Indianapolis Family Court Records
Indianapolis family court records are managed by the Marion County Clerk's office under Circuit Court Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell. Indianapolis and Marion County operate as a consolidated city-county government, so the Marion County courts handle all family law matters for Indianapolis residents, including divorce, custody, child support, and paternity cases. You can search records online through MyCase, request copies through the clerk's office, or visit one of the court locations in person.
Indianapolis Quick Facts
Where to File Family Court Records in Indianapolis
Indianapolis residents file family court cases through the Marion County Clerk's office. There are two key locations. The main mailing and administrative address is the City-County Building at 200 E Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Physical records requests are handled at 1330 Madison Avenue, Room W122, Indianapolis, IN 46225. For cases involving criminal matters or some probate filings, the Community Justice Campus at 675 Justice Way, Indianapolis, IN 46203 is another option. The main clerk's phone is 317-327-4740, and the email is clerkpublic@indy.gov.
| Court | Marion County Circuit and Superior Courts |
|---|---|
| City-County Building | 200 E Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
| Records Facility | 1330 Madison Ave, Room W122, Indianapolis, IN 46225 |
| Phone | 317-327-4740 |
| Urgent Records | 317-327-4715 |
| clerkpublic@indy.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Court Records | marioncountycourt.org/court-records |
| Records Request | indy.gov/activity/request-copies-of-court-records |
The Marion County Clerk's office is one of the busiest in Indiana. Indianapolis is the state capital and the most populous county in the state. The clerk's office handles divorce decrees, custody orders, child support records, name changes, marriage licenses, and more. If you need records same day, call 317-327-4715. Plan to arrive at least one hour before closing to ensure your request can be processed. Personal checks are not accepted; bring cash, a money order, a cashier's check, or a credit or debit card.
Family court matters in Indianapolis follow Indiana law. Divorce cases fall under IC 31-15. Custody and parenting time go under IC 31-17. Child support is governed by IC 31-16, and paternity cases follow IC 31-14. All of these case types create public records that Indianapolis residents can access.
Searching Indianapolis Family Court Records
The best starting point for searching Indianapolis family court records is MyCase.in.gov. This free statewide portal lets you search by party name or case number. It shows case status, hearing dates, filing information, and party names. Marion County is fully integrated into MyCase. Most Indianapolis family court cases from recent years are searchable there without any cost or login required.
For copies of specific documents, you can submit a request online at indy.gov/activity/request-copies-of-court-records or visit the records facility at 1330 Madison Ave, Room W122. The clerk charges $1 per page for physical copies. Certification of a document costs $3 per document (effective July 1, 2021), making a certified one-page document $4 total. Bring valid identification when you go in person. For juvenile court records, you must be a party of record and show a valid ID at the window.
The Marion County Court website at marioncountycourt.org/court-records provides additional information on how to access records from specific court divisions. The site explains what is available online and how to request what is not. For most standard family court records in Indianapolis, MyCase and the clerk's online request tool are the two fastest options.
Family Court Cases in Indianapolis
Indianapolis and Marion County see more family court cases each year than any other county in Indiana. Divorce is filed under IC 31-15. Indiana uses a no-fault divorce standard, so neither spouse must prove wrongdoing. The only ground is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. After filing, the court imposes a 60-day waiting period before it can finalize the divorce. During that time, the court can issue temporary orders on housing, child custody, and bill payment. Once the 60 days pass, an uncontested case can move quickly to a final hearing. Contested cases may take much longer if property or custody is disputed.
Custody cases follow IC 31-17. Marion County courts look at the best interests of the child when making custody decisions. Indianapolis is a large, diverse city, and custody cases here cover a wide range of circumstances. The courts have experience with situations involving parents from different neighborhoods across the county, cases where parents have very different work schedules, and situations where one parent wants to relocate. Mediation is often ordered in contested custody cases before a trial is set.
Paternity cases under IC 31-14 are common in Marion County. Either parent can file to establish a legal parent-child relationship. Once paternity is established, the court can set custody, parenting time, and support in one proceeding. If both parents agree and sign a Paternity Affidavit, they can establish paternity without a court case, but they still need to file for custody and support orders separately.
Indianapolis residents can also file for modifications to existing orders. Life changes such as a new job, a move, a change in income, or a shift in the child's school situation can all be grounds for asking the court to revisit an existing custody or support order. Modification petitions go to the same Marion County court that issued the original order.
Child Support in Indianapolis
Child support in Indianapolis is governed by IC 31-16 and Indiana's Child Support Guidelines. The Marion County Prosecutor Child Support Division handles IV-D services for Indianapolis residents. Their office is at 251 E Ohio St, Suite 400, Indianapolis, IN 46204. To schedule an appointment, call 317-327-1800. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
The Marion County Prosecutor's child support division locates non-custodial parents, establishes support orders, and enforces payment. If the other parent is not paying, this office can take steps to collect, including wage garnishment, tax intercept, and license suspension. The Indiana Child Support Bureau at 800-840-8757 provides statewide backup and can answer questions about payment status, how support is calculated, and how to request a modification if income or circumstances have changed.
Note: The IV-D program handles support enforcement only. For custody and parenting time issues, contact a private attorney or use the resources below. For parenting time guidance, call the Parenting Time Helpline at 844-836-0003.
Legal Help in Indianapolis
Indiana Legal Services has a significant presence in Indianapolis and provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents. They handle divorce, custody, protection orders, and domestic violence matters. Indianapolis residents who cannot afford a private attorney should contact Indiana Legal Services first to see if they qualify. Income limits apply, but the organization serves a wide range of people across Marion County.
The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center is a free online resource for people who want to handle their own family court cases. It has forms and step-by-step guides for divorce, custody, and support matters. For simple, uncontested cases in Indianapolis, the self-help center provides everything you need to file correctly with the Marion County Clerk. The forms are free to download, and the guides are written in plain language.
The Parenting Time Helpline at 844-836-0003 is a free resource for Indianapolis parents who have questions about Indiana's parenting time guidelines. It can help you understand what courts typically order for schedules, holidays, and school breaks. It is not a legal advice line, but it helps parents know what to expect before a hearing or when trying to negotiate a plan with the other parent.
The Indiana State Bar at inbar.org connects Indianapolis residents with licensed family law attorneys. First consultations through the referral program are often offered at reduced rates. For complex cases involving high-value property, business interests, or highly contested custody disputes, hiring a family law attorney in Indianapolis is worth the investment. The Indiana Trial Courts directory lists all Marion County court contacts so you can reach the right division for your case type.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
Indianapolis is the center of Indiana's most densely populated region. Several qualifying cities are in the surrounding counties.
Marion County Family Court Records
Indianapolis is the county seat of Marion County and part of the consolidated city-county government. All family court records for Indianapolis go through the Marion County Circuit and Superior Courts. For full county-level information on filing procedures, copy fees, and court contacts, visit the Marion County page.