Schererville Divorce Decree Records

Divorce decree records for Schererville residents are held by the Lake County Clerk of Courts in Crown Point, not by the town of Schererville. If you need to find or get a certified copy of a divorce decree from a case filed in Schererville, you will contact the Lake County Clerk's office. The clerk maintains all dissolution of marriage records from Lake County Circuit and Superior Courts. Basic case data is searchable online through Indiana's MyCase portal, but certified copies must be requested directly from the clerk's office in Crown Point.

Lake County Clerk of Courts

The Lake County Clerk is Michael A. Brown, who serves as the Clerk of the Lake Circuit and Superior Courts. His office is located in the Courts Building at 2293 N. Main Street, 1st Floor, in Crown Point, which is about 10 miles east of Schererville. As the research notes state, the Lake County Clerk is "a ministerial officer who is the custodian of the Clerk's record and seal, issues process, accepts filings of commencement of actions in litigation, enters judgments and orders of the court, receives money in his official capacity, makes certified copies of record."

The Lake County Clerk now accepts major credit cards as payment at the counter for face-to-face transactions. A 3% convenience fee applies when paying by card. American Express is not accepted. Valid photo ID with a name matching the credit card is required for card transactions. This applies to all Lake County Clerk locations. For Schererville residents, the Crown Point office is the primary location for divorce decree requests.

Search Schererville Divorce Records Online

Indiana's MyCase public portal is the best free starting point for searching Lake County divorce records. Enter the names of both parties or a case number to find basic case details, filing dates, and court event records. MyCase is available to anyone and covers all Indiana counties. You cannot download the actual decree through MyCase, but you can confirm the case exists and get the case number you need for a formal request.

See the Lake County divorce records page for full details on the county-level process and courthouse location. The Lake County Clerk's website has current contact information, office hours, and links to court resources. There is also a dedicated clerk's main office location page with directions and parking information for the Crown Point courthouse.

How to Request a Certified Divorce Decree

To request a certified copy of a Schererville divorce decree, visit the Lake County Clerk's office at 2293 N. Main Street in Crown Point during business hours. The office is on the first floor of the Courts Building. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties. In-person requests for recent records are generally handled quickly. If you are searching for older records, call ahead so staff can locate the file before your visit.

For phone or mail requests, call (219) 755-3533 or write to the clerk at 2293 N. Main Street Courts Building, 1st Floor, Crown Point, IN 46307. Include both party names, the approximate year of the divorce, and your return address. Enclose payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call the clerk's office before mailing to confirm current fees and the exact amount to send.

Note: Credit card payments are accepted in person with a 3% convenience fee. American Express is not accepted.

Divorce Record Fees for Schererville Residents

Lake County charges $4.00 per page for certified marriage and divorce copies. For genealogy or non-certified historical records, the fee is $1.00 per page. This is different from the standard Indiana fee schedule used by many other counties, so do not assume the same rate applies here. A 3% convenience fee applies to credit card payments at the counter. Personal checks may not be accepted, so call ahead to confirm what the clerk takes for your specific request.

For more information on Lake County fees, the Lake County court costs and filing fees page lists current rates. You can also call (219) 755-3533 to ask about the cost for your specific document before visiting or mailing.

Indiana Divorce Laws Affecting Schererville

All Schererville divorce cases follow Indiana law. Under IC 31-15-2-6, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Lake County for three months before a divorce petition can be filed in Lake County courts. This residency requirement sets where the case goes and where the record is kept. All Lake County divorces, including those for Schererville residents, are filed in Crown Point.

IC 31-15-2-10 requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the filing date before a court can enter a final divorce decree. The actual decree is not issued until the court grants the final order, which cannot happen until those 60 days have passed. Most divorces take longer than 60 days. For free help with the process, the Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center provides dissolution of marriage forms and step-by-step guides.

Who Can Access Schererville Divorce Records

Under IC 5-14-3, Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, most Lake County divorce decrees are open to the public. You do not have to be a party to the case to request a copy. Anyone can ask the clerk to search for and provide a copy of a divorce decree. However, sealed portions of files, financial affidavits, and records containing Social Security numbers are not available to the general public.

The Indiana courts public records page explains what is accessible and how to make a request. If a portion of a record is sealed, a court order may be needed to access it. This is rare in standard divorce cases but can occur when a judge has specifically restricted information in the file.

Legal Help for Schererville Divorce Cases

Free legal resources are available for Schererville residents. The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center has dissolution of marriage forms and filing instructions for Lake County courts. These materials are designed for people without attorneys and cover uncontested and contested divorce cases alike.

Indiana Legal Help connects Schererville residents with free and low-cost legal aid across Indiana. If you need guidance on filing for divorce, understanding a decree you have already received, or dealing with custody or support issues, this service can direct you to the right organization.

The Schererville Clerk-Treasurer's office handles town finances and records, and can point you toward Lake County Clerk resources for divorce record requests.

The Schererville Clerk-Treasurer can direct you to Lake County Clerk resources for divorce decree records and courthouse contacts in Crown Point.

Nearby Cities

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