Franklin County Divorce Records Search
Franklin County divorce records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Brookville, Indiana, and cover all dissolution of marriage cases in this southeast Indiana county near the Ohio border. Records can be searched online through the state's MyCase system or by contacting the courthouse directly.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Clerk of Courts
Neysa R. Raible is the Franklin County Clerk and the official custodian of all court records in the county. Her office handles divorce and dissolution filings, certified copy requests, new case intake, and payments. If you need to access a Franklin County divorce record, the clerk's office at 459 Main St in Brookville is where you go.
Contact the Franklin County Clerk at:
- Address: 459 Main St, Brookville, IN 47012
- Phone: 765-647-5111
Come prepared with both party names and the approximate year the case was filed. That makes the search go faster. Staff will help you identify the correct case file but cannot advise you on the legal meaning of documents you find.
Searching Franklin County Divorce Records Online
The easiest way to start your search is through MyCase, Indiana's free statewide case management system. Franklin County records are part of this system. Enter a name or case number to see what cases exist, their filing dates, current status, and public docket entries.
MyCase is free to use and available 24 hours a day. It is a good way to confirm whether a case exists and get a case number before you request copies from the clerk. Keep in mind that MyCase does not provide certified copies. You need to go through the Franklin County Clerk's office for those.
For older cases not yet digitized, you may need to visit the courthouse in Brookville. Call ahead at 765-647-5111 to confirm the record you need is available and to find out how long pulling it from storage might take.
Franklin County Divorce Filing Process
Filing for divorce in Franklin County requires that at least one spouse has lived in Indiana for six months and in Franklin County for three months prior to filing. This residency requirement is set out in Indiana Code 31-15-2-6. Without meeting that threshold, the court cannot accept jurisdiction over the case.
Bring your completed petition to the clerk's office at 459 Main St, Brookville. Pay the filing fee, which runs up to $177 for a standard dissolution case. If you cannot afford the fee, ask about a fee waiver. The court will consider your income and expenses before deciding whether to waive the cost.
Once filed, Indiana's 60-day waiting period kicks in automatically under IC 31-15-2-10. The court will not issue a final decree before those 60 days are up, even if both parties agree on all terms right away. Use that time to complete any required financial disclosures and finalize your settlement agreement.
What Franklin County Divorce Records Contain
A Franklin County divorce file starts with the petition for dissolution of marriage. Depending on the case, it may also include a response from the respondent, financial affidavits, a parenting plan, a property settlement agreement, orders from the court during the proceedings, and the final divorce decree.
The final decree is the key document in any divorce case. It ends the marriage legally and sets all the terms -- property, debt, custody, support, and name changes if applicable. For most purposes that require proof of divorce, you will need a certified copy of the final decree.
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3) makes most court records public. Divorce records follow that rule with some exceptions. Parts of a file involving children may be sealed. The clerk can tell you what is open and what is restricted in a specific case file.
Copy Fees and How to Request Records
Plain copies from the Franklin County Clerk cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee -- usually $3 to $5 per certification. To be sure about current rates, call 765-647-5111 before you visit or send a mail request.
You can request records in person at the courthouse in Brookville. Ask about mail-in requests if you cannot make the trip. Include your contact info, the full names of both parties, the case number if you have it, and payment with any mail request. The clerk will let you know if additional information is needed.
Indiana Divorce Law and Franklin County Cases
Franklin County divorces are governed by Indiana Code Title 31, Article 15. This covers the full dissolution process, from eligibility to property division. Indiana is a no-fault divorce state, meaning either spouse can file based on irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. No proof of wrongdoing is required.
Property division follows the equal division rule under IC 31-15-7-5. The court presumes an equal 50-50 split of marital assets and debts unless one party shows that a different split is more appropriate. Courts have broad discretion here.
Child support in Franklin County is calculated using Indiana's Child Support Rules and Guidelines. Custody decisions follow the best interest of the child standard. Judges evaluate a range of factors including each parent's relationship with the child and each party's ability to provide care.
See the current statute text at iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2023/ic/titles/31. The Indiana General Assembly site is free and updated after each legislative session.
Franklin County Court and Legal Resources
Use the Indiana Courts directory at in.gov/courts/directory to find Franklin County court contact details and verify which courts handle family cases. The state courts public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records explains the records request process statewide.
If you need free legal help with a divorce in Franklin County, visit Indiana Legal Help. This site connects residents to legal aid services and provides self-help guides for those going through the process without an attorney.
The Indiana Courts site lists local court information for Franklin County, which is a good reference for confirming procedures and court contacts.
This page provides current information on the courts operating in Franklin County and can help you identify which court to contact for a specific case or filing.