Adams County Divorce Records
Adams County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Decatur and are open to the public under Indiana law. You can search these records online through the state's free case portal or visit the clerk's office in person to get copies of filings, decrees, and other divorce documents.
Adams County Quick Facts
Where Adams County Divorce Records Are Kept
The Adams County Circuit Court Clerk holds all divorce records filed in the county. The clerk's office is run by Shelly M. Brite and is located at 112 S. 2nd St, Room A, Decatur, IN 46733. You can reach the office by phone at 260-724-5309. The clerk handles civil filings including all family law cases, which means divorce petitions, final decrees, property settlement agreements, and related orders are all stored there.
Adams County is a smaller Indiana county, and the clerk's office serves as the single point of contact for all court records in the county. If you are looking for a divorce case filed in Adams County, this is where you start. The office can tell you whether a case exists, what the current status is, and what documents are available for public inspection. Hours are generally Monday through Friday during regular business hours, but calling ahead to confirm is a good idea before making a trip.
For older Adams County divorce cases, some records may have been transferred to off-site storage or to the Indiana State Archives. The clerk's office can tell you where to look. You can also check the Indiana Courts local page for Adams County for more information about the court system serving the county.
How to Search Adams County Divorce Records
The fastest way to search Adams County divorce records is through MyCase Indiana, the state's free public case search portal. MyCase is run by the Indiana Supreme Court and covers courts across all 92 counties, including Adams County. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show case status, hearing dates, and document listings. MyCase does not always show the full text of sealed or protected documents, but it gives you enough to confirm whether a case exists and what stage it is in.
To search in person, go to the clerk's office at 112 S. 2nd St in Decatur. Staff can pull case files and let you review them at the counter. You can request copies on the spot and pay the per-page fee. Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request with the names of the parties, the approximate filing date if you know it, and a check or money order for the copy fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the response. The clerk's office can also direct you to the Indiana Courts public records request guide if you need more help with the process.
For legal questions about how to read or use divorce records, Indiana Legal Help is a free resource. They can help you understand what documents mean and what your rights are under state law.
Adams County Divorce Filing Requirements
To file for divorce in Adams County, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Adams County for at least three months before filing. This requirement comes from Indiana Code 31-15-2-6. If neither spouse meets the county residency rule, you may need to file in another county where one of you has lived long enough.
Indiana uses a 60-day waiting period for divorces. Under IC 31-15-2-10, a court cannot grant a final divorce decree until at least 60 days have passed from the date the petition was filed and served on the other party. This waiting period applies in Adams County just as it does everywhere else in the state. It does not mean the divorce takes 60 days total. It just means the court will not finalize things any sooner than that, even if both parties agree on everything.
Adams County Circuit Court handles divorce filings. You file your petition at the clerk's office, pay the filing fee, and the clerk assigns a case number. The other party must then be served with copies of the paperwork. From that point, the case moves through the normal family court process. Contested cases involving property, custody, or support can take much longer than 60 days. Simple uncontested cases can sometimes be resolved close to the 60-day mark if all paperwork is in order.
Indiana is a no-fault divorce state. You do not have to prove wrongdoing to get a divorce. The standard legal ground is "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." This applies in Adams County. The court directory at in.gov/courts/directory can help you find the right court location and contact information.
Types of Divorce Records in Adams County
Several different types of documents make up a divorce case file in Adams County. The petition for dissolution of marriage is the first document filed. It starts the case and sets out what the filing party is asking the court to do. After that, you may find the summons, proof of service, financial disclosures, proposed settlement agreements, and orders from the judge. The final decree of dissolution is the document that actually ends the marriage.
In contested cases, the file can grow large. There may be motions, responses, temporary orders, custody evaluations, and transcripts from hearings. All of these are part of the public record unless the court has sealed them. Some parts of divorce files, particularly anything involving minor children, may be restricted from public access under Indiana's access to court records rules. The clerk can tell you which parts of a specific file are open and which are not.
Certified copies of the final decree are what most people need when they want proof of divorce. You can get a certified copy from the Adams County Clerk's office for a small fee. Certified copies carry the court seal and the clerk's signature, which makes them legally valid for things like name changes, remarriage, or updating government IDs.
Fees for Adams County Divorce Records
Filing a divorce petition in Adams County costs around $157 to $177, which is in line with fees across Indiana. This covers the initial court filing. Additional fees may apply for motions, certified copies, or other services during the case.
Copy fees for divorce records in Indiana are generally $1.00 per page for standard copies. Certified copies typically cost an additional $3 to $5 on top of the per-page charge. If you need a copy of the final decree certified for legal use, plan on paying at least $4 to $6 for that document alone, depending on its length. Mail requests require payment in advance and may also include a fee for return postage.
These fees are set by state law and apply across most Indiana counties. The clerk's office at 260-724-5309 can confirm the current fee schedule before you make a trip or send a check. Fees can change, so it is worth asking.
Public Access to Adams County Divorce Records
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, found at IC 5-14-3, makes most court records open to the public. Divorce records in Adams County follow this rule. Anyone can request to see a divorce case file. You do not need to be a party to the case, and you do not have to give a reason for your request.
There are limits. Indiana court rules protect some information in family law cases. Records involving minor children, such as custody orders and child support worksheets, may be partially or fully restricted. Financial affidavits sometimes contain sensitive personal information that courts can restrict from general public access. The clerk's office applies these rules case by case.
Online access through MyCase Indiana is available to anyone with internet access. The portal is free and does not require registration. You can search from home, a library, or anywhere else. For documents not available online, the clerk's office at 112 S. 2nd St in Decatur is your next step. The Indiana Courts public records guide walks through the full process if you have questions about how to make a formal request.
For free legal guidance on navigating Adams County court records, visit Indiana Legal Help. They can explain your rights and help you understand what you are looking at once you find the records you need.
The following image is from MyCase Indiana, the state's official public case search portal used for Adams County records.
MyCase Indiana provides free access to Adams County divorce case filings, hearing schedules, and case status updates without requiring an account.