Find Scott County Divorce Records
Scott County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Scottsburg and are open to the public under Indiana law. This page covers how to search for cases online, request certified copies, and understand the filing process for divorces in Scott County.
Scott County Quick Facts
Scott County Circuit Court Clerk
Clerk Michelle Shelton handles all divorce case records in Scott County. The clerk's office in Scottsburg is where divorces are filed and where you go to get copies of existing divorce records. The office accepts in-person visits, phone requests, and written mail requests.
Office Address: 1 E. McClain Ave, Suite 120, Scottsburg, IN 47170
Phone: 812-752-8420
Clerk: Michelle Shelton
Bring a photo ID when you visit in person. If you know the case number, bring that too. Staff can search by name and approximate year if you don't have a case number. Copy fees run $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $3.00 to $5.00 per document.
Mail requests work for most record types. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year the divorce was filed, and payment by check or money order. Processing times for mail requests are typically one to two weeks.
The MyCase portal provides free online access to Scott County divorce case records without a trip to the courthouse.
The portal is updated regularly and covers most cases in the Odyssey case management system used by Indiana courts.
Search Scott County Divorces Online
Indiana's MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov is a free tool for looking up Scott County divorce cases. Search by name or case number to see case status, filing dates, and scheduled hearings. No account is needed to search.
MyCase covers cases in the Odyssey system, which includes most cases filed in recent years. Older paper records from before the county switched to electronic filing may not appear online. The clerk's office can help with those through a manual search.
The portal shows the case docket but does not offer downloadable copies of filed documents like the divorce decree. To get the actual decree or other papers, contact the clerk's office and request copies with the applicable fee.
The Indiana Courts directory at in.gov/courts/directory lists the Scott County clerk's current contact information and other local court offices in the area.
Filing for Divorce in Scott County
To file for divorce in Scott County, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Scott County for three months before filing. This requirement is in Indiana Code 31-15-2-6.
The petition is filed at Suite 120, 1 E. McClain Ave. in Scottsburg. Filing fees run from $157 to $177 depending on the case. The clerk's office can give you the current schedule. Cases with children or complex issues may involve extra charges.
Indiana law sets a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date the petition is filed. The court cannot finalize the divorce until those 60 days are up, even if both parties agree on everything. This rule is in Indiana Code 31-15-2-10.
Indiana is a no-fault divorce state. You do not need to prove wrongdoing to get a divorce. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the legal grounds. If both spouses agree on property, debts, and custody, the case can typically be resolved at a brief final hearing after the waiting period ends. Contested issues may require mediation or a court hearing.
What's in a Scott County Divorce File
A divorce case file in Scott County includes the original petition, the response from the other spouse, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and the final decree. Cases involving children also have parenting plans and any custody or support orders.
The final divorce decree is the primary document. It is the court's order ending the marriage and setting the terms of the divorce. Certified copies of the decree are accepted by banks, government agencies, and other courts as legal proof that the marriage ended.
Some documents in a divorce file can be sealed by court order. Financial exhibits and records related to minor children are sometimes restricted. You can access the public portions of the file without a court order, but sealed items require judicial authorization.
If a name change was granted in the divorce, the decree states that. A certified copy of the order is usually accepted by the BMV, Social Security Administration, and passport agencies to update identification documents. The clerk charges a fee for certified copies.
Older and Historical Divorce Records
Scott County divorce records go back many decades. Older cases are on paper or microfilm at the courthouse. If you need a record from years past, the clerk can search the older indexes using names and a year range. Handwritten ledger records may require more time to search.
The Indiana State Library and Indiana State Archives hold microfilm collections of older county court records. If the clerk cannot locate a very old record, these state institutions are a good next step, especially for genealogy research.
For records from the mid-20th century forward, the Scott County clerk's office is the primary source. Most records from that period are indexed and can be searched by name. Staff can estimate copy costs before you commit to the request.
Legal Help and Resources
The clerk's office processes filings and requests but cannot give legal advice. Indiana Legal Help at indianalegalhelp.org is a free resource with guides on Indiana divorce, custody, and family law written in plain language.
The site is designed for people handling their own divorce cases without a full-time attorney. It explains what forms to file, how court hearings work, and how Indiana courts handle common issues like property division and child custody.
The Indiana Courts public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records/how-to-request explains the formal process for requesting court records, including what to include and what fees to expect.
Indiana Legal Services may be able to provide free legal help to qualifying residents in Scott County. Local legal aid offices in the area can assist with divorce cases for those who meet income requirements. The clerk's office can point you to local resources.
Related Records
Divorce cases in Scott County can tie to other record types. Property transfers that result from a divorce are recorded at the Scott County Recorder's office. Lien releases, deed changes, and related real estate documents show up there once the court order is issued.
Child support orders from a divorce are tracked through the Indiana Child Support Bureau. If support or custody was modified after the original divorce, those orders are filed in the clerk's office under the original case number and remain public.
The Indiana State Department of Health maintains a statewide divorce registry. It can confirm that a divorce occurred in Indiana but does not provide copies of documents. For certified copies, contact the Scott County Circuit Court Clerk in Scottsburg.
Nearby Counties
If you are unsure which county holds a divorce record, contact the clerk in the county where one of the parties lived at the time of filing.