Find Divorce Decree Records in Dearborn County
Dearborn County divorce decree records are kept by the Clerk of Courts in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The county sits along the Ohio border in southeastern Indiana, and the clerk's office handles records from both the Circuit Court and the Superior Court. To search for a divorce case or get a certified copy of a divorce decree, you can start online with the state's MyCase tool or contact the Dearborn County Clerk directly.
Dearborn County Quick Facts
Dearborn County Clerk of Courts Office
The Dearborn County Clerk of Courts manages divorce decree records for all cases filed in the county. There are two main courts that handle divorce proceedings: the Dearborn County Circuit Court and the Superior Court. Both are located at 165 Mary Street in Lawrenceburg. The clerk's office operates under both courts and handles records from each. Their official website at dearborncounty.org has current service information and contact details.
The Circuit Court phone is (812) 537-8867. The Superior Court line is (812) 537-8877. If you are not sure which court handled your case, call either number and they can point you in the right direction. Most divorce cases in Indiana are filed in Circuit or Superior Court, and Dearborn County has both. There is also a Lawrenceburg City Court at 349 Walnut Street for lower-level matters, but divorce filings go through the county courts, not the city court.
| Address | 165 Mary Street, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Phone | (812) 537-8867 |
| Superior Court Phone | (812) 537-8877 |
| Circuit Court Fax | (812) 532-2021 |
| Superior Court Fax | (812) 532-3296 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday |
| Website | dearborncounty.org |
Searching Dearborn County Divorce Decrees Online
Indiana's MyCase case search portal is the free online tool for finding Dearborn County divorce case information. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. MyCase shows case status, filing history, and parties involved. It works for Circuit Court and Superior Court cases alike. The search is free and does not require an account. However, MyCase shows case information only. It does not provide certified copies of divorce decrees.
The Dearborn County Recorder's Office has a separate online records system for property documents. Their records are available through Doxpop, dating back to the year 2000. Property records sometimes come up in divorce proceedings when real estate is involved. For divorce decree records specifically, though, you need the Clerk of Courts, not the Recorder. The electronic access to records page on the county website explains what is available online and where to look.
Note: The Indiana Judicial Branch page for Dearborn County courts lists judges, circuits, and local court details that may help you identify your case.
How to Get a Certified Divorce Decree in Dearborn County
Getting a certified copy of a divorce decree in Dearborn County requires contacting the Clerk of Courts. Certified copies are not available through any online portal. The clerk must physically retrieve the file, make copies, and apply the official court seal. You can request certified copies in person or by mail.
Dearborn County's fee structure is worth noting. Uncertified records cost between $0.50 and $1.00 per page. The certification fee is an additional charge per document. Always call ahead to confirm current fees before submitting your request, as rates can vary and you want to send the correct payment amount. Sending too little will delay your request. The clerk can quote you the exact cost over the phone once you give them the case details.
For mail requests, the Dearborn County Clerk requires the following information: full name of the person requesting the record, the date the divorce was filed, the date the final divorce was granted, your contact information including a phone number and mailing address, a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID, and the case number if you have it. Send payment by money order or cashier's check. Personal checks are typically not accepted. Always include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the clerk to return the copies. The mailing address is 165 Mary Street, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025.
The Indiana Courts public records request guide is a helpful reference for understanding the statewide process for requesting court records.
Indiana Divorce Laws Relevant to Dearborn County
Indiana Code IC 31-15-2-6 sets the residency requirements for filing a divorce in Indiana. At least one spouse must have lived in the state for six months prior to filing, and at least three months in the county where the divorce petition is filed. Since Dearborn County shares a border with Ohio, it is worth knowing that even if you recently moved from Ohio, the clock for Indiana residency starts the day you establish Indiana as your home state. You cannot file in Dearborn County until the three-month county residency requirement is met.
Once you file, Indiana law under IC 31-15-2-10 requires a 60-day waiting period before the court can finalize the divorce. This waiting period runs from the date the petition is filed. Even if both spouses agree on all terms, the judge cannot sign the final decree until those 60 days have passed. This is a firm rule that applies in Dearborn County just as it does everywhere in Indiana. Use this time to gather any financial documents or other records your attorney may need.
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act under IC 5-14-3 governs who can see court records. Most divorce decrees in Dearborn County are part of the public record. Sealed records and certain documents involving minors may not be accessible to the general public, but the final decree and most case filings are open to anyone who asks. The clerk's office can tell you specifically what portions of a file are available in your situation.
Dearborn County Court Services
The Dearborn County Clerk of Courts provides several services related to divorce proceedings. For the Circuit Court, the clerk handles marriage license processing, public access support for genealogy and archive research, court records terminal access, and child support fee processing. For the Superior Court, the clerk handles protective order processing, small claims filing, probation fee payments, and related family law matters. These services make the clerk's office a central point of contact for most legal needs in Dearborn County.
If you are researching genealogy records or historical divorce cases in Dearborn County, the clerk's office provides public access support including access to archives and computer terminals. This can be useful for researchers who need to locate older divorce records that may not be available through MyCase. Call ahead to confirm what archival access is available and whether you need an appointment.
The Dearborn County main website provides links to all county departments, including courts, recorder, and other offices that may have records connected to divorce cases.
Legal Resources for Dearborn County Residents
If you need help navigating a divorce case in Dearborn County, the Indiana Legal Help website is a good starting point. It connects residents with legal aid organizations and provides self-help resources for family law matters. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center offers free forms and instructions for people who plan to represent themselves in court.
For low-income residents of Dearborn County, Indiana Legal Services provides assistance with civil legal matters including divorce. The statewide number is 1-800-869-0212. Legal aid can sometimes help with divorce filings, protective orders, and custody matters in Dearborn County. Income limits apply, so call to see if you qualify.
The screenshot below shows the Dearborn County Clerk of Courts resource page, which is the primary contact point for obtaining divorce decree records in Dearborn County.
Reviewing the clerk's website before your visit or mail request helps ensure you have the right information and correct fees ready to go.
Cities in Dearborn County
Lawrenceburg is the county seat and the location of the courthouse. Other communities in Dearborn County include Greendale, Aurora, St. Leon, Moores Hill, and Bright. None of the cities in Dearborn County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page in this directory. All divorce decree records for Dearborn County are filed and maintained at the courthouse in Lawrenceburg, regardless of which town in the county you live in.
Nearby Counties
If you need to check whether your case was filed in a neighboring county, these counties border Dearborn County and each has its own clerk's office handling divorce records.