Schererville Divorce Records

Schererville divorce records are maintained by the Lake County Clerk at 2293 N. Main Street in Crown Point, about 15 to 20 miles from Schererville, where all Lake County dissolution of marriage petitions are filed and stored under Indiana's court record system.

Lake County Handles Schererville Divorce Records

Schererville is a town in Lake County, Indiana. The Lake County seat is Crown Point, and that is where the Lake County Clerk's office is located. All Schererville residents who need to file for divorce or access records in person must go to Crown Point. The drive from Schererville is roughly 15 to 20 miles, taking about 25 to 30 minutes depending on traffic on Route 30 or US-41.

Schererville has a Town Court under Judge Randy Wyllie, located at 25 E. Joliet Street, phone 219-865-5579. The Schererville Town Court handles local matters such as ordinance violations and traffic cases. It does not have jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, support, or any family law matter. Those cases all go through the Lake County court system.

All Lake County divorce cases, whether they involve residents of Schererville, Merrillville, Hammond, or anywhere else in the county, are handled by the same Lake County courts and the same county clerk in Crown Point.

The Lake County Clerk, Michael A. Brown, is the official custodian of all Lake County court records, including all dissolution of marriage cases. The clerk's office is the right place to go for divorce records, not the Schererville Town Hall or the Town Court.

Lake County Clerk Contact Information

Lake County Clerk: Michael A. Brown. Address: 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307. Phone: 219-755-3460.

The Lake County Government Complex on North Main Street in Crown Point is the central hub for all Lake County court records. This is where Schererville residents go to file a divorce petition, request certified copies of a decree, or look up information on an existing case in person.

The Schererville Town Hall is at 25 E. Joliet Street, schererville.org. Town Hall handles local government administration, not court records. Do not contact Town Hall for divorce records.

The Lake County Clerk's office and resources are shown below.

The Lake County Clerk fee schedule is available at lakecountyin.gov/departments/clerk-circuit-superior, which lists filing fees, payment types, and other important details for divorce case access.

How to Search Schererville Divorce Records

Online via MyCase: The easiest option for most Schererville residents is mycase.in.gov, the Indiana Supreme Court's free public case portal. Search by party name or case number and select "Domestic Relations" under case type to find divorce cases. Lake County uses the statewide Odyssey system, so MyCase reflects current data for most modern cases. No trip to Crown Point is needed for basic case information.

In person: When you need certified copies or physical documents, visit the Lake County Clerk at 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point. Staff can pull case files and process copy requests. Bring the full names of both parties and an approximate year of filing. A case number, if you have it, will speed up the process.

By mail: Send written requests to the Lake County Clerk at 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307. Include both party names, case year, your return address, and payment for any applicable copy fees. Mail requests take longer to process than in-person or email requests.

Filing for Divorce in Lake County

Schererville residents file divorce petitions at the Lake County Clerk's office in Crown Point. The standard filing fee is $177. An optional $28 sheriff service fee applies if the other party needs formal service by a sheriff's deputy.

Divorce case types are coded as DN (without children) and DC (with children). Indicate the correct type when you file. The clerk will assign the case to one of the Lake County courts.

For in-person payments, cash and money orders are required for cases filed in person at the counter. E-filed cases allow electronic payment. Major credit and debit cards are accepted for face-to-face transactions, but American Express is not accepted, and a 3% convenience fee applies to card payments. A valid ID matching the card is required. As the clerk's office states: "ALL CASES FILED IN CLERK OFFICE SHALL BE PAID CASH MONEY ORDER. E-FILED CASES CAN BE PROCESSED USING ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS."

Residency Requirements and Waiting Period

To file for divorce in Lake County, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Lake County for three months before filing. See IC 31-15-2-6. Time living in Schererville counts toward the Lake County residency requirement.

Indiana law requires a 60-day waiting period from the date the other party is served with the petition before the divorce can be finalized. Per IC 31-15-2-10, the clock starts from service, not from filing. Many cases take longer than 60 days.

Indiana is a no-fault divorce state. The legal ground is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. No proof of fault is needed. Attorneys e-file all documents. Self-represented parties can file in person at the Crown Point clerk's office. Free legal resources are available at Indiana Legal Help for Lake County residents.

Types of Divorce Records

Lake County divorce case files include the original petition, any response from the other party, temporary orders, financial disclosures, parenting plans if children are involved, child support worksheets, settlement agreements, and the final decree. Post-decree filings such as modification petitions are added to the same case file and are generally public unless sealed.

Standard copies cost around $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more and include the clerk's official seal, needed for legal name changes, QDRO for retirement account division, or other official purposes. Some financial exhibits and records involving minor children may be restricted. Ask the clerk what is available for a specific case before you pay for copies.

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying Indiana cities near Schererville include Crown Point, Merrillville, Hobart, Valparaiso, and Portage.

Lake County Court Resources

For complete Lake County divorce records information, courthouse details, and local filing procedures, visit the county page.