Daviess County Public Records /Daviess County Divorce Records

Daviess County Divorce Records

What Are Daviess County Divorce Records?

Divorce records in Daviess County are official legal documents generated by the court system that formally document the dissolution of a marriage under Indiana law. These records are created and maintained by the Daviess County Circuit Court, which holds jurisdiction over family law matters including divorce proceedings in the county seat of Washington, Indiana. Under Indiana Code § 31-15-2, which governs the dissolution of marriage in the state, all divorce proceedings must be filed and adjudicated through the appropriate circuit or superior court.

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

Providing legal proof of a change in marital status
Establishing eligibility for remarriage
Supporting legal name change requests
Documenting entitlement to Social Security survivor or spousal benefits
Satisfying requirements for mortgage and loan applications
Fulfilling documentation requirements in immigration and naturalization proceedings
Resolving estate and inheritance matters

The Daviess County Circuit Court is the primary custodian of divorce case files and related court orders within the county. Members of the public seeking these records must direct their requests to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Daviess County Circuit Court – Clerk's Office 200 E. Walnut St., Washington, IN 47501 (812) 254-8664 Daviess County – Indiana Judicial Branch

Are Daviess County Divorce Records Public?

Access to Daviess County divorce records is governed by a combination of Indiana's public records statutes and family law provisions, resulting in a tiered system of access. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), public agency records are presumptively open to inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exception applies.

In practice, access to divorce records in Daviess County is divided as follows:

Court case files — The general divorce case file, including the petition, summons, and final decree, is ordinarily available for public inspection at the Clerk's Office, subject to any sealing orders issued by the presiding judge.
Certified divorce decrees — Certified copies of the final decree of dissolution are available to the parties to the action, their legal representatives, and other persons who can demonstrate a legitimate legal interest.
Restricted information — Certain documents within a divorce file may be restricted from public view, including financial affidavits, records involving minor children, and any materials sealed by court order pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 79.

The Indiana Judicial Branch's public records guidance provides additional detail on which court records are accessible and which categories are subject to statutory or judicial restrictions. Members of the public are advised to review applicable provisions before submitting a records request.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Daviess County in 2026

Locating a divorce record in Daviess County requires identifying the correct custodial office and following the established request procedures. The Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk maintains all divorce case files for proceedings filed within the county.

The following steps outline the standard process for obtaining a divorce record:

Identify the case information — Gather the full legal names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. A case number, if available, will expedite the search.
Contact the Clerk's Office — Members of the public may visit the Clerk's Office in person during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or submit a written request by mail.
Submit a formal request — Requestors must provide sufficient identifying information to locate the record. Requests for certified copies require a completed request form and applicable fees.
Pay applicable fees — The Clerk's Office charges a per-page fee for copies and an additional certification fee for certified documents. Fee schedules are available at the counter.
Receive the record — In-person requests are typically fulfilled same-day if the record is readily available. Mail requests may take several business days to process.

The Indiana Judicial Branch's directory of courts and clerks provides current contact information for the Daviess County Clerk's Office and other Indiana courts.

Daviess County Circuit Court – Clerk's Office 200 E. Walnut St., Washington, IN 47501 (812) 254-8664 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Daviess County – Indiana Judicial Branch

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Daviess County Online?

Online access to Daviess County divorce records is currently limited, as Indiana does not provide a statewide portal for retrieving certified divorce documents remotely. However, several digital resources are available to members of the public seeking case information.

mycase.in.gov — The Indiana Courts' public case search portal allows users to search for civil case records, including dissolution of marriage cases, by party name or case number. Basic case information, including filing dates and case status, may be available through this system, though actual documents are not always accessible online.
Indiana Judicial Branch — The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides guidance on which court records may be accessed remotely and how to submit electronic requests.
Written or email requests — Some clerks' offices accept written requests submitted by mail or email for document retrieval, with copies returned by mail upon payment of applicable fees.

Members of the public are advised that certified copies of divorce decrees are not available through online portals and must be obtained directly from the Clerk's Office. The how to request public records page maintained by the Indiana Judicial Branch outlines the procedures applicable to marriage and divorce record requests statewide.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Daviess County?

Several no-cost options are available to members of the public seeking basic divorce record information in Daviess County.

mycase.in.gov — The Indiana public case search portal provides free access to case index information, including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and hearing schedules for dissolution of marriage cases. No account or fee is required to conduct a basic search.
In-person inspection at the Clerk's Office — Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public court records at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
Indiana State Library — The Indiana State Library's Daviess County research guide provides access to historical records and genealogical resources that may include older divorce records. The library's collections are accessible to the public at no cost.
Local public libraries — The Washington Carnegie Public Library and other Daviess County library branches may hold microfilm or digitized records relevant to historical divorce proceedings.

It should be noted that while inspection of records is free, obtaining certified copies for legal purposes requires payment of the applicable Clerk's Office fee schedule.

What's Included in a Divorce Record In Daviess County

A complete divorce record in Daviess County typically encompasses multiple documents generated throughout the dissolution proceeding. The specific contents vary depending on the complexity of the case and the issues adjudicated.

Standard components of a Daviess County divorce record include:

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage — The initiating document filed by the petitioner, identifying both parties and the grounds for dissolution
Summons — The official notice served upon the respondent
Proof of service — Documentation confirming that the respondent was properly notified
Financial disclosure statements — Affidavits detailing the assets, liabilities, and income of both parties
Separation agreement or settlement agreement — A negotiated document addressing property division, debt allocation, and spousal maintenance, if applicable
Parenting plan or custody order — Where minor children are involved, orders governing legal and physical custody, parenting time, and child support
Final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage — The court's official order terminating the marriage, which constitutes the primary legal proof of divorce
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) — Where applicable, orders dividing retirement accounts or pension benefits

The final decree is the document most commonly requested for legal and administrative purposes. Certified copies of the decree are issued exclusively by the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk.

