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Letter to the Sheriff (Serving a Summons and Forms)

Illinois · Illinois Supreme Court · Effective March 1, 2025

This form is a letter that a person sends to the Sheriff's office to ask them to officially deliver (serve) a Summons and a Petition for Divorce to another person. The letter includes instructions on what documents and payments must be sent with it.

Open the official PDFfrom Illinois Supreme Court

Where this fits in a case

Start a case

Stage: Start a case

This form is used when a person needs the Sheriff to officially serve divorce papers to their spouse. The letter must be sent to the Sheriff's office in the county where the spouse lives.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

Do I file this letter with the Circuit Clerk?
No, the instructions say not to file this letter with the Circuit Clerk.
What must I include when I send this letter?
You must include the Summons and the Petition for Divorce, payment for the sheriff's fee, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
What does the Sheriff do after receiving this letter?
The Sheriff will serve the documents and then complete the Proof of Service of Summons and Petition for Divorce, sending it back to you.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect March 1, 2025.

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