Find Dissolution of Marriage Records in Hendricks County

Hendricks County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Danville, Indiana. If you need to look up a filed case, obtain a copy of a final decree, or search historical dissolution of marriage filings, the clerk office is the right place to start. With roughly 175,000 residents, Hendricks County is one of Indiana's faster-growing counties, and the clerk's office handles a significant volume of family law filings. Most records are public under Indiana law and can be accessed in person, online, or by mail.

Hendricks County Circuit Court Clerk Office

Marjorie Pike serves as the Clerk of Circuit Court for Hendricks County. The clerk office is the record keeper for all county-level court cases, including civil matters, estate filings, guardianships, paternities, and dissolution of marriage cases. Staff handle new filings, issue certified copies, process records requests, and also issue marriage licenses. If you need a certified copy of a dissolution decree or want to search a case from the Hendricks County court system, this is the office to contact.

The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern time. One thing to note when visiting: the courthouse can only be entered through the West Security Entrance at 51 W Main St. in Danville. Bring valid photo ID for any records request. Staff can search by name or case number and pull files for review. Certified copies are processed on site, and most requests can be completed the same day.

The Hendricks County clerk's office page at co.hendricks.in.us has contact details and information about the clerk's duties. The Indiana Courts directory for Hendricks County at in.gov/courts/local/hendricks-county lists court resources and case types handled in the county.

The Indiana Courts local court page for Hendricks County, shown above and available at in.gov/courts/local/hendricks-county, provides links to court resources and case information for dissolution of marriage filings in this county.

How to Search Hendricks County Dissolution Records

Indiana's free public records tool, MyCase, lets you search Hendricks County dissolution of marriage cases from any device. Go to public.courts.in.gov and search by party name or case number. MyCase shows case status, hearing dates, and select filed documents. It does not provide all document images, but it quickly confirms whether a case exists and gives you the basic case details without a trip to Danville.

Doxpop at doxpop.com is another reliable source for Hendricks County dissolution records. It charges a small fee and offers more detailed search options along with document image access. Both Doxpop and MyCase pull from the same state court database. For a fast check on a Hendricks County case, start with MyCase. For document retrieval, Doxpop may save a trip to the courthouse.

In-person access at the clerk office in Danville gives you the most complete records view. Staff will pull the full case file, which includes every document from the petition through the final decree. You can review materials on site and pay for copies at the time of your visit. For records requests by mail, the Indiana Courts guide at in.gov/courts/public-records/how-to-request explains the process step by step.

Note: Entering through the West Security Entrance is required at the Hendricks County Courthouse. Plan extra time when visiting in person.

Dissolution of Marriage Law in Hendricks County

Indiana uses the term dissolution of marriage rather than divorce, and all cases are governed by IC Title 31. Under IC 31-15-2-3, a court can grant a dissolution if the marriage is irretrievably broken. That is the only ground required. Hendricks County courts apply this no-fault standard, meaning neither party has to prove wrongdoing to end the marriage. The case file at the clerk office in Danville reflects this focus on financial and parenting matters rather than fault.

Indiana requires a 60-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a final dissolution decree can be entered. This rule applies to every case in Hendricks County. If both parties agree on all terms, an uncontested hearing can be scheduled shortly after the 60-day period ends. Disagreements over property, children, or support may lead to mediation or a judge's decision before the case closes. The IC 31-15-7 provisions address financial matters in dissolution cases, including property division and maintenance. These issues are often the core of contested Hendricks County cases.

The final dissolution decree is signed by the judge and filed with the clerk in Danville, where it becomes part of the permanent public record for Hendricks County.

Filing Dissolution of Marriage in Hendricks County

To file for dissolution of marriage in Hendricks County, at least one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Hendricks County for three months before the petition is submitted. You file at the clerk's office at 51 W Main St. in Danville, using the West Security Entrance. The clerk stamps your petition, assigns a case number, and collects the filing fee. If you qualify for a fee waiver, submit that request at the same time.

After filing, the other spouse must be served with the petition and a summons. Service can be done by the county sheriff, certified mail, or a private process server. Proof of service goes into the case file at the Hendricks County Clerk's office. Under IC 31-15-4, either party can request provisional orders for temporary custody, support, or property rights while the case is pending. These orders provide short-term legal protection and are part of the public case record once filed.

Indiana Legal Services at indianalegalservices.org provides free legal help to eligible low-income residents, including those in Hendricks County who need help filing for dissolution of marriage or responding to a petition.

Hendricks County Dissolution Fees and Copies

Standard copy fees at the Hendricks County Clerk office are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $1.00 certification fee on top of the page rate. A $5.00 search fee may apply when staff must locate a case file. All fees are due at the time of the request. Checks should be made payable to the Hendricks County Clerk.

Filing fees to open a dissolution of marriage case in Hendricks County run approximately $157, though the exact amount depends on state-set court costs and local additions. To confirm the current total before you file, call the clerk at (317) 745-9231. Fee waivers are available to petitioners who meet income guidelines. Submit the waiver request with your initial petition so the court can consider it before any fees are assessed.

Legal Resources for Hendricks County Residents

Indiana Legal Services offers free civil legal help to low-income residents of Hendricks County, including help with dissolution of marriage, custody, and protective orders. Apply online at indianalegalservices.org to check whether you qualify. Staff can help with filling out forms, understanding the process, and representation in some cases. If cost prevents you from getting legal help, this is the best starting point for Hendricks County dissolution matters.

If domestic violence is part of your situation, the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence at icadvinc.org can connect you with local resources and legal advocates. Their statewide hotline is 800-332-7385. They can help you understand protective order options that can be filed alongside a dissolution petition in Hendricks County. Taking safety steps early protects both you and your children during the court process.

The Indiana Courts directory is a useful reference for locating court contacts, hours, and resources for any county in the state, including Hendricks County. If you cannot reach the clerk by phone, the directory lists alternate contacts and online resources.

Related Records in Hendricks County

Dissolution of marriage cases in Hendricks County often tie to property records held by the Hendricks County Recorder. When the final decree orders a real estate transfer or deed change, that document is recorded separately and becomes a public property record. You can search property records through the county recorder's office in Danville.

Indiana Vital Records at in.gov/health/vital-records keeps marriage records for the state. If you need proof of marriage to support a dissolution filing in Hendricks County, or need to verify a prior marriage or dissolution, the vital records office can provide certified copies. The Indiana State Library genealogy division at in.gov/library/genealogy holds older records and can help with historical marriage or dissolution research tied to Hendricks County cases.

Cities in Hendricks County

Dissolution of marriage cases for all Hendricks County residents are filed at the Circuit Court Clerk in Danville. Two cities in Hendricks County exceed the 25,000 population threshold and have their own records pages.

Other communities in Hendricks County include Danville, Avon, Pittsboro, Lizton, and Coatesville. Residents of all these towns file dissolution of marriage cases at the same clerk office in Danville.

Nearby Counties

Hendricks County is located west of Indianapolis. If you live near a county line and are unsure where to file, check which county your address falls in. Dissolution of marriage must be filed in the county where you or your spouse currently resides.