DeKalb County Divorce Records
DeKalb County divorce records are public documents maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Auburn, Indiana. You can search for divorce case records online through the state's free MyCase portal, visit the clerk's office in person, or request copies by mail for divorce filings and decrees from DeKalb County courts.
DeKalb County Quick Facts
Where DeKalb County Divorce Records Are Kept
The DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk, Dana Hedrick, maintains all divorce records filed in the county. The clerk's office is at 100 S. Main St, Auburn, IN 46706. The phone number is 260-333-0701. All family law cases including dissolution of marriage proceedings are stored in this office from the initial petition through the final decree. The clerk is the official keeper of record for all civil court cases filed in DeKalb County courts.
Auburn is the county seat of DeKalb County in northeastern Indiana. The clerk's office at 100 S. Main St handles records for the DeKalb County Circuit Court and Superior Court. When you contact the office, staff can look up cases by party name or case number and pull files for review. For older records, some cases may be stored off-site. Calling the office at 260-333-0701 before making the trip to Auburn is a practical step, especially for cases filed many years ago.
The state's court portal at MyCase Indiana covers DeKalb County cases. The Indiana Courts directory lists DeKalb County court contacts for the clerk and individual courts. The clerk's office at 100 S. Main St in Auburn is your direct contact for physical records and certified copies.
Search DeKalb County divorce cases online for free through MyCase Indiana.
MyCase Indiana provides free public access to DeKalb County divorce case records, including case status, filing dates, and document listings for all courts in the county.
How to Search DeKalb County Divorce Records
The best place to start is MyCase Indiana, the Indiana Supreme Court's free public case search portal. It covers all Indiana counties including DeKalb County. You can search by party name or case number and see case status, filing dates, and a list of filed documents. Some documents are viewable in full online; others require an in-person visit to the clerk's office or a formal records request. No account or payment is needed.
For in-person access, go to 100 S. Main St in Auburn. Bring the names of both parties and an approximate filing year. Staff can search the index and pull the file for review at the counter. You can request copies on the spot and pay the applicable fees. Mail requests go to the same address. Write a description of the case you need, include payment, and enclose a self-addressed stamped return envelope. The Indiana Courts public records guide walks through the mail request process step by step.
For free guidance on reading DeKalb County divorce records or understanding your rights when requesting them, Indiana Legal Help is a statewide resource for family law matters.
DeKalb County Divorce Filing Requirements
To file for divorce in DeKalb County, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in DeKalb County for at least three months before filing the petition. Indiana Code 31-15-2-6 establishes this residency requirement. If neither spouse meets the three-month county residency rule, the petition cannot be filed in DeKalb County and must go to another Indiana county where one of the parties qualifies.
Indiana's mandatory 60-day waiting period under IC 31-15-2-10 applies in DeKalb County. No final divorce decree can be entered until at least 60 days have passed from the date the petition was filed and served on the other party. This requirement applies whether the case is contested or fully uncontested. Even when both parties reach agreement on all terms immediately, the 60-day waiting period must pass before the judge can sign the final decree.
You file the petition at the DeKalb County Clerk's office at 100 S. Main St in Auburn. Pay the filing fee, receive a case number, and arrange for the other party to be served with the summons and petition. The case then moves through the DeKalb County courts. Uncontested cases where both sides agree on all terms tend to move through the system more efficiently. Cases involving disputes over property, custody, or support take longer and may require hearings before a judge will finalize the divorce.
Indiana does not require proof of fault. The ground for divorce is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The court handles the practical matters going forward: property division, support if applicable, and custody and parenting time if children are involved. The Indiana Courts directory has DeKalb County court contact information if you need it.
Types of Divorce Records in DeKalb County
A DeKalb County divorce case file starts with the petition for dissolution of marriage. Additional documents build on that foundation: the summons, proof of service, financial disclosure statements, any motions filed by either party, temporary orders the court enters during the case, settlement agreements, parenting plans if applicable, and the final decree. Each document filed in the case becomes part of the permanent public record held by the clerk in Auburn.
In contested cases, the file grows. Motions and responses, hearing transcripts, and interim orders issued by the judge all get added to the record. These are public documents unless the court has restricted access to specific sections. Parts of files involving minor children's welfare or sealed financial information may have limited public access under Indiana court rules. The clerk can tell you what is open for any particular file you are looking at.
A certified copy of the final decree is what most people need when they need legal proof of divorce. The DeKalb County Clerk's office issues certified copies with the court seal and the clerk's signature. These are accepted for name changes, remarriage, government ID updates, and insurance changes. Standard uncertified copies are available at a lower per-page rate. Both types are obtainable from the clerk's office at 100 S. Main St in Auburn.
Fees for DeKalb County Divorce Records
Filing a dissolution petition in DeKalb County costs in the range of $157 to $177, consistent with Indiana's standard filing fees. This covers the initial petition. Additional costs 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 on top of that rate. 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 260-333-0701 to confirm the current fee schedule before visiting or mailing a payment.
Public Access to DeKalb County Divorce Records
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3 makes DeKalb County divorce records open to the public. Anyone can request to view or copy a divorce case file. You do not need to be a party to the case, and you are not required to explain why you want access. The right to inspect court records is established by state law.
Restrictions apply to parts of files involving minor children's welfare, sealed financial disclosures, and materials specifically protected by court order. These are handled on a case-by-case basis. If something in a file is restricted, the clerk will tell you and can explain your options if you believe you have a right to that information.
Free online case searches are available through MyCase Indiana. For physical records or certified copies, visit the clerk at 100 S. Main St in Auburn or submit a mail request. The Indiana Courts public records guide covers formal request procedures. Indiana Legal Help provides free guidance for questions about accessing DeKalb County divorce records.