Lake County Dissolution of Marriage
Lake County dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained by the Clerk of the Lake Circuit and Superior Court in Crown Point, Indiana. Lake County is Indiana's second-most populous county with nearly 500,000 residents spread across Hammond, Gary, Merrillville, Crown Point, and several other large communities in the northwest corner of the state. If you need to search a dissolution of marriage case or get a certified copy of a divorce decree from Lake County, the clerk's office is your official source. This page explains how to access those records, what the law requires, and what resources are available locally.
Lake County Quick Facts
Lake County Clerk of Court
Michael A. Brown is the Clerk of the Lake Circuit and Superior Court. The clerk's office is located at 2293 N. Main Street, Courts Building, First Floor, in Crown Point. As the official custodian of court records, the clerk's office handles the filing and storage of all dissolution of marriage cases in Lake County. The clerk issues process, accepts new filings, enters judgments and orders, and maintains the official court seal. If you need to access a dissolution of marriage record in Lake County, this is the office that holds it.
The Lake County clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time. Keep the time zone in mind if you are calling from another state or eastern Indiana. The main phone number is (219) 755-3533. Fax is available at (219) 755-3337. Email contact goes to brownmx@lakecountyin.org. The clerk's website at lakecountyin.gov/departments/clerk has office information, forms, and helpful guidance for people searching dissolution records in Lake County.
The clerk's office accepts major credit cards for in-person payments at the counter. A 3% convenience fee applies when you pay by credit card. American Express is not accepted. Cash, checks, and other standard payment methods are also accepted for dissolution-related fees in Lake County.
| Clerk | Michael A. Brown |
|---|---|
| Address | 2293 N. Main Street, Courts Building, 1st Floor, Crown Point, IN 46307 |
| Phone | (219) 755-3533 |
| Fax | (219) 755-3337 |
| brownmx@lakecountyin.org | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central |
| Website | lakecountyin.gov/departments/clerk |
Searching Lake County Dissolution Records
Indiana's statewide MyCase public portal is the best free tool for searching dissolution of marriage cases in Lake County online. You can search by the name of either party or by case number. Results show docket events, case status, and key filings. Most Lake County dissolution cases from the past decade or more appear in the system. Very old records may not be digitized and may require an in-person visit to Crown Point.
For in-person searches, visit the Courts Building at 2293 N. Main Street in Crown Point. The clerk's staff will run a records search for you. Bring both spouses' full names and an approximate year the case was filed. This makes the search faster. Once the clerk locates the case, you can review documents and request copies. The clerk will quote the current per-page fee at the time of your visit. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and carry the court seal.
The Lake County Clerk's office website provides online resources, forms, and contact details for searching dissolution of marriage records in Crown Point.
The Indiana Courts local directory for Lake County lists judges, courts, and contact information for dissolution of marriage cases in northwest Indiana.
For professional researchers or anyone needing large volumes of Lake County dissolution records, Doxpop offers a subscription-based index of Indiana court records. The Indiana Courts directory at in.gov/courts/local/lake-county/ is also a good reference for court contact details in Lake County.
Note: Lake County operates on Central Time, which is one hour behind most of Indiana. Confirm office hours before calling from an eastern Indiana area code.
Indiana Dissolution Law in Lake County
Dissolution of marriage cases in Lake County are governed by IC Title 31. Under IC 31-15-2-3, at least one spouse must be an Indiana resident for six months and have lived in Lake County for at least three months before filing. Lake County's dense population means many people are eligible to file. The clerk's office in Crown Point accepts filings year-round from all parts of the county, including Hammond, Gary, Merrillville, Schererville, Hobart, and East Chicago.
Indiana is a no-fault state. The court does not require either party to prove wrongdoing. Irretrievable breakdown is the standard ground, and it applies to all Lake County dissolution cases. A 60-day waiting period follows the filing of the petition. The court cannot issue a final decree during those 60 days even if everyone agrees. Property division follows IC 31-15-4, starting with equal division and adjusting based on what each spouse contributed and their current financial needs. Spousal maintenance, if ordered, falls under IC 31-15-7.
What Lake County Dissolution Files Hold
A dissolution of marriage case file in Lake County includes the original petition, the other party's response, any motions filed during the case, temporary orders, financial disclosures, and the final decree. The petition names both parties and sets out what the filing spouse is seeking. The decree closes the case. It records the court's rulings on property, any maintenance, child custody, parenting time, and support. Most of this file is open to the public in Lake County.
Certified copies of the final decree are frequently needed after a dissolution. People use them to update names with employers, banks, and government agencies, to transfer real estate after property division, and to prove the marriage ended for remarriage purposes. The Lake County clerk issues certified copies with the court seal. Ask the clerk about current fees and turnaround times for certified copy requests in Lake County.
Indiana's Department of Health also maintains a separate record of divorces. Information about that record type is available at in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/. A state divorce certificate shows key facts about the dissolution but does not include the full terms of the court's order. For detailed property or custody terms, you need the court record from Lake County.
Legal Resources in Lake County
Indiana Legal Services serves Lake County residents who qualify for free legal help based on income. They handle family law cases including dissolution of marriage, custody, and support matters. Given Lake County's size and the number of people who may need affordable legal services, this is a vital resource. Contact their statewide intake line or apply online to ask about eligibility.
The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence can be reached at 800-332-7385. They provide referrals to Lake County shelters, legal advocates, and safety resources for residents dealing with domestic violence in connection with a dissolution case. This is a free, confidential service available to anyone in Lake County who needs it.
To submit a formal written records request, Indiana Courts provides guidance at in.gov/courts/public-records/how-to-request/. This page explains the process for requesting court records from any Indiana county including Lake County by mail or formal written request.
Cities in Lake County
Lake County is Indiana's most urbanized county outside of Marion. All dissolution of marriage cases filed throughout the county go to the clerk's office in Crown Point, regardless of which city the parties live in.
Other communities in Lake County include Munster, Highland, Dyer, Lowell, St. John, and Whiting. All dissolution cases from these towns are handled at the Lake County courthouse in Crown Point.
Nearby Counties
Lake County sits at the northwest tip of Indiana, bordering Illinois to the west and Lake Michigan to the north. These Indiana counties neighbor Lake County. File your dissolution case in the county where you have met the three-month residency requirement.