Search Henry County Divorce Records
Henry County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in New Castle, Indiana, covering all dissolution of marriage cases filed in this east-central Indiana county. Records can be found online through Indiana's MyCase system or by contacting the Henry County Clerk's office directly.
Henry County Quick Facts
Henry County Clerk of Courts
Jennifer (Jenny) Grubbs serves as the Henry County Clerk. Her office in New Castle is the official keeper of all circuit court records in Henry County, including every divorce and dissolution of marriage case on file. The clerk issues certified copies, handles new case filings, and processes court payments.
Contact the Henry County Clerk at:
- Address: 1215 Race St, Suite 120, New Castle, IN 47362
- Phone: 765-529-6401
When you call or visit, come with the full names of both parties and an approximate filing year if you know it. This helps staff find the case faster. The clerk's office can help you locate records and process requests but cannot give legal advice about the documents or your case.
Henry County Divorce Records Online Search
Indiana's MyCase system is the best free tool for searching Henry County court records. It covers dissolution of marriage cases and other case types filed in Henry County. Enter a name or case number to see case status, filing date, and public docket entries. No account is needed, and the tool is available at any time.
MyCase works well for recent filings. If you are looking for an older case that may not be in the electronic system, call 765-529-6401 first. The clerk can tell you whether the case exists in the paper records and how to access it.
For certified copies of any Henry County divorce record, you need to work directly with Jenny Grubbs's office. MyCase gives you case information but not certified documents. Certified copies require a formal request and payment of the applicable fee.
How to File for Divorce in Henry County
To file a dissolution of marriage petition in Henry County, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Henry County for at least three months before filing. This residency requirement is in Indiana Code 31-15-2-6. If you do not meet the county residency rule, the court will not have jurisdiction and cannot accept the case.
Filing fees in Henry County run up to $177. If you cannot afford the fee, ask about a fee waiver when you arrive at the clerk's office. The financial affidavit you file shows your income and expenses, and the court decides whether to grant the waiver.
Indiana requires a 60-day waiting period after filing before a final decree can be signed, per IC 31-15-2-10. This applies to every dissolution case in the state. Even if the divorce is fully agreed on, 60 days must pass before the court can finalize it. Keep this in mind when planning your timeline.
Henry County Divorce Records: What They Contain
A Henry County divorce file starts with the petition for dissolution of marriage. As the case moves through the court, the file builds up. It may include the other spouse's response, financial disclosure statements, temporary court orders, a parenting plan, a property settlement agreement, and eventually the final decree.
The final decree is the key document. It is the court's official order ending the marriage and setting all terms. That includes property division, debt allocation, spousal maintenance if any, and custody and child support if children are involved. For official purposes, you need a certified copy of the decree.
Most Henry County divorce records are public under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3). Parts of a file sealed by the court, or documents dealing with minors, may not be accessible. Ask the clerk what portions of a specific record are open to public view.
Copy Fees and Record Requests
Plain copies from the Henry County Clerk cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $3 to $5 per certification. Call 765-529-6401 to confirm current fees before you visit or send a written request. Let the clerk know whether you need plain copies or certified copies so the right fee is applied.
In-person requests are taken at 1215 Race St, Suite 120, New Castle. If you cannot make the trip, ask whether the clerk accepts written mail requests. Include your name, contact information, the names of both parties, the case number if available, and payment in any mail request.
Indiana Divorce Law and Henry County Cases
Henry County divorces are governed by Indiana Code Title 31, Article 15. Indiana does not require either spouse to prove fault to get divorced. Filing based on irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is all that is needed. That makes most uncontested divorces fairly straightforward from a legal standpoint.
Property division in Henry County follows the equal division rule under IC 31-15-7-5. Courts presume a 50-50 split of marital assets and debts. Either party can argue for a different result. Henry County judges have authority to adjust the split when circumstances call for it.
When children are involved, custody decisions go to the best interest of the child standard. Child support is calculated under the Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines. Courts often reference the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines for setting parenting schedules.
Read the Indiana dissolution statute at iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2023/ic/titles/31.
Henry County Legal Help and Court Resources
The Indiana Courts directory at in.gov/courts/directory lists Henry County court contacts. The Indiana Courts public records guide at in.gov/courts/public-records explains how to request court records across the state.
For free legal help, Indiana Legal Help connects Henry County residents with legal aid services. The site also has self-help guides and court form resources for people filing without an attorney.
The Indiana Courts local page for Henry County has court details and local contact information.
This page provides current information on Henry County courts and can help you confirm which court handled a specific case or identify the right contact for a records request in New Castle.