicable state or federal law

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Montgomery County?

The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk charges fees for copies and certified copies of dissolution of marriage records in accordance with Illinois statutory authority. Under 705 ILCS 105/27.1, the clerk is authorized to collect fees for copies and certifications of court records.

Current Standard Fees:

Service	Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$0.25–$0.50 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$6.00–$10.00 (first page) + per-page copy fee
Certification seal/stamp	Included in certified copy fee
Search fee (manual index search)	Varies; confirm with clerk
Electronic copy (if available)	Varies by case

Members of the public should confirm current fees directly with the Circuit Clerk at (217) 532-9546 prior to submitting a request, as fee schedules are subject to legislative and administrative revision.

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person requests)
Money order (mail requests)
Personal check payable to Montgomery County Circuit Clerk (mail requests; confirm acceptance)
Credit or debit card (confirm availability with clerk's office)

Fee Waivers:

Parties who have been granted in forma pauperis status by the court may be entitled to waive certain copy fees. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver must file the appropriate petition with the court and obtain judicial approval prior to requesting records at no charge.

What Is Available at No Charge:

Inspection of public case documents at the courthouse public access terminal
Verbal confirmation of case existence, case number, and filing date by phone

What's Included in Divorce Records in Montgomery County

A dissolution of marriage case file maintained by the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk is a comprehensive collection of documents generated from the date of filing through the entry of the final judgment and any subsequent post-judgment proceedings. The contents of any individual file vary depending on whether the case was contested or uncontested, whether minor children were involved, and the complexity of the marital estate.

Basic Case Information appearing on the case caption and docket includes the case number, the name of the assigned judge, the names and roles of the parties (petitioner and respondent), the names of attorneys of record, the filing date, and the case type designation.

Initial Pleadings form the foundation of the record. The petition for dissolution of marriage identifies both parties, states the date and place of marriage, identifies any minor children, asserts the grounds for dissolution (in Illinois, irretrievable breakdown of the marriage under 750 ILCS 5/401), and sets forth the relief requested including property division, support, and custody. The respondent's answer or counterpetition, if filed, is also part of the record.

Financial Affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, and all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.

Discovery Documents may include interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents, deposition transcripts, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment account statements, retirement account statements, and business financial records where a party owns a business interest.

Property-Related Documents include a marital asset inventory with descriptions and valuations, a debt inventory, real property appraisals, business valuations, and expert reports on the value of specific assets.

Children-Related Documents, where applicable, include the parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, the timesharing schedule for regular periods, holidays, and vacations, the child support calculation worksheet, income information for both parties, health insurance and childcare cost documentation, the child support order, and any custody evaluation or guardian ad litem report ordered by the court.

Support Documents related to spousal maintenance include the type and duration of maintenance awarded, the payment amount and schedule, modification and termination provisions, and any supporting calculations.

The Marital Settlement Agreement, where the parties resolved issues by agreement, is a comprehensive document addressing all property division, debt allocation, support terms, and child-related provisions. It is incorporated into and made part of the final judgment.

The Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage is the court's definitive order terminating the marriage. It contains the court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, all property and debt awards, support orders, custody and parenting time provisions, child support orders, any name restoration, and the judge's signature and court seal.

Post-Judgment Documents that may be part of the file include petitions to modify custody or support, orders on modification petitions, income deduction orders for support enforcement, contempt motions and orders, and qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) dividing retirement plan benefits.

What Is Typically Confidential or Redacted:

Social Security numbers (redacted per Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138)
Financial account numbers (redacted)
Minor children's residential addresses and school information in cases involving safety concerns
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Sealed custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Trade secret information in business valuations (may be sealed)

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Montgomery County

Proof of dissolution of marriage in Montgomery County is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution issued by the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk. A certified copy bears the clerk's official seal and signature and is accepted by government agencies, financial institutions, and courts as legal proof that the marriage was dissolved.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the case number by contacting the Circuit Clerk at (217) 532-9546 or by searching the clerk's case index.
Submit a written request or appear in person at the Circuit Clerk's office at 120 N. Main Street, Hillsboro, IL 62049.
Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of dissolution, and the case number if known.
Pay the applicable certification fee and per-page copy fee as established by the clerk's current fee schedule.
Receive the certified copy in person or by mail, depending on the method of request.

Members of the public who require only a verification of the fact of dissolution, rather than a full certified copy of the decree, may contact the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records for a dissolution of marriage verification. The Division maintains records of dissolutions reported by circuit court clerks throughout Illinois and can confirm the date and county of dissolution for events on file.

Montgomery County Circuit Clerk
120 N. Main Street
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: (217) 532-9546
Circuit Clerk - Montgomery County, Illinois

For dissolution proceedings involving standardized court forms, the Illinois Courts divorce, child support, and maintenance forms approved by the Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice are accepted by all Illinois circuit courts and may be used to initiate or respond to dissolution proceedings.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Montgomery County?

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Montgomery County are presumptively public, but Illinois law and court rules permit certain records or entire case files to be sealed or maintained as confidential under defined circumstances.

Circumstances Under Which Records May Be Confidential:

Court-ordered sealing: A party may petition the circuit court to seal all or part of the case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children.
Domestic violence cases: Where a party has obtained an order of protection, personal address information and certain identifying details may be withheld from the public record to protect the safety of the protected party.
Minor children's information: Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court rules, information that could endanger the welfare of minor children, including residential addresses and school information, may be restricted.
Mental health and medical records: Records of mental health treatment, psychological evaluations, and medical information incorporated into the case file are subject to confidentiality protections under state and federal law.
Mediation communications: Under 710 ILCS 35/6, mediation communications are confidential and are not part of the public court record.
Sealed custody evaluations: The court may seal custody evaluation reports and guardian ad litem reports where disclosure would be contrary to the best interests of the child.
Confidential settlements: Terms of settlement that the parties designate as confidential may be incorporated by reference into the final judgment without being set forth in the public record, subject to court approval.

Members of the public who believe a case has been improperly sealed or who seek access to sealed records must file a motion with the circuit court and demonstrate a legitimate basis for access.

How Long Does Montgomery County Keep Divorce Records?

The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk retains dissolution of marriage records in accordance with the Illinois Supreme Court's records retention schedule, which establishes minimum retention periods for all circuit court case files.

Retention Periods:

Final judgments of dissolution of marriage: Retained permanently. The final decree is a permanent court record and is not subject to destruction.
Complete case files (active and closed): Retained for a minimum of 20 years following the date of the final judgment under the Illinois Supreme Court records retention schedule for civil cases.
Post-judgment modification files: Retained for a minimum of 20 years from the date of the most recent order in the modification proceeding.
Archived paper records: Cases filed prior to electronic filing may be stored in off-site archive facilities. Retrieval of archived paper files may require additional processing time.
Electronic records: Cases filed through the Illinois electronic filing system are maintained in the court's electronic records management system in accordance with applicable retention schedules.

Practical Considerations:

Records from dissolution proceedings dating back several decades may exist only in paper form and may require manual retrieval from archive storage.
Members of the public seeking very old records should contact the Circuit Clerk in advance to confirm availability and retrieval time.
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains dissolution of marriage verification records for events reported to the state, which may provide an alternative source for older cases where the original court file is difficult to access.