Find Divorce Decree Records in Union County

Union County divorce decree records are kept by the Clerk of Circuit Court at the Union County Courthouse in Liberty, Indiana. The clerk has maintained marriage, divorce, probate, and court records since 1821. To find a Union County divorce decree or request a certified copy, start with the clerk's office in Liberty. Basic case information can be searched online through MyCase, but certified copies require a direct request to the clerk.

Union County Clerk of Courts Office

The Union County Clerk of Circuit Court serves as the official record keeper for all trial court cases in Union County. As the research notes, "Among the judicial functions are maintaining records of case filing (complaints and initial pleadings), motions, pleadings, evidence and keeping a record of Judgments, orders and decrees of the Circuit Court." This includes all dissolution of marriage cases and the final decrees the court issues. The clerk's office also administers elections, issues marriage licenses, and receives passport applications.

The Union County Courthouse is located at 26 W Union Street in Liberty. The clerk's office operates on the standard Monday through Friday schedule. The Indiana Judicial Branch's Union County page has links to court contacts and local judicial information. Union County court records are also accessible through the Indiana State Court Administration website for basic case information.

Records at the Union County clerk's office date back to 1821. This is one of the longer-running court record collections in Indiana, and the clerk holds marriage, divorce, and probate records spanning nearly two centuries.

Search Union County Divorce Records

For online searches, use Indiana's MyCase portal. Search by party names or case number to find basic information about a Union County divorce case. MyCase returns case data like filing dates, case numbers, and status. It does not provide the full text of the decree or allow downloads of the actual document.

In-person searching is available at the clerk's office in Liberty. Bring the names of both parties and the approximate date of the divorce if you can. Case numbers help speed things up. For older cases, records may need to be pulled from storage, so calling ahead is wise. Union County court records go back to 1821, but the oldest records may require additional time to locate.

Requesting a Certified Union County Divorce Decree

Certified copies of Union County divorce decrees are not available for download. You need to contact the clerk's office in Liberty directly. In-person visits are the fastest option. Walk in during business hours, provide the case details, pay the fee, and you can usually get your copy the same day. Staff can look up records by party name if you do not have a case number.

For mail requests, send a written request to the Union County Clerk at 26 W Union Street, Liberty, IN 47353. Your letter should include the full names of both parties, the approximate date the divorce was finalized, the case number if you have it, your mailing address, and payment for the applicable fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests typically take 7 to 10 business days.

Note: Call (765) 458-6121 before sending a mail request to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods.

Union County Divorce Record Fees

Indiana sets standard copy fees for court records. The rate is $1.00 per page for copies and $3.00 for certification, effective since July 1, 2021. A one-page certified divorce decree costs $4.00 total. Additional pages add $1.00 each. Most county clerks in Indiana accept cash and money orders. Credit cards and personal checks vary by office, so confirm payment methods before you visit or send a mail request.

For older Union County records from the 1800s and early 1900s, some may have been transferred to state archives. The Indiana State Archives at 6440 E. 30th St, Indianapolis, (317) 591-5220, holds historical records from county courts statewide. Contact the Union County Clerk first to find out whether older records are still in the courthouse or have been archived.

Indiana Divorce Laws and Union County Courts

Filing for divorce in Union County requires meeting Indiana's residency rules. Under IC 31-15-2-6, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Union County for three months before filing there. This sets where the case is heard and which county keeps the divorce decree.

Indiana also requires a 60-day waiting period under IC 31-15-2-10 before a court can issue a final divorce decree. The decree is not issued the day you file. It comes after the waiting period passes and the court enters its final order. Marital property is divided following equitable distribution rules under IC 31-15-7. Union County Circuit Court handles dissolution of marriage cases for the county.

People going through a divorce without legal counsel can use the Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center for free forms and instructions. Indiana Legal Help also provides free and low-cost legal aid resources.

Public Access to Union County Divorce Decrees

Union County divorce decrees are generally public records under IC 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act. Any person can request to inspect or copy a divorce decree without being a party to the case. Some parts of these records are protected. Financial affidavits, Social Security numbers, and sealed portions of files are restricted and not available to the public without a court order.

The Indiana courts public records request page covers your rights and the process for requesting records in Indiana courts. If part of a record is sealed, you would need to petition the court to access it.

Legal Help for Union County Divorce Cases

Union County residents who need help finding a divorce decree or navigating the divorce process have access to free resources. The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center has dissolution of marriage forms and step-by-step guides written in plain language. Indiana Legal Help connects people with free and low-cost legal aid services across Indiana.

Clerk's staff in Liberty can point you to the correct forms and explain what the court needs. They cannot give legal advice. For official court and judicial information, the Union County government website and the Indiana Judicial Branch page are the best sources.

The Union County Clerk's Office in Liberty handles all divorce decree filings and can assist you with locating or copying records from cases filed in Union County courts.

Cities in Union County

Liberty is the county seat of Union County and the location of the courthouse and clerk's office. Other communities in Union County include Brownsville, Millville, and West College Corner. None meet the 25,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page. All divorce decree records for Union County residents are filed at the clerk's office in Liberty regardless of which town you live in.

Nearby Counties

Union County borders several Indiana and Ohio counties; the clerk offices listed below each handle divorce records for their own jurisdiction.