Shelby County Divorce Records
Divorce records in Shelby County are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk in Shelbyville and are available to the public under Indiana's open records laws. This page explains how to request copies, search cases online, and understand divorce filing procedures in Shelby County.
Shelby County Quick Facts
Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk
Clerk Jill Lacy oversees all divorce case records in Shelby County. The clerk's office in Shelbyville handles case filings, document copies, and fee collection. You can access records in person, by phone, or through a written mail request.
Office Address: 407 S. Harrison St, Room 111, Shelbyville, IN 46176
Phone: 317-392-6320
Clerk: Jill Lacy
For in-person visits, bring a photo ID and any case information you have. If you don't have a case number, staff can look up the case using names and an approximate year. Copy fees run $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $3.00 to $5.00 extra per document.
Mail requests should include the full legal names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and a check or money order for copy costs. The clerk's office will contact you if the payment needs adjustment before they send the documents.
The Indiana Courts website lists the Shelby County clerk's official contact information and court resources for the county.
This is the official state page for Shelby County court contacts and is kept current with hours and local procedures.
Online Case Search
Indiana's MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov lets you search Shelby County divorce cases online for free. Search by name or case number to see filing dates, case status, and court hearing information. No account is required.
MyCase covers cases filed in the Odyssey system. Cases from before the county adopted electronic filing may not be in the portal. The clerk's office can search older paper indexes for records that don't appear online.
The portal provides the case record and docket but not downloadable copies of documents. If you need the actual divorce decree or other filed papers, contact the clerk and request copies with payment of the applicable fee.
The Indiana Courts directory at in.gov/courts/directory has current contact details for the Shelby County clerk's office and other courts serving the county.
Filing for Divorce in Shelby County
Indiana law requires that at least one spouse has lived in Indiana for six months and in Shelby County for three months before filing for divorce. This requirement is in Indiana Code 31-15-2-6.
The petition is filed at Room 111 of the Shelby County Courthouse on S. Harrison St. Filing fees run from $157 to $177 depending on the type of case. The clerk's office can confirm the current fee before you file. Cases involving children may have additional charges.
After filing, Indiana requires a 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. This rule is in Indiana Code 31-15-2-10. The 60 days run from the date the petition is filed, and the court cannot issue a final decree before that period ends.
Indiana uses a no-fault divorce system. You do not need to prove wrongdoing. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the standard ground. If both spouses agree on all terms, the case can be resolved at a brief final hearing after the waiting period. Disputes over property, debts, or custody may require mediation or a trial.
What Divorce Records Include
A typical Shelby County divorce file contains the original petition, the response from the other spouse, financial disclosure statements, any property and debt settlement agreements, and the final decree. Cases involving children include parenting plans and custody orders.
The final divorce decree is the document most people need. It is the court's official order ending the marriage and setting all terms. Lenders, government agencies, and courts in other states accept a certified copy as legal proof of divorce.
Some materials in a divorce file can be sealed by the judge. Financial exhibits and records related to minor children are sometimes restricted from public access. Even if the main case file is public, sealed documents require a court order to view or copy.
If a name change was part of the divorce, it appears in the final decree. A certified copy of that order is accepted by the Indiana BMV, Social Security Administration, and other agencies to update identification records. The clerk charges a fee for certification.
Historical and Older Records
Shelby County has maintained divorce records for many decades. Older cases are on paper or microfilm at the courthouse. If you're looking for a record from years past, the clerk's office can manually search the index using names and an approximate year or date range.
The Indiana State Library holds microfilm collections of older county court records from across Indiana. If the clerk cannot locate a very old record, the state library is a good next step. The Indiana State Archives may also have relevant materials for very early records.
For records from the mid-20th century onward, the Shelby County clerk's office in Shelbyville is the best starting point. Staff can search by name and can estimate copy costs before you commit to the request.
Legal Help and Resources
The clerk's office can process filings and requests but cannot give legal advice. For free guidance on Indiana divorce law, Indiana Legal Help at indianalegalhelp.org has plain-language guides on divorce, custody, and property issues.
The site helps people who are representing themselves in divorce cases. It covers what forms to use, how court hearings work, and how judges handle common disputes. It is updated to reflect current Indiana law and court procedures.
The Indiana Courts public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records/how-to-request explains how to request court records formally, including what to include in your request and what fees apply.
Indiana Legal Services provides free legal help to qualifying residents. Local bar associations may also offer referral services or reduced-fee consultations for family law matters in Shelby County.
Related Records
Divorce proceedings in Shelby County can generate records in other offices. Real property transfers from a divorce are recorded at the Shelby County Recorder's office. Deed changes, lien releases, and mortgage modifications tied to a divorce settlement appear there after the court order is issued.
Child support orders from a divorce are tracked through the Indiana Child Support Bureau. Post-divorce modifications to custody or support are filed in the clerk's office under the original case number and are public records.
The Indiana State Department of Health maintains a statewide divorce registry. It can confirm that a divorce occurred in Indiana but does not issue copies of divorce decrees. For certified copies, contact the Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk in Shelbyville.
Nearby Counties
Divorce records are held by the circuit court clerk in the county where the case was filed. Check with neighboring county clerks if you're uncertain which county handled a specific case.