Dubois County Public Records /Dubois County Divorce Records

Dubois County Divorce Records

What Are Dubois County Divorce Records?

Dubois County divorce records are official legal documents generated by the courts of Dubois County, Indiana, that formally document the dissolution of a marriage. These records are created and maintained by the Dubois County Circuit and Superior Courts and the Office of the Clerk of Courts, located at One Courthouse Square in Jasper, Indiana. Divorce proceedings in Indiana are governed by Indiana Code § 31-15-2, which establishes the legal framework for the dissolution of marriage, including grounds, residency requirements, and procedural standards.

Divorce records in Dubois County serve a broad range of legal and administrative purposes, including:

Providing legal proof of a change in marital status
Establishing eligibility for remarriage
Supporting name change petitions with government agencies
Documenting entitlement to Social Security survivor or spousal benefits
Satisfying requirements for mortgage and loan applications
Serving as evidence in immigration and naturalization proceedings
Facilitating the division of retirement accounts and pension benefits

The Dubois County Indiana Judicial Branch maintains current information about local court operations, case access, and document retrieval procedures for members of the public seeking divorce-related records.

Dubois County Clerk of Courts One Courthouse Square, Jasper, IN 47546 Phone: 812-481-7035 Dubois County Clerk of Courts

Are Dubois County Divorce Records Public?

Access to Dubois County divorce records is governed by a combination of Indiana's public records law and family law statutes, resulting in partial rather than unrestricted public access. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), court records are generally presumed open to inspection by members of the public. However, specific categories of information within divorce case files may be restricted or redacted.

The general rule regarding public access to divorce records in Dubois County is as follows:

Court divorce case files — The pleadings, motions, orders, and final decree filed in a divorce case are generally accessible to the public through the Clerk of Courts, subject to any sealing orders issued by the presiding judge.
Certified divorce certificates — These documents, which serve as official proof of divorce, are restricted under Indiana law to the parties named in the decree, their legal representatives, and other authorized individuals.
Financial disclosures and sensitive exhibits — Documents containing Social Security numbers, financial account details, or information about minor children may be partially or fully restricted pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which governs the exclusion of certain personal information from public court records.

Members of the public may inspect general divorce case filings at the Dubois County Clerk's office during regular business hours. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available only to qualifying individuals upon submission of a valid government-issued photo identification and payment of applicable fees.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Dubois County in 2026

Members of the public seeking divorce records in Dubois County may obtain them through several official channels. The process varies depending on whether the requester seeks a general case file copy or a certified divorce decree.

Step 1 — Identify the court of jurisdiction. Divorce cases in Dubois County are filed in the Dubois County Circuit Court or Superior Court. The case number, filing date, and party names are necessary to locate the correct record.

Step 2 — Search online case records. The Indiana Courts' MyCase public access portal allows members of the public to search for divorce case information by party name or case number at no cost. Note that official certified copies may only be obtained directly from the court.

Step 3 — Submit a request to the Clerk of Courts. Requesters may appear in person at the Clerk's office, submit a written request by mail, or, where available, use an online request form. Requests should include the full legal names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and a valid form of identification.

Step 4 — Pay applicable fees. The Clerk of Courts charges fees for copies and certified copies of court documents. Fee schedules are available at the clerk's counter.

Step 5 — Allow processing time. In-person requests are typically fulfilled on the same business day. Mail requests may require additional processing time.

Dubois County Clerk of Courts One Courthouse Square, Jasper, IN 47546 Phone: 812-481-7035 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Dubois County Clerk of Courts

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Dubois County Online?

Members of the public may access Dubois County divorce case information through the following online resources:

MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search — The Indiana Courts case search system provides free public access to case index information, including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and hearing schedules for divorce proceedings filed in Dubois County courts. This tool does not provide certified copies of documents.
Dubois County Records Library — The Dubois County Records Library, located in the basement of the Dubois County Courthouse, maintains historical county records and may hold older divorce-related documents. Members of the public may contact the library to inquire about the availability of specific records.
Indiana Judicial Branch Local Court Page — The Dubois County page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website provides contact information, court schedules, and guidance on obtaining copies of court documents.

Online searches provide index-level information only. Certified copies of divorce decrees and complete case file documents must be obtained directly from the Dubois County Clerk of Courts.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Dubois County?

