Washington County Public Records /Washington County Divorce Records

Washington County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Washington County in 2026

WashingtonINRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Washington County, Indiana. Members of the public may find case filings, final decrees, docket entries, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories may include dissolution of marriage petitions, final judgments, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and support determinations.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court, the Indiana statewide court portal, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by the Indiana Judicial Branch.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal is the most common method for locating divorce case information online. Members of the public may search by party name or case number at no charge for basic case information. As noted by the Indiana Supreme Court, "official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record." Fees apply when requesting copies of actual documents.

2. State Court System Portal

The Indiana Judicial Branch public records portal provides consolidated access to court records across jurisdictions statewide. This resource allows searches across multiple Indiana counties and links to local court contact information.

3. State Vital Records

Indiana does not issue divorce certificates through the vital records system in the same manner as birth or death certificates; however, the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records maintains statistical records of divorces and may provide verification letters. Fees apply for these services.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Washington County Circuit Court:

Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court
Two East Main Street
Salem, IN 47167
Phone: (812) 883-5748
Court Clerk — Washington County Indiana

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 records

Records Department:

The Clerk's office maintains both current and historical divorce case files. Archived cases predating electronic filing may require additional retrieval time. Certified copy requests for older records should be submitted in writing.

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail to: Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court, Two East Main Street, Salem, IN 47167
Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or 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 volume and record availability.

By Phone

Limited Information Available:

Clerk of Court: (812) 883-5748
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 filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information

Through Attorneys

An attorney of record may access the complete case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view. Legal counsel may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a showing of good cause. Members of the public seeking assistance with complex records searches may consult 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 date of divorce or year of filing
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Indiana
Names of attorneys of record, if known
Names of minor children, if applicable

Search in Correct County

Pursuant to Indiana Code § 31-15-2-6, a petition for dissolution of marriage must be filed in the county where either spouse has maintained a principal residence for at least three months immediately preceding the 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.

Residency Requirement:

Under current Indiana law, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Indiana for six months and a resident of the filing county for three months prior to the petition date.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Cases finalized within the past several weeks may not yet appear in online systems
Allow processing time following the final hearing before searching
Records are available in the system within days to a few weeks of finalization

Older Divorces:

Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in paper archives
Retrieval of archived records may require additional time
Not all historical records have been digitized

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

Incorrect county of filing
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
Case still pending and not yet finalized
Very old records held in off-site storage
Case sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Clerk's office at (812) 883-5748
Attempt alternate name spellings
Search under both spouses' names
Review how to request public records through the Indiana Judicial Branch
Submit a formal public records request form to the appropriate agency

What Are Washington County Divorce Records?

Washington County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Washington County Circuit Court. These records are maintained by the Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court, which serves as the constitutional record keeper for the court. As stated on the official county website, "The Office of Clerk of the Circuit Court is established by the Indiana State Constitution to serve as the record keeper for the constitutionally created Court."

Types of Divorce Records

Court Case Files contain the full record of dissolution proceedings, including:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits from both parties
Parenting plans and custody agreements
Settlement agreements
Motions, orders, and hearing notices
Court hearing transcripts
Final judgment of dissolution

Final Decree is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, division of marital property, spousal support terms if any, child custody and timesharing arrangements, child support orders, and any court-ordered name restoration. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk's office.

Supporting Documents filed in the case record may include financial disclosure statements, property inventories, parenting plan details, and post-judgment modification orders.

Purpose of Divorce Records

Divorce records serve a range of legal and personal purposes:

Proof of marital status for remarriage
Name change documentation
Property transfer and title proceedings
Estate planning and beneficiary designations
Immigration and naturalization proceedings
Social Security benefit determinations
Genealogical and family history research
Personal verification of divorce terms

Who Maintains Divorce Records

The Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court is the primary custodian of all divorce case files, indexes records by party name, and provides certified copies upon request. The Indiana Department of Health maintains statistical divorce data but does not serve as the primary repository for case documents.

Legal Framework

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Indiana are governed by Indiana Code § 31-15, which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for filing. Public access to court records is governed by the Indiana Access to Public Records Act and the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records, which establish a presumption of openness subject to defined exceptions.

Are Washington County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Washington County are public court records subject to Indiana's open records framework. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of parties to the proceeding
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and case status
Court orders and final judgments
Property division orders
Docket entries reflecting the full case chronology

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be filed under seal or with restricted access

Children's Information:

Addresses where minor children reside
Schools children attend
Medical and psychological evaluation records
Child custody evaluations may be sealed by court order
Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Indiana law and are not part of the public record.

Who Can Access Records:

Requestor	Level of Access
General public	Public documents, docket entries, final orders
Parties to the case	Full access to own case file
Attorneys of record	Full case file access
Researchers and media	Public portions; sealed records require court order
Law enforcement	Statutory access to restricted materials

Prohibited Uses:

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or in violation of any protective order issued by the court.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Washington County?

The Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with Indiana statutory authority. Under Indiana Code § 33-37-5-1, clerks are authorized to collect fees for copies and certifications of court records.

