Are Cook County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, Cook County divorce records are publicly accessible unless they contain information that is exempt under state or federal laws. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act governs public access to government-generated records, including divorce documents. The law also determines the procedure and requirements through which public members can access such records. For instance, parties seeking to obtain divorce records must contact the agency directly responsible for maintaining them.

The state law exempts the disclosure of certain records. Such exempt records are sealed or redacted if they contain information whose disclosure does not serve the public interest. The courts may seal certain divorce data to shield minors and victims of domestic violence. Divorce information, such as the case party’s social security number and financial data, is also excluded from public access.

Who Can Access Cook County Public Records?

All public members have the legal right to request and access public records in Cook County. The county’s public agencies are required by law to release government-generated documents to interested parties.

However, the law enables record custodians to deny requests or redact sensitive information. Public agencies may only release such confidential data to legally eligible parties. Examples of legally eligible parties are the record subjects, close family relations, and legal representatives.

Generally, third-party inquirers seeking to access confidential Cook County public records must provide a letter of consent from the record subject.

Note: To access confidential public records, eligible parties are often required to provide a valid ID or other proof of identity or relationship document.

Do I Need to State My Purpose and Use When Requesting Divorce Records in Cook County?

No, you do not need to provide a statement of purpose to access divorce records in Cook County. Persons or entities seeking to obtain divorce records must provide the case-party information and relevant data like the divorce date and location. Furthermore, they may present a proof of identity or relationship document to access confidential divorce information.

How do you Request Divorce Records in Cook County?

Persons or entities seeking to obtain Cook County divorce records must follow this guide:

1. Determine the agency holding the record.
   Cook County's divorce records are under the purview of local and state-level agencies. The Illinois Department of Public Health is the state-level custodian of divorce verification documents. It verifies divorce events that occurred from 1962 until the present date. However, the district court clerk keeps full copies of divorce court documents.
2. Choose a preferred method of getting the record.
   Cook County divorce records are accessible through online search platforms, mail-in, or in-person requests. For example, the IDPH allows in-person and mail-based access to divorce verification documents in their custody.
3. Order divorce records through the preferred request option
   To access divorce verification files, interested parties must send a mail or in-person request to the IDPH at:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 East Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737

The request must include the following:

• A completed request form for divorce verification
• A valid government-issued ID
• The required fees

In contrast, you can look up divorce case information by using the Cook County Circuit Clerk’s online search portal. Inquirers may access physical copies of the document by visiting the circuit court clerk at:

The Cook County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
50 West Washington
Suite 1001
Chicago, Illinois 60602-1305
Phone: (312) 603-5030

1. Pay the required fees.
   The IDPH charges $5 per request for divorce verification. In addition, the agency accepts checks or money orders for mail-based requests. However, there are no restrictions on the payment type when using in-person request options.
2. Wait for the agency to process the request.
   It takes seven business days for the IDPH to process mail-based requests, while in-person orders are mailed out within three business days.

What Information is Included in a Cook County Divorce Record?

Cook County divorce records may include the following information:

• Case party’s full name, birthdate, and birthplace
• Divorce date
• The date when the couple last resided in the same residence.
• Number of minors in the union
• Divorce petitioner
• Date and description of the marriage.
• Name of attorney representing the divorce petitioner
• Case number
• State file number
• County and court where the divorce was granted

In Cook County, record custodians may redact sensitive information in divorce records. For instance, financial arrangements and social security numbers are typically excluded from public divorce documents.

Fees for Accessing Cook County Divorce Records

It costs $5 to get a divorce verification document from the Illinois Department of Public Health. The agency may charge extra fees, such as a $15 handling fee for credit card payments. Note that there is no information on fee waivers or reduced rates for any group of requesters.

How Long Does It Take to Obtain Divorce Records in Cook County?

The wait time for accessing divorce records may differ based on the request option and the record custodian. For instance, the IDPH processes mail-based requests within four to six weeks, while fax-based requests take seven business days. However, the wait time is three business days for orders made in person.

The Cook County Circuit Clerk’s Office, on the other hand, provides instant access to divorce records on its online case search platform. In addition, the clerk’s office may also process in-person requests on the same day or 24 hours later.

Can I Request Divorce Records Online in Cook County?

Yes, interested parties can request divorce records through the Cook County Circuit Clerk’s online search database. The platform provides information on divorce cases and decrees that occurred within the county.

In contrast, Cook County divorce records are accessible through third-party search sites like Illinoiscourtrecords.org. The site is generally easy to navigate and does not restrict out-of-state users. Nevertheless, users must exercise caution while using third-party sites since they are unregulated and may not contain accurate data.

Are There Any Exceptions to Accessing Cook County Divorce Records?

There are no exceptions or limitations to accessing divorce verification documents in Cook County. However, record custodians may redact or seal confidential divorce case records from public view. Such records typically contain information whose disclosure may violate the rights of concerned parties.

That said, record custodians will only disclose confidential records to legally eligible parties like the record subjects, immediate family relations, and their legal representatives. To obtain a confidential or sealed divorce record, eligible parties must contact the circuit clerk’s office and present a proof of identity document.