How to File for Divorce in Chicago, Illinois

Petition

• 1). Draft a petition for dissolution of marriage. Include the name, age, occupation, address and length of residence in the state for both spouses. The petition will be self-drafted. The Cook County Circuit Court does not provide a form for the petition.
  
  
• 2). Provide the date and location of the marriage, as well as any pending divorce actions in other locations.
  
  
• 3). List the name, age and address of any children from the marriage and indicate if the wife is currently pregnant.
  
  
• 4). Specify the grounds on which the divorce is sought. Include arrangements for custody, visitation and family support and relief requested from the court.
  
  
• 5). Sign and date the petition.
  
  

Forms

• 1). Visit the Daley Center to obtain a divorce packet from the clerk of Cook County Circuit Court. Forms are also available to download and print at the court's website.
  
  
• 2). Complete a Domestic Relations Cover Sheet and a Certificate of Dissolution and Invalidity of Marriage form. These forms are required for both contested and uncontested divorces.
  
  
• 3). Fill out a Summons if you are filing a contested divorce and your spouse lives in Cook County. Complete a Praecipe for Summons if the spouse resides in another county.
  
  
• 4). Complete additional forms, including a Certificate and Agreement form, a Stipulation and Request to Hear Uncontested Cause, a Waiver of Two Year Waiting Period and a Marital Settlement Agreement, if you are filing an uncontested divorce. Forms must be signed by both parties.
  
  

Filing

• 1). File your paperwork with the clerk in Room 802 of the Daley Center. If you are filing an uncontested divorce, your spouse must be present at the time of filing.
  
  
• 2). Pay the filing fee. As of 2011, the fee to file for dissolution of marriage is $334.
  
  
• 3). Obtain a scheduled court date at the Motions desk.