Bartholomew County Divorce Decree Lookup

Bartholomew County divorce decree records are filed and maintained by the Bartholomew County Clerk in Columbus, Indiana. If you need to find a divorce decree from a case filed in Bartholomew County, you can search basic case information using Indiana's MyCase online portal. Certified copies of divorce decrees are only available by contacting the clerk's office directly. The clerk handles all court record keeping for Bartholomew County and is the right office to call for any divorce document request.

Bartholomew County Clerk of Courts

Shari Lentz is the Clerk of Courts for Bartholomew County. The clerk's office is in the Bartholomew County Courthouse at 234 Washington Street in Columbus. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. As the official record keeper for all Bartholomew County court cases, the clerk's office maintains divorce case files, issues certified copies of decrees, and handles child support collections ordered through the court. The clerk also has a wide range of other duties, including "the collection of court payments and record keeping, voter registration, child support payments."

The Bartholomew County Courthouse is a working courthouse, and parking may be limited. Plan to arrive a few minutes early and bring a valid photo ID. The Indiana Judicial Branch also has a page for Bartholomew County courts with contact information and local court rules.

Search Bartholomew County Divorce Decrees Online

Indiana's MyCase public case search is the best free tool for searching Bartholomew County divorce decree records online. You can search by name or case number and find filing dates, court orders, and case status. MyCase does not let you view or download the actual decree document, but it gives you the case number and filing date you need when you contact the clerk's office for a certified copy.

The clerk's office also referenced an online public records inquiry option on its website at bartholomew.in.gov/clerk.html. For public records requests specifically, check the bottom of that page for additional options.

Getting a Certified Bartholomew County Divorce Decree

Certified copies of Bartholomew County divorce decrees are not available online. You must contact the clerk's office. Walk-in requests at the courthouse in Columbus are the quickest approach. Bring the names of both parties, the approximate filing or divorce date, and a case number if you have one. Staff will locate the record and provide a copy for the standard fee. Mail requests are also accepted; send a written request to 234 Washington Street, Columbus, IN 47201 with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow at least 7 to 10 business days for mail requests.

One thing to be aware of in Bartholomew County: the clerk's office transferred many old probate, civil, criminal, and other court books to the Indiana State Archives in August 2017. If you are searching for a very old divorce decree, it may be held at the Indiana State Archives at 6440 E. 30th St, Indianapolis, (317) 591-5220, rather than at the courthouse. Call the clerk's office at (812) 379-1600 first to find out where older records are stored before making the trip to Columbus.

Note: Marriage license applications at Bartholomew County are by appointment only, so similar protocols may apply to certain record requests. Call ahead before visiting.

Bartholomew County Divorce Decree Fees

Standard copy fees for Bartholomew County court records are $1.00 per page. Certification of a document costs $5.00 per document plus $1.00 per page. This is slightly higher than the statewide standard certification fee, so confirm the current rate with the clerk's office at (812) 379-1600 before submitting any payment. Acceptable payment methods typically include cash, money order, cashier's check, and credit cards in some cases. Personal checks may not be accepted, so ask when you call.

Indiana Law and Bartholomew County Divorce Cases

Indiana requires a residency period before a divorce can be filed. Under IC 31-15-2-6, one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Bartholomew County for at least three months before the petition can be filed there. Once a petition is filed, Indiana law under IC 31-15-2-10 sets a mandatory 60-day waiting period before the court can issue a final decree. The actual divorce decree does not become a record until the court grants the final order and the clerk files it.

For those working through a divorce without legal representation, the Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center has dissolution of marriage forms and step-by-step instructions. Indiana Legal Help can also connect you with free legal aid resources in the Columbus area and throughout south-central Indiana.

Indiana Code IC 5-14-3 makes most divorce case records public in Bartholomew County. You do not have to be a party to the case to request a copy of a decree. Some restricted portions, like financial affidavits and sealed records, are not available to the general public. The Indiana courts public records request page outlines the process statewide.

Legal Resources for Bartholomew County Residents

If you need help with a divorce case in Bartholomew County, start with the clerk's office. Staff can direct you to court forms and tell you what documents are needed. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you understand the filing process. The Self-Service Legal Center is available online anytime and covers many common family law questions.

For those who need more help, Indiana Legal Help at indianalegalhelp.org can connect you with attorneys and legal aid groups that serve Bartholomew County. Local bar association referral programs may also offer consultations at reduced rates.

The Bartholomew County Clerk's Office website provides information on services, forms, and how to contact the clerk.

The clerk's office in Columbus is open weekdays and serves as the central point for all Bartholomew County divorce decree records requests.

Cities in Bartholomew County

Columbus is the county seat and largest city in Bartholomew County. Other communities include Edinburgh, Hope, Taylorsville, and Hartsville. None of these cities meet the 25,000-resident threshold for their own city page on this site. All divorce decree records for Bartholomew County residents, regardless of which city or town they live in, are filed with and maintained by the Bartholomew County Clerk in Columbus.

Nearby Counties

Bartholomew County sits in south-central Indiana and borders several other counties, each with its own clerk office for divorce record requests.