Illinois Family Court Forms and Filing Resources
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Illinois publishes its own official family law forms, filing instructions, and self-help materials, but they are spread across several government sites. This page organizes the official Illinois sources in one place so you can go straight to the right court page for forms, e-filing, rules, and locations.
Illinois's core family statutes live in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5). Petitions for orders of protection are a recognized reason to file on paper instead of online.
How the Illinois court system handles family cases
Family cases in Illinois are heard in the Circuit Court, usually in the Domestic Relations Division. Divorce and custody (now 'parental responsibilities') are heard in the Circuit Court.
Illinois groups counties into judicial circuits; Cook County (Chicago) is its own circuit.
Appeals from a family case generally go first to the Illinois Appellate Court, and the state's highest court is the Illinois Supreme Court.
Besides the judge, a Magistrate / Commissioner may handle parts of a family case. Besides the judge, a magistrate, commissioner, or referee may hear temporary orders, child support, and uncontested matters - usually subject to a judge's review.
Official Illinois resources
Official links below open in a new tab. You are leaving FamilyCourtHelp and opening an external government or court website.
Illinois state courts website (Illinois judicial branch): The official home of the Illinois court system, with statewide news, rules, and links to every court. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov
Illinois family law forms (Illinois judicial branch): The official statewide collection of family law forms published for Illinois cases. Start here when you need the current version of a form. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/forms/approved-forms
Illinois self-help resources (Illinois courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Illinois family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.illinoislegalaid.org
eFileIL (Tyler Technologies): Illinois requires e-filing in civil cases, including family law, even for people without lawyers, but you can ask to be excused with a simple exemption certificate if you lack internet access, have a disability, or face a language barrier. The state's own filing option is free to use. https://efileil.tylertech.cloud/
Illinois circuit court clerks by county (Illinois judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your county, with locations and contact details. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/circuit-court-clerks/
Illinois rules of procedure (Illinois judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Illinois. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/rules
Illinois mediation and dispute resolution (Illinois judicial branch): Official information on mediation and alternative dispute resolution options for Illinois family cases. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts-directory/adr
Illinois financial affidavit and disclosure forms (illinoiscourts.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Illinois family cases ask for. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/forms/approved-forms/
Illinois child support guideline resources (illinoiscourts.gov): Official Illinois child support guideline materials, worksheets, or calculators. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/resources/child-support-calculator/
Illinois court records (Judici / re:SearchIL / county) (Illinois courts): Look up existing case records. Access is listed as mixed and the system is organized county-by-county. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/public/
Frequently used official Illinois forms
These links open official Illinois government form documents directly. Courts revise forms, so if a direct link stops working, use the statewide forms collection above to find the current version.
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/f41da79e-f087-483e-9dd8-d71d2739d231/DNC%20Petition.pdf
Financial Affidavit (Family & Divorce Cases) (Financial Disclosure), official document: https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/2cb2c0ce-20f8-4eb5-9d23-05664d7f4404/FA%20Financial%20Affidavit.pdf
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with Children (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/29fc2ee4-ddda-47f4-af12-f3f4d38f6a70/DWC%20Petition.pdf
Answer or Response (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/36b78ae6-9230-43ed-990c-edcce130521e/ANS%20Answer.pdf
Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage / Civil Union (Final Judgment / Final Orders), official document: https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/28a17a49-16ea-415f-9642-6c186e387d94/DWC%20Judgment%20for%20Dissolution.pdf
Parenting Plan (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/a601856a-12e7-44fe-9076-88a8e150c3a7/DWC%20Parenting%20Plan.pdf
Petition for Order of Protection (Domestic Violence), official document: https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/2bc0a4a7-6235-49bd-8dd0-90272426d7d3/OOP%20Petition.pdf
Application for Waiver of Court Fees (Civil) (Fee Waiver), official document: https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/52beec8c-25fc-4d0f-bc56-82a93b68d395/FW-CIV%20Application.pdf
Request for Name Change (Adult) (Name Change), official document: https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/74f342af-7d93-4f93-b5b7-fbb92635d45a/NC-A%20Request%20for%20Name%20Change.pdf
Filing fees: Dissolution filing fee: ~$289-$337.
E-filing link data for Illinois was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find official Illinois family court forms?
The official statewide source is the Illinois judicial branch forms collection linked on this page. Always download forms from the official site so you have the current version, and check whether your county adds local forms or cover sheets.
Can I e-file my own family case in Illinois?
Illinois requires e-filing in civil cases, including family law, even for people without lawyers, but you can ask to be excused with a simple exemption certificate if you lack internet access, have a disability, or face a language barrier. The state's own filing option is free to use. Petitions for orders of protection are a recognized reason to file on paper instead of online.
How much does it cost to file a family case in Illinois?
Dissolution filing fee: ~$289-$337. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.
Which court hears family cases in Illinois?
Family cases in Illinois are heard in the Circuit Court, usually in the Domestic Relations Division. Divorce and custody (now 'parental responsibilities') are heard in the Circuit Court.