The Illinois Joint Simplified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is a streamlined court form that married couples file together under 750 ILCS 5/451–453 to end short, low-asset marriages without lawyers, trials, or financial discovery. The petition uses the statewide standardized forms approved by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice, with a current revision date of January 2024 printed on the bottom of each page.
Illinois courts processed roughly 60,000 dissolution cases in 2024, and the Illinois Court Statistical Summary shows pro se filers make up nearly 65% of dissolution petitioners, with the simplified track rejecting an estimated 1 in 5 petitions for failing the strict eligibility checklist.
- 📋 The eight eligibility rules under 750 ILCS 5/452 and how to confirm you pass each one
- 🖊️ Line-by-line instructions for every field, box, and signature block on the petition
- 💵 Current 2026 filing fees, fee waivers via the Application for Waiver of Court Fees, and county-by-county cost differences
- 💻 How to e-file through Odyssey eFileIL and how to file in person at your circuit clerk’s office
- ⚖️ Three full named scenarios, the most common mistakes, and the FAQs filers ask before signing
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Joint Simplified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is the court paper two spouses sign together to ask an Illinois circuit court to end their marriage under the simplified procedure in 750 ILCS 5/451. The form launches a single, fast track case with no contested hearing, no discovery, and no trial, because the spouses already agree on every issue before they file. The case is heard in the county where at least one spouse has lived for the past 90 days, while the marriage itself must have an Illinois connection of at least 6 months under 750 ILCS 5/401.
Both spouses must qualify under all eight rules in 750 ILCS 5/452, including no children together (born or adopted, and neither spouse pregnant), a marriage of 8 years or less, no real estate owned by either spouse, combined fair market value of marital property under $50,000, combined gross annual income under $60,000, neither spouse earning more than $30,000 individually, both spouses waiving maintenance, and irreconcilable differences as the only ground. Couples who fail even one rule must instead file a regular Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, which adds financial affidavits, discovery, and a contested or uncontested prove-up hearing.
The form is sometimes called a “joint petition,” “simplified divorce,” or “JS petition,” and clerks file it under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. The case ends with a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage – Simplified signed by the judge, often within 30 to 60 days of filing.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every document below before you open the petition, because missing data causes the most rejections at the clerk’s intake desk. The Illinois Legal Aid Online divorce guide notes that incomplete petitions are the leading cause of e-file returns in Cook County and other large counties.
- Marriage certificate. You need the exact marriage date, city, and state to fill the petition’s marriage section. A wrong date triggers a clerk’s “kickback” notice within 24 hours of e-filing.
- Photo ID for both spouses. Driver’s license or state ID confirms the 90-day county residency. Without it, the judge can deny jurisdiction at prove-up.
- Proof of Illinois residency for 6 months. Lease, utility bill, or pay stub. Failing the residency test under 750 ILCS 5/401 voids the entire case.
- Most recent pay stubs and last year’s W-2 or 1099. You must prove combined gross income under $60,000 and individual income under $30,000.
- Bank, retirement, and investment statements. You must total marital property and stay under $50,000 combined.
- Vehicle titles and Kelley Blue Book values. Cars count toward the $50,000 cap.
- Debt statements (credit cards, loans). Marital debts must be allocated in the Joint Stipulation.
- Proposed Joint Stipulation and proposed Judgment. These travel with the petition in most counties.
- Filing fee or fee-waiver application. Cook County charges $388 for the petitioner and $251 for the respondent in 2026, while DuPage, Lake, Will, and Kane counties run $289 to $339.
- Email addresses for both spouses. Required for Odyssey eFileIL service and electronic notices.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, judge-accepted version of the petition is the statewide standardized form posted on the Illinois Courts approved-forms library. Look for “Joint Simplified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage” with revision date 01/24 in the lower-left footer. Older versions get rejected by the clerk because the eligibility checklist was rewritten in 2024 to add the pregnancy disclosure.
You can also reach the form through Illinois Legal Aid Online’s guided interview, which fills the PDF as you answer questions, then lets you download a court-ready file. Cook County filers may use the local Domestic Relations Division forms page for county supplements like the appearance form and the certificate of dissolution. DuPage, Lake, Will, and Kane counties accept the statewide form without supplements in most cases.
Print the petition single-sided on white 8.5” x 11” paper if you plan to file in person, because most circuit clerks reject double-sided filings. For e-filing, save the completed PDF with searchable text, not as a flattened image, since eFileIL rejects scans larger than 25 MB.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Joint Simplified Petition Line by Line
Use the field names exactly as they appear on the 01/24 revision. Each spouse signs as a “petitioner,” and the form treats both as equal filers. Italicized text below shows what the actual entry looks like on the page.
