Search Dubois County Divorce Decree Records

Dubois County divorce decree records are filed with the Clerk of Courts at the Dubois County Courthouse in Jasper, Indiana. The clerk's office maintains all court records in the county, including final divorce decrees, case filings, and supporting documents. You can look up case information online through Indiana's MyCase portal or contact the Dubois County Clerk directly for certified copies of divorce decrees.

Dubois County Clerk of Courts

Amy Kippenbrock is the Clerk of Courts for Dubois County. Her office is at One Courthouse Square in Jasper, Indiana 46546. The clerk's office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can reach the office by phone at (812) 481-7035, by fax at (812) 481-7044, or by email at clerk@duboiscountyin.org. The Dubois County Clerk of Courts page has current service information and additional details about the office.

The clerk's office handles a wide range of court-related services in Dubois County. As the official description notes, the office files, records, and enters all orders from civil, juvenile, and criminal courts; probates wills and testaments; and issues marriage licenses. For divorce decree records specifically, the clerk's office is the only source for certified copies in Dubois County. As the office has confirmed, "residents may request certified copies of Dubois County divorce records from the Dubois County Clerk of Court office."

Both the Dubois County Circuit Court and the Dubois County Superior Court are located at One Courthouse Square, Jasper, IN 47546. Both can be reached at (812) 481-7035. If you are not sure which court handled your divorce case, the clerk can check both courts' records when you call or visit.

How to Search Dubois County Divorce Cases

Indiana's MyCase case search tool covers Dubois County divorce cases. The search is free and requires no account. You can search by name or case number and see filing dates, case status, and court assignment. MyCase is a good first step before contacting the clerk, because it helps you confirm a case exists and find the case number. Having the case number makes your certified copy request much faster.

For certified copies of divorce decrees, you must contact the Dubois County Clerk directly. Online access does not extend to official certified documents. The clerk must retrieve the file, make copies, and apply the official court seal before the document can be used for legal purposes. Standard Indiana fees apply: $1.00 per page for copies and $3.00 per document for certification. Call (812) 481-7035 or email clerk@duboiscountyin.org to confirm the current fee for your specific request before submitting payment.

The Indiana Judicial Branch page for Dubois County lists judges, court locations, and local court contact information, which can help you verify you are reaching the right court for your case.

How to Request a Dubois County Divorce Decree

In-person requests are the fastest way to get a certified divorce decree from Dubois County. Visit the clerk's office at One Courthouse Square in Jasper during business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and as much case information as you have. The clerk can search by name and year if you don't have a case number. Same-day service is generally available for in-person requests made during business hours.

Mail requests are an option if you cannot visit in person. Send a written request to: Dubois County Clerk of Courts, One Courthouse Square, Jasper, IN 47546. Include the full names of both parties in the divorce, the approximate date the divorce was filed, the date the final decree was entered, your contact information, a copy of your valid photo ID, and the case number if available. Enclose payment by money order or cashier's check made payable to the Dubois County Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your copies. Mail requests typically take 7 to 10 business days to process.

You can also email general questions to clerk@duboiscountyin.org. For more complex or urgent requests, call the office directly. The Dubois County Clerk contact page has a web form for reaching the office as well.

Note: For very old records that may be archived off-site, the Indiana State Archives at 6440 E. 30th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219, phone (317) 591-5220, can assist with locating historical materials.

Indiana Divorce Statutes and Dubois County

Divorce cases in Dubois County proceed under Indiana law. IC 31-15-2-6 sets the residency requirement: you or your spouse must have lived in Indiana for at least six months before filing, and in Dubois County for at least three months. Both requirements must be met for the Dubois County court to have jurisdiction over your case. If the residency rules are not met, the case can be dismissed or transferred to the appropriate county.

After a petition is filed in Dubois County, Indiana Code IC 31-15-2-10 requires a 60-day waiting period before the final divorce decree can be issued. The court cannot finalize the divorce or sign the decree before those 60 days are up. This mandatory wait applies whether the case is contested or uncontested. Use the waiting period to organize your financial documents, review the proposed settlement terms, and confirm all property and custody matters are addressed before the final hearing.

Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, IC 5-14-3, most Dubois County divorce decrees are public records. Anyone can request them. Some portions of a divorce file may be sealed or restricted, particularly if they involve minor children's personal details or if the court ordered certain records protected. The clerk can clarify what is and is not accessible from a specific case file when you make your request.

What Is in a Dubois County Divorce Decree

A divorce decree from Dubois County is the judge's final written order ending the marriage. It is filed with the clerk and becomes a permanent part of the court record. The decree is the document you will need for most major life steps after a divorce: changing your name on a Social Security card or driver's license, dividing retirement accounts through a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), refinancing a mortgage, updating title on real estate or vehicles, or applying for benefits. Most institutions that require proof of divorce will accept only a certified copy of the decree, not a short-form certificate.

The content of a Dubois County divorce decree varies by case, but standard elements include the names and addresses of both parties at the time of filing, the date of marriage, the grounds for dissolution of marriage under Indiana law, and all orders from the court. Property division terms identify how all marital assets and debts are divided. If the couple has children, the decree states the legal and physical custody arrangement, a detailed parenting time schedule, and the amount of weekly or monthly child support. Any spousal maintenance ordered by the court also appears in the decree. Read the decree carefully when you receive it. If anything is unclear, consult with a family law attorney in the Jasper area.

Legal Resources for Dubois County Residents

The Indiana Legal Help website is a free resource for Dubois County residents who need guidance on divorce-related legal questions. It connects users with legal aid organizations and provides self-help tools for family law cases. For people who plan to represent themselves, the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center offers court-approved forms and instructions for divorce filings that are accepted in Dubois County courts.

Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help for income-qualifying residents at 1-800-869-0212. If your divorce involves domestic violence or you are in a financial hardship, contact them to see if you qualify for assistance in Dubois County. Dubois County is part of Judicial District 25, which also includes Daviess, Knox, Martin, Perry, Pike, and Spencer counties.

The screenshot below shows the Dubois County Clerk's resource page, where you can access links to court records and clerk services for divorce decree requests in Dubois County.

Check the clerk's official page before visiting to confirm office hours and fee information for your divorce record request in Dubois County.

Cities in Dubois County

Jasper is the county seat of Dubois County and the location of the courthouse where all divorce records are filed. Other communities in Dubois County include Ferdinand, Huntingburg, Celestine, and Schnellville. None of the cities in Dubois County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page in this directory. All divorce decree records for Dubois County are filed and maintained at the courthouse in Jasper.

Nearby Counties

Dubois County is in southwestern Indiana. These neighboring counties each maintain their own clerk's office and court records for divorce cases.