Jackson County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Jackson County in 2026
JacksonINRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Jackson County, Indiana. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents. Record categories available through official channels include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, child custody arrangements, and support orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Records may be searched through the Jackson County Clerk's Office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools provided by the Indiana court system.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Jackson County Courts maintain case records accessible through the Clerk's Office. Basic case information is available at no charge; certified copies and document requests may require a fee.
2. State Court System Portal
The Indiana Supreme Court operates MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search, a statewide public access portal that allows members of the public to search dissolution of marriage cases across Indiana 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 entries, case status, and party names at no cost.
3. State Vital Records
Indiana does not issue divorce certificates through the state vital records office in the same manner as birth or death certificates. The Indiana Department of Health maintains a divorce index for statistical purposes, but certified copies of divorce decrees must be obtained directly from the court of record.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Jackson County:
Jackson County Clerk's Office
111 S. Main Street
Brownstown, IN 47220
Phone: (812) 358-6116
Clerk's Office
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Services available in person include:
- Searching case files by party name or case number
- Viewing filed documents at public access terminals
- Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance with locating records
By Mail
Written Request:
Mail requests to:
Jackson County Clerk's Office
111 S. Main Street
Brownstown, IN 47220
Phone: (812) 358-6116
Clerk's Office
Written requests should include:
- Full names of both parties (including maiden names if applicable)
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requester's contact information
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
Processing time is subject to office workload and is at present estimated at one to two weeks for standard requests.
By Phone
Limited Information:
- Jackson Circuit Court: (812) 358-6133
- Jackson Superior Court 1: (812) 522-6427
- Jackson Superior Court 2: (812) 522-6427
Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide a case number, confirm case status, and verify a filing date. Detailed document contents and copies of filed instruments cannot be provided by telephone.
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Indiana may access case files on behalf of a client, request documents from sealed or restricted portions of a file upon a proper showing, and obtain certified copies. The Indiana State Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation in family law matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Prior addresses in Indiana
- 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 has resided for the preceding three months. 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 of filing.
Time Considerations
- Recent divorces: Cases finalized within the past several weeks may not yet appear in online systems; members of the public should allow standard processing time after the final hearing.
- Older divorces: Cases predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format and may require additional retrieval time.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common reasons a record may not appear include:
- Searching the wrong county
- Name variations or spelling differences
- The case remaining pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records stored in off-site archives
- A court order sealing the case
Members of the public experiencing difficulty locating a record may contact the Clerk's Office at (812) 358-6116, attempt alternate name spellings, or search under both spouses' names.
What Are Jackson County Divorce Records?
Divorce records in Jackson County are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings, maintained by the Clerk of Court as part of the permanent case file. These records constitute public court records under Indiana law and are subject to the access provisions of Indiana Code § 5-14-3, Indiana's Access to Public Records Act.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files include the petition for dissolution of marriage, the respondent's answer or counterpetition, financial affidavits, parenting plans, settlement agreements, motions, court orders, and hearing transcripts.
Final Decree of Dissolution is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, division of marital property, spousal support provisions, child custody and timesharing arrangements, child support orders, and any court-ordered name restoration. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk's Office.
Supporting Documents may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, financial disclosure statements, property inventories, appraisals, 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 verification of divorce terms.
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Jackson County Clerk's Office is the primary custodian of all dissolution of marriage case files. The office indexes records by party name and case number and provides certified copies upon request. The Recorder's Office maintains recorded instruments related to property transfers that may arise from divorce proceedings, such as deeds executed pursuant to a dissolution decree.
Are Jackson County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed with the Jackson County courts are public court records, accessible to any member of the public pursuant to Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. As stated by the Indiana Judicial Branch, members of the public may contact the local court directly for "getting a copy of a document in your case if it isn't available" through online systems. The presumption under Indiana law favors public access, and restrictions require a specific legal basis.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties and attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments
- Final decree of dissolution
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 9)
- Bank account and credit card numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools children attend
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted by court order)
- Child custody evaluations (may be sealed)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a dissolution case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Indiana law and are not part of the public record.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access public portions of the case file, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of non-restricted documents upon payment of applicable fees.
- Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view.
- Attorneys: May access case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing.
- Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order.
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public are prohibited from using divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a protective order issued by the court.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Jackson County?
The Jackson County Clerk's Office charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with Indiana law. Under Indiana Code § 33-37-5-1, clerks of court are authorized to collect fees for copies and certifications of court records.
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee |
| Document search (in-person) | No charge for basic search |
| Electronic copies (if available) | Varies; contact Clerk's Office |
- Inspection of records: Members of the public may inspect public court records at no charge during regular business hours.
- Certified copies: A certification fee applies in addition to the per-page copy fee.