Caption: County, Case Number, and Court Box
The caption sits at the top of page 1 and tells the clerk which circuit court will hear the case. You write the county name on the line that says “In the Circuit Court of the ___ Judicial Circuit, ___ County, Illinois.” Leave the case number blank because the clerk stamps it when the case is opened.
For example, Maria Lopez and David Lopez writing for a Cook County filing enter Cook on the county line and County Department, Domestic Relations Division on the division line. If you live in DuPage County, the division line stays blank because DuPage uses a single court division. A common mistake is writing your home county instead of the filing county when you have moved within the past 90 days, which forces a transfer order and adds 4 to 8 weeks. A misconception filers carry is that the case number goes on the form before filing; the clerk assigns it, and any handwritten number gets crossed out.
Box 1: Petitioner Information (Both Spouses)
This box asks for each spouse’s full legal name, current address, date of birth, and length of Illinois residency. You print names in all caps to match the Illinois Supreme Court e-filing standards, use MM/DD/YYYY dates, and list the residency in months.
For example, Janet Reynolds enters REYNOLDS, JANET MARIE, 422 W. Belmont Ave., Apt. 3B, Chicago, IL 60657, 07/14/1992, and 48 months. If a spouse uses a P.O. Box, list it on a second line but include a physical address first, because the court must confirm county residency. A common mistake is listing a married surname that does not match the marriage certificate, which delays the judgment because the Illinois Department of Public Health cross-checks names. A misconception is that nicknames are allowed; only the legal name on a government ID is acceptable.
Box 2: Marriage Information
Box 2 asks for the date of marriage, the city and state where the marriage took place, and the date of separation. You enter the marriage date in MM/DD/YYYY format and the separation date as the day you stopped living as spouses, even if you still share an apartment for cost reasons.
For example, Aisha Carter and Marcus Carter enter 06/22/2021 as the marriage date, Evanston, IL as the place, and 03/01/2026 as the date of separation. If you married outside the United States, write the city, country, and translate the date to the U.S. calendar. A common mistake is entering the date the divorce papers were drafted as the separation date, which can push the marriage past the 8-year ceiling and disqualify the simplified track. A misconception is that “separation” requires a separate residence; Illinois case law accepts emotional and financial separation under one roof.
Box 3: Residency and Jurisdiction
This box confirms that at least one spouse has lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing, the residency threshold under 750 ILCS 5/401(a). You check the box that says “Petitioner A has lived in Illinois for at least 90 days” and fill the same statement for Petitioner B if it applies.
For example, David Lopez checks the box and writes Cook County, since 02/10/2018. If only one spouse meets the 90-day rule, only that spouse’s box is checked, and the case still moves forward. A common mistake is checking both boxes when one spouse just moved from Indiana, which is perjury under 735 ILCS 5/1-109. A misconception is that out-of-state spouses cannot file in Illinois at all; one Illinois resident is enough to anchor jurisdiction.
Box 4: Grounds — Irreconcilable Differences
Box 4 lists the only legal ground available for simplified dissolution: irreconcilable differences. You check the box affirming that efforts at reconciliation have failed and future attempts would not be in the family’s best interest, the language drawn straight from 750 ILCS 5/401(a).
For example, Janet and Robert Reynolds check the irreconcilable differences box and leave the no-fault explanation line blank, because Illinois abolished fault grounds in 2016. If the spouses have lived apart for at least 6 months, the statute presumes the breakdown is irreparable and waives any further proof. A common mistake is writing additional grounds like “adultery” or “mental cruelty,” which the clerk strikes and may bounce the petition. A misconception is that you must prove fault; Illinois is a pure no-fault state, and proof of fault is irrelevant.
Box 5: No Children Statement
This box requires both spouses to swear there are no children of the marriage, no adopted children together, and that neither spouse is currently pregnant. The rule comes from 750 ILCS 5/452(a), and any “yes” answer ends the simplified track.
For example, Aisha Carter checks all three “no” boxes and adds her signature initials next to each. If a spouse has a child from a prior relationship, the answer is still “no” because that child is not “of the marriage.” A common mistake is checking “no” while pregnant, which voids the judgment when discovered and exposes the filer to a perjury charge. A misconception is that adult children remove the bar; any minor or adult child of the marriage disqualifies the simplified petition entirely.
Box 6: Property and Debt Disclosure
Box 6 asks each spouse to list combined marital property under $50,000 and confirm neither owns real estate. You list each asset, its fair market value, and the spouse who will keep it after divorce, then total the column.
