Find Divorce Records in Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne divorce records are held by the Allen County Circuit Court Clerk, located in downtown Fort Wayne at the Allen County Courthouse, where all dissolution of marriage cases in the county are filed and maintained.

Allen County and Fort Wayne Divorce Records

Fort Wayne is the county seat of Allen County, Indiana's second-largest city. Because Fort Wayne and Allen County share the same administrative center, residents have an easy time accessing court records. The Allen County Courthouse is right in the city. Divorce filings, final decrees, and case documents all live with the Allen County Circuit Court Clerk at 715 S. Calhoun St, Room 200A.

Allen County has multiple courts that handle dissolution cases. The Circuit Court and several Superior Courts all have jurisdiction over family law matters. The clerk's office files cases for all of these courts and keeps the official record. If you are looking for a divorce from many years ago, older records may be in paper form and require staff assistance to locate.

Copies of documents are available through a separate window. The Allen County Courthouse has a Central Services section in Room 201 where you can pick up document copies for cases already processed. This helps keep the main clerk window from getting backed up with copy requests during busy periods.

Allen County Clerk Contact Info

The Allen County Circuit Court Clerk is Christopher M. Nancarrow. The office is in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne.

• Clerk: Christopher M. Nancarrow
• Address: 715 S. Calhoun St, Room 200A, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
• Phone: 260-449-7245
• Copies: Central Services, Room 201
• Website: allencountycourt.org/marriage-divorce-records

Standard office hours run Monday through Friday. Hours may shift on court holidays. The clerk's website has current hours and information about what you need to bring when requesting records in person.

How to Search Fort Wayne Divorce Records

Indiana's statewide MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov covers Allen County cases. You can search for free by name or case number. Many recent cases show up here with basic case information and some document images. It is the fastest way to check whether a case exists or to get a case number before heading to the courthouse.

The Allen County Courts website at allencountycourt.org/marriage-divorce-records provides specific information about marriage and divorce records in Allen County. This page explains what records are available, how to request them, and what forms of identification you may need.

In-person searches work well for older cases or when you need certified copies right away. Head to Room 200A, give the clerk the names of the parties or the case number, and staff will pull the file. Bring a photo ID. If you are picking up copies from a case already processed, go to Room 201 for Central Services.

Mail requests are possible. Send the request to the clerk's office with party names, approximate case year, and a check or money order for the copy fees. The office will respond by mail once the records are located.

Divorce Filing Requirements in Fort Wayne

Indiana requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months before filing. You also need three months of residency in Allen County specifically. This is set by Indiana Code 31-15-2-6. If you just moved to Fort Wayne, you may need to wait before the county court has jurisdiction over your case.

After filing the petition, Indiana law imposes a 60-day waiting period before any final decree can be entered. This rule comes from Indiana Code 31-15-2-10. Both contested and uncontested divorces must wait. The clock starts on the date the petition is filed, not when service is completed on the other spouse.

Filing fees in Allen County run approximately $157 to $177. Cases involving children or significant assets may require additional filings that can add to the overall cost. The clerk's office can give you an exact fee quote when you arrive.

Indiana is a no-fault divorce state. The only ground required is that the marriage has broken down irreversibly. You do not need to prove fault or wrongdoing by either spouse to get a divorce.

Types of Divorce Records in Allen County

The Allen County Clerk holds a range of records tied to every dissolution case:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage -- the opening document that starts the case
• Notice and service records -- showing the other party received notice
• Provisional orders -- temporary rulings while the case is open
• Property settlement agreements -- any negotiated deal on assets
• Final decree -- the order ending the marriage
• Post-decree modifications -- changes to custody, support, or property orders

Some documents may be confidential by law, especially those involving minor children. The clerk can tell you which portions of a file are open to public view.

Fees and Access

Searching MyCase online is free. Copies at the courthouse cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a certification fee of $3.00 to $5.00 per document. A certified copy of the final decree is commonly needed for name changes on official ID or for refinancing a home after divorce.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, Indiana Legal Help provides information and connects people with low-cost legal services across the state, including in Allen County.

The Allen County Circuit Court Clerk at 715 S. Calhoun St maintains all Fort Wayne divorce records. See allencountycourt.org/marriage-divorce-records for details on requesting records.

Allen County Court Resources

All Fort Wayne divorce cases are filed in Allen County. Visit the county page for more resources.