Clinton County Public Records /Clinton County Divorce Records

Clinton County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Clinton County in 2026

ClintonINRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Clinton County, Indiana. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents. Records available through official channels may include dissolution of marriage filings, custody orders, property division agreements, and post-judgment modifications. Access and completeness vary depending on the age of the record and whether any portion has been sealed by court order.

Divorce records in Clinton County may be searched through official resources including the Clerk of the Circuit Court, public access terminals at the courthouse, the statewide MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal, and the Clinton County Archives for historical filings. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking these records.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Indiana Supreme Court's MyCase public access portal is the most common method for locating divorce case information online. Basic case information—including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and docket entries—is available at no charge. Obtaining copies of actual documents requires payment of applicable fees and, in some instances, a direct request to the Clerk's office.

2. State Court System Portal

MyCase serves as Indiana's consolidated statewide court portal, allowing members of the public to search across jurisdictions. As noted by the Indiana Supreme Court, "official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record." The portal provides docket-level information but does not serve as a substitute for certified copies issued by the Clerk.

3. State Vital Records

Indiana does not issue divorce certificates through the vital records system in the same manner as birth or death certificates; however, the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records maintains divorce records filed with the state and may provide verification letters. Fees apply to requests submitted through the Division of Vital Records.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of the Clinton County Circuit Court

Clinton County Courthouse – Clerk of the Circuit Court
265 Courthouse Square
Frankfort, IN 46041
Phone: (765) 659-6335
Clinton County – Indiana Judicial Branch

Members of the public may visit the Clerk's office during regular business hours to search case files, view documents at public access terminals, and request certified copies. Staff are available to assist with locating case numbers and confirming filing information. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Clinton County Archives

Clinton County Archives
301 E. Clinton Street
Frankfort, IN 46041
Phone: (765) 659-6300
Archives – Clinton County, Indiana

The Clinton County Archives maintains historical divorce records, including old divorce filings, lawsuits, guardianship records, and probate documents. Members of the public seeking records predating electronic filing should direct requests to the Archives. Older records may not be digitized and may require additional retrieval time.

By Mail

Members of the public may submit written requests for divorce records to the Clerk of the Circuit Court by mail. Requests should be addressed to:

Clerk of the Clinton County Circuit Court
265 Courthouse Square
Frankfort, IN 46041

Each written request should include the full names of both parties, any known maiden names, the approximate date of the divorce, the case number if known, the requestor's contact information, the stated purpose of the request, payment for applicable copy fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time is typically one to two weeks, though requests for archived or older records may require additional time.

By Phone

The Clerk's office may be reached at (765) 659-6335. Staff can confirm whether a case exists in the system, provide the case number, confirm case status, and verify the filing date. Staff are not able to provide detailed document contents, copies of filings, or any information that is confidential or sealed by court order.

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Indiana may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing of cause, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. Members of the public seeking assistance with complex or sealed records may consult the Indiana State Bar Association for attorney referral services.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of the divorce
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Indiana
Names of children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Indiana Code § 31-15-2-6, a petition for dissolution of marriage must be filed in the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. The county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not necessarily the county where the divorce was filed.

Residency Requirement: At least one spouse must have been a resident of Indiana for six months and a resident of the county where the petition is filed for three months immediately preceding the filing, pursuant to Indiana Code § 31-15-2-6.

Time Considerations

Recent divorces may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing; members of the public should allow several days to weeks for processing.
Older divorces may be archived, may not be digitized, and may require a direct request to the Clinton County Archives.
Cases that are still pending and have not reached a final judgment will not appear as finalized dissolution records.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common reasons a record may not be located include searching the wrong county, name variations between married and maiden names, spelling differences, a case that remains pending, very old records held in physical storage, or a case that has been sealed by court order. Members of the public encountering these issues may contact the Clerk's office at (765) 659-6335, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or check the Indiana Department of Health's vital records verification service.

What Are Clinton County Divorce Records?

Clinton County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Clinton County Circuit Court or Superior Court. These records constitute part of the family law court file and are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court as the primary custodian. The Clinton County – Indiana Judicial Branch directory provides contact information for the courts responsible for maintaining these files.

