Sullivan County Divorce Records
Divorce records in Sullivan County are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk in Sullivan and are available to the public under Indiana's open records laws. This page explains how to request copies, search cases online through MyCase, and understand the filing requirements for divorce in Sullivan County.
Sullivan County Quick Facts
Sullivan County Circuit Court Clerk
Clerk Tonya Bedwell handles all divorce records in Sullivan County. The clerk's office is where divorces are filed and where you can request certified copies of case documents. The office accepts in-person visits, phone inquiries, and written mail requests.
Office Address: 100 Courthouse Square, Room 304, Sullivan, IN 47882
Phone: 812-268-4657
Clerk: Tonya Bedwell
For in-person requests, bring a photo ID and any case details you have. If you don't know the case number, staff can search by name and approximate year. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $3.00 to $5.00 per document.
Mail requests should include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and payment by check or money order. The clerk will contact you if the payment needs adjustment before sending documents. Allow one to two weeks for mail requests.
The Indiana Courts website has an official Sullivan County page listing clerk contact information and links to court resources.
This is the state's official directory for Sullivan County court contacts and is updated with current hours and contact details.
Online Case Search
Indiana's MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov is the free online tool for looking up Sullivan County divorce cases. Search by name or case number to see filing dates, case status, and hearing schedules. No account is required to use the portal.
MyCase covers cases in the Odyssey system. Older cases that were filed before electronic records were in place may not appear online. Contact the clerk's office for those older paper records.
The portal displays the case record and docket but does not provide downloadable document copies. To get the actual divorce decree or other filed papers, contact the clerk's office and request copies with the appropriate fee.
The Indiana Courts directory at in.gov/courts/directory has updated contact information for the Sullivan County clerk and other local courts in the area.
Filing for Divorce in Sullivan County
Indiana law requires that at least one spouse has lived in Indiana for six months and in Sullivan County for three months before filing for divorce. This rule is in Indiana Code 31-15-2-6.
The petition is filed at Room 304 of the Sullivan Courthouse on Courthouse Square. Filing fees run from $157 to $177 depending on the case. The clerk's office can tell you the exact current fee before you file. Cases involving children may have additional fees.
After filing, Indiana law requires a 60-day waiting period before the court can finalize the divorce. This rule is in Indiana Code 31-15-2-10. The 60 days run from the filing date. Even if both spouses agree on all terms, the court cannot issue the final decree until the waiting period ends.
Indiana is a no-fault divorce state. You don't need to prove fault or wrongdoing to file. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the standard grounds. Uncontested cases, where both parties agree on everything, typically resolve quickly after the 60-day wait. Disputed issues like property division or custody may require mediation or a hearing before a judge.
Sullivan County Divorce File Contents
A divorce case file in Sullivan County includes the original petition, the other spouse's response, financial disclosure statements, property and debt settlement agreements, and the final divorce decree. Cases with children also include parenting plans and custody and support orders.
The final divorce decree is the document most people need. It is the court's official order ending the marriage. Certified copies are accepted by banks, government agencies, and courts in other states as legal proof of divorce.
Some documents may be sealed by the court. Financial records and materials related to minor children are sometimes restricted from public access. If a document is sealed, you'll need a court order to access it even if the rest of the case file is open.
Name changes granted in the divorce decree can be used to update your driver's license, Social Security card, and other identification. A certified copy of the relevant portion of the decree is typically what agencies require. The clerk's office provides certified copies for a fee.
Historical and Older Records
Sullivan County has kept 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 older indexes using names and an approximate year or date range.
The Indiana State Library and Indiana State Archives hold microfilm collections of older county court records from around the state. If the clerk cannot locate a very old record, those institutions are a good next step, particularly for genealogy research.
For records from the mid-20th century onward, the Sullivan County clerk's office is the primary source. Most records from that era are indexed and searchable by name. Staff can give you a cost estimate before you commit to a copy request.
Legal Help and Resources
The clerk's office processes 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 the divorce process, custody, and property.
The site explains what forms to file, how court hearings work, and how judges handle common disputes. It is written for people who are navigating the process without a lawyer and is updated to reflect current Indiana law.
The Indiana Courts public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records/how-to-request outlines the formal process for requesting court records in Indiana, including what to include and what fees to expect.
Indiana Legal Services may be able to provide free legal help to qualifying residents in Sullivan County. Local bar associations may also offer referrals to family law attorneys who practice in the area.
Related Records
Divorce proceedings in Sullivan County can generate records in other offices. Property transferred through a divorce is recorded at the Sullivan County Recorder's office. Deed changes and lien releases tied to the divorce show up in recorder records after the court order is issued.
Child support orders from a divorce are tracked through the Indiana Child Support Bureau. Modifications to custody or support filed after the original divorce are added to the original case file in the clerk's office and remain part of the public record.
The Indiana State Department of Health keeps a divorce registry that can confirm a divorce occurred in Indiana but does not provide certified document copies. For certified copies of a Sullivan County divorce decree, contact the Circuit Court Clerk at 100 Courthouse Square in Sullivan.
Nearby Counties
Divorce records are filed in the county where one of the parties lived at the time of filing. If you're unsure which county has the record, check with the clerks in neighboring counties.