For example, Marcus Carter lists 2018 Honda Civic — $9,800 — Marcus, Chase joint checking — $2,300 — split 50/50, and Roth IRA (Aisha) — $11,400 — Aisha. If a spouse owns a timeshare or mobile home on rented land, the Illinois Department of Revenue real-estate definition controls, and a mobile home titled as a vehicle does not count. A common mistake is undervaluing a car using purchase price instead of Kelley Blue Book value, which the judge can challenge at prove-up. A misconception is that retirement accounts are exempt; 401(k)s, IRAs, and pensions all count toward the $50,000 cap.
Box 7: Income Disclosure
Box 7 asks for each spouse’s gross annual income from all sources, with a hard cap of $30,000 individually and $60,000 combined. You attach last year’s W-2 or 1099 and most recent pay stub as proof.
For example, Janet Reynolds enters $28,400 and Robert Reynolds enters $26,900 for a combined $55,300. If a spouse received a one-time bonus that pushed income above $30,000, the petition is disqualified for that tax year, and the couple must wait or file the regular petition. A common mistake is excluding side-gig or 1099 income, which the Illinois Department of Employment Security cross-checks against state records. A misconception is that pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce gross income for this box; the form requires gross, not net.
Box 8: Maintenance Waiver
This box is the formal waiver of spousal maintenance (alimony) by both spouses, required by 750 ILCS 5/452(a)(7). You both initial the waiver line and sign at the bottom of the box.
For example, David and Maria Lopez both write their initials D.L. and M.L. on the waiver line and date it. If either spouse changes their mind later, the waiver is final and cannot be reopened under In re Marriage of Roepenack, 2012 IL App (3d) 110198. A common mistake is leaving the box blank thinking it is optional; without both initials, the petition fails the statute. A misconception is that the waiver covers child support; there is no child support in a simplified dissolution because there are no children.
Box 9: Property Division Agreement
Box 9 incorporates the Joint Stipulation by reference and confirms both spouses have signed a written agreement dividing every asset and debt. You check the box and attach the stipulation as Exhibit A.
For example, Aisha and Marcus Carter check the box, attach a 3-page stipulation that gives each spouse one car, splits the joint checking 50/50, and assigns each spouse their own credit-card debt. If you forget to attach the stipulation, the clerk e-files the petition but flags it for cure within 14 days. A common mistake is using vague language like “we will split things fairly,” which the judge rejects at prove-up. A misconception is that the stipulation can be oral; Illinois requires a signed, written agreement.
Box 10: Signatures and Verification
Box 10 contains both spouses’ signatures, the date, and a verification clause swearing every fact in the petition is true under penalty of perjury under 735 ILCS 5/1-109. Both spouses sign the same day, in front of each other or separately, and dates must match within 30 days.
For example, Janet Reynolds signs Janet M. Reynolds on 05/15/2026, and Robert Reynolds signs Robert J. Reynolds on the same date. If one spouse signs and the other waits a week, both dates are listed, and the filing day is the later date. A common mistake is signing in pencil or in a color other than black or blue ink, which the clerk rejects under local court rules. A misconception is that a notary is required; the verification clause replaces a notary under Illinois law.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Maria and David Lopez — 3-Year Marriage, Renters, No Kids
| Form Section | What Maria and David Enter |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division |
| Petitioner Names | LOPEZ, MARIA E. and LOPEZ, DAVID R. |
| Marriage Date and Place | 04/12/2023, Chicago, IL |
| Date of Separation | 02/14/2026 |
| Residency | Both Illinois residents 36+ months, Cook County |
| Children | None, not pregnant, no adoptions |
| Combined Property | $18,400 (2 cars, joint savings, IRAs) |
| Combined Income | $52,000 ($27,000 Maria, $25,000 David) |
| Maintenance Waiver | Both initialed: M.L. / D.L. |
| Signatures | Maria E. Lopez 05/04/2026, David R. Lopez 05/04/2026 |
Scenario 2: Janet and Robert Reynolds — 6-Year Marriage, Joint Savings, No Real Estate
| Form Section | What Janet and Robert Enter |
|---|---|
| County | DuPage County, 18th Judicial Circuit |
| Petitioner Names | REYNOLDS, JANET M. and REYNOLDS, ROBERT J. |
| Marriage Date and Place | 09/30/2019, Naperville, IL |
| Date of Separation | 01/05/2026 |
| Residency | Janet 12 years, Robert 8 years, DuPage County |
| Children | None, not pregnant, no adoptions |
| Combined Property | $41,800 (2 cars, joint savings, 401(k)s) |
| Combined Income | $55,300 ($28,400 Janet, $26,900 Robert) |
| Maintenance Waiver | Both initialed: J.R. / R.R. |
| Signatures | Janet M. Reynolds 05/15/2026, Robert J. Reynolds 05/15/2026 |
Scenario 3: Aisha and Marcus Carter — 4-Year Marriage, Separate Finances, One Car Each
| Form Section | What Aisha and Marcus Enter |
|---|---|
| County | Lake County, 19th Judicial Circuit |
| Petitioner Names | CARTER, AISHA N. and CARTER, MARCUS T. |
| Marriage Date and Place | 06/22/2021, Evanston, IL |
| Date of Separation | 03/01/2026 |
| Residency | Both Illinois residents 5+ years, Lake County |
| Children | None, not pregnant, no adoptions |
| Combined Property | $23,500 (2 cars, 1 Roth IRA, joint checking) |
| Combined Income | $48,200 ($24,800 Aisha, $23,400 Marcus) |
| Maintenance Waiver | Both initialed: A.C. / M.C. |
| Signatures | Aisha N. Carter 04/28/2026, Marcus T. Carter 04/28/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Illinois requires e-filing in civil cases under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9, with narrow exceptions for self-represented filers who lack internet access. You file through Odyssey eFileIL, the statewide portal run by Tyler Technologies, and the petition lands at the circuit clerk’s office within 1 to 2 business days.