Certain divorce record information is available to the public at no cost through official government platforms.

MyCase Portal — The Indiana Courts public case search is free to use and provides case index data, including party names, case numbers, and court event histories for Dubois County divorce proceedings.
In-person inspection at the Clerk's office — Members of the public may inspect original divorce case files at the Dubois County Clerk of Courts during public counter hours without charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
Dubois County Records Library — The Records Library at the Dubois County Courthouse provides access to historical county records. Staff may assist in locating older divorce-related documents at no cost for basic inquiries.

Fees are generally assessed only for printed copies, certified copies, or records retrieved from off-site storage. Viewing records in person at the courthouse remains the primary no-cost option.

What's Included in a Divorce Record In Dubois County

A Dubois County divorce record typically encompasses the complete case file maintained by the Clerk of Courts, as well as any certified documents issued upon finalization of the dissolution. The contents of a divorce record may include:

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage — The initiating document filed by the petitioner, stating grounds and relief sought
Summons and proof of service — Documentation confirming that the respondent was properly notified
Respondent's answer or counter-petition — The opposing party's formal response
Temporary orders — Court orders issued during the pendency of the case addressing custody, support, or property use
Financial disclosure statements — Sworn statements of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses
Settlement agreement or marital settlement agreement — A negotiated resolution of property, debt, custody, and support issues
Decree of Dissolution of Marriage — The final court order legally terminating the marriage, including findings on property division, spousal maintenance, child custody, and child support
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) — Orders dividing retirement accounts, where applicable
Name change orders — If a party requested restoration of a former name

Certain sensitive information, including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers, is excluded from publicly accessible portions of the record pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 9.

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Dubois County?

Proof of divorce in Dubois County is most commonly obtained in the form of a certified copy of the Decree of Dissolution of Marriage issued by the Dubois County Clerk of Courts. This document bears the court's official seal and the clerk's certification, making it legally recognized for purposes such as remarriage, name changes, and government benefit applications.

Members of the public may obtain proof of divorce through the following methods:

In-person request — Appear at the Dubois County Clerk of Courts, One Courthouse Square, Jasper, IN 47546, during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.), present a valid government-issued photo ID, provide the case number or party names and approximate divorce year, and pay the applicable copy fee.
Mail request — Submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts including the requester's full name, relationship to the case, case identifying information, a copy of valid photo identification, and a check or money order for the applicable fee.
Indiana Department of Health — The Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records maintains statewide divorce records and may issue certified divorce records for dissolutions finalized in Indiana. This is an alternative channel for individuals who are unable to obtain records directly from the county court.

Indiana Department of Health – Division of Vital Records 2 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: 317-233-2700 Indiana Department of Health – Vital Records

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Dubois County?

Under Indiana law, divorce proceedings are generally matters of public record; however, certain circumstances permit the sealing or restriction of divorce records. Indiana Administrative Rule 9 governs the exclusion of personal identifying information from public court records and authorizes courts to restrict access to specific documents or entire case files upon a showing of good cause.

Grounds upon which a Dubois County court may order divorce records to be confidential or partially sealed include:

Presence of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment concerns that could endanger a party if their address or personal information were disclosed
Cases involving minor children where disclosure of certain information could harm the child's welfare
Trade secrets or proprietary business information introduced as evidence during property division proceedings
Protective orders issued in conjunction with the divorce case

Members of the public seeking to seal divorce records must file a motion with the presiding court and demonstrate that the interest in confidentiality outweighs the public's right of access. The court retains discretion to grant, deny, or partially grant such requests. Even when a case is sealed, the existence of the case in the court index may remain publicly visible pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 9.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Dubois County?

The duration of a divorce proceeding in Dubois County depends on several factors, including whether the parties reach an agreement, the complexity of the marital estate, and the court's current docket. Indiana law imposes a mandatory minimum waiting period under Indiana Code § 31-15-2-10, which requires that at least sixty (60) days elapse from the date the petition for dissolution is filed before a final decree may be entered.

