Fayette County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Fayette County in 2026
FayetteINRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Fayette County, Indiana. Members of the public may find case summaries, final decrees, docket entries, and related court filings through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage petitions, final judgments, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and support determinations. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Divorce records in Fayette County may be searched through official resources including the Fayette County Clerk of Courts, the Indiana statewide case search portal, state vital records, and public access terminals located at the courthouse. The Indiana Judicial Branch: Public Records page provides guidance on locating court documents when online access is unavailable.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Fayette County Clerk of Courts maintains the official index of all dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. Basic case information is available at no charge, while copies of filed documents require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search portal allows members of the public to search court records across all Indiana counties from a single consolidated database. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. As noted by the Indiana Supreme Court, "official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record."
3. State Vital Records
The Indiana Department of Health Vital Records office maintains divorce records filed with the state. Indiana registers divorce certificates as vital records, and members of the public may request divorce verification letters or certified copies through this office. Fees apply.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Fayette County Circuit Court:
Fayette County Clerk of Courts
401 Central Avenue
Connersville, IN 47331
Phone: (765) 825-1813
Fayette County – Indiana Judicial Branch
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating archived records
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Fayette County Clerk of Courts, 401 Central Avenue, Connersville, IN 47331
- Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately one to two weeks, subject to staff availability and record age.
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
- Clerk of Court: (765) 825-1813
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- The assigned case number
- Current case status
- Original filing date
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Indiana may access court records on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing of cause, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. The Indiana Judicial Branch: Self-Service Legal Center provides resources for individuals who represent themselves and need guidance navigating the court system without legal representation.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Indiana
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
- Case number, if previously obtained
Search in Correct County
Under Indiana law, a petition for dissolution of marriage is filed in the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public searching for a divorce record must identify the correct county of residence at the time of the proceeding. Searching the county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not appropriate unless one spouse also resided there at the time of filing.
Pursuant to Indiana Code § 31-15-2-6, at least one party to a dissolution proceeding must have been a resident of Indiana or stationed at a military installation within Indiana for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition, and a resident of the county for at least three months.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing.
- Records are available within days to weeks after the court enters the final judgment.
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may exist only in paper format.
- Archived records may require additional retrieval time.
- Pre-digitization records are not searchable online and must be requested directly from the Clerk's office.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- The divorce was filed in a different Indiana county
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case remains pending and has not been finalized
- Very old records stored in off-site archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Fayette County Clerk at (765) 825-1813
- Attempt alternate name spellings in the search
- Search under both spouses' names
- Check the Indiana Department of Health Vital Records for a divorce verification letter
- Search the MyCase statewide portal for cases filed in adjacent counties
What Are Fayette County Divorce Records?
Fayette County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Fayette County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the permanent court file maintained by the Clerk of Courts and are classified as public records subject to Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, Indiana Code § 5-14-3, with certain enumerated exceptions for sensitive personal information.
Types of Divorce Records
Court Case Files include the full set of documents filed by the parties and the court throughout the proceeding:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Parenting plans and custody proposals
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of dissolution
Final Decree is the official court order that legally terminates the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, the division of marital property and debts, any spousal support obligations, child custody and parenting time arrangements, child support orders, and any court-approved name changes. Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Clerk of Courts upon payment of applicable fees.
Supporting Documents filed during the proceeding may include the original marriage certificate, financial disclosure statements, property appraisals, parenting plan modifications, and post-judgment modification orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records
Divorce records serve a range of legal and personal purposes:
- Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
- Documenting name changes with government agencies
- Supporting immigration proceedings and visa applications
- Verifying eligibility for Social Security survivor or spousal benefits
- Facilitating estate planning and property transfers
- Conducting genealogical and family history research
Who Maintains Divorce Records
The Fayette County Clerk of Courts serves as the primary custodian of all dissolution of marriage case files and provides certified copies upon request. The Indiana Department of Health Vital Records office maintains a statewide registry of divorce certificates and issues divorce verification letters, which confirm that a dissolution was granted but contain less detail than the full court file.
