Knox County Divorce Decree Records

Knox County divorce decree records are held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Knox County Courthouse in Vincennes, Indiana. If you need to find or get a certified copy of a divorce decree filed in Knox County, the clerk's office is your primary source. You can search for basic case information through Indiana's MyCase system, but certified copies of Knox County divorce decrees require a direct request to the clerk either in person at the courthouse or by mail. The office provides certified copies needed for remarriage, name changes, and legal proceedings.

Knox County Clerk of Courts Office

Clerk David Shelton runs the Knox County Clerk's Office on the ground floor of the Knox County Courthouse at 111 North 7th Street in Vincennes. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The clerk handles all court records including divorce decrees, marriage licenses, probate records, and civil court filings. The public records desk at the courthouse is where you go to view case files or submit a request for certified copies.

You can find additional information about Knox County courts and the clerk's functions through the Indiana Judicial Branch Knox County page. The clerk's office can be reached by phone at (812) 885-2521 during business hours.

Search Knox County Divorce Decrees Online

Indiana's public case search portal, MyCase, lets you look up basic information about Knox County divorce cases for free. Search by party name or case number to find filing dates, case types, court assignments, and hearing information. MyCase is a good first step if you want to confirm that a divorce was filed in Knox County or if you need to locate a case number before making a records request.

MyCase does not provide the full text of the divorce decree. It shows case data only. For the actual document, you must contact the Knox County Clerk directly. The Indiana Public Records Portal also has statewide search tools and information on requesting court records from any Indiana county.

Divorce records in Knox County are generally available to the public. Restricted portions of case files, such as sealed financial documents or records with Social Security numbers, are not accessible without a court order.

How to Get a Knox County Divorce Decree Copy

The Knox County Clerk's Office provides certified copies of final divorce decrees for use in remarriage, name changes, and other legal proceedings. Records from cases dating back decades are available. The process for getting a certified copy is straightforward.

For in-person requests, visit the public records desk at the Knox County Courthouse at 111 North 7th Street during business hours. Start by completing a short request form at the clerk's desk or download it online in advance. Give the clerk the names of both parties and the case number if you have it. Pay the fee, then provide delivery instructions if you want the documents mailed. If you pick up in person, certified copies usually take 15 to 30 minutes to process after the clerk handles your request.

For mail requests, send a written request to the Knox County Clerk at 111 North 7th Street, Vincennes, IN 47591. Include party names, the approximate filing year, and the case number if available. Enclose payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests typically take 5 to 7 business days to process and return.

Note: Walk-in visitors often find mid-morning a good time to arrive. Coming in shortly after 9:00 AM can help you avoid longer waits at busy times of day. Always bring a photo ID when visiting the courthouse since security staff may conduct a brief screening at the front door.

Knox County Divorce Decree Fees

Knox County follows Indiana's statewide fee schedule for court records. The copy fee is $1.00 per page for documents up to 11 by 17 inches. The certification fee is $3.00 per document as of July 1, 2021. So a one-page certified divorce decree costs $4.00 total. A five-page decree would be $8.00: $5.00 in page copies plus $3.00 to certify.

Payment is typically made by check or cash at the courthouse. If you are sending a mail request, check with the clerk at (812) 885-2521 about accepted payment methods before mailing. For very old records that may have been transferred to archives, the Indiana State Archives at 6440 E. 30th St in Indianapolis can be reached at (317) 591-5220.

Indiana Divorce Law and Knox County Filings

Indiana Code IC 31-15-2-6 sets the residency requirement for where a divorce must be filed. One spouse must have lived in Indiana for at least six months and in Knox County for at least three months before the case can be filed in Knox County's court. This is the rule that determines which county holds the record of the final decree.

There is also a mandatory 60-day waiting period under IC 31-15-2-10. No court in Indiana can finalize a divorce before 60 days have passed since the petition was filed. The Knox County court will schedule a hearing after that time if the parties have not filed a written agreement and waiver of rights. Only after the court enters its final order does a divorce decree exist as a legal document.

Under IC 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act, most divorce decrees filed in Knox County are public records. You do not have to be a party to the divorce to request a copy. Some restricted portions may require a court order to access.

Legal Help for Knox County Divorce Cases

If you are going through a divorce in Knox County without an attorney, free help is available. The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center provides forms, plain-language instructions, and guides for dissolution of marriage cases. You can find forms for both contested and uncontested divorces there. This is a practical tool for people who want to handle their own case but are not sure where to start.

Indiana Legal Help connects Knox County residents with legal aid organizations and free legal assistance programs across the state. If you need help understanding your rights or the court process, this is a good place to look.

The Knox County Clerk's Office at the Vincennes courthouse handles all divorce decree requests for the county and keeps records going back many decades.

Cities in Knox County

Vincennes is the county seat of Knox County and the location of the courthouse where all divorce decrees are filed. Other communities in the county include Bicknell, Bruceville, and Oaktown. None of the cities in Knox County meet the 25,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All divorce decree records for Knox County residents are held at the clerk's office in Vincennes regardless of which town you live in.

Nearby Counties

Neighboring counties each have their own clerk's offices for divorce decree records; use the links below to navigate to the right county.