Find Johnson County Divorce Records
Johnson County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Franklin, Indiana, covering all dissolution of marriage cases filed in this fast-growing central Indiana county south of Indianapolis. Search records free online through MyCase or the Doxpop database, or contact the Johnson County Clerk directly for copies and certified documents.
Johnson County Quick Facts
Johnson County Clerk of Courts
Trena McLaughlin serves as the Johnson County Clerk. Her office in Franklin is the official keeper of all circuit court records in Johnson County, including every divorce and dissolution of marriage case on file. The clerk's office handles new case filings, record requests, certified copy issuance, and all court payments. The clerk is the custodian of the courts' records and seal, issues process, accepts filings, and enters judgments and orders of record.
Contact the Johnson County Clerk:
- Address: 5 E. Jefferson St, Franklin, IN 46131 (also P.O. Box 368)
- Phone: 317-346-4450
- Fax: 317-736-4972
- Email: trenamclaughlin@co.johnson.in.us
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Johnson County has a Circuit Court reachable at 317-346-4400 and Superior Courts 1 through 4, all reachable at 317-346-4450. Juvenile and family matters are handled at the Dickinson Juvenile Justice Center, 1121 Hospital Rd, Franklin, at 317-346-4691. All court records run through the clerk's office regardless of which court handled the case.
Johnson County Divorce Records Online
Indiana's free statewide case portal, MyCase, includes Johnson County court records. Search by name or case number to find dissolution cases, see their current status, and review public docket entries. No account is needed and the tool is available at any time.
Johnson County cases are also searchable through Doxpop, a third-party court records database that indexes Indiana court filings. Doxpop may have additional search features and may be useful for researchers who need more flexible search options. Some features may require a paid account.
For certified copies of Johnson County divorce records, contact Trena McLaughlin's office directly. Call 317-346-4450, email trenamclaughlin@co.johnson.in.us, or visit the courthouse at 5 E. Jefferson St in Franklin. The clerk can tell you what documents are available and what the copy fees are.
Johnson County Clerk Website and Local Resources
The Johnson County Clerk has a dedicated page at johnsoncounty.in.gov. That site has office contact information, department details, and may have forms or guidance on common clerk services including divorce filings.
The clerk's office provides services including court record access, marriage license issuance, tax warrant processing, election oversight, campaign finance reporting, and handling child support and probation payments. All divorce filings for Johnson County are on file here regardless of which Superior Court or the Circuit Court handled the case.
Filing for Divorce in Johnson County
Indiana Code 31-15-2-6 sets residency requirements for filing divorce in Johnson County. At least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Johnson County for at least three months before the filing date. If you recently moved to the county, you may need to wait before filing to meet the three-month threshold.
Filing fees in Johnson County run up to $177 for a standard dissolution petition. An optional sheriff service fee of about $28 may apply if the other spouse needs to be formally served. Low-income filers can ask about a fee waiver. You complete a financial affidavit showing income and expenses and the court decides whether to waive the cost.
After filing, Indiana mandates a 60-day waiting period under IC 31-15-2-10. No Johnson County court can enter a final decree before those 60 days have passed. Even if both sides agree on all terms right away, the wait is required. All court business for Johnson County cases takes place at the Franklin courthouse at 5 E. Jefferson St.
Johnson County Divorce Records: What They Contain
A Johnson County divorce file begins with the petition for dissolution. As the case moves through court, the file builds. It can include the respondent's answer, financial disclosure statements, temporary court orders, a parenting plan, a property and debt settlement agreement, and the final decree of dissolution signed by the judge.
The final decree is the key document. It ends the marriage and sets all the terms the court ordered -- property, debt, spousal support, custody, and child support. For legal, financial, and government purposes, certified copies of the final decree are typically required as proof of divorce.
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3) makes most divorce records public. Sealed files or records involving minors may be restricted. Ask the Johnson County Clerk what portions of a specific case file are available before making your request.
Copy Fees and Request Options
Plain copies from the Johnson County Clerk cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $3 to $5 per certification. Call 317-346-4450 or email trenamclaughlin@co.johnson.in.us before visiting to confirm current fees. This saves time and ensures the record is available when you arrive.
You can request records in person at 5 E. Jefferson St, Franklin. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Mail requests may be available -- ask the clerk's office about that option. Include the case name, case number if available, your contact details, and payment in any written request.
Indiana Divorce Law and Johnson County Cases
Johnson County divorces follow Indiana Code Title 31, Article 15. Indiana is a no-fault state. Either spouse can file for dissolution based on irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. No proof of fault is required.
Property division starts with the equal division presumption in IC 31-15-7-5. Courts start from a 50-50 split of all marital assets and debts. Either party can present evidence for a different result. Johnson County judges have authority to deviate from equal division when the circumstances call for it.
Child custody follows the best interest of the child standard. Support is set using Indiana's Child Support Rules and Guidelines. Parenting time typically references the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines as a baseline. Courts may depart from those guidelines when the parties agree or the facts justify it.
Read the full dissolution statute at iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2023/ic/titles/31.
Johnson County Legal Help and Court Resources
The Indiana Courts directory at in.gov/courts/directory has contact details for all Johnson County courts. The public records request guide at in.gov/courts/public-records covers the statewide records request process.
For free legal help, visit Indiana Legal Help. Legal aid organizations serve Johnson County residents. The site has self-help guides and resources for those navigating divorce without an attorney.
The Johnson County Clerk's website is a solid resource for local court information, office contact details, and forms. The clerk's page at johnsoncounty.in.gov provides a starting point for anyone needing to work with the court system in Franklin.
The Johnson County Clerk's page provides contact details, office hours, and department information for the Franklin courthouse, which handles all dissolution of marriage cases in Johnson County.
Cities in Johnson County with Divorce Records Pages
Johnson County includes two cities with their own divorce records pages.