Monroe County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Monroe County in 2026
MonroeINRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Monroe County, Indiana. Members of the public may find case filings, final decrees, docket entries, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, parenting plans, and support orders. Access and completeness may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality rules.
Divorce records in Monroe County may be searched through official resources including the Monroe County Clerk of Court, the Indiana statewide court portal, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking these records.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Monroe County Clerk of Court provides online access to case information through the Monroe County Find My Case portal. This is the most common method for locating divorce filings. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for obtaining copies of documents.
2. State Court System Portal
The MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal allows members of the public to search divorce and dissolution cases across all Indiana jurisdictions from a single consolidated database. As noted by the Indiana Supreme Court, "official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record." Basic docket information is free; certified copies require a request to the originating court.
3. State Vital Records
Indiana does not issue divorce certificates through the state vital records office in the same manner as birth or death certificates. The Indiana Department of Health maintains statistical records of divorces, but certified proof of divorce is obtained directly from the Clerk of Court in the county where the case was filed.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court – Monroe County
Monroe County Clerk of Court
100 W. Kirkwood Ave., Room 213
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 349-2614
Monroe County Clerk of Court
- 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 documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating older or archived cases
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Monroe County Clerk of Court, 100 W. Kirkwood Ave., Room 213, Bloomington, IN 47404
- Include the following with each request:
- Full names of both parties (including maiden names if applicable)
- Approximate date of divorce or filing year
- Case number, if known
- Requester's name, mailing address, and contact information
- Purpose of request (may be required for certain records)
- Payment for copies (check or money order payable to Monroe County Clerk)
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are typically processed within one to two weeks, though archived or older cases may require additional time.
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
- Clerk of Court: (812) 349-2614
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of documents
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Indiana may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing of cause, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. Members of the public seeking assistance with complex or older cases may contact the Indiana State Bar Association for attorney referral services.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate year or date range of the divorce
- Case number, if previously known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Prior addresses in Monroe County
- Names of children, if any
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
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 who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. The county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not necessarily the county of filing unless one or both spouses also resided there.
Residency Requirement:
Pursuant to Indiana Code § 31-15-2-6, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Indiana for six months and a resident of the county of filing for three months immediately preceding the filing of the petition.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately; allow several business days to weeks after the final hearing for the record to be indexed.
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in paper archives and may not be digitized. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time and a written request to the Clerk's office.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- The case was filed in a different county
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case is still 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 Clerk's office at (812) 349-2614 to request a manual search
- Try alternate spellings of both party names
- Search under both spouses' names separately
- Use the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search to search statewide
- Consult an attorney for assistance with sealed or complex cases
What Are Monroe County Divorce Records?
Monroe County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Monroe Circuit or Superior Courts. These records are maintained by the Monroe County Clerk of Court as part of the family law case file and constitute public records subject to Indiana's access rules.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files
The complete case file includes all documents filed by the parties and the court throughout the proceeding:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits from both parties
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings (if ordered)
- Final judgment of dissolution
Final Decree
The final decree of dissolution is the official court order terminating the marriage. It is the primary document used as legal proof of divorce and establishes:
- The date the marriage was legally dissolved
- Division of marital property and debts
- Alimony or spousal maintenance terms, if any
- Child custody and parenting time arrangements, if applicable
- Child support orders, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Monroe County Clerk of Court upon payment of the applicable fee.
Supporting Documents
- Original marriage certificate (submitted as an exhibit)
- Financial disclosure statements
- Property inventories and appraisals
- Parenting plan details and modifications
- Post-judgment modification orders
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Legal Purposes
- Proof of marital status for remarriage
- Name change documentation for government agencies
- Property transfer and title recording
- Estate planning and beneficiary designations
- Immigration and naturalization proceedings
- Social Security and pension benefit claims
Personal Purposes
- Genealogical and family history research
- Personal record-keeping
- Verification of divorce terms for compliance purposes
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Monroe County Clerk of Court is the primary custodian of all divorce case files, indexes records by party name, and provides certified copies upon request. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides additional guidance on accessing court records statewide.
Legal Framework:
Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Indiana are governed by Indiana Code § 31-15-2-3, which establishes irretrievable breakdown of the marriage as the sole ground for dissolution. Public access to court records is governed by the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records, which establish a presumption of public access while providing specific protections for sensitive information.
