Kokomo Divorce Records

Kokomo divorce records are filed and maintained by the Howard County Circuit Court Clerk, located in Kokomo since the city is the Howard County seat -- residents can access dissolution of marriage records and file petitions right in the city.

Howard County and Kokomo Divorce Records

Kokomo is the county seat of Howard County in north-central Indiana. As the county seat, Kokomo is home to the Howard County Courthouse where the Circuit Court Clerk's office is located. Residents do not have to travel to another city to file a divorce petition or request records. The clerk's office at 104 N. Buckeye St, Room 202, is where all Howard County dissolution of marriage cases are filed and maintained.

Howard County has a Circuit Court and Superior Courts. All of these courts can hear family law cases. The clerk processes filings for all courts in the county and keeps a unified records system. When you look up a Kokomo divorce case, you are searching through the Howard County Clerk's records regardless of which specific court handled the case.

Howard County's court system is accessible by phone at 765-456-2000. The clerk's website at in.gov/counties/howard/departments/clerk has information on services, hours, and how to access records. Check this page before your visit for any updated procedures or online options.

Kokomo is a mid-sized Indiana city with a working-class population and a significant automotive manufacturing history. The clerk's office handles a broad range of civil cases. For divorce specifically, the process follows standard Indiana procedure -- file at the courthouse, wait 60 days, then get your decree.

Howard County Clerk Contact Info

The Howard County Circuit Court Clerk is Debra C. Stewart. The office is in the Howard County Courthouse in Kokomo.

• Clerk: Debra C. Stewart
• Address: 104 N. Buckeye St, Room 202, Kokomo, IN 46901
• Phone: 765-456-2000
• Website: in.gov/counties/howard/departments/clerk

Office hours are Monday through Friday during regular courthouse hours. The courthouse is in central Kokomo with parking available nearby. Call 765-456-2000 to ask about specific records or to confirm hours before visiting.

How to Search Kokomo Divorce Records

Indiana's free statewide case portal at mycase.in.gov is the best starting point. Howard County cases appear here. Search by party name or case number at no cost. Most cases from the past 10 to 15 years are in the system with basic case details and some document images. Use this before driving to the courthouse.

The Howard County Clerk's website at in.gov/counties/howard/departments/clerk provides guidance on the clerk's services and how to contact the office. Check it for any online request options specific to Howard County.

For in-person access, go to Room 202 at 104 N. Buckeye St. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties or the case number. Staff can pull files and let you review them. If you need copies, they are $1.00 per page. Certified copies have an additional fee -- see the fees section below.

Mail requests are accepted. Write to the clerk at 104 N. Buckeye St, Room 202, Kokomo, IN 46901. Include party names, the approximate year of the divorce, and a check or money order for estimated fees. Include a return envelope. Allow several business days for processing.

Divorce Filing Requirements in Kokomo

Indiana Code 31-15-2-6 requires that at least one spouse have lived in Indiana for six months and in Howard County for three months before filing a divorce petition. Kokomo is in Howard County, so living in Kokomo satisfies the county requirement. Double-check your dates before filing to avoid a jurisdictional issue.

After filing, Indiana Code 31-15-2-10 sets a 60-day waiting period. No judge can sign a final decree before those 60 days pass from the filing date. Even simple uncontested divorces must go through the full waiting period. There is no exception or shortcut.

Filing fees in Howard County are approximately $157 to $177. The clerk can confirm the exact amount. Additional costs may apply for service of process or specific filings required in your case. If you are filing without an attorney, ask the clerk about the required forms for your specific situation.

Indiana is a no-fault divorce state. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the only grounds you need. You do not have to prove fault by either party.

Types of Divorce Records Available

The Howard County Clerk maintains the following records in dissolution cases:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage -- the document that starts the case
• Summons and service records -- showing the other party received notice
• Provisional orders -- temporary rulings on custody or support
• Settlement agreements -- negotiated terms agreed to by both parties
• Final decree of dissolution -- the court's binding closing order
• Post-decree modifications and orders -- changes after the original decree

Records involving minor children may be restricted. The clerk can let you know which portions of a file are open for public access in a specific case.

Fees and Access

MyCase is free to search. Copies at the courthouse are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $3.00 to $5.00 per document. You need a certified copy of the final decree to change your name on a driver's license, passport, Social Security card, or financial accounts after divorce.

For legal help, Indiana Legal Help serves Howard County. Legal aid organizations in north-central Indiana can assist qualifying Kokomo residents with divorce cases and related family law matters at little or no cost.

The Howard County Clerk at 104 N. Buckeye St in Kokomo manages all local divorce records. Visit in.gov/counties/howard/departments/clerk for current hours and service information.

Nearby Indiana Cities

Howard County Court Resources

All Kokomo divorce cases are filed in Howard County. Visit the county page for more resources.