Illinois Divorce Decree Apostille
For international use, Illinois divorce decrees must be certified court records. Certified copies are issued by the circuit court clerk in the county where the dissolution was granted.
Key rule: IDPH does not issue certified divorce decrees; it provides verification only. Use the circuit court clerk certified decree for apostille.
At a Glance - Illinois 2026 Rules
| Apostille Authority | Illinois Secretary of State, Index Department |
|---|---|
| State Authentication Fee | $2 per Apostille or Certificate of Authority |
| Certified Decree Source | Circuit court clerk in county where dissolution was granted |
| IDPH Role | Verification service only; not certified decree issuer |
| Mail Processing Time | 7 to 14 business days (mail requests) |
| Walk-In Processing | Typically processed while you wait on a first-come, first-served basis (subject to daily volume). |
| Mail Submission Address | Illinois Secretary of State Index Department 69 W. Washington St., Suite 1240 Chicago, IL 60602 |
| In-Person Offices | Secretary of State, Index Department 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway Springfield, IL 62723 Secretary of State, Index Department 69 W. Washington St., Suite 1240 Chicago, IL 60602 |
| Typical Uses | Remarriage abroad, immigration, civil status updates |
Document Paths (Choose First)
Path A: Circuit Court Clerk Certified Decree
Primary path for apostille-ready Illinois divorce decree.
- Request certified copy from circuit court clerk where divorce was granted.
- Use court-certified decree with official certification.
- Submit directly to Illinois SOS Index Department.
Path B: IDPH Dissolution Verification
Verification only, not certified decree copy.
- IDPH can verify dissolution facts from index records.
- Verification is not a substitute for certified decree.
- Many foreign authorities require certified court record.
Accepted vs. Not Accepted Documents
Accepted
- - Certified Judgment/Decree copy issued by Illinois circuit court clerk.
- - Court-certified record bearing official certification elements.
- - Recent certified decree suitable for legal proceedings abroad.
Not Accepted
- - Uncertified copy downloaded from court portal.
- - IDPH dissolution verification when certified decree is required.
- - Divorce decree issued by another state.
Requirements Checklist
MUST HAVE
- Certified divorce decree from correct circuit court clerk.
- Completed Illinois authentication request form.
- One check or money order to Illinois Secretary of State ($2/document).
- Return envelope/prepaid label.
HIGH-RISK MISTAKES
- Requesting record from wrong county/court clerk.
- Submitting verification instead of certified decree.
- Using uncertified copy or scan.
- Incomplete SOS payment/return envelope packet.
Common Rejections (And How to Avoid Them)
Using a verification instead of decree
A verification letter and a certified court decree are not interchangeable. Most destinations require the certified decree.
Not from circuit court clerk
For Illinois divorces, certified copies must come from the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
Out-of-state decree sent to Illinois
Illinois cannot apostille another state's court document. Authenticate in the issuing state first.
Packet and destination errors
Missing request details, payment, or wrong Hague/non-Hague path can add avoidable processing delays.
Step-by-Step: Illinois Divorce Decree Apostille
Request certified decree from circuit court clerk
Order in county where dissolution was granted. Confirm you receive certified court copy.
Verify decree certification quality
Check official certification/seal and completeness of the court copy.
Complete Illinois request form and payment
Prepare one check/money order totaling $2 per requested authentication.
Submit to Illinois Index Department
Mail or submit in person at Springfield/Chicago offices.
Receive apostilled decree
Return shipping uses provided envelope or prepaid label.
Fees and Processing Timing
| Service Item | Current Rule |
|---|---|
| Illinois SOS apostille/authentication fee | $2 per document |
| Circuit court clerk certified decree fee | Varies by county/court clerk |
| IDPH dissolution verification fee | $5 verification (not certified decree) |
| Mail processing time | 7 to 14 business days |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues certified Illinois divorce decrees?▼
Certified copies are issued by the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
Can I use IDPH dissolution verification instead of a certified decree?▼
Usually no. Verification and certified court decree are different document types.
What is Illinois apostille fee?▼
$2 per document.
How long is Illinois mail processing?▼
7 to 14 business days per Illinois SOS guidance.
Can I submit in person?▼
Yes, Springfield and Chicago Index Department offices accept in-person requests.
Can Illinois apostille divorce records from another state?▼
No, those must be apostilled by the issuing state.
Do I need notarization for court-certified decree?▼
A certified court decree is a government-certified record; use that certified copy for SOS authentication.
What if destination is non-Hague?▼
Request Certificate of Authority and confirm destination legalization chain.
Official Sources Used For This Page
Below are the official government and convention sources used to prepare and verify this page.
Core Illinois Authentication Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State - Apostilles and Certifications
- Illinois Application for Authentication/Apostille (Form I-213 PDF)
- Illinois Secretary of State - Index Department (addresses and contact)
- Illinois SOS Index Fees (includes $2 Apostille/Certificate fee)
- Hague Apostille Convention Status Table
Illinois Divorce Record Sources
Expert Verified
Amelia Rivera
Senior Apostille Specialist
Last verification update: February 17, 2026
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