Plainfield Divorce Decree Records

Divorce decree records for Plainfield residents are filed with the Hendricks County Clerk of Courts in Danville, not with the town of Plainfield. If you need to find or get a certified copy of a divorce decree connected to a Plainfield case, the Hendricks County Clerk is your point of contact. The clerk's office maintains all dissolution of marriage records from Hendricks County courts, and you can search basic case information online through Indiana's MyCase system before making a formal copy request.

Hendricks County Clerk of Courts

The Hendricks County Clerk is Marjorie Pike. Her office is at the Hendricks County Courthouse in Danville, which is about a 15-minute drive west of Plainfield. The clerk serves as the official record keeper for all county court cases, including divorce proceedings. The office handles civil filings, criminal records, estate and probate cases, guardianship matters, and traffic tickets in addition to divorce decrees. Marjorie Pike is elected by county voters and limited to two consecutive terms under Indiana law.

Before you visit, note that the Hendricks County Courthouse can only be entered through the West Security Entrance. Expect security screening when you arrive. The office's prohibited items list is available on the county website. No cell phones are allowed in Superior Court 5. These rules apply to all visitors, so check them before your trip.

Search Plainfield Divorce Records Online

Indiana's MyCase public case portal is the best free tool for searching Hendricks County divorce records online. Enter the names of both parties or a case number to find basic case details like filing dates, case status, and hearing information. MyCase is free for anyone to use and covers all Indiana counties including Hendricks. You cannot view or download the actual decree through MyCase, but it gives you the case number you need before contacting the clerk's office.

The Hendricks County divorce records page has more detail on the county-level process and the courthouse in Danville. The Hendricks County Clerk's page also lists all the types of records the office maintains and provides contact details.

How to Request a Certified Divorce Decree

To get a certified copy of a Plainfield divorce decree, visit the Hendricks County Clerk's office at 355 South Washington Street in Danville. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties. If you have the case number from a MyCase search, bring that too. In-person requests for recent records are generally handled the same day. Staff can pull older files, but those may take more time.

For mail requests, write to the Hendricks County Clerk at 355 South Washington Street, Danville, IN 46122. Include both party names, the approximate filing year, and your return mailing address. Enclose a check or money order made payable to the Hendricks County Clerk and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk does not accept personal checks in all cases, so call (317) 745-9231 first to confirm what payment methods are accepted for your request.

Note: Call (317) 745-9231 before mailing to confirm current fees and any changes to processing procedures.

Divorce Record Fees for Plainfield Residents

Hendricks County follows Indiana's standard court record fee schedule. Regular photocopies cost $1.00 per page. A certified copy carries a $3.00 certification fee plus $1.00 per page. So a one-page certified divorce decree costs $4.00. Mail requests require prepaid fees. Payment is typically by check or money order payable to the Hendricks County Clerk. Call before you mail to confirm the exact amount and current payment requirements.

If you need a search done on your behalf for mail requests, Hendricks County may charge an additional search fee. Contact the clerk's office at (317) 745-9231 to ask about search fees for mail requests before sending anything. The Hendricks County website may have additional fee schedule information as well.

Indiana Divorce Laws Affecting Plainfield

Plainfield divorce cases fall under Indiana law. IC 31-15-2-6 requires that at least one spouse live in Indiana for six months and in Hendricks County for three months before a divorce can be filed there. This residency requirement sets where the case is filed and which county clerk maintains the record. Plainfield is in Hendricks County, so all Plainfield divorce decrees are on file in Danville.

IC 31-15-2-10 mandates a 60-day waiting period from the filing date before a court can enter a final dissolution order. The decree is not issued until the court grants the final order, which happens at or after that 60-day mark. Most divorces take longer due to contested issues or scheduling. For people going through this process without an attorney, the Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center provides free forms and guides specific to dissolution of marriage cases.

Who Can Access Plainfield Divorce Records

Most Hendricks County divorce decrees are public records under IC 5-14-3, Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Any person can request access to or a copy of a divorce decree without being a party to the case. The exception is sealed records or restricted portions of case files. Financial affidavits, documents with Social Security numbers, and any information a judge has specifically sealed are not available to the public.

The Indiana courts public records request page explains what is available and what to do if a portion of a record is restricted. If a court has sealed part of a file, you may need a separate court order to access it.

Legal Help for Plainfield Divorce Cases

Free resources are available for Plainfield residents dealing with divorce. The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center has dissolution of marriage forms and step-by-step instructions for filing in Hendricks County courts. These are designed for people who do not have an attorney and cover both uncontested and contested situations.

Indiana Legal Help connects residents with free and low-cost legal aid organizations across the state. If you have questions about your divorce decree, child support, property division, or any other aspect of your case, Indiana Legal Help can connect you with someone who can assist.

The Plainfield Town Clerk's office handles local town records and can help direct you to Hendricks County resources for divorce-related requests.

The Plainfield Town Clerk can point you to Hendricks County Clerk resources for divorce decree records and local court contacts in Danville.

Nearby Cities

These nearby Indiana cities also have divorce records maintained by their respective county clerks.