Are Monroe County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Monroe County are public court records under Indiana law, and members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents. However, certain categories of information are restricted or may be sealed by court order.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information
- Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings pursuant to Indiana court rules
- Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
- Detailed tax returns and financial statements may be subject to limited access
Children's Information
- Names and addresses of minor children may be partially redacted
- Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children may be sealed
- Guardian ad litem reports are restricted
Sensitive Personal Information
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed upon motion
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records are protected
- Personal addresses of domestic violence victims are withheld from public access
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public. Cases involving abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders.
As stated by the Indiana Judicial Branch, "Citizens of Indiana have access to case filings not precluded by Access to Court Records Rule 5," which governs the categories of information excluded from public access.
Who Can Access Records:
| Requester | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents and docket entries |
| Parties to the case | Full access to their own case file |
| Attorneys of record | Full access; may petition for sealed records |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to restricted records |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; court permission required for sealed records |
Restrictions on Use:
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting, and personal verification.
Obtaining Confidential Records:
A party seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal need. The court applies a balancing test weighing the requester's interest against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children. Certain entities, including child protective services and law enforcement agencies, have statutory authority to access restricted family law records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Monroe County?
The Monroe County Clerk of Court 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.
Standard Copy and Certification 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 |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Fees may vary; confirm with Clerk's office |
| Search fee (manual search by staff) | May apply for older or archived records |
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Check or money order payable to Monroe County Clerk (mail requests)
- Credit or debit card (availability subject to confirmation with the Clerk's office)
Fee Waivers:
Members of the public who demonstrate financial hardship may petition the court for a waiver of copy fees. Fee waiver requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Parties who are indigent and represented by legal aid organizations may qualify for reduced or waived fees.
What Is Available at No Charge:
- Viewing case docket entries and basic case information through MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search is free of charge
- Viewing documents at public access terminals in the Clerk's office does not require a copy fee unless the requester requests printed copies
- Online case status and hearing information through the Monroe County Find My Case portal is available at no cost
What's Included in Divorce Records in Monroe County
A complete Monroe County divorce case file contains all documents filed from the initiation of the proceeding through final judgment and any post-judgment actions. The following describes the standard contents of a dissolution of marriage case file.
Basic Case Information
Case Caption:
- Assigned case number
- Court name and division (Circuit or Superior Court)
- Full legal names of petitioner and respondent
- Name of the assigned judge
- Names and bar numbers of attorneys of record
Filing Information:
- Date the petition was filed
- Filing fees paid and receipt information
- Case type designation (dissolution of marriage)
- Basis for jurisdiction and venue
Initial Pleadings
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage:
- Identifying information for both parties
- Date and location of the marriage
- Date of separation, if applicable
- Statement of irretrievable breakdown as the ground for dissolution
- Information regarding minor children, including names and dates of birth
- Claims regarding marital property and debts
- Requests for spousal maintenance, child custody, and child support
Response/Answer:
- Respondent's admissions or denials
- Counterpetition, if filed
- Respondent's independent requests for relief
Financial Affidavits:
- Both parties' income from all sources
- Monthly living expenses
- Complete asset inventory including real property, vehicles, financial accounts, and personal property
- Complete liability inventory including mortgages, loans, and credit obligations
Discovery Documents
- Tax returns for recent years
- Pay stubs and employer verification
- Bank and investment account statements
- Retirement account statements
- Business financial statements, if applicable
- Written interrogatories and answers under oath
- Requests for production of documents and responses
Property-Related Documents
- Marital asset inventory with estimated values
- Debt inventory with balances and creditor information
- Real property appraisals
- Business valuations, if applicable
- Expert reports on asset values
Children-Related Documents (If Applicable)
Parenting Plan:
- Legal custody designation (sole or joint decision-making authority)
- Physical custody and primary residence
- Regular parenting time schedule
- Holiday, summer, and vacation schedules
- Transportation and exchange arrangements
- Decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities
- Relocation restrictions
Child Support:
- Indiana Child Support Obligation Worksheet
- Income information for both parents
- Number of overnights with each parent
- Health insurance and childcare cost allocations
- Support amount ordered and payment schedule
