Brownsburg Dissolution of Marriage Records

Brownsburg dissolution of marriage cases are filed at the Hendricks County Circuit Court Clerk in Danville, the county seat about 15 miles west of Brownsburg. Brownsburg is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Indianapolis metro area and sits entirely within Hendricks County, meaning all family law filings go to Danville rather than anywhere in Indianapolis. The Hendricks County Clerk maintains all dissolution petitions, final decrees, and related records. This page explains where to search, how to use Indiana's online case system, what the law requires, and where to get legal assistance in the area.

Hendricks County Clerk in Danville

Brownsburg residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the Hendricks County Circuit Court Clerk in Danville. Danville is the county seat, about 15 miles west on US-36. The courthouse is located on Washington Street in the center of Danville.

The clerk's office takes in all dissolution petitions, maintains the case files, and issues certified copies of final decrees and orders. Staff can look up a case by name or number and tell you what's on file. They do not provide legal advice. Hours are standard weekday business hours. Arriving early is a good idea if you're visiting on a busy day.

Parking is available near the Danville courthouse. Bring a photo ID for any in-person visit. If you're requesting copies of a specific case, have the case number or both parties' names and the filing year ready.

Why Brownsburg Residents File in Danville

Brownsburg is part of Hendricks County. In Indiana, dissolution of marriage cases are filed in the county where the petitioner lives. Brownsburg is close to the Marion County line, and some residents assume they might be able to file in Indianapolis. That's not how it works. If you live in Brownsburg, you file in Hendricks County, in Danville.

The drive from Brownsburg to Danville is about 15 minutes west on US-36. It's a short trip for most residents. Once the petition is filed, all hearings also take place in Danville. Simple agreed cases may only require one or two court appearances. Contested cases with property or custody disputes will mean more trips to Danville over a longer period.

One thing to note: Hendricks County has grown a lot in recent years along with Brownsburg. The courthouse handles a higher case volume than it once did. Filing times and processing times may vary. Call ahead to confirm current wait times if you're under time pressure.

Searching Hendricks County Dissolution Records

Indiana's statewide public case search tool is called MyCase. It's free and doesn't require an account. You can search at public.courts.in.gov by entering a party name or case number. The system covers Hendricks County dissolution filings and shows case type, filing date, current status, and upcoming hearing dates.

MyCase doesn't display the full text of filed documents, but it confirms a case exists and gives you enough information to know the basic timeline and status. Most Hendricks County cases from the past decade are indexed there. Older cases may not be fully available online and would need to be requested directly from the clerk's office.

The screenshot below is from the Indiana MyCase public court records portal, which covers Hendricks County dissolution of marriage cases filed by Brownsburg residents.

The MyCase system is the primary free tool for searching Indiana court records online, including dissolution cases filed in Hendricks County by Brownsburg residents.

For broader or more detailed searches, Doxpop at doxpop.com is a paid subscription service frequently used by attorneys and legal researchers. Most individual case lookups can be handled through MyCase at no cost. You can also call the Hendricks County Clerk directly at (317) 745-9231 to ask about a case by name or number.

Indiana Dissolution Law

Indiana calls divorce "dissolution of marriage" in all of its statutes. The relevant law is in Indiana Code Title 31. All of Indiana follows the same rules, including Brownsburg and Hendricks County.

Residency is the starting point. To file in Hendricks County, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Hendricks County for at least three months right before filing. If you just moved to Brownsburg, confirm you meet the three-month county requirement before heading to Danville.

Indiana is a no-fault divorce state. The legal ground is "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." Neither spouse has to prove the other did anything wrong. Under IC 31-15-2-3, a mandatory 60-day waiting period begins when the petition is filed and the other party is served. No final decree can be issued before that period is up, even if everything is agreed. Straightforward agreed cases sometimes wrap up shortly after the 60-day mark. Cases involving property division, debt allocation, or children take more time.

Indiana courts default to equal division of marital assets and debts. Either spouse can request a different split and present evidence to support it. The judge weighs each spouse's income, contributions to the marriage, and how long they were married when deciding whether to deviate from 50/50.

Certified Copies and Record Requests

Certified copies of dissolution decrees are the official documents recognized by government agencies, banks, and courts when you need to prove marital status. The Hendricks County Clerk issues certified copies for cases filed in Hendricks County.

Indiana charges $1 per page for copies. A small additional certification fee may apply. You can request copies in person at 355 S. Washington St. in Danville or by mail. Mailed requests should include both parties' names, the filing year, and the case number. Send a check payable to the Hendricks County Clerk. In-person requests are often handled the same day. Mail requests can take one to two weeks, sometimes longer for older archived cases.

The Indiana courts' public records guidance at in.gov/courts/public-records/how-to-request/ covers statewide procedures for requesting court records and applies to Hendricks County cases as well.

Legal Resources for Brownsburg Residents

Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents, including family law cases like dissolution of marriage. They serve Hendricks County and can be reached through indianalegalservices.org. Not everyone qualifies based on income, but the program covers many residents who can't afford private legal fees.

For residents dealing with domestic violence, the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence is reachable at 800-332-7385 or at icadvinc.org. Local advocates can connect Brownsburg and Hendricks County residents with safety resources, emergency housing, and legal referrals tailored to their situation.

The Hendricks County courthouse in Danville has public-facing resources and forms available. Clerk staff can tell you what forms to file and what the process generally looks like. They are not permitted to give legal advice on your case. For matters involving children, significant property, or any contested issue, consulting a licensed Indiana attorney is worth the time and cost.

Nearby Indiana Cities

Brownsburg is part of the western Indianapolis suburbs. Several qualifying Indiana cities are nearby, each served by their own county clerk for dissolution filings.