Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in Clinton County

Clinton County dissolution of marriage records are filed and stored at the County Clerk's office in Frankfort, Indiana. Whether you are searching for a recent case or one filed years ago, the clerk holds the official file for every dissolution of marriage in Clinton County. You can search online using Indiana's public court system or visit the Frankfort courthouse in person to look up cases, get copies of decrees, or confirm case details. This page walks you through the key steps and resources.

Clinton County Clerk Office

The Clinton County Clerk manages all official court records, including dissolution of marriage cases. Clerk Stephanie Harshbarger and her staff handle case filings, issue certified copies, and maintain the records that document every dissolution of marriage in Clinton County. The office is in Frankfort at the courthouse square, and it is the right place to start if you need any document from a Clinton County dissolution case.

Hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you are making a trip to the Frankfort courthouse, call ahead so staff can confirm they have your records ready. The clerk can search by the names of the parties or by a case number. For older cases, some files may be in storage rather than on the main shelf, so giving the clerk advance notice helps. The county website at clintonco.com has basic information about the county's offices and services.

The Clinton County government site lists office details and contact information for the Clerk and other departments that handle dissolution of marriage related records.

Search Clinton County Dissolution of Marriage Online

Indiana provides a free public court search tool that covers Clinton County dissolution of marriage cases. The MyCase portal at public.courts.in.gov lets you look up case records by party name or case number. The system shows case type, filing date, case status, and hearing information. You do not need an account or a fee to search basic case data. This is the most direct way to find an active or recently closed dissolution of marriage in Clinton County without going to Frankfort.

If you need more detail than MyCase provides, or if you want to confirm what documents are in a file, Doxpop covers Indiana court records and indexes many Clinton County cases. Doxpop may also have older cases that predate the state's online system. For any record that requires a certified copy, you still need to contact the Clinton County Clerk directly since only the clerk can issue certified documents.

The Indiana Courts local page for Clinton County shows the courts and judges who handle dissolution of marriage filings in the county.

Note: The MyCase portal reflects what is in the official court system, so cases filed very recently may take a day or two to appear in search results.

Clinton County Dissolution of Marriage Filing

To file a dissolution of marriage in Clinton County, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Clinton County for three months. This is a requirement under Indiana Title 31, and the court will check it before moving forward. The petition goes to the clerk office at 265 Courthouse Square in Frankfort. The clerk stamps the petition with a case number and the process begins.

After filing, the other spouse must receive the petition through proper legal service. The case then enters a waiting period. Under IC 31-15-2-3, Indiana courts cannot enter a final dissolution decree until at least 60 days have passed from the date the petition was filed. This waiting period applies in Clinton County just as it does statewide. If both spouses agree on all issues, the case can resolve quickly once the 60 days are up. Contested cases may take longer depending on what the parties disagree about.

Every document filed during the case becomes part of the permanent court record. That includes temporary orders, mediation agreements, financial disclosures, and the final decree. The clerk stores these papers and the public can access most of them.

What Clinton County Dissolution Records Show

Dissolution of marriage records in Clinton County cover the full span of a case from first filing to final order. The petition names both spouses and states what the petitioner wants. The response or answer from the other spouse is also in the file. If both parties reach a deal, the settlement agreement is filed with the court. The final decree, signed by the judge, closes the case and becomes a permanent part of the public record.

The decree typically states how property and debts are divided between the spouses. It also includes any custody arrangement, visitation schedule, and child support amounts if children were involved. Spousal maintenance, sometimes called alimony, may also be part of the decree. Indiana courts decide property division under IC 31-15-7, which guides how courts split marital assets. If you need a certified copy of a final decree from a Clinton County dissolution case, the clerk office can make one for you at the standard copy fee.

Note: Documents tied to minor children, such as parenting time orders, are part of the record but may have limited public access under certain circumstances.

Legal Help for Dissolution of Marriage in Clinton County

Residents of Clinton County who need help with a dissolution of marriage and have limited income can reach out to Indiana Legal Services. They provide free or low-cost legal advice and representation in family law cases. Visit indianalegalservices.org to check eligibility and find the nearest office that serves Clinton County.

Indiana also has forms and guides for people who file without a lawyer. The state courts' public records request page at in.gov/courts/public-records/how-to-request explains how to ask for court documents in Clinton County. For anyone facing domestic violence during a dissolution case, the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence provides help at icadvinc.org and through their statewide line at 800-332-7385. They can connect callers with local Clinton County resources quickly.

Indiana Code IC 31-15-4 covers provisional orders that courts can issue while a dissolution case is pending. These orders can address support, custody, and use of the family home in Clinton County before the final decree is entered.

Cities in Clinton County

Frankfort is the largest city in Clinton County and serves as the county seat. Other communities in Clinton County include Michigantown, Mulberry, Rossville, Scircleville, and Kirklin. All residents of Clinton County, regardless of which town they live in, file dissolution of marriage cases with the clerk office in Frankfort. No cities in Clinton County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clinton County. Dissolution of marriage cases must be filed in the county where you or your spouse lives, so confirm your county before you file.