Search Bartholomew County Family Court Records
Bartholomew County family court records are kept at the Bartholomew County Courthouse in Columbus, Indiana. The county clerk's office maintains all filings for dissolution of marriage, child custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, and protection orders. Indiana's online case search tool gives the public free access to basic case information, and the clerk's office handles in-person requests for full documents and certified copies.
Bartholomew County Quick Facts
Bartholomew County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Bartholomew County Clerk maintains the official record of all family court cases filed in the county. The clerk's office accepts new filings, assigns case numbers, processes payments for court costs, and issues certified copies of court orders. Staff can search cases by party name or case number and help you identify which documents are available for your specific case.
Bartholomew County uses both a circuit court and a superior court. The Superior Court handles a significant share of family law cases, including dissolution of marriage filings under IC 31-15, custody and parenting time matters under IC 31-17, and paternity actions under IC 31-14. Both courts file through the same clerk's office at the courthouse in Columbus.
Copies of court documents cost $1 per page. Certified copies require an additional $3 per document. Payment is accepted in cash, money order, or cashier's check only. Personal checks are not accepted. For most certified copy requests you can walk in, pay, and receive your documents the same day.
| Clerk's Office | Bartholomew County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Bartholomew County Courthouse 234 Washington St Columbus, IN 47201 |
| Phone | 812-379-1605 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Copy Fees | $1 per page; $3 certification per document |
| Payment | Cash, money order, or cashier's check; personal checks not accepted |
Note: Divorce decrees and final dissolution orders are not available for download online. You must contact the Bartholomew County Clerk directly to receive a certified copy of any decree.
Searching Family Court Records in Bartholomew County
Indiana's free public case search tool is MyCase. This statewide system covers Bartholomew County cases and lets you search by name, case number, or attorney. You can see filing dates, case types, scheduled hearings, and case status at no cost and without setting up an account. It is the fastest way to get basic information about a family court case in Columbus or elsewhere in the county.
MyCase does not provide access to case documents themselves. It shows case-level information only. To review the actual filings, orders, or transcripts in a Bartholomew County family court case, you need to visit the clerk's office in person or submit a written request. Some more recent filings may be accessible through the clerk's electronic system, but older paper records require a visit to the courthouse.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal provides statewide guidance on how to request court records and what is available. It is a good place to start if you are unfamiliar with the Indiana court system. The portal also connects users to MyCase and the Trial Courts Directory, which lists current contact information for all Indiana county clerks.
The Indiana Courts case database, accessible through MyCase, covers all Bartholomew County family court filings and provides free public access to case-level information.
The system is updated regularly and covers cases across all Indiana counties including Bartholomew.
Bartholomew County Child Support Services
Child support orders in Bartholomew County follow Indiana's Income Shares Model as set out in IC 31-16. This model takes the gross income of both parents into account when calculating how much support is appropriate. The court applies the guidelines in every case unless there are specific circumstances that justify a different amount.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services to families who need help establishing or enforcing a support order. These services include locating a parent, establishing paternity through DNA testing when needed, creating a new support order, modifying an existing order, and enforcing payment through wage withholding or other legal tools. Families do not have to receive public benefits to use these services.
The Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757 is available around the clock through an automated system. Live staff answer calls Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can use the hotline to check payment history, get updates on your case, or ask general questions about the child support process in Indiana.
Child support records from Bartholomew County cases are filed with the clerk and are part of the court file. If you need a copy of an existing child support order, contact the clerk's office at 812-379-1605. If the order needs to be modified, you can file a petition to modify through the court, and the clerk's staff can tell you which form to use.
Legal Help in Bartholomew County
Indiana Legal Services offers free civil legal help to people with limited income. Their attorneys handle family court matters including dissolution, custody disputes, and protection orders. If you live in Bartholomew County and cannot afford an attorney, contact Indiana Legal Services to see whether you qualify for free representation.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center has guides and forms for people who represent themselves in family court. You can find forms for dissolution, custody modifications, and child support petitions. The center walks you through the filing process step by step. It does not provide legal advice, but it gives you access to the correct forms and clear instructions for common family court actions in Indiana.
The Parenting Time Helpline is a free service staffed by licensed Indiana attorneys. They answer questions about Indiana's parenting time guidelines, including standard schedules, holiday provisions, and how to handle disagreements about access. Call 844-836-0003, Monday through Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m.
If your case requires a private attorney, the Indiana State Bar Association provides a referral service. Bartholomew County has local attorneys who practice family law and are familiar with the courts in Columbus. A private attorney is especially important when a case involves significant disagreements over custody, property division, or support amounts.
Cities in Bartholomew County
Columbus is the county seat and the largest city in Bartholomew County. All family court filings from communities across the county, including Hope, Edinburgh, and Taylorsville, are handled at the Bartholomew County Courthouse in Columbus.
Nearby Counties
Bartholomew County borders several counties in south-central Indiana. Each county handles family court filings for its own residents at its own courthouse.