Clinton County Divorce Decree Records

Clinton County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clinton County Clerk at the courthouse in Frankfort, Indiana. The clerk's office holds all active court records for divorce cases filed in Clinton County, and the Clinton County Archives maintains older divorce records going back many decades. You can search case information online through Indiana's MyCase portal, but certified copies of Clinton County divorce decrees must be obtained directly from the clerk's office by visiting in person or sending a written mail request.

Clinton County Clerk of Courts Office

The Clinton County Clerk's Office is at 265 Courthouse Square, Frankfort, Indiana 46041. The phone number is (765) 659-6335. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. The clerk handles a range of duties including "the collection of court payments, record keeping, voter registration, child support payments." As the primary record keeper for Clinton County's courts, the clerk maintains all divorce case files and issues certified copies of decrees. The clerk's website is at clintonco.com/clerk/.

Clinton County has an archives office that holds older court records. The Clinton County Archives page is at clintonco.com/archives/. The archives stores old divorce records, lawsuits, criminal records, guardianship documents, and probate filings. Marriage application books going back to 1882 are also held at the archives. For recent divorce decrees, start with the clerk's office. For historical records, the archives may be the right place to contact.

Searching for Clinton County Divorce Records

Indiana's MyCase public case search is the primary online tool for finding Clinton County divorce cases. Enter a party's name or case number to find case status, filing dates, and order history. MyCase does not give access to the actual decree documents. Use it to find a case number and then contact the clerk's office to request the document.

Clinton County is unique in that it has an active archives office that maintains old divorce records going back many years. If you are looking for a divorce from several decades ago, the Clinton County Archives at clintonco.com/archives may be the better starting point. The archives stores "old divorce records, lawsuits, criminal records, guardianship, and probate" for Clinton County. For more recent cases, call the clerk at (765) 659-6335 first.

For research support, the Frankfort library at 208 W. Clinton St., Frankfort, IN also maintains genealogy resources that may include historical divorce-related information for Clinton County.

Getting a Certified Clinton County Divorce Decree

Certified copies of Clinton County divorce decrees are not available online. You must contact the clerk's office in Frankfort. In-person requests can be made at the courthouse during business hours. Bring the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and a case number if you have one. A valid photo ID is recommended. Walk-in requests are usually handled the same day.

For mail requests, send a written letter to Clinton County Clerk, 265 Courthouse Square, Frankfort, IN 46041. Include the party names, divorce date or approximate year, case number if available, and your return address. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Allow 7 to 10 business days. Standard Indiana fees are $1.00 per page plus a $3.00 certification fee per document. Call (765) 659-6335 to confirm current fees and acceptable payment methods before mailing.

Note: Wills and current marriage licenses are obtained from the clerk's office. Land deeds are at the Recorder's Office. Older divorce and court records are at the Clinton County Archives, not the clerk's office.

Indiana Divorce Law and Clinton County

All Indiana divorces follow the same state law framework. Under IC 31-15-2-6, one spouse must reside in Indiana for six months and in Clinton County for three months before a petition can be filed there. The 60-day waiting period under IC 31-15-2-10 applies to all Indiana counties, including Clinton County. The court cannot issue a final divorce decree until the 60 days have passed from the petition date. The final decree is then signed by the judge and filed permanently with the Clinton County Clerk.

Under Indiana Code IC 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act, most Clinton County divorce records are open to the public. You do not have to be a party to the case to request a copy. Sealed records, financial affidavits, and records with sensitive personal data are excluded from public access. The Indiana courts public records guide explains the statewide framework for accessing court documents.

Legal Help for Clinton County Residents

The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center is a free online resource with dissolution of marriage forms and step-by-step instructions for filing in Indiana courts. The forms work for all Indiana counties including Clinton County. For more help, Indiana Legal Help connects Clinton County residents with legal aid organizations in the central Indiana region. Some organizations offer free or reduced-rate consultations for qualifying individuals.

The Clinton County Clerk's staff can answer basic procedural questions about filing and document requests, but they cannot provide legal advice. For complex matters involving property division or parenting arrangements, a family law attorney in the Frankfort area can provide guidance specific to your situation.

Visit the Clinton County Clerk's website for current information on court services and record requests.

The Clinton County Clerk in Frankfort maintains current divorce decree records, while the Clinton County Archives holds older historical court records for the county.

Cities in Clinton County

Frankfort is the county seat of Clinton County and the location of the courthouse and clerk's office. Other communities in Clinton County include Mulberry, Michigantown, and Kirklin. None of these communities meets the 25,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All Clinton County divorce decrees, regardless of which city or township the parties lived in, are filed with the Clinton County Clerk in Frankfort.

Nearby Counties

Clinton County is in central Indiana and borders the following counties, each of which holds its own divorce decree records at the county level.