To e-file, create a free account at efile.illinoiscourts.gov, pick “New Case,” choose “Dissolution of Marriage – Joint Simplified,” upload the petition PDF and the stipulation as Exhibit A, and pay the filing fee with a credit card or e-check. Cook County charges $388 for the petitioner and $251 for the respondent in 2026, DuPage charges $339, Lake $324, Will $311, and Kane $289, with current totals listed on each county’s clerk page such as the Cook County Circuit Clerk fee schedule. Processing takes 1 to 2 business days, and your proof of filing is the email confirmation with a Court ID number, which you save in PDF.
To file in person, take 3 paper copies and the fee in cash, money order, or credit card to the circuit clerk’s filing window at the courthouse for your county. The clerk stamps all 3 copies, keeps one, and returns 2 to you, and that stamped copy is your proof of filing. If you cannot afford the fee, file an Application for Waiver of Court Fees at the same time, and the judge usually rules within 7 days.
What Happens After You File
After filing, the clerk dockets the case and issues a case number that begins with the year and the county code, for example 2026 D 003142 in Cook County. The court mails or e-mails a hearing notice within 2 to 3 weeks, and the prove-up hearing is usually scheduled 30 to 60 days after filing under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 901.
At the prove-up, both spouses appear together (in person or by Zoom in many counties), the judge asks 5 to 10 questions to confirm the eligibility checklist, and signs the Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage – Simplified. The marriage ends the moment the judge signs the judgment, and the clerk sends the certified copy to both spouses within 7 to 14 days.
The clerk also reports the dissolution to the Illinois Department of Public Health for the statewide divorce index, which is how you later request certified copies for name changes, immigration, or remarriage. Either spouse can change their last name as part of the judgment by checking the name-change box in the proposed judgment, and the new name takes effect immediately.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Form-specific errors trigger most simplified petition rejections, and the Illinois Legal Aid Online court guide tracks the common patterns clerks return. Avoid these mistakes to keep the case moving on the 30-to-60-day timeline.
- Filing while pregnant or with a child of the marriage, which voids the simplified track and forces a refile.
- Listing real estate in Box 6, which is an automatic disqualifier under 750 ILCS 5/452.
- Overstating income above $30,000 individually or $60,000 jointly, which ends eligibility for the year.
- Forgetting to initial the maintenance waiver in Box 8, which voids the petition.
- Skipping the Joint Stipulation as Exhibit A, which causes a 14-day cure notice.
- Using an old form revision (pre-01/24), which the clerk rejects on intake.
- Writing in pencil or red ink, which most clerks reject under local rules.
- Mismatched signature dates more than 30 days apart, which invalidates the verification.
- Listing a P.O. Box without a physical address, which fails the residency proof.
- Filing in the wrong county, which forces a transfer order and adds 4 to 8 weeks.
- Checking both residency boxes when only one spouse qualifies, which is perjury.
- Forgetting to include the email address for eFileIL service, which delays the hearing notice.
Do’s and Don’ts
These quick reminders carry the most weight when you sit down to complete the petition. Each one ties back to a statute or local rule that the judge applies at prove-up.
- Do confirm all 8 eligibility rules under 750 ILCS 5/452 before drafting, because failing one ends the simplified track.
- Do use the 01/24 revision printed at the bottom of the official PDF to avoid clerk rejection.
- Do attach the Joint Stipulation as Exhibit A so the judge can sign the judgment at the first hearing.
