Find Vigo County Divorce Records
Divorce records in Vigo County are maintained by the Clerk of Courts in Terre Haute and are public documents under Indiana law. This page covers how to find, request, and understand divorce case records in Vigo County, which serves Terre Haute and surrounding communities in west-central Indiana.
Vigo County Quick Facts
Vigo County Clerk of Courts
Clerk LeAnna Moore handles all divorce case records in Vigo County. The clerk's office in downtown Terre Haute is the official location for filing a divorce and for requesting copies of existing case documents. The office handles in-person, phone, and mail requests.
Office Address: 33 S. 3rd St, #147, Terre Haute, IN 47807
Phone: 812-462-3211
Clerk: LeAnna Moore
Family law cases in Vigo County, including divorce, are handled through the Superior Court Division 2. The clerk's office processes all filings for that court division and maintains the case records. You can visit the clerk's office to request copies, call for information, or submit a written mail request.
In-person visits go smoothly when you bring a photo ID and any case details you have. Staff can search by name and approximate year if you don't have the case number. 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 the divorce was filed, and payment by check or money order. Allow one to two weeks for mail processing. The clerk will follow up if the fee needs adjustment before mailing documents.
Indiana's MyCase portal provides online access to Vigo County divorce cases filed in the Odyssey system, including cases from the Superior Court that handles family law matters.
The portal is free to use and available at any time without creating an account.
Online Case Search
Indiana's MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov is the primary online tool for searching Vigo County divorce cases. Search by party name or case number to see case status, filing dates, and scheduled hearings. No account is required to use the portal.
MyCase covers cases filed in the Odyssey system. Cases from before the county moved to electronic filing may not appear online. For older cases, the clerk's office at 33 S. 3rd St. can conduct a manual search of paper records and indexes.
The portal shows the case record and docket. It does not provide downloadable copies of case documents. To get the actual divorce decree or other filed papers, contact the clerk's office directly and request copies with the applicable fee payment.
The Indiana Courts directory at in.gov/courts/directory lists current contact information for the Vigo County clerk and other local courts in Terre Haute and the surrounding area.
Filing for Divorce in Vigo County
To file for divorce in Vigo County, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Vigo County for three months before filing. This residency rule is in Indiana Code 31-15-2-6.
Divorce petitions are filed at the clerk's office at 33 S. 3rd St., Suite 147, in Terre Haute. Filing fees run from $157 to $177 depending on the case type. Check with the clerk's office for the current fee schedule before filing. Cases with children or contested issues may have additional charges.
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 date the petition is filed. Even if both spouses fully agree on all terms, the court cannot issue the final decree until the waiting period ends.
Indiana is a no-fault state for divorce. You don't need to prove that either spouse caused the marriage to fail. Irretrievable breakdown is the standard legal grounds. If both parties agree on property, debts, and custody, the case typically moves quickly after the waiting period. Contested issues may require mediation or a hearing where the judge decides the disputed matters.
What's in a Vigo County Divorce File
A divorce case file in Vigo County includes the petition for dissolution, the other spouse's response, financial disclosure forms, settlement agreements, and the final divorce decree. Cases with children also include parenting plans and any custody and support orders entered during the case.
The final divorce decree is the most commonly requested document. 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 that the marriage ended.
Some documents in a divorce file may be sealed by court order. Financial records and materials involving minor children are sometimes restricted from public access. Sealed items require a judicial order to access even if the rest of the case file is public.
Name changes granted in the divorce decree can be used to update identification documents at the Indiana BMV, Social Security Administration, and other agencies. A certified copy of the relevant portion of the decree is what those agencies typically require. The clerk charges a fee for certification.
Historical and Older Records
Vigo County has maintained divorce records for many decades. Older case files are on paper or microfilm at the courthouse in Terre Haute. If you need a record from years past, staff can 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. If the local clerk cannot find a very old record, those institutions are a useful next step for genealogy research or historical inquiries.
For records from the mid-20th century onward, the Vigo County clerk's office is the best starting point. Most records from that era are indexed and searchable by name. Staff can estimate copy costs before you commit to a formal request.
Legal Help and Resources
The clerk's office handles filings and record requests but cannot give legal advice. For free guidance on Indiana divorce law, Indiana Legal Help at indianalegalhelp.org offers plain-language guides on divorce, custody, and property division.
The site explains what forms to file, how court hearings work, and how Indiana courts handle common disputes over property and children. It is useful for people handling their own divorce case without an attorney.
The Indiana Courts public records page at in.gov/courts/public-records/how-to-request explains the formal process for requesting court records in Indiana, including what to include and what fees to expect statewide.
Indiana Legal Services may provide free legal assistance to qualifying residents in Vigo County. Local bar associations in the Terre Haute area may also offer referrals to family law attorneys who handle divorce cases in the county.
Related Records
Divorce proceedings in Vigo County can generate records in other offices. Property transferred through a divorce is recorded at the Vigo County Recorder's office. Deed changes and mortgage releases tied to a divorce settlement appear in recorder records after the court order is issued.
Child support and custody orders are tracked through the Indiana Child Support Bureau. Post-divorce modifications 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 statewide divorce registry that can confirm a divorce occurred in Indiana but does not issue certified document copies. For certified copies of a Vigo County divorce decree, contact the Vigo County Clerk at 33 S. 3rd St. in Terre Haute.
Cities in Vigo County
Terre Haute is the county seat and the main city in Vigo County with a dedicated resource page for divorce records.
Nearby Counties
Divorce records are filed in the county where one of the parties lived at the time of filing. Check with neighboring county clerks if you need to confirm which county handled a specific case.