Marion County Divorce Records
Marion County divorce records are public documents maintained by the Marion County Clerk's Office in Indianapolis. As the home of Indiana's state capital and its most populous county, Marion County processes more divorce cases than any other county in the state. Records are available through the free online case portal or by contacting the clerk's office directly.
Marion County Quick Facts
Where Marion County Divorce Records Are Kept
Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell is the official custodian of court records for Marion County. The clerk's office is at 200 E. Washington St, W122, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Phone: 317-327-4740. Marion County uses a consolidated city-county government known as Unigov, which means Indianapolis serves as both the city government and the county seat. This structure makes Marion County unique among Indiana counties and means its court system is also among the most complex in the state.
Marion County is part of Indiana's Judicial District 13. The county has a large number of courts, including multiple Superior Courts with dedicated family law divisions. Family law cases, including divorce, are distributed among these courts by the clerk's office. The court to which a case is assigned depends on where it falls in the rotation. You file at the clerk's office and receive a case number and court assignment.
The Marion County Clerk is accessible through the city-county government portal. Check the official clerk page at indy.gov/agency/marion-county-clerks-office for hours, services, and how to request records. The Indiana Courts directory also lists Marion County court contacts.
The Marion County Clerk's page at Indy.gov is the main official resource for clerk services, including access to divorce case records and filings.
The Marion County Clerk's Office at 200 E. Washington St in Indianapolis handles all family law filings for Indiana's most populous county.
How to Search Marion County Divorce Records
The free statewide portal, MyCase Indiana, covers Marion County divorce cases. Search by party name or case number to see filing dates, case status, party names, and a list of filed documents. No account or fee is needed. Some document images are viewable online; others require an in-person visit or a mail request to the clerk's office.
For in-person access, go to the clerk's office at 200 E. Washington St, W122, Indianapolis. The office handles a very high volume of requests. Coming in with a case number or both parties' full names speeds things up considerably. Staff can pull files for public review at the counter and process copy requests. For mail requests, write to 200 E. Washington St, W122, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Include party names, case number if known, approximate filing year, and prepaid payment for copies.
For formal records requests, the Indiana Courts public records guide lays out the process. If you need legal guidance on interpreting what you find, Indiana Legal Help is a free statewide resource for family law matters.
Marion County Divorce Filing Requirements
To file for divorce in Marion County, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Marion County for at least three months right before the petition is filed. This residency requirement is in Indiana Code 31-15-2-6. Marion County courts cannot accept the case if the county residency requirement is not met.
The 60-day waiting period under IC 31-15-2-10 applies in Marion County. No final decree can be issued until 60 days after the date the petition was filed. This applies to every case, contested or not. Given the high volume of filings in Marion County, cases are typically processed as fast as the system allows once all documents are in order and the waiting period has passed.
Indiana is a no-fault divorce state. You file on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The court addresses property division and, if children are involved, custody and support. Marion County has family law judges with significant experience in these issues given the volume of cases they see each year.
For those filing without an attorney, Marion County's courts operate online filing options in addition to in-person and mail filing. Check with the clerk's office at 317-327-4740 to confirm what self-help resources are available. The Indiana Legal Help website also covers Indianapolis-area legal aid organizations that can assist.
Fees for Marion County Divorce Records
Filing a dissolution of marriage petition in Marion County costs in the range of $157 to $177, depending on case type. This covers the initial filing. Additional costs come up for motions, service of process, and other filings during the case.
Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $3 to $5 per document. Call 317-327-4740 to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods before sending payment. In-person payments are accepted at the clerk's window. Mail requests require advance payment. Given that Marion County is a high-volume office, allow time for mail requests to be processed.
Public Access to Marion County Divorce Records
Marion County divorce case files are public records under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, IC 5-14-3. Any member of the public can request to view or copy a case file. No reason is needed, and you do not have to be a party to the case. The law guarantees this access.
Some restrictions apply in family law cases. Documents related to minor children, custody evaluations, or sealed financial matters may be restricted by court order. The clerk handles these restrictions individually and can tell you what is open for a specific case. In most divorces, the final decree and the main petition documents are fully accessible.
Search online at MyCase Indiana. For copies or in-person access, contact the Marion County Clerk at 200 E. Washington St, W122, Indianapolis, or call 317-327-4740. See also the official clerk page at indy.gov/agency/marion-county-clerks-office.
Cities in Marion County
Marion County includes Indianapolis and the city of Lawrence, both of which have dedicated pages on this site.