Are Fayette County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Fayette County are public court records under Indiana law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest. However, Indiana law and court rules impose restrictions on certain categories of sensitive information contained within divorce case files.
What Is Public:
- Case number and original filing date
- Full names of both parties to the proceeding
- Names of attorneys of record
- Scheduled and completed court hearing dates
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status and disposition
- Docket entries reflecting the chronological history of the case
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents
- Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 9
- Detailed tax returns filed as exhibits may be subject to limited access
- Salary and income details may carry partial restrictions depending on how they were submitted
Children's Information:
- Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted in certain circumstances
- Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children are restricted
- Guardian ad litem reports and custody evaluation reports may be sealed by court order
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed upon motion
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records are restricted under applicable state and federal law
- Personal addresses of domestic violence victims are protected under Indiana law
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Circumstances that may support sealing include documented domestic violence, high-profile cases where public disclosure poses a safety risk, and confidential mediation agreements. Mediation communications are confidential by statute and do not become part of the public court record.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of fees.
- Parties to the case: Entitled to full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view.
- Attorneys of record: Have professional access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing.
- Researchers and media: May access public portions of the record; sealed records require a court order.
Prohibited Uses of Divorce Records:
- Stalking, harassment, or intimidation of any party
- Identity theft or fraudulent purposes
- Violation of any protective order issued in the case
- Any use that constitutes a criminal offense under Indiana law
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Fayette County?
The Fayette County Clerk of Courts charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to Indiana Code § 33-37-5-1, which governs court fees and costs in Indiana civil proceedings.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree or order | $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee |
| Divorce verification letter (State Vital Records) | $8.00 per copy |
| Certified copy from State Vital Records | $8.00 per copy |
| Public access terminal viewing | No charge |
Additional Fee Information:
- Inspection of records at the courthouse public access terminal is available at no charge during regular business hours.
- Copies requested by mail require prepayment; the Clerk's office accepts checks or money orders made payable to the Fayette County Clerk of Courts.
- In-person payments may be made by cash, check, or money order; credit card acceptance varies and should be confirmed with the Clerk's office directly.
- The Indiana Department of Health charges $8.00 per divorce verification letter requested through the state vital records system.
- Fee waiver provisions may apply in limited circumstances for indigent parties; individuals seeking a waiver must file a petition with the court demonstrating financial hardship.
- Electronic copies, where available through the MyCase portal, may be accessed at no charge for basic case information; document downloads may carry a nominal fee.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Fayette County
A complete Fayette County dissolution of marriage case file contains documents generated from the initial filing through post-judgment proceedings. The scope of the file depends on whether the case was contested or uncontested and whether children or significant assets were involved.
Basic Case Information:
- Case caption identifying the court, division, case number, and names of petitioner and respondent
- Name of the assigned judge
- Names and contact information of attorneys of record
- Filing date, case type designation, and jurisdictional basis
Initial Pleadings:
The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and place of marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for dissolution (Indiana is a no-fault state, requiring only that the marriage be irretrievably broken under Indiana Code § 31-15-2-3), information regarding minor children, claims regarding marital property, and the relief requested. The Response filed by the respondent states that party's position, admissions or denials, and any counterpetition for relief.
Financial Affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, real and personal property assets, investment and retirement accounts, and all outstanding liabilities.
Discovery Documents may include interrogatories and sworn answers, requests for production of financial records, tax returns, bank and investment account statements, retirement account statements, business financial records, and property appraisals.
