Washington County Divorce Decree Records
Washington County divorce decree records are kept by the Clerk of Courts at Suite 102 of the courthouse building at 801 S. Jackson Street in Salem, Indiana. To find a divorce decree or request a certified copy filed in Washington County, the clerk's office is your starting point. You can search basic case information online through Indiana's MyCase portal, but certified copies of divorce decrees must be requested from the clerk in Salem directly.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Clerk of Courts Office
The Washington County Clerk of Courts is the official record keeper for all trial court cases in the county. This includes every dissolution of marriage case filed in the Washington County Circuit Court. The clerk receives initial divorce petitions, records court hearings and proceedings, and maintains the final decree once the court grants the dissolution. To get a certified copy of a Washington County divorce decree, you contact this office in Salem.
| Office | Washington County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 801 S. Jackson Street, Suite 102, Salem, IN 47167 |
| Phone | (812) 883-5748 |
| clerk@washingtoncounty.in.gov | |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| County Website | washingtoncounty.in.gov |
| Clerk's Page | Court Clerk Page |
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can also contact the clerk by email at clerk@washingtoncounty.in.gov. The Indiana Judicial Branch's Washington County page provides links to court contacts, local rules, and circuit information. This is a good starting point if you have questions specific to the local court structure.
Search Washington County Divorce Records
Online case searching for Washington County divorce records is available through Indiana's MyCase portal. Enter the names of both parties or a case number to find basic case data such as filing date, case status, and court event history. MyCase provides case-level information only. It does not display the full text of a divorce decree or allow document downloads.
In-person searches are available at the clerk's office at Suite 102, 801 S. Jackson Street in Salem, during regular business hours. Bring the full names of both parties and the approximate date the divorce was filed. A case number makes the search faster. For older cases, some records may need to be retrieved from off-site storage, so calling ahead is helpful.
You can also reach the clerk by email at clerk@washingtoncounty.in.gov with questions about a specific case or what information to bring for an in-person visit.
Requesting a Certified Washington County Divorce Decree
Certified copies of Washington County divorce decrees are not available online. You must contact the clerk's office in Salem directly. In-person visits are the most efficient. Visit Suite 102 at 801 S. Jackson Street during business hours, provide the case details, pay the fee, and you typically receive your copy the same day.
For mail requests, write to the Washington County Clerk at 801 S. Jackson Street, Suite 102, Salem, IN 47167. Your request should include the full names of both parties, the approximate date the divorce was finalized, the case number if available, your return address, and payment for the applicable fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests typically take 7 to 10 business days to process and return.
Note: Call (812) 883-5748 or email clerk@washingtoncounty.in.gov to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods before submitting a request.
Washington County Divorce Record Fees
Washington County follows Indiana's standard court record fee schedule. The copy rate is $1.00 per page. Certification costs $3.00 per document, effective since July 1, 2021. A one-page certified divorce decree costs $4.00 in total. Each additional page adds $1.00. Contact the clerk's office to confirm accepted payment methods before you visit or mail a request. Most Indiana county offices take cash and money orders. Ask about credit cards when you call.
For very old Washington County divorce records, some historical filings may be stored at the Indiana State Archives at 6440 E. 30th St, Indianapolis, (317) 591-5220. Check with the Washington County Clerk first to confirm where older records are held before heading to Indianapolis.
Indiana Divorce Laws and Washington County Courts
To file for divorce in Washington County, Indiana law requires at least one spouse to have lived in Indiana for six months and in Washington County for three months. This residency requirement is set by IC 31-15-2-6 and determines which county court has jurisdiction and which clerk keeps the resulting divorce decree.
Under IC 31-15-2-10, Indiana courts cannot finalize a divorce until 60 days after the petition is filed. The waiting period applies in Washington County just as it does everywhere in Indiana. The divorce decree is issued only after those 60 days pass and the judge signs the final order. Marital assets are divided under equitable distribution principles found in IC 31-15-7. Washington County Circuit Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases in the county.
Free divorce filing resources are available through the Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center. Free legal aid referrals are at Indiana Legal Help.
Public Access to Washington County Divorce Decrees
Washington County divorce decrees are public records under Indiana Code IC 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act. Any person can request to view or copy a divorce decree from the clerk's office without being a party to the case. Some parts of divorce records are restricted. Financial affidavits, records containing Social Security numbers, and sealed file sections are not open to the general public.
The Indiana courts public records request page explains your rights and the process for requesting court records across Indiana. If a portion of the record is sealed, you need a court order to access those sections.
Legal Help for Washington County Divorce Cases
Washington 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 provides dissolution of marriage forms and plain-language guides for people without an attorney. Indiana Legal Help connects Hoosiers with free and low-cost legal services statewide.
The clerk's office staff in Salem can direct you to the right forms and explain what the court requires, but they cannot give legal advice. For official court information, the Washington County government website and the Indiana Judicial Branch page are the best sources.
The Washington County Court Clerk's page provides information about records and services available to residents.
The Washington County Clerk's Office at 801 S. Jackson Street in Salem handles all divorce decree filings and can assist residents with finding or copying records from county court cases.
Cities in Washington County
Salem is the county seat of Washington County and home to the courthouse and clerk's office. Other communities in the county include Campbellsburg, Fredericksburg, and Pekin. None of these towns meet the 25,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All Washington County divorce decree records are filed at the clerk's office at 801 S. Jackson Street in Salem.
Nearby Counties
Washington County borders several Indiana counties; each clerk's office handles divorce records for its own jurisdiction.