Henry County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Henry County in 2026
HenryINRecords.us provides access to data and publicly available information related to divorce records in Henry County, Indiana. Members of the public may find case summaries, filing dates, party names, and related court documents through official channels. Record categories that may be available include dissolution of marriage filings, final decrees, property division orders, custody arrangements, and support orders. Availability and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable privacy protections.
Records may be searched through official resources including the Henry County Clerk's Office, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Indiana statewide court portal, and online search tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce records.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Henry County Clerk's Office maintains the official index of all dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. Members of the public may search case records online at no charge for basic case information. Obtaining copies of filed documents may require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal provides statewide access to court case information, including dissolution of marriage proceedings. The portal is maintained pursuant to order of the Indiana Supreme Court and allows users to search across all Indiana jurisdictions from a single consolidated database. As stated on the portal, "Information on this site is made available as a public service pursuant to order of the Indiana Supreme Court."
3. State Vital Records
Indiana does not issue a separate divorce certificate 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. The Indiana Judicial Branch's guidance on how to request public records clarifies which agency maintains which record type, noting that marriage and divorce records are held by the courts rather than the state health department.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Henry County Circuit Court:
Henry County Clerk's Office
1215 Race Street, Room 208
New Castle, IN 47362
Phone: (765) 529-6401
Clerk's Office | Henry County, IN
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Services available in person include:
- Searching case files by party name or case number
- Viewing filed documents at public access terminals
- Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance with locating records
By Mail
Written Request:
Mail requests to:
Henry County Clerk's Office
1215 Race Street, Room 208
New Castle, IN 47362
Phone: (765) 529-6401
Clerk's Office | Henry County, IN
Include the following in a written request:
- Full names of both parties (including maiden names if applicable)
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
- Requester'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 for mail requests is subject to current workload and may take one to two weeks.
By Phone
Limited Information:
- Henry County Clerk's Office: (765) 529-6401
- Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide a case number, confirm case status, and provide the filing date
- Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or confidential case information by telephone
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Indiana may access court records on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. The Indiana State Bar Association maintains a lawyer referral service for members of the public who require legal representation in connection with divorce record matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Indiana
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Indiana are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. The Henry County Court page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website provides contact information for the local court.
Residency Requirement:
Under 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 where the petition is filed for three months immediately preceding the filing of the petition.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing
- Allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final order is entered
- Staff at the Clerk's Office can confirm whether a case has been finalized
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format
- Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing 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 (765) 529-6401
- Attempt alternate name spellings
- Search under both spouses' names
- Check the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal for statewide results
- Consult an attorney for assistance with sealed or difficult-to-locate records
What Are Henry County Divorce Records?
Divorce records in Henry County are official court documents generated in connection with dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Henry County Circuit Court or Superior Court. These records are maintained by the Henry County Clerk's Office as the official custodian of court files and constitute part of the public court record subject to Indiana's access laws.
Types of Divorce Records
Court Case Files
The complete case file for a dissolution of marriage proceeding may include:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of dissolution
Final Decree
The final decree of dissolution is the official court order that legally ends the marriage. It serves as legal proof of divorce and establishes:
- The date the marriage was dissolved
- Division of marital property and debts
- Alimony or spousal maintenance, if ordered
- 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 through the Henry County Clerk's Office.
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents that may be part of the case file include:
- Financial disclosure statements
- Property inventories and appraisals
- Parenting plan details
- Post-judgment modification orders
Purpose of Divorce Records
Legal Purposes
- Proof of marital status for remarriage
- Documentation for name change proceedings
- Property transfer and title documentation
- Estate planning and beneficiary designations
- Immigration proceedings
- Social Security benefit claims
Personal Purposes
- Genealogical and family history research
- Personal record-keeping
- Verification of divorce terms and obligations
Legal Framework
Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Indiana are governed by Indiana Code § 31-15, which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for obtaining a divorce in the state. Public access to court records is governed by Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which establishes the presumption of public access to court records while providing specific exclusions for sensitive information.
Are Henry County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Henry County are public court records subject to Indiana's court access rules. 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 parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments
- Final decree of dissolution
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from public filings)
- Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)
- Credit card and loan account numbers (redacted)
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools children attend
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children
- Child custody evaluation reports (may be sealed)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Medical records submitted as exhibits
- 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:
- General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees
- Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public access
- Attorneys: May access case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed documents upon a proper showing
- Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order
Restrictions on Use:
Access to divorce records may not be used 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 academic research.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Henry County?
The Henry County Clerk's Office charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of court records. Current fees are established pursuant to Indiana Code § 33-37-5-1, which governs court fees and costs in Indiana.
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 |
| Online case information (basic) | Free |
| Certified copy by mail | Copy fee + certification fee + postage |
Additional Fee Information:
- Inspection of records at the courthouse is available at no charge during regular business hours
- Electronic copies, where available, may be subject to the same per-page fee as paper copies
- Payment is accepted in the form of cash, check, or money order made payable to the Henry County Clerk
- Credit card acceptance is subject to current office policy; members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods with the Clerk's Office prior to submitting a request
Fee Waivers:
Indigent parties to a case may petition the court for a waiver of fees. Fee waiver forms are available through the Henry County Clerk's Office. The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center also provides guidance on fee waiver procedures.
What Is Available at No Cost:
- Basic case information through the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal
- In-person inspection of public case documents at the courthouse
- Docket entries and case status information online
What's Included in Divorce Records in Henry County
A complete dissolution of marriage case file maintained by the Henry County Clerk's Office may contain an extensive range of documents generated throughout the proceedings. The scope of documents present in any individual case file depends on whether the dissolution was contested or uncontested, whether children were involved, and the complexity of the marital estate.
