Get a divorce

Ask the court to end a marriage or civil union, with or without children.

Starts a new case

Prepare your documents Fill in the forms yourself, or use a guided interview. These sites do not file anything for you.
File them Upload the finished documents to LITEfile to send them to the court.

Get the forms

Guided interview Divorce (Easy Form) (opens in a new tab) Illinois Legal Aid Online
Blank form Divorce, child support, and maintenance forms (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
Instructions How to get a divorce with children (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
Instructions How to get a divorce (no children) (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts

Documents filings like this often include

Your case may need more or fewer. Nothing here is required to start a filing.

About this list

This list is a guide, not legal advice. We built it from what cases like yours usually need, so your case may need documents that are not here, and may not need some that are. Only the court can tell you for certain, and the clerk cannot give you legal advice.

Commonly included

Petition to end your marriage
- Blank form Petition for Divorce with Children (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
- Blank form Petition for Divorce (no children) (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts

Often included

Summons for your spouse You do not need this if your spouse files an appearance or signs a waiver.
- Blank form Divorce Summons (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
Financial affidavit The court needs this to decide support, maintenance, or who pays the fees.
- Guided interview Financial affidavit (Easy Form) (opens in a new tab) Illinois Legal Aid Online
Certificate of dissolution of marriage The state health department form the judge needs before signing the judgment.
- Blank form Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage/Civil Union (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
- Instructions How to fill out the certificate of dissolution (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
Proof that your spouse got a copy

May apply

Parenting plan File this if you have children under 18.
- Blank form Parenting Plan (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
Marital settlement agreement File this if you and your spouse already agree on money and property.
Proposed judgment for the judge to sign
- Blank form Judgment of Dissolution with Children (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
- Blank form Judgment of Dissolution (no children) (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
Request to waive court fees File this if you cannot afford the filing fee.
- Guided interview Fee waiver (Easy Form) (opens in a new tab) Illinois Legal Aid Online
- Blank form Application for Waiver of Court Fees (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
- Instructions How to request a fee waiver (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts

Some courts also ask for

Domestic Relations Division cover sheet Cook County asks for form CCDR 0001 on every new case.