Illinois Filing and E-Filing

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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.

In Illinois, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed.

Official Illinois filing resources

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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 official filing information (Illinois judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in Illinois and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/

Illinois circuit court clerks by county (Illinois judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/circuit-court-clerks/

Illinois family law forms (official index) (Illinois judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Illinois family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/forms/approved-forms

Illinois court 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

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

Official 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 Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.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

Can I file my own family papers online in Illinois?

In Illinois, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed. 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. Illinois groups counties into judicial circuits; Cook County (Chicago) is its own circuit.