Current Fee Schedule:

Service	Standard Fee
Plain paper copies	$1.00 per page
Certified copy of final decree or order	$1.00 per page plus $5.00 certification fee
Electronic copies (where available)	Fees vary; contact Clerk's office
Record search by staff	No separate search fee in most cases
Inspection of records at public terminal	No charge

Fees are subject to change; members of the public should confirm current amounts directly with the Clerk's office at (812) 883-5748 prior to submitting a request.
Accepted payment methods at the Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order payable to the Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court. Credit card acceptance should be confirmed directly with the office.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties upon application to the court; standard waiver procedures apply.
Inspection of records at public access terminals in the courthouse is available at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
Online case information through MyCase is available to the public at no charge for basic docket and case summary information.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Washington County

A complete Washington County divorce case file contains documents generated at every stage of the dissolution proceeding. 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 number, court name, and assigned judge
Names of petitioner and respondent
Names and contact information of attorneys of record
Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings:

The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage identifies both parties, states the date and location of the marriage, identifies any minor children, and sets forth the relief requested including property division, support, and custody. The Response or Answer states the respondent's position and may include a counterpetition. Financial Affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and all liabilities.

Discovery Documents:

Financial disclosure materials may include tax returns, pay stubs, bank and investment account statements, retirement account statements, and business financial records. Interrogatories and requests for production of documents are filed when the parties conduct formal discovery.

Property-Related Documents:

The marital asset inventory identifies and values all real property, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property. A corresponding debt inventory lists mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card balances, and other obligations. Appraisals and expert valuations may be filed for real property, businesses, or significant personal property.

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

The Parenting Plan establishes legal and physical custody, the regular timesharing schedule, holiday and vacation provisions, transportation arrangements, and decision-making authority over education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities. The Child Support Calculation Worksheet documents both parties' income, the number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses to arrive at the ordered support amount. Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports, where ordered, are part of the case file but may be subject to restricted access.

Support Documents:

Spousal support orders specify the type, amount, duration, and termination conditions of any alimony awarded. Calculation worksheets reflect the income and standard of living analysis underlying the award.

Settlement Documents:

The Marital Settlement Agreement is a comprehensive written agreement resolving all issues in the case, including property division, debt allocation, support terms, and child-related provisions. Where mediation was used, a mediation agreement may be incorporated into the settlement. Mediation communications themselves are confidential and are not filed with the court.

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders may address custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the case. The Final Judgment of Dissolution is the court's definitive order ending the marriage, containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, and all relief awarded. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is filed separately when retirement accounts are divided and instructs the plan administrator on the division of benefits.

Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):

Petitions to modify custody or support, contempt motions, income deduction orders, and enforcement actions are filed in the original case and become part of the permanent record.

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted from all public filings)
Addresses and schools of minor children
Domestic violence details where a protective order is in effect
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Mediation communications
Trade secrets contained in business valuations

How Information Is Organized:

Documents are filed in chronological order and indexed by document type and filing date. The docket reflects the complete filing sequence. Recent cases are maintained electronically through Indiana's e-filing system; older cases may exist in paper form or as scanned images.

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Washington County

Proof of divorce in Washington County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution issued by the Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court. A certified copy bears the court's official seal and the clerk's signature, making it legally acceptable for remarriage, name change, immigration, and other official purposes.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the case number using MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search or by contacting the Clerk's office directly.
Submit a written request to the Clerk of Circuit Court specifying the case number, names of both parties, and the approximate date of the final decree.
Include payment for applicable copy and certification fees (currently $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee).
Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or as directed by the Clerk's office.

Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court
Two East Main Street
Salem, IN 47167
Phone: (812) 883-5748
Court Clerk — Washington County Indiana

Members of the public who are uncertain whether a divorce was finalized in Washington County may review courts and judicial information provided by the Washington County Prosecutor's office, which lists available court resources for residents. The Indiana Judicial Branch also provides guidance on how to request public records including marriage and divorce records, with links to the appropriate state and local offices.

For divorces filed in Indiana but in a county other than Washington County, members of the public should contact the clerk of the circuit court in the county of filing. The Washington County Courts page maintained by the Indiana Judicial Branch provides direct contact information for local courts.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Washington County?

A divorce proceeding in Washington County may be partially or fully confidential under limited circumstances established by Indiana law and court rule. The presumption under Indiana's Access to Court Records rules is that court records are open to the public; confidentiality requires an affirmative court order or a specific statutory basis.

Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be confidential include:

Domestic violence cases: Where a protective order is in effect, the residential address of a protected party may be withheld from public filings pursuant to Indiana's address confidentiality protections.
Sealed financial records: Tax returns, detailed financial statements, and account records may be filed under seal upon motion and court order when disclosure would cause harm disproportionate to the public interest in access.
Children's information: Addresses, school information, and psychological or medical records pertaining to minor children are subject to restricted access under Indiana court rules.
Mental health and substance abuse records: These records are protected by both state and federal law, including HIPAA, and are not part of the publicly accessible case file.
Mediation communications: Under Indiana law, all communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not filed with the court or disclosed to the public.
Court-ordered sealing: A party may petition the court to seal all or part of a case file upon a demonstrated showing of good cause. The court balances the interest in confidentiality against the public's right of access.

Members of the public seeking access to a sealed case file must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.

How Long Does Washington County Keep Divorce Records?

Washington County divorce records are retained for extended periods in accordance with Indiana court record retention schedules established under Indiana Administrative Rule 7, which governs the retention and disposition of court records statewide.

Retention periods for divorce-related records currently in effect include:

Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently. The final judgment of dissolution is a permanent court record and is not subject to destruction.
Complete case files (contested dissolution): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case, with permanent retention of the final order.
Complete case files (uncontested dissolution): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case.
Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file and subject to the same permanent retention rule applicable to final orders.
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period; some financial documents may be returned to parties or destroyed after a defined period under court rules.
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the Indiana court electronic filing system and are subject to the same retention schedules as paper records.

Members of the public seeking records from cases closed many years ago should contact the Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court directly, as older paper records may be held in off-site storage and require additional retrieval time. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides additional guidance on locating archived court records.