- Payment methods: The Clerk's Office accepts cash, check, and money order; members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods prior to submitting a mail request.
- Fee waivers: Indiana law does not provide a general fee waiver for divorce record copies; parties who are indigent and represented by counsel may address copy costs through their attorney.
- MyCase portal: Basic case information, docket entries, and case status are available at no charge through the Indiana Courts Case Search portal.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Jackson County
A complete dissolution of marriage case file maintained by the Jackson County Clerk's Office contains the following categories of documents:
Basic Case Information:
- Case number, court name, and division
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Judge assigned and attorneys of record
- Filing date and case type
Initial Pleadings:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage, including marriage date and location, grounds for dissolution (irretrievable breakdown under Indiana's no-fault standard), children's information, property claims, and relief requested
- Response or answer filed by the respondent
- Counterpetition, if filed
- Financial affidavits from both parties detailing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities
Discovery Documents:
- Financial disclosure statements, tax returns, pay stubs, bank and investment account statements, and retirement account records
- Interrogatories and answers under oath
- Requests for production of documents and responses
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory covering real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investment and retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property
- Debt inventory including mortgages, car loans, credit card obligations, and other liabilities
- Appraisals and expert valuations
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, timesharing schedule, holiday and vacation provisions, transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities
- Child support calculation worksheet, income information, and support order
- Custody evaluations ordered by the court (may be restricted)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted)
Support Documents:
- Alimony or spousal support order specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
- Calculation worksheets and supporting financial analysis
Settlement Documents:
- Marital Settlement Agreement covering all issues resolved by the parties, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions
- Mediation agreement, if applicable (note: mediation communications are confidential and not part of the public record)
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property
- Final Judgment of Dissolution containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody and timesharing, name restoration, and the judge's signature and seal
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts
Post-Judgment Documents:
- Petitions to modify custody or support and resulting orders
- Contempt motions and enforcement actions
- Income deduction orders
What Is Typically Confidential or Redacted:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence details subject to a sealing order
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
- Mediation communications
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Jackson County?
Proof of divorce in Jackson County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage issued by the Clerk of 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 by searching the Indiana Courts Case Search portal or contacting the Clerk's Office to obtain the case number.
- Submit a written or in-person request to the Jackson County Clerk's Office at 111 S. Main Street, Brownstown, IN 47220.
- Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of dissolution, and the case number if known.
- Pay the applicable certification and per-page copy fees.
- Receive the certified copy in person or by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Jackson County Clerk's Office
111 S. Main Street
Brownstown, IN 47220
Phone: (812) 358-6116
Clerk's Office
Members of the public may also access case information through the Jackson County Courts page or the Indiana Judicial Branch local court directory for contact information and procedural guidance.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Jackson County?
A dissolution of marriage proceeding in Jackson County may be made confidential, in whole or in part, only upon a court order supported by a specific legal basis. Indiana courts apply a balancing test weighing the public's presumptive right of access against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children involved.
Circumstances under which records or portions of records may be sealed or restricted include:
- Domestic violence cases: Addresses and identifying information of victims may be withheld pursuant to Indiana's address confidentiality program.
- Children's sensitive information: Psychological evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and custody evaluations may be sealed to protect the best interests of minor children.
- Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers: Redacted from all public filings under Indiana Administrative Rule 9.
- Mediation communications: Confidential by statute and not filed with the court.
- Court-ordered sealing: Any party may petition the court to seal specific documents or the entire file upon a showing of good cause; the opposing party receives notice and an opportunity to be heard.
General case information, including party names, filing dates, and the final decree, remains public absent a specific sealing order. Members of the public seeking to seal a dissolution case file must file a motion with the assigned court and demonstrate that the privacy interest at stake outweighs the public's right of access under Indiana law.
How Long Does Jackson County Keep Divorce Records?
Jackson County maintains dissolution of marriage records in accordance with Indiana's court records retention schedules established by the Indiana Supreme Court. Under current Indiana court administration rules, dissolution of marriage case files are classified as permanent records and are retained indefinitely.
Retention provisions by record type include:
- Final Judgment of Dissolution: Permanent retention; never destroyed.
- Complete case file (pleadings, orders, financial affidavits): Retained permanently as part of the court's official record.
- Temporary orders and interlocutory documents: Retained as part of the permanent case file.
- Post-judgment modification orders: Retained permanently as supplements to the original case file.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the Indiana court electronic filing system and are subject to the same permanent retention requirements.
- Archived paper records: Older cases in paper format are maintained in the Clerk's Office or transferred to secure off-site storage; retrieval may require additional time.
Members of the public seeking records from cases filed prior to the implementation of electronic filing should contact the Clerk's Office directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures. The permanent retention requirement ensures that dissolution records remain accessible for legal, genealogical, and personal purposes regardless of the age of the case.