Access LaPorte County Divorce Decree Records

LaPorte County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, with offices in both La Porte and Michigan City, Indiana. Clerk Heather Stevens serves as the custodian of all court records including divorce decrees filed in LaPorte County. The clerk's office accepts filings, issues certified copies, and maintains the official court record and seal. If you need to find or request a certified copy of a LaPorte County divorce decree, you can search case information online through Indiana's MyCase portal or contact either clerk location directly during business hours.

LaPorte County Clerk of Courts Locations

The LaPorte County Clerk's Office has locations in two cities. The main office is in La Porte at 813 Lincolnway, Suite 105. A second location serves Michigan City at 300 Washington Street. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Clerk Heather Stevens leads both offices. As the official records, the clerk is "the custodian of the Clerk's record and seal, issues process, accepts filings of commencement of actions in litigation, enters judgments and orders of the court, receives money in their official capacity, makes certified copies of record."

The Indiana Judicial Branch maintains a separate page for LaPorte County courts with contact information and local rules. Courts services information is also available at laporteco.in.gov/courts-services.

LaPorte County Court Locations

LaPorte County has several courts spread across two cities. The Circuit Court is at 813 Lincolnway, Suite 203 in La Porte, phone (219) 326-6808. Superior Court 2 and Superior Court 3 are also in the La Porte courthouse building. Superior Court 1 and Superior Court 4 are in Michigan City at 300 Washington Street, phone (219) 874-5611. Divorce filings can be handled in any of these courts depending on which court is assigned to your case.

When requesting a divorce decree, it helps to know which specific court handled the case. That information is listed in the case details on MyCase. If you are not sure which court to contact, start with the main clerk's office in La Porte at (219) 326-6808 Ext. 2471 and they can direct you.

Search LaPorte County Divorce Decrees Online

Indiana's public case search system, MyCase, allows you to search LaPorte County divorce cases without charge. Search by party name or case number to view filing dates, case numbers, court assignments, and hearing schedules. This is the fastest way to confirm whether a divorce was filed in LaPorte County and to find the case number you need before making a records request.

MyCase does not provide the actual decree document. It shows case information only. To get a copy of the full decree, you must contact the clerk's office directly. The Indiana Public Records Portal also has tools and information for requesting court records across Indiana.

How to Get a Certified LaPorte County Divorce Decree

To request a certified copy of a LaPorte County divorce decree, you can visit either clerk location in person or send a written mail request. In-person visits are handled at the La Porte office at 813 Lincolnway, Suite 105 or at the Michigan City location at 300 Washington Street during business hours, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Bring the names of both parties and the case number if you have it. In-person requests are typically processed quickly.

For mail requests, write to the LaPorte County Clerk at 813 Lincolnway, Suite 105, La Porte, IN 46350. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year the divorce was filed, and your case number if available. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Mail requests typically take several business days to process and return. Call ahead at (219) 326-6808 Ext. 2471 to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods before mailing.

Note: New court cost rates became effective as of July 1, 2021. If your records request references older fee schedules, the new rates will apply at the time of your request.

LaPorte County Divorce Decree Copy Fees

LaPorte County follows Indiana's statewide fee schedule for court records. Since July 1, 2021, the certification fee is $3.00 per certified copy. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. A one-page certified divorce decree costs $4.00 total. A five-page decree costs $8.00: $5.00 in page copies plus $3.00 for certification.

If you need an old decree and the clerk's office does not have it, it may have been transferred to the Indiana State Archives at 6440 E. 30th St in Indianapolis, reachable at (317) 591-5220. They hold historic court records from Indiana counties that have been transferred over the years.

Indiana Divorce Law and LaPorte County Filings

Indiana Code IC 31-15-2-6 requires residency before a divorce can be filed in LaPorte County. One spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in LaPorte County for three months before the case is filed. This is the rule that determines which county holds the record of the decree.

Indiana's 60-day waiting period under IC 31-15-2-10 applies in LaPorte County just as it does everywhere in the state. The court cannot enter a final decree until at least 60 days after the petition is filed. If both parties agree on all terms, they can submit a written agreement and waiver, but the court still must wait the full 60 days. The divorce decree becomes a public record after the court enters its final order.

Under IC 5-14-3, most LaPorte County divorce decrees are open to the public. You do not need to be a party to the case to request a copy. Sealed portions of case files are restricted and would require a court order to access.

Self-Help and Legal Aid in LaPorte County

People who want to handle their own divorce case in LaPorte County can find free help through the Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center. The center has court forms and step-by-step guides for dissolution of marriage in Indiana. Indiana Legal Help connects residents with free and low-cost legal services across the state.

The Indiana courts public records request page is helpful if you want to understand the full process for requesting court records before you contact the clerk's office.

The LaPorte County Clerk's Office serves both La Porte and Michigan City with court record services including certified copies of divorce decrees.

Cities in LaPorte County

LaPorte County includes the city of Michigan City, which meets the 25,000 population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. La Porte is the county seat and the location of the main clerk's office. All divorce decrees for LaPorte County residents are filed at the LaPorte County courts regardless of which city the parties lived in.

City pages for LaPorte County: Michigan City.

Nearby Counties

Neighboring county clerks handle divorce records for their own jurisdictions; use the links below to find the right county page.