Decatur County Divorce Decree Search
Decatur County divorce decree records are maintained by the County Clerk's office in Greensburg, Indiana. The clerk keeps court records from both the Circuit and Superior courts, including all divorce case filings and final decrees. You can search case information through Indiana's free online MyCase portal or contact the Decatur County Clerk's office directly to request certified copies of divorce decrees.
Decatur County Quick Facts
Decatur County Clerk of Courts
Janet Howell serves as the Clerk of the Decatur County Courts. Her office is located in Suite 244 of the Decatur County Courthouse at 150 Courthouse Square in Greensburg, Indiana 47240. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can reach the office by phone at (812) 663-8223, by fax at (812) 662-6627, or by email at clerk@decaturcounty.in.gov.
The clerk's office is the official record-keeper for all court cases in Decatur County, including divorce filings and final decrees. The county has maintained divorce, marriage, probate, and court records going back to 1822. This makes Decatur County one of the longer-standing record collections in south-central Indiana. For recent divorce cases, records are easily accessible. For older ones, some may be in archival storage or on microfilm. The Decatur County Clerk's Office page has the latest service and contact information.
| Clerk | Janet Howell |
|---|---|
| Address | 150 Courthouse Square, Suite 244, Greensburg, IN 47240 |
| Phone | (812) 663-8223 |
| Fax | (812) 662-6627 |
| clerk@decaturcounty.in.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Website | decaturcounty.in.gov/clerk |
Searching Divorce Decrees in Decatur County
The best starting point for finding a Decatur County divorce case is Indiana's MyCase online search portal. This free tool lets you search court cases statewide by name or case number. It covers both Circuit and Superior Court cases in Decatur County. The search results show case status, filing dates, and parties involved. MyCase is a good way to confirm a case exists and get the case number before you contact the clerk for certified copies.
For official certified copies of a divorce decree, you must contact the Decatur County Clerk's office directly. Certified copies are not downloadable online. The clerk applies the court seal and signs the document, making it legally valid for use in other legal proceedings. Standard Indiana copy fees apply: $1.00 per page for copies, plus $3.00 per document for certification. These rates have been in effect since July 1, 2021. Always call ahead to confirm the current fee before mailing payment.
The Indiana Courts public records request guide walks through the general process for requesting court records across the state, which is useful if this is your first time making a formal records request in Indiana.
How to Request Decatur County Divorce Records
In-person requests at the Decatur County Courthouse are the fastest way to get a certified divorce decree. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Have the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. The clerk can search by name and year if you don't have a case number. Same-day service is often possible for in-person visits during regular business hours.
Mail requests take longer but work well if you cannot visit in person. Send a written request to 150 Courthouse Square, Suite 244, Greensburg, IN 47240. Your request should include the full names of both parties in the divorce, the approximate date of filing and the date the divorce was finalized, your contact information, a copy of your valid photo ID, and the case number if available. Include payment in the form of a money order or cashier's check made payable to the Decatur County Clerk. Personal checks may not be accepted. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can mail the copies back to you. Processing typically takes 7 to 10 business days, though it can take longer during busy periods.
You can also reach the clerk by email at clerk@decaturcounty.in.gov to ask questions about fees, processing times, or what information you need to include before submitting your request.
Indiana Divorce Laws in Decatur County
Indiana law controls how divorce cases proceed in Decatur County. IC 31-15-2-6 sets the residency requirement: one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months before filing, and at least three months in the county where the petition is filed. Both the filing spouse and the court must confirm the residency requirement is met. If you recently moved to Decatur County from another Indiana county, you need to wait three months before filing there.
After filing, IC 31-15-2-10 requires a 60-day waiting period. The court cannot grant the final divorce or sign the decree until 60 days have passed from the date of filing. This is a mandatory waiting period and cannot be waived, even if both parties fully agree on all terms. Decatur County courts follow this rule strictly. Plan your timeline accordingly if you need the final decree by a certain date.
The Indiana Access to Public Records Act, IC 5-14-3, makes most Decatur County divorce decrees part of the public record. Anyone can ask to view or get copies of court files. Some records are exempt, including sealed records, juvenile records, and records the court has ordered protected. The clerk can tell you which parts of a specific file are publicly available in Decatur County.
What a Decatur County Divorce Decree Contains
A divorce decree from Decatur County is the signed court order that ends a marriage. It is a permanent legal document, filed with the clerk and kept in the official court record. You need a certified copy of the decree for name changes, dividing retirement accounts, transferring real estate, or many other legal matters that follow a divorce. The decree is more complete than a short-form divorce certificate and is the document most attorneys and institutions will require.
Decatur County divorce decrees typically contain the names of both spouses, marriage and separation dates, grounds for divorce, and all orders the court issued regarding property, debt, and if applicable, children. Property division terms spell out who gets real estate, vehicles, retirement accounts, and other assets. Debt responsibility is assigned as well. If children are involved, the decree includes custody arrangements, a visitation schedule, and the amount of child support ordered. Any spousal support or alimony will also appear in the decree. This document is your primary proof that the divorce happened and on what terms.
The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has resources to help you understand Indiana divorce law and what should be included in a properly drafted decree.
Decatur County Legal and Support Resources
Decatur County residents who need help with divorce matters can turn to several statewide resources. The Indiana Legal Help website connects users with legal aid organizations and self-help tools. For people who plan to represent themselves in Decatur County court, the Self-Service Legal Center provides forms and step-by-step guides for family law cases.
For individuals with limited income, Indiana Legal Services offers free civil legal assistance statewide at 1-800-869-0212. They can help with divorce filings, custody, and other family law issues in Decatur County. The Indiana State Bar Association's referral service can help you find a family law attorney in the Greensburg area if you need paid legal representation.
The screenshot below shows the Decatur County Clerk's office resource page, where you can find links to court records and clerk services for obtaining divorce decree copies in Decatur County.
Reviewing this page before you visit saves time and confirms what you need to bring to the clerk's office.
Cities in Decatur County
Greensburg is the county seat of Decatur County and the location of the courthouse where all divorce records are filed. Other communities in Decatur County include Westport, Millhousen, St. Paul, and New Point. None of the cities in Decatur County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page in this directory. All divorce decree records for the county are filed with the Decatur County Clerk in Greensburg.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Decatur County. If your divorce was filed in a neighboring county or you are unsure which county holds your case, contact the clerk in the relevant county.