Types of Divorce Records include:

Court Case Files: Petition for dissolution of marriage, response or answer to the petition, financial affidavits, parenting plans, settlement agreements, motions and orders, hearing transcripts, and the final judgment of dissolution.
Final Decree: The official court order ending the marriage, establishing the date of dissolution, division of property, spousal support terms, child custody arrangements, child support orders, and any name restoration. Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Clerk's office.
Supporting Documents: Marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, financial disclosure documents, property inventories, parenting plan details, and post-judgment modification orders.

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Divorce records serve legal purposes including proof of marital status for remarriage, name change documentation, property transfer, estate planning, immigration proceedings, and Social Security benefit determinations. They also serve personal purposes such as genealogical research and family history documentation.

Legal Framework:

Indiana dissolution of marriage proceedings are governed by Indiana Code § 31-15, which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for dissolution. Indiana is a no-fault dissolution state; the sole ground for dissolution is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Public access to court records is governed by Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which establishes the presumption of public access to court records while identifying categories of information that are excluded from public access.

Are Clinton County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Clinton County are public court records subject to Indiana's public access framework. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, court orders, and the final decree. Indiana Administrative Rule 9 establishes that court records are presumptively open to public inspection, while identifying specific categories of information that are excluded from public access or may be sealed by court order.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of parties (spouses) and attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and docket entries
Court orders and judgments, including the final divorce decree
Property division orders
General case status

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information: Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from public court records pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 9. Detailed financial statements and tax returns may be subject to limited access.
Children's Information: Names of minor children, residential addresses, schools attended, medical information, psychological evaluations, child custody evaluations, and guardian ad litem reports may be restricted or sealed.
Sensitive Personal Information: Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence, mental health records, medical records, substance abuse treatment information, and personal addresses in cases involving domestic violence are subject to heightened protection.
Sealed Records: A court may seal all or part of a case file upon a showing of good cause, including cases involving abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms. Mediation communications are confidential and are not part of the public record.

Who Can Access Records:

General Public: May access public portions of case files, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees. Photo identification may be required.
Parties to the Case: Have full access to their own case file, including confidential information pertaining to their own matter.
Attorneys: Have access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed documents upon a proper showing.
Researchers and Media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order. First Amendment considerations apply to news reporting on matters of public concern.

Prohibited Uses: Members of the public are prohibited from using divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or violation of protective orders.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Clinton County?

The Clerk of the Clinton County Circuit Court charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Under Indiana law, the Clerk is authorized to collect fees for copies and certifications as established by the Indiana Supreme Court and applicable statutes.

Service	Standard Fee
Plain paper copies	$1.00 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee
Certification seal	$5.00 per document
Search fee (in-person)	No charge for basic search
Electronic copies (if available)	Varies; contact Clerk's office

Accepted payment methods at the Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order payable to the Clinton County Clerk. Members of the public submitting mail requests should include a check or money order.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties upon application to the court; members of the public seeking a fee waiver should file a motion with the court demonstrating financial hardship.
Basic case information viewed through the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal is available at no charge. Fees apply only when obtaining physical or certified copies from the Clerk's office.
Fees for records obtained through the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records differ from court copy fees and are established separately by the Indiana State Department of Health.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Clinton County

A complete Clinton County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the court from the initiation of the proceeding through final judgment and any post-judgment actions. The following categories of documents are part of the standard case file.

Basic Case Information:

Case number, court name and division, names of petitioner and respondent, judge assigned, and attorneys of record
Filing date, filing fees paid, case type, and jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings:

Petition for dissolution of marriage, including marriage date and location, grounds for dissolution (irretrievable breakdown), information regarding minor children, property claims, and relief requested
Response or answer filed by the respondent, including any counterpetition
Financial affidavits from both parties detailing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities

Discovery Documents:

Financial disclosure materials including tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment and retirement account statements, and business financial statements where applicable
Interrogatories and answers under oath
Requests for production and responsive documents

