Divorce Decree Records in Jackson County

Jackson County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts in Brownstown, Indiana. The clerk's office stores all court filings from dissolution of marriage cases, including the final divorce decree. Basic case information is searchable online through Indiana's MyCase system, but certified copies of divorce decrees must be requested directly from the Jackson County Clerk. This page covers the contact details, the request process, and what you need to bring or include when you ask for a record.

Jackson County Clerk of Courts

The Jackson County Clerk is Hope S. Cissna. Her office is located at Suite 130, 109 S. Sugar Street, Brownstown, IN 47220. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The clerk maintains official court records for all Jackson County cases, including dissolution of marriage filings. One useful note from the official records: "The Jackson County Clerk's office has protective order forms and dissolution of marriage forms on their website and outside the clerk's office." So if you need blank forms for a new case rather than a certified copy of an existing decree, the clerk's office can point you in the right direction.

The Jackson County Courts page lists each court's phone number and the types of cases each handles. The Indiana Judicial Branch page for Jackson County is at in.gov/courts/local/jackson-county/. Jackson County is part of Judicial District 21, which also covers Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, and Jennings counties.

Jackson County Court Structure for Divorce Cases

Jackson County has a Circuit Court and two Superior Courts. Which court hears a specific case depends on the type of matter. The Circuit Court handles most felony matters, operating while intoxicated cases, and probate. For family cases including divorce and related matters, the key court is Superior Court 2, which handles "most family matters, adoptions, protective orders, child in need of services (DCS) matters, and juvenile matters." That means most Jackson County divorce cases run through Superior Court 2 and the decree is a product of that court.

The courts also note: "To save you a trip the courts of Jackson County Courts are happy to answer questions by telephone." If you have a quick question about where to find a specific case or what paperwork you need, you can call before visiting. The Circuit Court line is (812) 358-6133, Superior Court 1 is (812) 522-9677, and Superior Court 2 is (812) 358-6803.

Search Jackson County Divorce Records Online

Indiana's MyCase public case search portal is the primary free tool for looking up Jackson County divorce cases online. MyCase shows case details, party names, filing dates, case numbers, and docket history. It does not provide the actual divorce decree or any other case document for download. For the certified decree itself, you must contact the clerk's office.

Search MyCase using one or both party names, or the case number if you already have it. For older cases that may not be in the online system, call the clerk at (812) 358-6118 or check with the specific court that handled the case. The clerk can search the office's internal records system and advise you on how to proceed.

How to Get a Certified Jackson County Divorce Decree

Certified divorce decrees in Jackson County are not available online, by email, or through any state download portal. Every certified copy request must go directly to the clerk's office in Brownstown. This applies statewide under Indiana law. There are two main ways to get a certified copy: visit in person or mail a written request.

For in-person requests, visit Suite 130 at 109 S. Sugar Street in Brownstown during office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Bring the full names of both parties as they appeared in the original case, the approximate year the divorce was finalized, and the case number if you have it. Photo ID is useful. The clerk's staff can usually locate and copy the record the same day.

Mail requests should be addressed to Jackson County Clerk, 109 S. Sugar Street, Suite 130, Brownstown, IN 47220. Include the party names, case date, case number if known, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment. Call the clerk at (812) 358-6118 before mailing to confirm the fee and accepted payment methods.

Note: The office notes that dissolution of marriage forms are available at the clerk's office if you need to start a new case, not just retrieve an existing decree.

Fees and Access to Jackson County Divorce Records

Indiana's standard court copy fee schedule applies in Jackson County. Since July 1, 2021, the rate is $1.00 per page for copies and $3.00 per document for certification. A one-page certified divorce decree costs $4.00. Each additional page adds $1.00. Call the clerk ahead of time to find out the page count for a specific decree so you can calculate the right payment amount before you visit or mail.

Cash, money orders, and cashier's checks are the most reliably accepted payment forms at Indiana county clerk offices. Personal checks are often not accepted. Credit or debit card acceptance varies. For mail requests, send a money order to avoid any risk of rejection.

Indiana Code IC 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act, makes divorce decrees generally public. Anyone may request a copy. Portions of a case file that include Social Security numbers, financial affidavits, or court-sealed material may not be accessible. The Indiana courts public records page explains the process. For free legal guidance in the Jackson County area, Indiana Legal Help and the Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center are available at no cost.

The Jackson County Clerk's resource page in Brownstown covers court record access, filing procedures, and contact information for the county's courts.

Cities in Jackson County

Brownstown is the county seat and the location of the courthouse and clerk's office. Other communities in Jackson County include Seymour, Crothersville, Medora, and Cortland. None of these communities meet the 25,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All Jackson County residents file divorce cases and request decree copies through the clerk's office in Brownstown.

Nearby Counties

Each neighboring county clerk office maintains its own divorce decree records for cases filed there.