Divorce records in McHenry County, Illinois, are available through several channels — online tools, the court that issued the decision, the Circuit Court Clerk's office, and the state's Division of Vital Records. McHenryCourt.us can help quickly find public information about divorce records in this county. Additionally, you can contact the clerk of the 22nd Judicial Circuit, which serves McHenry County, or the Illinois Department of Public Health's Division of Vital Records (IDPH) directly.
McHenry Divorce Records Search
In McHenry County, divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk of the 22nd Judicial Circuit. This court handles all cases of marriage dissolution, legal separation, and annulment within the county. The collection of records includes:
- Judgments of dissolution of marriage
- Property settlement agreements
- Orders regarding child custody and support
- Related procedural documents filed during the case
IDPH also maintains a state-level registry of marriage dissolution records — but only a brief certificate (divorce certificate), not the full court judgment. Certified copies of the court's decision are issued exclusively by the clerk of the circuit court where the case was heard.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in McHenry
The state of Illinois uses a unified system of Circuit Courts. Divorce cases in McHenry County are handled by the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court. Once a judge signs the judgment of dissolution of marriage, the document remains on file in the clerk's office of this court — this is where you should go for a copy of the full judgment or any case materials.
At the state level, IDPH retains a short form — a certificate of dissolution of marriage. It confirms the fact of divorce but does not contain details about property or custody.
Where to Contact Depending on Your Needs
- Full court judgment, property agreement, custody order — Circuit Court Clerk of the 22nd Judicial Circuit.
- Certificate of dissolution of marriage (short form) — IDPH Division of Vital Records or Circuit Court Clerk.
Standardized forms for divorce, child support, and maintenance cases are approved by the Illinois Supreme Court and available on the approved forms page. All circuit courts in the state are required to accept these forms.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in McHenry
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of court judgment (Circuit Court Clerk) | $6.00 for the first 2 pages, $1.00 for each additional page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certificate of dissolution of marriage (IDPH) | $10.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Record search at IDPH (verification letter) | $10.00 | 2–4 weeks |