- Income deduction order, if applicable
Custody Evaluations (If Ordered):
- Psychologist or evaluator reports and recommendations
- Home study findings
- Parenting assessments (may be restricted from public access)
Support Documents
Alimony/Spousal Maintenance:
- Type and duration of maintenance ordered
- Payment amount and schedule
- Conditions for modification or termination
Settlement Documents
Marital Settlement Agreement:
- Comprehensive written agreement resolving all contested issues
- Real and personal property distribution to each party
- Debt allocation between parties
- Spousal maintenance terms
- Child-related provisions, if applicable
- Attorney fee allocation
- Signatures of both parties and notarization
Court Orders and Judgments
Temporary Orders:
- Temporary custody and parenting time
- Temporary support obligations
- Temporary use and possession of marital property
- Restraining orders or injunctions, if issued
Final Judgment of Dissolution:
- Court's findings of fact and conclusions of law
- Date the marriage is legally dissolved
- Complete property and debt division
- Spousal maintenance orders
- Child custody, parenting time, and support orders
- Name restoration, if requested
- Judge's signature and court seal
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO):
- Separate order directing division of retirement plan benefits
- Instructions to plan administrator
- Issued when retirement accounts are part of the property division
Post-Judgment Documents (If Applicable)
- Petitions to modify custody, parenting time, or support
- Court orders on modification requests
- Contempt motions and enforcement orders
- Income deduction orders and liens
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed
- Social Security numbers (redacted from all public filings)
- Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence details (may be sealed upon motion)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluations (restricted)
- Guardian ad litem reports and child custody evaluations (restricted)
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Monroe County
Proof of divorce in Monroe County is obtained through a certified copy of the final decree of dissolution issued by the Monroe County Clerk of Court. A certified copy bears the court's official seal and the Clerk's certification, making it acceptable for legal, governmental, and personal purposes including remarriage, name changes, and benefit claims.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
- Identify the case by searching the Monroe County Find My Case portal or the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search system to confirm the case number and filing county.
- Submit a request to the Monroe County Clerk of Court in person, by mail, or as directed by the Clerk's office.
- Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and the case number if known.
- Pay the applicable certification fee (currently $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee).
- Receive the certified copy in person or by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Monroe County Clerk of Court
100 W. Kirkwood Ave., Room 213
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 349-2614
Monroe County Clerk of Court Records
Members of the public who need proof of divorce for immigration or federal benefit purposes should confirm with the receiving agency whether a certified copy of the final decree is sufficient or whether additional documentation is required.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Monroe County?
Divorce proceedings in Monroe County are presumptively public, but Indiana law and court rules permit certain records or entire cases to be sealed under specific circumstances.
Circumstances Under Which Records May Be Confidential:
- Domestic violence cases: Upon motion, a court may seal the residential address and contact information of a domestic violence victim, as well as evidence of abuse, to protect the safety of the affected party.
- Mental health and medical records: Documents containing mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment records, or medical information are restricted from public access under Indiana court rules and applicable federal law, including HIPAA.
- Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and psychological evaluations of minor children may be partially or fully redacted from public filings.
- Sealed case files: A court may seal an entire case file upon a showing of good cause, balancing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties.
- Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential by statute and are not part of the public case file.
- Guardian ad litem and custody evaluation reports: These documents are restricted and are not available to the general public.
The Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records, Rule 5 enumerates the specific categories of information excluded from public access in all Indiana court proceedings, including family law cases.
How Long Does Monroe County Keep Divorce Records?
Monroe County divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Indiana court record retention schedules, which are established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records.
Retention Periods:
- Final decrees and judgments: Permanent retention; these records are never destroyed and remain accessible indefinitely.
- Complete case files (contested dissolutions): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case, with permanent retention for cases involving significant property or custody matters.
- 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 from the file after the retention period expires while the final judgment is preserved permanently.
- Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file and subject to the same retention schedule as the underlying case.
- Archived paper records: Older cases predating electronic filing are maintained in paper archives and may require additional processing time for retrieval.
Members of the public seeking records from cases closed more than 10 years ago should contact the Monroe County Clerk of Court directly at (812) 349-2614 to confirm availability and retrieval procedures. Indiana's court record retention schedules are administered pursuant to state administrative rules governing the preservation of judicial records.