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Daviess County?

Proof of divorce in Daviess County is established through a certified copy of the Final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage issued by the Circuit Court Clerk. This document bears the official court seal and the clerk's certification, making it legally recognized for all administrative and legal purposes.

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

In-person request — Visit the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk's Office during public counter hours with a valid government-issued photo identification and the applicable fee.
Mail request — Submit a written request to the Clerk's Office including the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, the case number if known, a copy of a valid photo ID, and a check or money order for the applicable fee.
Indiana Department of Health — For statistical or genealogical purposes, the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records maintains divorce records filed with the state. However, certified legal copies for official use are issued by the court clerk, not the state vital records office.

Indiana Department of Health – Division of Vital Records 2 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 233-2700 Indiana Department of Health – Vital Records

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Daviess County?

Certain components of a divorce proceeding in Daviess County may be designated as confidential under Indiana law, though the general rule favors public access to court records. Under Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which governs access to court records statewide, specific categories of information are excluded from public access by operation of law or by court order.

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

Records involving minor children — Documents containing identifying information about minor children, including guardian ad litem reports and child custody evaluations, are subject to restricted access under Indiana Administrative Rule 9(G).
Financial records — Detailed financial affidavits and account information may be redacted or sealed upon motion of either party.
Domestic violence cases — Where a party has obtained a protective order or where disclosure of an address could endanger a party, the court may order certain information sealed.
Court-ordered sealing — Either party may petition the court to seal specific documents or the entire case file upon a showing of good cause. The presiding judge retains discretion to grant or deny such requests.

Members of the public who encounter a sealed or restricted case file at the Clerk's Office will be advised of the restriction and may not access the sealed materials without a court order authorizing disclosure.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Daviess County?

The duration of a divorce proceeding in Daviess County is governed in part by Indiana's mandatory waiting period and varies significantly based on the complexity of the case and the degree of agreement between the parties.

Indiana Code § 31-15-2-10 establishes a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date the petition for dissolution is filed before a court may enter a final decree. This waiting period applies to all dissolution cases regardless of whether the parties are in agreement.

Approximate timeframes by case type are as follows:

Uncontested divorce (no children, minimal assets) — Typically resolved within 60 to 90 days from the date of filing, assuming both parties are in full agreement and all required documents are submitted promptly.
Uncontested divorce (with children or significant assets) — May require 90 to 180 days to allow for preparation of parenting plans, financial disclosures, and court review of settlement terms.
Contested divorce — Cases involving disputed custody, property division, or spousal maintenance may extend from six months to two years or longer, depending on the complexity of the issues and court scheduling.
Cases requiring mediation — Where the court orders mediation, additional time of 30 to 90 days may be added to the overall timeline.

Court scheduling, judicial caseload, and the responsiveness of both parties are additional factors that influence the total duration of proceedings in Daviess County.

How Long Does Daviess County Keep Divorce Records?

Divorce records maintained by the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk are subject to Indiana's records retention schedules, which establish minimum preservation periods for different categories of court documents.

Under Indiana's court records retention policies, final decrees of dissolution of marriage are classified as permanent records and are retained indefinitely. Supporting case file documents, including pleadings, motions, and financial disclosures, are generally retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case, though many counties retain these materials for longer periods as a matter of practice.

The Indiana State Library's Daviess County research guide notes that the Daviess County Courthouse experienced fires in 1891, 1927, and 1985, which resulted in the loss of some historical records. Members of the public seeking records from periods affected by these events should be aware that certain older documents may be incomplete or unavailable.

The Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records also maintains a separate statistical record of divorces reported to the state, which supplements the court-held records for research and genealogical purposes.

How To Get a Divorce In Daviess County

Initiating a divorce in Daviess County requires filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Daviess County Circuit Court in accordance with Indiana Code § 31-15-2. The following steps outline the standard process:

Establish residency — At least one spouse must have been a resident of Indiana for six months and a resident of Daviess County for three months immediately preceding the filing of the petition.
Prepare the petition — The petitioner must complete a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage identifying both parties, the date and place of marriage, the names and ages of any minor children, and the relief requested.
File with the Clerk's Office — The completed petition and any accompanying documents must be filed with the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk. A filing fee is required at the time of submission.
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.
Observe the 60-day waiting period — The court may not enter a final decree until at least 60 days have elapsed from the date of filing.
Attend hearings — Depending on whether the case is contested or uncontested, one or more hearings may be scheduled before the court enters a final decree.
Obtain the final decree — Upon resolution of all issues, the court enters a Final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage, which is filed with the Clerk and becomes a permanent court record.

How To Get Divorce Papers In Daviess County

Divorce papers — including blank petition forms, financial disclosure worksheets, and parenting plan templates — are available through several channels in Daviess County.

Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk's Office — Self-represented litigants may obtain blank dissolution of marriage forms at the public counter during regular business hours. Staff are available to assist with procedural questions, though they are not permitted to provide legal advice.
Indiana Supreme Court's self-service resources — The Indiana Judicial Branch maintains standardized forms for dissolution of marriage proceedings that are accepted by courts statewide. These forms are accessible through the court's official website.
Indiana State Library — The Indiana State Library provides access to legal reference materials and may assist members of the public in locating applicable forms and procedural guides.
Copies of filed documents — Parties to an existing divorce case who require copies of previously filed documents may request them from the Clerk's Office in person or by mail. The Indiana Judicial Branch's guidance on how to request court records outlines the applicable procedures for obtaining copies of marriage and divorce documents from Indiana courts.