Hammond Divorce Records

Hammond divorce records are maintained by the Lake County Circuit Court Clerk in Crown Point -- Hammond residents must file dissolution of marriage cases and request records at the Lake County Courthouse, about 20 miles south of the city.

Lake County Handles Hammond Divorce Records

Hammond is the largest city in Lake County but is not the county seat. Crown Point serves as the county seat, and that is where the Lake County Circuit Court Clerk's main office is located. To access or file divorce records for Hammond, you must go to Crown Point at 2293 N. Main St -- about a 20-mile drive south from Hammond.

Lake County has both a Circuit Court and multiple Superior Courts. All of these courts handle family law cases, and the clerk at Crown Point maintains records for all of them. There is no Hammond-specific court for divorce. All Hammond cases are part of the Lake County court system.

Lake County Superior Court also has a courthouse at 15 W. Fourth Ave in Gary, which is closer to Hammond than Crown Point. Some court operations take place at the Gary location. However, the main clerk's office and primary records system remain in Crown Point. Confirm which location handles your specific need before making a trip.

Lake County Clerk Contact Info

The Lake County Clerk is Michael A. Brown. The main office is in Crown Point.

• Clerk: Michael A. Brown
• Address: 2293 N. Main St, Crown Point, IN 46307
• Phone: 219-755-3460
• Fee Schedule: lakecountyin.gov/departments/clerk-circuit-superior
• Website: lakecountyin.gov/departments/clerk

Standard hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The Crown Point location is accessible by car from Hammond via I-65 South. Plan for the drive when scheduling your visit.

How to Search Hammond Divorce Records

The fastest way to check for a case is Indiana's free statewide portal at mycase.in.gov. Search by party name or case number. Lake County cases appear here, including those filed by Hammond residents. Most cases from the past decade or so are searchable online at no cost. This saves a trip to Crown Point when you just need to confirm a case exists or find a case number.

In-person access at the Crown Point courthouse is the best option when you need certified copies or when you want to review the full case file. Bring a photo ID and the names of the parties. Staff can pull the file. If you have the case number from MyCase, bring it along to speed up the process.

Lake County has specific rules about payment at the counter. Cases filed in the clerk's office must be paid by cash or money order. E-filed cases can be paid electronically. American Express is not accepted at the counter. Credit card payments at the counter carry a 3% convenience fee. Come prepared with the right payment method to avoid delays.

Mail requests are an option. Write to the clerk at 2293 N. Main St, Crown Point, IN 46307. Include party names, the approximate year of divorce, and a money order for estimated fees. Add a return envelope. Allow extra time for mail requests.

Divorce Filing Requirements in Hammond

Indiana Code 31-15-2-6 requires that one spouse live in Indiana for at least six months and in Lake County for at least three months before filing. Hammond is in Lake County, so your time living there counts. If you just moved to Hammond from another state, you may need to wait before the county has jurisdiction.

Once the petition is filed, Indiana Code 31-15-2-10 imposes a 60-day waiting period. No final decree can be entered until 60 days have passed from the filing date. This rule applies to all divorce cases, regardless of whether both parties agree on every issue.

The Lake County filing fee structure is: $177 for a divorce without children (case type DN) or with children (case type DC). An optional $28 sheriff fee may apply for service of process. These are the fees for cases filed directly at the clerk's office. E-filed cases may have different payment processing. The full fee schedule is at lakecountyin.gov/departments/clerk-circuit-superior.

Types of Divorce Records Available

Lake County Clerk records for Hammond divorce cases include:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage -- the opening document
• Service and summons records -- proof the other party was notified
• Provisional orders -- temporary custody or financial rulings
• Settlement agreements -- negotiated terms on property or support
• Final decree of dissolution -- the court's order ending the marriage
• Post-decree motions and orders -- modifications or enforcement actions after the divorce

Records involving children may have restricted portions. Ask the clerk which documents are available for public access in a specific case.

Fees and Access Options

MyCase is free to search. Copies at the courthouse cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $3.00 to $5.00 per document as a certification fee. Bring exact change or a money order for in-person payments. Credit card use at the counter adds a 3% fee, and American Express is not accepted.

For legal help, Indiana Legal Help lists services for Lake County residents. Legal Aid of Northwest Indiana also serves Hammond and other Lake County communities with free legal services for qualifying residents.

The Lake County Clerk at 2293 N. Main St in Crown Point manages all Hammond divorce records. See lakecountyin.gov/departments/clerk for current hours and access details.

Nearby Indiana Cities

Lake County Court Resources

All Hammond divorce cases are filed in Lake County. Visit the county page for more resources.