Marion County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Marion County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Marion County Clerk in Indianapolis, Indiana. As the state's most populous county with nearly 977,000 residents, Marion County handles a very large volume of dissolution cases each year. If you need to search a dissolution of marriage case or request a certified copy of a final decree, the clerk's office is your official source. This page explains how to find Marion County dissolution records, what Indiana law requires, and what local resources are available in Indianapolis.

Marion County Clerk of Court

Kate Sweeney Bell is the Marion County Clerk. The main clerk's office is at 200 E. Washington Street, Room W122, in the Indianapolis City-County Building. As the official keeper of court records for Marion County, the clerk's office stores all dissolution of marriage filings, processes certified copy requests, and manages the court record system. The office serves a very large population, so it helps to know which location handles what you need before you visit.

Marion County has three locations for clerk services. The main location is the City-County Building at 200 E. Washington Street. A second location is the Community Justice Campus at 675 Justice Way, Indianapolis. A third location handles records at 1330 Madison Avenue (access via Orange Street due to ongoing construction). For dissolution of marriage records specifically, most requests go through the main downtown office or the Records Department at (317) 327-4715. Urgent or same-day requests should call the Records Department directly. Marriage and divorce records are not available online, so all requests for Marion County dissolution records must be made in person or by mail to the clerk's office.

The clerk's website at indy.gov/agency/marion-county-clerks-office has contact details, location information, and guidance on making records requests. You can also find records request details at indy.gov/activity/request-copies-of-court-records.

How to Search Marion County Dissolution Records

Marion County dissolution of marriage records are not available through an online search tool directly. The county's size and the volume of cases mean most requests must be handled in person or by mail. Indiana's statewide MyCase public portal shows case-level docket information for Marion County dissolution cases, but actual documents and certified copies must be requested through the clerk's office. Start with MyCase to find the case number and filing date, then contact the clerk to get the documents you need.

For certified copies, contact the Records Department at (317) 327-4715 or email ClerkPublic@indy.gov. The fee structure for Marion County dissolution records is $1 per page and $3 for the certification stamp. So a single certified page costs $4 total. Multi-page documents cost $1 for each page plus the $3 certification fee. The clerk accepts cash, money orders, cashier's checks, and credit or debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted. American Express is not accepted either. Same-day requests should call ahead to confirm they can be handled that day at the Records Department location.

The Marion County Clerk's official page at Indy.gov provides location details, contact information, and guidance for requesting dissolution of marriage records in Indianapolis.

The Indy.gov court records request page explains how to request copies of dissolution of marriage files from the Marion County Clerk in Indianapolis.

Historical dissolution records in Marion County go back to 1865. Records from 1865 to 1990 are on microfilm. Records from 1991 to 2011 are at the Records Department. Cases from 2011 to 2013 are in the courtrooms. Cases from 2013 onward appear in the electronic system. The clerk's staff can help you determine which era applies to your search and where to look for dissolution records from that period in Marion County.

Note: For cases involving marriage and divorce records, Marion County does not provide access online, unlike some smaller Indiana counties that post records to MyCase in full.

Indiana Dissolution Law in Marion County

Dissolution of marriage in Marion County follows IC Title 31. Under IC 31-15-2-3, one spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months and in Marion County for at least three months before filing. Marion County's large population means many people qualify, but residency must still be established before the court accepts the petition. If you moved to Marion County recently from another county, wait until you meet the three-month requirement before filing in Indianapolis.

Indiana does not require fault to dissolve a marriage. The court accepts irretrievable breakdown under IC Title 31 as the only ground. After the petition is filed, a 60-day waiting period begins. The court cannot enter a final decree before those 60 days are up, even in fully agreed-upon cases. Property division under IC 31-15-4 starts with equal division of all marital assets and debts. The court can deviate based on each spouse's contributions, economic circumstances, the length of the marriage, and the tax consequences of certain distributions. Spousal maintenance under IC 31-15-7 is not automatic and requires showing specific need. Given the assets and circumstances often involved in Marion County dissolution cases, these issues are frequently litigated or negotiated at length.

What Marion County Dissolution Files Contain

A dissolution of marriage case file in Marion County holds all documents filed during the proceeding. The petition is the first paper. It names both parties, states the grounds, and lays out what the petitioner seeks. The other spouse files a response. Financial disclosures and income worksheets go in when children are involved. Temporary orders and motions filed during the case are all part of the record. Most of this file is public in Marion County, though some documents involving children may be restricted.

The final dissolution decree is the document most people need after a case ends. It formally ends the marriage and records all court rulings: property division, any maintenance, child custody and parenting time, and child support. Certified copies of this decree are needed for many post-dissolution legal tasks, from changing a name on a bank account to transferring ownership of real estate. The Marion County clerk issues certified copies for $1 per page plus a $3 certification fee. A one-page certified decree costs $4 total.

For a shorter vital record summary, Indiana keeps state-level divorce records at the Department of Health. Visit in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages/ for information on how to request a state divorce certificate. This certificate is less detailed than the court record from Marion County but can serve some legal purposes. For full decree terms, always go to the clerk's office in Indianapolis.

Legal Resources in Marion County

Indiana Legal Services serves Marion County residents who qualify for free legal help based on income. They handle family law matters including dissolution of marriage, and the Indianapolis area is one of their most active service regions. Given the size of Marion County and the number of people who need affordable legal help, Indiana Legal Services is a critical resource. Apply online or call their intake line to check eligibility for free assistance with a dissolution case in Indianapolis.

The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence is available at 800-332-7385. Marion County has local domestic violence organizations and shelters that work with the coalition. If domestic violence is part of your dissolution situation in Marion County, advocates can help with safety planning, protective orders, and legal resources. This service is free and confidential.

More information on requesting dissolution of marriage records formally in writing is available at in.gov/courts/public-records/how-to-request/. This guide covers the proper process for submitting a written records request to the Marion County Clerk for dissolution documents and other court records.

Cities in Marion County

Marion County is a consolidated city-county government called Unigov. Indianapolis covers most of the county. All dissolution of marriage cases from communities throughout Marion County are filed at the clerk's office in downtown Indianapolis.

Other communities within Marion County include Beech Grove, Southport, and Speedway. All of these areas file dissolution cases at the Marion County clerk's office in Indianapolis.

Nearby Counties

Marion County is the center of the Indianapolis metro area and borders several surrounding counties. File your dissolution case in the county where you have met the three-month residency requirement.