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory covering real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property
Debt inventory covering mortgages, car loans, credit card debt, and other liabilities
Appraisals, business valuations, and expert reports on asset value

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, timesharing schedule, holiday and summer provisions, transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities
Child support calculation worksheet, income information, health insurance and childcare costs, and the support amount ordered
Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports, which may be sealed or subject to restricted access

Support Documents:

Alimony or spousal support terms, including type, amount, duration, payment schedule, and termination conditions
Calculation worksheets reflecting income, standard of living, and need and ability to pay

Settlement Documents:

Marital Settlement Agreement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, child-related provisions, tax provisions, and attorney fees
Mediation agreement, if the matter was mediated, which may be incorporated into the settlement agreement

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders addressing custody, support, use of property, and restraining orders
Final Judgment of Dissolution containing the court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody and timesharing, child support, name restoration if requested, and the judge's signature and seal
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) if retirement accounts are divided

Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):

Petitions to modify custody or support and court orders on those petitions
Contempt motions and enforcement actions including income deduction orders and liens

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted)
Children's residential addresses and schools
Domestic violence details, mental health evaluations, and substance abuse records
Settlement negotiations and mediation communications (not part of the public record)

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Clinton County?

Proof of divorce in Clinton County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage issued by the Clerk of the Clinton County Circuit Court. A certified copy bears the court's official seal and the Clerk's certification, making it legally acceptable for remarriage, name change, immigration, and other official purposes.

Steps to obtain a certified copy:

Identify the case number using the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal or by contacting the Clerk's office at (765) 659-6335.
Submit a request in person at the Clerk's office at 265 Courthouse Square, Frankfort, IN 46041, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), or submit a written request by mail.
Provide the full names of both parties, the case number, and the approximate date of the divorce.
Pay the applicable certification fee (currently $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee).
For historical divorces, contact the Clinton County Archives at 301 E. Clinton Street, Frankfort, IN 46041, as older records may be held there rather than at the active Clerk's office.
For a state-level verification letter, members of the public may contact the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records, which maintains divorce records reported to the state.

Clinton County Courthouse – Clerk of the Circuit Court
265 Courthouse Square
Frankfort, IN 46041
Phone: (765) 659-6335
Clinton County – Indiana Judicial Branch

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Clinton County?

A divorce proceeding in Clinton County may be partially or fully confidential under specific legal circumstances. Indiana Administrative Rule 9 governs the exclusion of certain information from public access in court records, and a court may seal all or part of a case file upon a proper showing of good cause.

Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be confidential include:

Domestic violence cases: Addresses, contact information, and identifying details of domestic violence victims may be excluded from public access to protect victim safety.
Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and medical or psychological information pertaining to minor children may be restricted or sealed.
Sealed financial records: Tax returns, detailed financial statements, and account numbers are subject to redaction or restricted access under Indiana Administrative Rule 9.
Court-ordered sealing: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal specific documents or the entire case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties.
Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential by statute and are not filed with the court or made part of the public record.
Mental health and medical records: Records pertaining to mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment, and medical conditions submitted as exhibits may be sealed or subject to restricted access.

Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access.

How Long Does Clinton County Keep Divorce Records?

Clinton County retains divorce records in accordance with Indiana's court records retention schedules established by the Indiana Supreme Court. Retention periods vary depending on the type of record and the nature of the proceeding.

Retention periods for Clinton County divorce records include:

Final Judgments of Dissolution: Retained permanently. The final decree and judgment are part of the permanent court record and are not subject to destruction.
Complete case files (contested dissolutions): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case, with permanent retention of the final judgment.
Uncontested dissolution case files: Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case.
Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file for the applicable retention period of that file.
Historical records: Older divorce records, including those predating electronic filing, are maintained by the Clinton County Archives, which preserves historical divorce filings, lawsuits, guardianship records, and probate documents.
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are retained in the court's electronic case management system in accordance with Indiana Supreme Court retention schedules.

Indiana court records retention is governed by the Indiana Supreme Court's Records Management and Retention Schedule. Members of the public seeking records older than those available through the active Clerk's office should contact the Clinton County Archives directly.