Approximate timeframes by case type are as follows:

Uncontested divorce (no minor children, minimal assets) — Typically resolved within 60 to 90 days from the date of filing, assuming both parties agree on all terms and submit a settlement agreement promptly after the mandatory waiting period expires.
Uncontested divorce (with minor children or moderate assets) — Generally resolved within 90 to 180 days, depending on the time required to finalize parenting plans and financial disclosures.
Contested divorce — Cases in which the parties dispute property division, custody, or support may require 6 to 18 months or longer, particularly if the matter proceeds to trial or involves complex financial issues such as business valuation or pension division.
High-conflict or complex cases — Proceedings involving significant assets, allegations of misconduct, or protracted custody disputes may extend beyond 18 months.

Court scheduling, attorney availability, and the responsiveness of both parties to discovery and mediation requests are additional factors that influence the overall timeline.

How Long Does Dubois County Keep Divorce Records?

Dubois County courts retain divorce records in accordance with Indiana's records retention schedules established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records. Under current Indiana law and administrative guidance, court records related to the dissolution of marriage are classified as permanent records and are retained indefinitely by the Clerk of Courts.

Key retention provisions include:

Final Decrees of Dissolution — Retained permanently by the Dubois County Clerk of Courts and are not subject to destruction.
Complete case files — Retained for a minimum period established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records; older files may be transferred to the Dubois County Records Library for archival storage.
Vital records (divorce certificates) — The Indiana Department of Health maintains statewide divorce record data, with records available from 1958 to the present through the Indiana Division of Vital Records.

Members of the public seeking records predating the county's digitization efforts should note that all Dubois County records prior to August 1839 were destroyed in a courthouse fire. Records from 1839 onward are generally available through the Clerk's office or the Records Library.

How To Get a Divorce In Dubois County

Individuals seeking to dissolve a marriage in Dubois County must file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Dubois County Circuit or Superior Court. The following steps outline the general process under Indiana law:

Step 1 — Confirm residency eligibility. At least one spouse must have been a resident of Indiana for six months and a resident of Dubois County for three months immediately preceding the filing of the petition, as required by Indiana Code § 31-15-2-6.

Step 2 — Obtain and complete the required forms. Dissolution of marriage forms are available through the Indiana Supreme Court's self-service legal center or through the Dubois County Clerk of Courts. Forms include the Petition for Dissolution, Summons, and, where applicable, a Verified Petition Concerning Children.

Step 3 — File the petition with the Clerk of Courts. The petitioner submits the completed forms to the Dubois County Clerk of Courts at One Courthouse Square, Jasper, IN 47546, and pays the applicable filing fee. The clerk assigns a case number and schedules the matter before the court.

Step 4 — Serve the respondent. The respondent must be formally served with a copy of the petition and summons in accordance with Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure.

Step 5 — Observe the mandatory waiting period. Indiana law requires a minimum of 60 days from the date of filing before a final decree may be entered.

Step 6 — Attend hearings and finalize the decree. The parties attend any scheduled hearings, submit required financial disclosures, and, if in agreement, present a settlement agreement to the court for approval. The judge enters the Decree of Dissolution upon finding that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

Dubois County Circuit Court / Superior Court – Clerk of Courts One Courthouse Square, Jasper, IN 47546 Phone: 812-481-7035 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Dubois County Indiana Judicial Branch

How To Get Divorce Papers In Dubois County

Divorce papers in Dubois County refers both to the blank forms needed to initiate a dissolution proceeding and to copies of documents from an existing divorce case file. Members of the public may obtain divorce papers through the following methods:

Blank dissolution forms — Available at the Dubois County Clerk of Courts counter at One Courthouse Square, Jasper, IN 47546, during public counter hours. Indiana Supreme Court approved self-help forms are also available through the Indiana Courts system.
Copies of existing case documents — Members of the public may request copies of documents from a divorce case file by appearing in person at the Clerk of Courts, submitting a written mail request, or, where available, downloading documents through the MyCase Indiana Courts case search portal. Certified copies require payment of the applicable fee and presentation of valid identification.
Historical records — Older divorce case files may be stored at the Dubois County Records Library, located in the basement of the Dubois County Courthouse. Members of the public should contact the Records Library in advance to confirm availability and access procedures.
Statewide vital records — Certified divorce records for proceedings finalized in Indiana from 1958 onward may be requested through the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records.

Dubois County Records Library One Courthouse Square (Basement), Jasper, IN 47546 Dubois County Records Library