Basic Case Information:
- Case number, court name, and division
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Judge assigned to the case
- Attorneys of record for each party
- Date of filing and case type designation
Initial Pleadings:
The petition for dissolution of marriage sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the 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), information regarding minor children, claims regarding marital property, and the relief requested. The respondent's answer or counterpetition, if filed, sets forth the respondent's position on each issue raised.
Financial Affidavits:
Both parties are required to submit financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investment and retirement accounts, and personal property, as well as all liabilities including mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card debt, and other obligations.
Discovery Documents:
In contested cases, the file may include interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents and the documents produced, deposition notices and transcripts, and subpoenas issued to third parties.
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory with descriptions and values
- Debt inventory
- Real property appraisals
- Business valuations
- Expert reports on asset values
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody
- Timesharing schedule including regular, holiday, summer, and vacation provisions
- Child support calculation worksheets
- Income information for both parties
- Health insurance and childcare cost documentation
- Child support order specifying amount, payment method, and schedule
- Custody evaluation reports, if ordered (may be restricted)
- Guardian ad litem reports, if appointed (restricted access)
Support Documents:
- Spousal maintenance or alimony orders specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
- Income analysis worksheets
Settlement Documents:
- Marital settlement agreement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related matters
- Mediation agreement, if the case was mediated (note: mediation communications themselves are confidential)
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case
- Provisional orders regarding custody, support, and use of property
- Restraining orders or injunctions, if issued
- Final judgment of dissolution containing the court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and all final orders
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs):
Where retirement accounts are divided as part of the property settlement, a separate QDRO may be filed instructing the retirement plan administrator on the division of benefits.
Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):
- Petitions to modify custody, parenting time, or support
- Court orders on modification petitions
- Contempt motions and orders
- Income deduction orders for support enforcement
- Liens filed in connection with support arrearages
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from all public filings)
- Financial account numbers (redacted)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Domestic violence evidence (may be sealed)
- Trade secret information in business valuations
- Mediation communications
How Documents Are Organized:
Documents in the case file are maintained in chronological order of filing. Each document is assigned a filing date and appears in the case docket in the sequence received. The docket serves as the index to the complete case file. Recent cases are maintained in electronic format through Indiana's e-filing system; older cases may be maintained in paper format or as scanned images.
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Henry County?
Proof of divorce in Henry County is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution of marriage issued by the Henry County Clerk's Office. A certified copy bears the official seal of the court and the signature of the Clerk, confirming it as a true and accurate copy of the original court record.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
- Identify the case by searching the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal or by contacting the Clerk's Office directly to obtain the case number.
- Submit a request to the Henry County Clerk's Office in person, by mail, or as directed by current office procedures.
- Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of 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, depending on the method of request.
Henry County Clerk's Office
1215 Race Street, Room 208
New Castle, IN 47362
Phone: (765) 529-6401
Clerk's Office | Henry County, IN
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For parties who need verification of divorce status rather than a full certified copy, the Indiana Judicial Branch's guidance on how to request public records outlines the appropriate process for obtaining court-issued documentation. The Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records does not issue divorce certificates but may provide statistical verification in limited circumstances through the vital records office.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Henry County?
Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Henry County are presumptively public court records; however, Indiana law and court rules permit certain information and, in limited circumstances, entire case files to be treated as confidential.
- Under Indiana Administrative Rule 9, specific categories of information are excluded from public access by operation of law, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain information regarding minor children.
- A party may petition the court to seal all or part of a case file upon a showing of good cause, such as cases involving domestic violence, abuse allegations, or sensitive business information.
- Cases involving allegations of domestic violence may have the victim's address and contact information protected from public disclosure pursuant to Indiana's address confidentiality program.
- Mental health records, substance abuse treatment records, and psychological evaluations submitted as exhibits are subject to heightened confidentiality protections.
- Mediation communications are confidential by statute and do not become part of the public court record.
- Child custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be restricted from general public access by court order.
- Members of the public who believe a record has been improperly withheld may file a motion with the court requesting access, at which point the court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests at stake.
The legal framework governing confidentiality in Indiana court records is set forth in Indiana Administrative Rule 9, available through the Indiana Judicial Branch.
How Long Does Henry County Keep Divorce Records?
Henry County maintains dissolution of marriage records in accordance with Indiana's court records retention schedules, which require permanent retention of final judgments and decrees.
- Final judgments and decrees of dissolution: Retained permanently as part of the official court record.
- Complete case files: Retained for a minimum period established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records; dissolution of marriage case files are subject to long-term or permanent retention given the ongoing legal significance of the final decree.
- Electronic records: Cases filed through Indiana's e-filing system are maintained in electronic format indefinitely.
- Paper records: Older paper case files may be transferred to off-site storage or converted to microfilm or digital format; retrieval may require additional processing time.
- Post-judgment modification records: Retained as part of the original case file for the same period as the underlying dissolution proceeding.
- Temporary orders and interlocutory documents: Retained as part of the complete case file.
Indiana's court records retention requirements are established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records in coordination with the Indiana Supreme Court. Members of the public seeking records from older cases should contact the Henry County Clerk's Office directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures for archived materials.
Lookup Divorce Records in Henry County
- Henry County Clerk's Office — divorce and court records
- Henry County Recorder's Office — property records related to divorce proceedings
- Henry County Court — Indiana Judicial Branch
- How to Request Public Records — Indiana Judicial Branch
- Indiana Department of Health — Vital Records
- MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search — statewide divorce record search