Search Decatur County Divorce Records
Decatur County divorce records are public documents maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Greensburg, Indiana. You can search these records through Indiana's free online case portal, visit the clerk's office in Greensburg, or submit a mail request for copies of divorce filings and decrees from Decatur County courts.
Decatur County Quick Facts
Where Decatur County Divorce Records Are Kept
The Decatur County Circuit Court Clerk, Janet Howell, holds all divorce records for cases filed in Decatur County. The clerk's office is at 150 Courthouse Square, Suite 244, Greensburg, IN 47240. You can reach the office at 812-663-8223. Every dissolution of marriage case filed in Decatur County, from the initial petition through the final decree, is stored in this office. The clerk maintains the official record for all civil and family law cases in Decatur County courts.
Greensburg is the county seat of Decatur County, located in south-central Indiana. The clerk's office at Courthouse Square is the central location for all court records in the county. 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 the office at 812-663-8223 before your visit is a good step to make sure the specific file you need is available when you arrive.
The official Decatur County Clerk page is at decaturcounty.in.gov/clerk/. This page has contact details and general information about the clerk's services. The Indiana Courts directory also lists Decatur County court contacts if you need them.
Official Decatur County Clerk information is at decaturcounty.in.gov/clerk.
The Decatur County Clerk's office at Courthouse Square in Greensburg maintains all dissolution of marriage case files and provides public access to divorce records for the county.
How to Search Decatur County Divorce Records
Start with MyCase Indiana, the Indiana Supreme Court's free public case portal. It covers Decatur County and lets you search by party name or case number at no cost. You can see case status, filing dates, party names, and a list of filed documents. Some documents are available to view online. Others require visiting the clerk's office in Greensburg or submitting a formal records request. No account is needed to search MyCase.
To search in person, go to 150 Courthouse Square, Suite 244 in Greensburg. Bring the names of both parties and an approximate filing year. Staff can look up the case and pull the file for review at the counter. You can ask for copies on the spot and pay the applicable fees. Mail requests go to the same address. Write a clear description of the case you are looking for, include the fee payment, and add a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Indiana Courts public records guide explains the formal mail request process.
For free help understanding what you find or navigating the records request process, Indiana Legal Help provides statewide guidance on family law and court records throughout Indiana.
Decatur County Divorce Filing Requirements
To file for divorce in Decatur County, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Decatur County for at least three months before filing the petition. Indiana Code 31-15-2-6 establishes this residency rule. If neither spouse meets the county residency threshold, the petition cannot go to Decatur County and must be filed in another Indiana county where one of the parties qualifies.
Indiana's mandatory 60-day waiting period applies in Decatur County under IC 31-15-2-10. A court cannot enter a final decree of dissolution until at least 60 days have passed from the date the petition was filed and the other party was served. This waiting period is required in every case, whether contested or not. Both parties agreeing on everything does not eliminate the waiting period. The 60 days must pass before the judge can sign the final order.
File the petition at the Decatur County Clerk's office at Courthouse Square in Greensburg. Pay the filing fee, receive a case number, and have the other party served with the summons and petition. The case then moves through the Decatur County Circuit Court. Simple uncontested cases where both parties agree can resolve relatively quickly after the waiting period passes. Cases involving disputes over property, custody, or support take longer and often require hearings before the judge will issue a final decree.
Indiana is a no-fault state. The standard ground for divorce is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, and you do not have to prove any wrongdoing. The court's job is to address what happens going forward: property division, support if applicable, and custody if children are part of the case. The Indiana Courts directory lists Decatur County court contact information if you need to reach the courthouse directly.
Types of Divorce Records in Decatur County
Decatur County divorce case files contain several types of documents. The file starts with the petition for dissolution of marriage. From there, additional documents may include the summons, proof of service, financial disclosures, motions from either party, temporary orders issued during the case, property settlement agreements, parenting plans if children are involved, and the final decree. All of these become part of the permanent public record stored by the clerk's office.
In contested cases, the file grows larger. Motions, responses, hearing transcripts, and interim court orders accumulate in the record. These are public documents unless the court has restricted specific portions. Parts of files involving minor children's welfare or sealed financial information may have limited access under Indiana court rules. The clerk's office can tell you what is available for any specific case you request.
A certified copy of the final decree is what most people need to prove a divorce legally. The Decatur County Clerk's office issues certified copies that carry the court seal and the clerk's signature. These are accepted for name changes, remarriage, government ID updates, insurance changes, and similar purposes. Standard uncertified copies are also available at a lower per-page rate. Both types can be obtained from the clerk's office at Courthouse Square in Greensburg.
Fees for Decatur County Divorce Records
Filing a dissolution petition in Decatur County costs in the range of $157 to $177, which aligns with Indiana's standard court filing fees. This is the cost for the initial petition. Additional fees may come up for serving the other party, filing motions, and other steps in the case.
Standard copy fees in Indiana are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $3 to $5 per document. A certified final decree typically runs $4 to $6. Pay in person at the clerk's office or by money order for mail requests. Call 812-663-8223 to confirm the current fee schedule before visiting or sending a payment, as fees can be updated over time.
Public Access to Decatur County Divorce Records
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3 establishes that Decatur County divorce records are open to the public. You do not need to be a party to the case to request access. You do not have to state a reason for your request. The right to view and copy court records is guaranteed by state law, with certain limited exceptions for restricted materials.
Some parts of files are restricted. Records involving minor children's welfare, sealed financial disclosures, and materials specifically protected by court order are not available for general public inspection. The clerk handles these restrictions on a case-by-case basis. If a portion of a file is not available, the clerk will explain why and what options you have if you believe you are entitled to that information.
Free online case searches are available through MyCase Indiana. For physical records or certified copies, visit the clerk at 150 Courthouse Square in Greensburg or submit a mail request. The Indiana Courts public records guide covers formal request procedures. Indiana Legal Help offers free assistance if you have questions about accessing Decatur County divorce records.