- Do save the eFileIL email confirmation as your proof of filing.
- Do file the fee waiver at the same time as the petition if you cannot afford the fee.
- Do bring photo ID to the prove-up hearing, because the judge confirms identity on the record.
- Don’t list real estate, even a timeshare, because it disqualifies the simplified track.
- Don’t sign in pencil or red ink, because most circuit clerks reject the filing on intake.
- Don’t file while pregnant, because the judgment is voidable for fraud later.
- Don’t paraphrase the maintenance waiver language, because the judge requires the statutory text.
- Don’t skip the residency proof, because the case fails for lack of jurisdiction.
- Don’t pay the filing fee with a personal check, because most clerks no longer accept them.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many couples file simplified dissolutions pro se because the form is short and the agreement is already in place. Others hire a flat-fee divorce attorney through the Illinois State Bar Association lawyer finder for $500 to $1,500 to review the stipulation. The choice depends on confidence with court paperwork and the complexity of asset division.
Pros of filing pro se: – Saves $500 to $1,500 in attorney fees. – Keeps the case private, with no third party reviewing personal finances. – Forces both spouses to read the statute, which reduces post-judgment disputes. – Moves on the spouses’ timeline, not a law firm’s calendar. – Builds confidence for any future court paperwork.
Cons of filing pro se: – Form errors cause clerk kickbacks that add 2 to 4 weeks. – Misvalued property risks a void judgment if discovered later. – Spouses miss tax-allocation issues like IRA division (no QDRO needed under simplified, but rollover rules apply). – Confusion about retirement-account transfers can trigger early-withdrawal penalties. – No professional review of the stipulation, which is binding forever.
Joint Simplified vs. Regular Petition for Dissolution
| Feature | Joint Simplified Petition |
|---|---|
| Statute | 750 ILCS 5/451–453 |
| Marriage length cap | 8 years or less |
| Children | None of the marriage, no pregnancy |
| Real estate | Not allowed |
| Combined property cap | Under $50,000 |
| Combined income cap | Under $60,000 ($30,000 each) |
| Maintenance | Waived by both spouses |
| Time to judgment | 30 to 60 days |
| Filing fee (Cook County 2026) | $388 petitioner |
| Discovery and trial | None |
FAQs
Do we both have to sign the petition the same day?
No. Both spouses sign within 30 days of each other, and the filing date is the later signature date, per Illinois Supreme Court Rule 137.
Can we use the simplified petition if we own a condo together?
No. Any real estate, including a condo, timeshare, or land contract, disqualifies the simplified track under 750 ILCS 5/452(a)(4).
Do I write my maiden name or married name in Box 1?
Yes, use the legal name on your current government ID, which usually matches your marriage certificate, and request a name change in the proposed judgment.
Is a notary required for the verification in Box 10?
No. The verification clause under 735 ILCS 5/1-109 replaces a notary, but signatures must be in black or blue ink.
Can we e-file from outside Illinois?
Yes, as long as one spouse meets the 90-day residency rule, the other spouse can e-file from any state through Odyssey eFileIL.
Do retirement accounts count toward the $50,000 property cap?
Yes, 401(k), IRA, Roth, and pension balances all count, and excluding them is a misstatement that voids the judgment.
Can we waive the filing fee?
Yes, file an Application for Waiver of Court Fees at the same time, and the judge rules within 7 days based on income.
Do I list a 1099 side gig in Box 7?
Yes, all gross income from W-2 and 1099 sources counts, and IDES cross-checks against state records under the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act.
Can we still file if one spouse is pregnant?
No. Pregnancy disqualifies the simplified track until the child is born and parentage is addressed in a regular petition.
What if we have been married 8 years and 2 months?
No, the cap is a strict 8 years, measured from marriage date to filing date, and 8 years and 1 day disqualifies the petition.
Do we have to appear in person at the prove-up hearing?
No, most counties allow Zoom prove-ups, and Cook County’s Domestic Relations Division schedules them by default in 2026.
Can we change the maintenance waiver later?
No. The waiver is final under In re Marriage of Roepenack, and neither spouse can reopen maintenance after the judgment.
Do we need to file a separate appearance form?
Yes, Cook County requires both spouses to file an Appearance form, but most other Illinois counties treat the joint signatures on the petition as the appearance.
How fast can we get divorced under the simplified petition?
Yes, as fast as 30 days from filing in counties with open hearing dockets, though 45 to 60 days is more typical statewide.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Illinois Affidavit for Service by Publication + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (No Children) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (With Children) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Letters of Office (Supervised Admin) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Form IL-1120-ST (w/Examples) + FAQs