Are McHenry County Divorce Records Public?

In McHenry County, divorce records are generally available to members of the public for inspection and copying. In line with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, it is state policy that all persons have access to full information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them. However, the law permits the custodian of a divorce record to scale back on the amount of information disclosed, where full disclosure is likely to cause an unwarranted invasion of an individual’s privacy.

Who Can Access McHenry County Public Records?

In McHenry County, anyone can access divorce records, including basic details such as the names of the parties involved, the date of the divorce, and the case number. However, certain sensitive details within a divorce record are redacted to protect individual privacy. These include details relating to child custody arrangements, financial data, and personal identifying information.

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

The McHenry County Circuit Clerk's office provides public access to these records, and individuals can request copies without specifying why they need them. However, an individual seeking a reduced charge or a waiver may need to state the purpose of the request to show that the record is not being requested for personal or commercial gain, but for the interest of the public.

Various reasons may prompt individuals to request divorce records, including the need to change one’s name, the need to provide proof of eligibility to remarry, genealogical research, and other personal interests. Government and private agencies also require divorce records for statistical analysis and data. Foreign governments typically require an authenticated record for adoption, work visas, or establishing residency.

How do you Request Divorce Records in McHenry County?

In McHenry County, divorce record copies are classified into two main categories: certified copies with a raised seal (an actual hand-crimped, raised seal) and ordinary certified copies (includes only a printed version of the Court's seal). While certified copies are generally recognized, copies with a raised seal may be required at high-level official functions to verify authenticity.

Individuals who wish to obtain ordinary certified copies of divorce records can email their request to the Circuit Clerk’s Office. They must include the following information in the request:

• Their name, phone number & email address
• Case Number, Party Names, Document Title, File Date
• Specify that they want an emailed copy
• Specify that they want a certified copy by ticking the “Yes box”.

Those who wish to obtain certified copies with raised seals must state so in their emailed request. Because of the raised seal, documents certified copies can only be mailed.

To expedite the process, supply as much information as possible. Once the request is complete and sent, the amount due for copies will be emailed back to the email address provided. Please, wait for a reply before making payment.

For more inquiries, the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is open to the public from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday:

McHenry County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
2200 North Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, Illinois 60098
Phone: (815) 334-4190

Verification statements issued by the Division of Vital Records can also verify that a marriage was legally dissolved, especially for marriages that occurred between 1962 to the present. To obtain a dissolution of marriage verification, requesters can utilize any of these methods:

Mail Order

Mail the completed Application for Verification of Dissolution of Marriage Form along with a valid government-issued ID, or send a letter providing the following details and documents:

• Names of both parties
• Their dates of birth
• The date and place of the dissolution of marriage, if known, and
• A check or money order (cash is not accepted) for the $5 fee made payable to the "Illinois Department of Public Health" to:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702-2737

To Order by Fax

• Include the Application For Verification Of Dissolution Of Marriage or provide the names of both parties and the date and place of the dissolution of marriage on the transmittal/cover sheet.
• Credit card number and expiration date (to pay the $5 verification fee).
• Daytime phone number, including area code, should it be necessary to contact you about the request
• Return address
• Signature
• A valid government-issued photo identification ID.
• Fax to (217) 523-2648.

Incomplete or illegible applications will not be processed.

To Order in Person

In-person orders can be dropped off within three business days for mail out at:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records office,
925 East Ridgely Ave., Springfield,
Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Note: the person requesting the verification will be asked to show a valid photo identification card.

What Information is Included in a McHenry County Divorce Record?

In McHenry County, the information within a divorce record varies, depending on the type of record. The facts of a dissolution of marriage (a verification statement) typically includes the following information:

• Names of the divorcees
• Dates of birth
• Date of event, and
• City/county of event.

Certified divorce decrees are more detailed and typically include:

• The names of the divorcing parties.
• Case number, filing date, and court details.
• The final judgment and decree of divorce.
• Date of marriage, place of marriage, and any prenuptial agreements.
• The legal reason for the divorce.
• Details on how assets and debts were divided.
• Information on custody arrangements and child support orders.
• Details on alimony or spousal support, if applicable.

Some details may be redacted within a public court file. This includes:

• Financial Statements
• Medical Records
• Mental Health Records
• Social Security Numbers and other Personal Identity information

Fees for Accessing McHenry County Divorce Records

A requester who does not have all the details required to process the request may need to pay an additional $6 search fee.

That said, per administrative order, the cost is:

• $2.00 for the first page
• $50 per page for the next 19 pages
• $.25 per page for additional pages.
• Verification letter costs $5 (For verification letters ordered by fax, there is a $15.00 credit card handling charge, and the $22.00 UPS charge).

The fees for electronic copies are the same as for hard copies. Upon payment, the document will be emailed to you in PDF format, while requested hard copies will be mailed to you at the address provided on the envelope sent with your written request.

Documents may be obtained without charge or at a reduced charge if the person requesting the documents states the specific purpose for the request and shows that a waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest. According to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, a waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest if the primary purpose of the request is not for personal or commercial benefit but to access and disseminate information regarding the welfare of the general public.

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

The general timeline for receiving divorce records in McHenry County is five business days, provided that the request process was not affected by any of these factors:

• The entire record or a part of it may be stored at a different location
• The record requires the expertise of other personnel to determine whether some of the details within the record or the entire record are subject to exemption from disclosure.
• The record was not located during the normal routine search, but additional effort is being expended to locate it.

Regular mail requests submitted to the Department of Public Health are processed in 4 to 6 weeks on average (delivery time to and from the office is not included). Fax orders may take seven business days to process.

Can I Request Divorce Records Online in McHenry County?

The Public Case Access Portal allows members of the public to look up divorce case information online. A requester must provide information that sufficiently identifies the record sought, such as the divorcing parties’ names, the divorce date, the case number, and other relevant information. Third-party websites like Illinoiscourtrecords.us also help by providing a platform through which individuals can request specific divorce records from the comfort of their homes. It is important to note that while these sites can provide access to divorce records, the accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed.

Are There Any Exceptions to Accessing McHenry County Divorce Records?

Within a divorce court file, there may also be restricted documents. This includes the following:

• Financial Statements
• Medical Records
• Mental Health Records
• Social Security Numbers and other Personal Identity information

Consequently, full disclosure likely to cause an unwarranted invasion of an individual’s privacy is not allowed.

An individual may be able to access sealed divorce documents if they have obtained a court order directing the custodian to allow inspection.