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory listing real property, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property with estimated values
- Debt inventory covering mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card balances, and other obligations
- Appraisal reports for real property, business interests, and significant personal property
Children-Related Documents (where applicable):
- Proposed and final parenting plans addressing legal custody, physical custody, regular and holiday parenting time schedules, transportation, and decision-making authority over education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities
- Child support calculation worksheets reflecting both parties' incomes, number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses
- Court-ordered custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports, which may be sealed
Support Documents:
- Spousal maintenance orders, if applicable, specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
- Income deduction orders for child support enforcement
Settlement Documents:
- Marital Settlement Agreement comprehensively resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related matters
- Mediation agreements, if the parties participated in mediation (mediation communications themselves remain confidential)
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary orders addressing custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the proceeding
- Final Judgment of Dissolution containing the court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, complete property division, support orders, custody and parenting time determinations, and any approved name restoration
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) if retirement accounts are divided
Post-Judgment Documents:
- Petitions to modify custody, parenting time, or support
- Court orders on modification petitions
- Contempt motions and enforcement orders
- Income deduction orders and liens
What Is Typically Confidential or Redacted:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence-related evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Mediation communications
- Trade secrets contained in business valuations
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Fayette County
Proof of divorce in Fayette County may be obtained through two primary channels: a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution from the Fayette County Clerk of Courts, or a divorce verification letter from the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records.
Certified Copy from the Clerk of Courts:
A certified copy of the final decree bears the official court seal and the Clerk's certification, making it legally acceptable proof of divorce for remarriage, name change applications, immigration proceedings, and Social Security purposes.
- Visit in person: Fayette County Clerk of Courts, 401 Central Avenue, Connersville, IN 47331, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Request by mail: Submit a written request with party names, approximate divorce date, case number if known, and payment of applicable fees to the same address.
- Phone: (765) 825-1813
Divorce Verification Letter from State Vital Records:
The Indiana Department of Health Vital Records office issues divorce verification letters confirming that a dissolution of marriage was granted in Indiana. This document is suitable for many administrative purposes and costs $8.00 per copy.
Indiana Department of Health — Vital Records
2 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 233-2700
Indiana Vital Records
Online Access:
Members of the public may verify the existence of a divorce case and obtain basic case information through the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal at no charge. Certified copies, however, must be obtained directly from the court or the state vital records office, as the Indiana Supreme Court has stated that "official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record."
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Fayette County?
A divorce proceeding in Fayette County may be partially or fully confidential under specific legal circumstances, though the default presumption under Indiana law favors public access to court records.
Circumstances under which divorce records may be confidential:
- Domestic violence cases: When a party demonstrates a credible safety risk, the court may seal residential addresses, contact information, and related evidence from the public record.
- Sealed financial records: Tax returns, detailed financial statements, and account numbers are subject to redaction under Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which governs the filing of confidential information in court proceedings.
- Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and medical or psychological records pertaining to minor children may be restricted or redacted to protect the children's welfare.
- Mental health and substance abuse records: These records carry independent confidentiality protections under both state and federal law, including HIPAA, and are not disclosed as part of the public court file.
- Mediation communications: All communications made during court-ordered or voluntary mediation are confidential by statute and do not become part of the public record.
- Court-ordered sealing: Any party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file upon a showing of good cause. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties.
The Indiana Judicial Branch: Public Records page provides additional guidance on the standards governing access to and confidentiality of court records in Indiana.
How Long Does Fayette County Keep Divorce Records?
Fayette County retains divorce records in accordance with Indiana's court records retention schedules, which establish minimum preservation periods for different categories of court documents.
Retention periods for divorce records:
- Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently. The final judgment of dissolution is a permanent court record and is never destroyed.
- Complete case files (contested dissolutions): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case, with permanent retention of the final judgment.
- Complete case files (uncontested dissolutions): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case.
- Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period; may be purged after the minimum period has elapsed.
- Post-judgment modification orders: Retained permanently as part of the ongoing case record.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the statewide court management system and are subject to the same retention schedules as paper records.
Indiana court records retention schedules are established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records and the Indiana Supreme Court. Older paper records that have been retained beyond the minimum period may be transferred to off-site storage or converted to microfilm or digital format. Members of the public seeking records from archived cases should contact the Fayette County Clerk of Courts directly to confirm availability and retrieval timelines.
The Indiana Judicial Branch provides contact information for the Fayette County court system, including the Clerk's office, which can confirm whether a specific historical record remains available.