Find Divorce Records in Putnam County
Divorce records in Putnam County are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk in Greencastle and are public documents under Indiana law. This page explains how to search, request, and use these records, whether you need a certified copy of a decree or want to look up a case online.
Putnam County Quick Facts
Putnam County Circuit Court Clerk
Clerk Tracy L. Bridges oversees all divorce case records in Putnam County. The clerk's office handles filings, document copies, and fee collection. You can reach the office in person, by phone, or by mail.
Office Address: One Courthouse Square, Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone: 765-653-2648
Clerk: Tracy L. Bridges
Walk-in requests are handled during regular business hours. Bring a photo ID and any case information you have, like names and year. Staff will look up the case in their index. Copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies add another $3.00 to $5.00 per document.
Mail requests should include the full legal names of both parties, the approximate year the divorce was filed, and payment by check or money order. The clerk's office will contact you if the fee needs adjustment before sending documents.
The Indiana Courts website maintains a page for Putnam County that lists clerk contact details and links to local court information.
This is the official state resource for Putnam County court contacts, including hours and local procedures for requesting records.
Online Case Search
Indiana's MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov is the easiest way to start searching for Putnam County divorce cases. The portal is free and available any time. You can search by party name or case number and see the case status, filing date, and court events.
MyCase is most useful for cases filed after the county moved to the Odyssey case management system. Very old cases, which exist only as paper files or microfilm, may not appear. For those, you need to contact the clerk's office directly.
The online system shows the case record and docket. It does not provide downloadable copies of documents like the actual decree or settlement agreement. You need to order those from the clerk.
The Indiana Courts directory at in.gov/courts/directory lists all county courts and contact information if you need to reach the Putnam County clerk or other local courts directly.
Filing for Divorce in Putnam County
Indiana law requires that at least one spouse has lived in Indiana for six months and in Putnam County for three months before filing. This rule is in Indiana Code 31-15-2-6.
The petition for dissolution of marriage is filed at One Courthouse Square. Filing fees range from about $157 to $177 depending on the case. Some cases with children or complex property issues may have additional fees. Confirm the current fee schedule with the clerk before filing.
After filing, the court cannot grant the divorce until 60 days have passed. This waiting period is set by Indiana Code 31-15-2-10. Both parties can use this time to finalize their agreement on property, debts, and any custody arrangements.
Indiana does not require proof of fault to file for divorce. The standard grounds are irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. If both spouses agree on all issues, the divorce can often be finalized at a brief hearing after the waiting period ends. The process takes longer when parties dispute property division, custody, or support.
Documents in a Divorce Case File
A complete divorce case file in Putnam County typically includes the original petition, the other party's response, financial disclosures, any agreed settlement terms, and the final decree. Cases with children also include parenting plans and custody orders.
The final decree is the most requested document. It is the court's official order ending the marriage. Lenders, government agencies, and courts in other states recognize a certified copy of the decree as legal proof of divorce. The clerk's office can provide certified copies for a fee.
Some documents may be sealed by the judge. Financial exhibits with sensitive data or records related to minor children are sometimes restricted. Even if the case itself is public, sealed documents require a court order to access.
If you need proof of a name change that was granted as part of the divorce, the decree will state that. A certified copy of that portion of the order is usually accepted by the BMV, Social Security Administration, and other agencies when updating identification.
Historical and Older Divorce Records
Putnam County divorce records go back to the county's founding. Older files may be in paper form or on microfilm stored at the courthouse. If you are searching for a divorce that happened many decades ago, the clerk's office can search handwritten indexes to locate the record.
The Indiana State Library holds microfilm copies of some older county court records. For genealogical research or very old divorces, the library is a useful backup if the local clerk cannot locate the record. The Indiana State Archives may also hold relevant materials.
For records from the mid-20th century onward, the Putnam County clerk's office in Greencastle is the best first stop. Staff can search by name and year, and most records from the last several decades are indexed in a searchable format.
Legal Help and Assistance
The clerk's office handles record requests and filings but cannot offer legal advice. If you have questions about the divorce process or your legal rights, Indiana Legal Help at indianalegalhelp.org offers free guides and information.
The site covers how to file for divorce in Indiana, what to expect at court hearings, and how to handle issues like child custody, property division, and spousal support. It is written in plain language and designed for people who may not have an attorney.
The Indiana Courts public records request page at in.gov/courts/public-records/how-to-request explains the general process for requesting court records in Indiana, including what information to include and what fees apply.
If cost is a concern, Indiana Legal Services provides free legal assistance to qualifying individuals. Local bar associations may also offer referral services or reduced-fee consultations for family law matters.
Related Records
Divorce cases in Putnam County often generate related records in other offices. Real property transferred as part of a divorce settlement is recorded at the county recorder's office. Changes to deeds and mortgages tied to a divorce show up there as well.
Child support orders from a divorce are tracked through the Indiana Child Support Bureau. If a support order was later modified, the modification is filed in the clerk's office under the original case number. You can request those additional records along with the original case file.
The Indiana State Department of Health maintains a statewide divorce registry. It does not provide copies of documents but can confirm whether a divorce was recorded in the state system. The clerk's office in Greencastle is the source for actual document copies.
Nearby Counties
If you need to check whether a divorce case was filed in a neighboring county, contact the circuit court clerk in that county. Each clerk maintains their own records.