Clinton County Divorce Records
Clinton County divorce records are public documents maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Frankfort, Indiana. You can search cases online for free through the state portal or through Clinton County's own court search tool, visit the clerk's office in person, or request copies by mail for divorce filings and decrees from Clinton County courts.
Clinton County Quick Facts
Where Clinton County Divorce Records Are Kept
The Clinton County Circuit Court Clerk, Stephanie Harshbarger, maintains all divorce records for the county. The clerk's office is at 265 Courthouse Square, Frankfort, IN 46041. The phone number is 765-659-6335. All family law case files, including dissolution of marriage proceedings, are stored in this office from the initial petition through final judgment and any post-decree orders. The clerk is the official keeper of record for every court case filed in Clinton County.
Clinton County has both a Circuit Court and a Superior Court that handle civil and family law cases. The clerk's office at Courthouse Square serves both courts and maintains a single central record for all filings. When you contact the office, staff can search by party name or case number and pull files for in-person review. For older cases, records may be stored off-site. Calling ahead at 765-659-6335 before visiting helps ensure the file you need is ready when you get there.
Clinton County offers an online record search through the Clinton County Courts website at clintoncountycourts.org/recordSearch.php. This tool lets you search Clinton County court records directly. The Clinton County Clerk's main website is at clintonco.com/clerk/. Both are useful resources. The Indiana Courts directory also lists Clinton County court contacts.
Clinton County provides its own online record search at clintoncountycourts.org/recordSearch.php and the clerk's office information is at clintonco.com/clerk.
The Clinton County Clerk's office at Courthouse Square in Frankfort maintains all dissolution of marriage case files and supports both online and in-person record searches.
How to Search Clinton County Divorce Records
Clinton County offers two main online options. First is MyCase Indiana, the state's free public case portal that covers all Indiana counties including Clinton County. You can search by name or case number and see case status, party information, and document lists. Second is Clinton County's own online search at clintoncountycourts.org/recordSearch.php, which may offer more specific access to local case information. Neither tool requires an account or a fee to use.
For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 265 Courthouse Square in Frankfort. Bring the names of both parties and an approximate filing date. Staff can pull the file and let you review documents at the counter. You can request copies at the time of your visit and pay the applicable fees. Mail requests go to the same address. Include a written description of the case, the fee payment, and a self-addressed return envelope. The Indiana Courts public records guide explains the formal mail process step by step.
If you need free guidance on understanding Clinton County divorce records or your rights when requesting them, Indiana Legal Help is a statewide resource for family law questions.
Clinton County Divorce Filing Requirements
To file for divorce in Clinton County, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Clinton County for at least three months before filing. This requirement is set by Indiana Code 31-15-2-6. If the county residency requirement is not met, the petition cannot be filed in Clinton County and must go to another Indiana county where one of the spouses qualifies.
Indiana's 60-day waiting period under IC 31-15-2-10 applies in Clinton County. A final decree cannot be entered until at least 60 days have passed from the date the petition was filed and served. Both sides agreeing on everything does not remove this requirement. The 60 days must pass before the judge can sign the final order, no matter how smoothly the case is going. Once the waiting period is done and all required court steps are complete, the judge enters the decree.
File your divorce petition at the Clinton County Clerk's office at Courthouse Square in Frankfort. Pay the filing fee, receive a case number, and have the other party served. The case then moves through the Clinton County courts. Uncontested cases with no disputes tend to resolve more quickly than contested ones. Cases involving children, significant property, or disagreements about support require more time and often need hearings before a judge.
Indiana is a no-fault state. The standard legal ground for divorce is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. You do not have to prove that either spouse did something wrong. The court's focus is on resolving practical issues: property division, support, and custody if applicable. The Indiana Courts directory can help you find specific contact information for Clinton County courts.
Types of Divorce Records in Clinton County
A Clinton County divorce case file begins with the petition for dissolution of marriage. From there, the file grows to include the summons, proof of service, financial disclosure forms, motions, temporary orders, settlement agreements, parenting plans if applicable, and the final decree. Every document filed in the case becomes a permanent part of the record maintained by the clerk's office at Courthouse Square.
Contested cases generate more documents. Motions and responses, hearing transcripts, interim court orders, and other materials accumulate in the file over time. Most of this is publicly accessible unless the court has specifically restricted portions. Parts involving minor children's welfare or sealed financial information may not be fully available for public inspection. The clerk can tell you what is open for any specific file.
A certified copy of the final decree is what most people need to prove a divorce legally. Clinton County Clerk's office issues certified copies with the court seal and the clerk's signature. These are accepted for name changes, remarriage, benefits updates, and government ID changes. Standard uncertified copies are available at a lower rate for general reference. Both types are available from the clerk's office in Frankfort.
Fees for Clinton County Divorce Records
Filing a dissolution petition in Clinton County costs in the $157 to $177 range, consistent with Indiana's standard fees. Additional costs may arise for serving the other party, filing motions, and other steps in the case process.
Standard copy fees in Indiana are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $3 to $5 per document. A certified decree typically costs $4 to $6. Pay in person at the clerk's office or by money order for mail requests. Call 765-659-6335 to confirm the current fee schedule before visiting or sending a payment.
Public Access to Clinton County Divorce Records
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3 makes Clinton County divorce records public. Anyone can ask to view or copy a divorce case file without being a party to the case and without stating a reason. The right to access court records belongs to the public under state law.
Some restrictions apply. Parts of files related to minor children's welfare, sealed financial disclosures, or materials the court has specifically protected are not available for general inspection. The clerk handles these on a case-by-case basis and can tell you what is open for any specific file. If something is restricted, the clerk will explain the process for seeking access if you believe you have a right to it.
Free online case searches are available through MyCase Indiana and through Clinton County's own records search. For physical records or certified copies, visit the clerk at 265 Courthouse Square in Frankfort or submit a mail request. The Indiana Courts public records guide covers formal request procedures. Indiana Legal Help provides free guidance on records access and family law questions.