Search Pulaski County Divorce Records
Pulaski County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Winamac and are open to public inspection under Indiana law. This page covers how to request copies, search online, and understand the divorce filing process in Pulaski County.
Pulaski County Quick Facts
Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk
The Circuit Court Clerk's office in Winamac is the official keeper of all divorce case records filed in Pulaski County. You can request copies by visiting the office, calling, or mailing a written request.
Office Address: 112 E. Main St, Room 018, Winamac, IN 46996
Phone: 574-946-3313
When you visit in person, bring a valid photo ID. If you have the case number, the search will go faster. If you only know the names and approximate year, staff can search the index for you. Copy fees run $1.00 per page. Certified copies require an additional $3.00 to $5.00.
For mail requests, include both parties' full names, the estimated year of the divorce, and a check or money order for the expected copy costs. The office will contact you if more payment is needed. Processing time for mail requests can take one to two weeks.
The Indiana Courts website lists the Pulaski County clerk's contact details and provides links to court resources for the county.
This page is the official state source for court contact information in Pulaski County, including clerk hours and local procedures.
Online Search for Pulaski County Divorces
Indiana's MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov lets anyone search Pulaski County divorce cases without visiting the courthouse. You can search by name, case number, or date range. The portal shows case status, party names, and court dates.
MyCase is updated as the clerk processes new filings and activity. Most cases filed since the county moved to the Odyssey system appear in MyCase. Older cases on paper or microfilm may not be in the online system.
If you need a certified copy or the full case file with all attachments, you'll still need to contact the clerk's office. The online portal shows the case record but does not provide downloadable document copies for most counties.
The Indiana Courts directory at in.gov/courts/directory has current contact info for the Pulaski County clerk and other local court offices.
Filing Requirements in Pulaski County
Before you can file for divorce in Pulaski County, Indiana law requires that at least one spouse has lived in Indiana for six months and in Pulaski County for at least three months. This residency rule is in Indiana Code 31-15-2-6.
The petition for dissolution of marriage is filed with the Circuit Court Clerk at 112 E. Main St. The filing fee is typically between $157 and $177 depending on the case type and any additional motions. Check with the clerk's office for the current schedule.
Indiana requires a 60-day waiting period from the date the petition is filed before a divorce can be finalized. This rule is in Indiana Code 31-15-2-10. The court cannot issue a final decree until those 60 days have passed, even if both spouses agree on all terms.
Indiana is a no-fault divorce state. The standard ground is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. You don't need to prove fault or wrongdoing. The process is straightforward when both parties agree. If there are disputes over property or custody, the case may require mediation or a hearing before a judge.
What's in a Pulaski County Divorce File
A typical divorce file in Pulaski County includes the original petition, the response from the other spouse, financial disclosures, any agreements on property and debts, child custody and parenting plans if children are involved, and the final decree.
The final decree is the key document. It is the court's official order ending the marriage and setting the terms both parties must follow. If you need proof that a divorce happened, a certified copy of the decree is what most agencies and institutions accept.
Some materials in a divorce file can be sealed. Financial exhibits and records involving minor children are sometimes restricted from public access by court order. Sealed documents require a court order to obtain even if the case itself is public.
If the divorce involved a name change, that is recorded in the final decree. The clerk can provide a certified copy of that portion of the order, which you can use to update identification documents like a driver's license or Social Security records.
Historical Records and Older Cases
Pulaski County's divorce records go back many decades. Older cases may be stored on microfilm or as original paper files in the clerk's office. Staff can manually search older indexes if you provide names and a time range.
The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis holds copies of some older county records and microfilm collections. If the Pulaski County clerk cannot locate a very old record, the state library is a useful secondary source. Genealogy researchers frequently use both sources when tracing family history through court documents.
The Indiana State Archives also holds some older government records. If you are looking for a divorce from the early 1900s or before, it may be worth contacting the archives as well as the local clerk. Records that old may be handwritten ledger entries rather than full case files.
Legal Help and Resources
The clerk's office can tell you what forms to file and what fees to pay, but staff cannot give legal advice. For guidance on the divorce process, Indiana Legal Help is a free resource available online.
Visit indianalegalhelp.org for plain-language guides on Indiana divorce law, including how to file, what to expect at hearings, and how to handle custody and property issues without a full attorney if your situation is straightforward.
For information on requesting records from any Indiana court, the Indiana Courts public records request page at in.gov/courts/public-records/how-to-request explains the process, costs, and what to include in your request.
If you are in a situation involving domestic violence or need emergency legal help, Indiana Legal Services and local legal aid organizations can provide assistance. The clerk's office can point you to local resources as well.
Related County Records
Divorce cases can connect to other record types in Pulaski County. If real property was divided in the divorce, the transfer will appear in the county recorder's office. Any liens or mortgages removed as part of the settlement may also be recorded there.
Child support orders from a divorce are enforced through the Indiana Child Support Bureau. If a support order was changed after the original divorce, those modifications are filed under the same case number in the Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Name changes ordered in a divorce decree can be used to update state and federal records. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Administration, and U.S. Passport Agency all accept certified copies of court orders for name change purposes.
Nearby Counties
If you're not sure which county handled a divorce case, check the county where the parties lived when the petition was filed. Neighboring county clerks can also help direct you.