Clay County Family Court Records
Clay County family court records are filed and maintained at the Clay County Courthouse in Brazil, Indiana. The circuit court in this western Indiana county handles all family law matters, including divorce, custody disputes, child support orders, and paternity cases. Anyone who needs access to these records can contact the clerk's office directly or search online through Indiana's statewide court system.
Clay County Quick Facts
Clay County Family Court Records at the Courthouse
The Clay County Circuit Court Clerk is the official keeper of all family court records in the county. This office stores case files for every divorce, custody, child support, and paternity matter filed in Clay County. If you need a copy of a court order or want to look up a pending case, this is the right office to contact. Staff can search records by name or case number.
The courthouse sits in Brazil, the county seat of Clay County. It is the only filing location for family court matters in this county. All petitions, orders, and final decrees go into the clerk's files and stay there as permanent public records. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an extra $3 certification fee. Payments must be made by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted. Call ahead if you plan to make a large records request so staff can prepare.
Under IC 31-15, the dissolution of marriage process in Indiana creates a series of court documents, all of which are filed with the circuit court clerk. That includes the petition, any temporary orders, the settlement agreement if one is reached, and the final dissolution decree. Clay County keeps all of these in the case file. Most are public records open to anyone who asks.
| Courthouse | Clay County Courthouse 609 E National Ave Brazil, IN 47834 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 812-448-9025 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Copy Fees | $1.00 per page; $3.00 additional for certified copies |
| Payment | Cash, money order, or cashier's check only |
Search Clay County Family Court Records Online
Indiana's MyCase portal lets you search Clay County family court records from home. The system is free to use. You can look up cases by name, case number, or attorney. MyCase covers active and closed cases in the circuit court, including divorce filings coded as DR, paternity cases coded as JP, and child support matters coded as CS.
There are some limits to what MyCase shows. Full divorce decrees, marriage certificates, adoption records, and juvenile case records are not available through the portal. For those documents, you need to contact the Clay County Clerk's office directly and make a records request. Staff can tell you what is available and what must be requested in writing.
To search in person, go to the courthouse in Brazil during regular office hours. Bring the name of at least one party to the case. A case number helps narrow results, but it is not required. The clerk can search the court index and pull up case details. If you need copies made during your visit, have cash or a money order ready. The Indiana Courts Public Records portal also provides guidance on how to request records statewide.
Note: MyCase does not include records sealed by court order or cases involving juveniles. If you cannot find a case online, contact the clerk directly before assuming the record does not exist.
Clay County Family Court Records and Self-Service Resources
Indiana provides online tools to help people who need family court forms or guidance without hiring an attorney. The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center offers forms and instructions for common family law matters including dissolution, custody, and support modification.
The self-service center covers step-by-step instructions for filing forms in Indiana circuit courts, including Clay County. Even if you plan to hire an attorney, reviewing these materials can help you understand what to expect during your case. The forms available through this portal are the same ones accepted by the Clay County Circuit Court.
Clay County Child Support Records and Enforcement
Child support cases in Clay County fall under IC 31-16, which sets out how support is calculated using Indiana's Income Shares Model. This model looks at both parents' incomes and the needs of the child to arrive at a support amount. Once a court order is in place, payments are tracked and enforcement is handled through the county prosecutor's Title IV-D office.
The Title IV-D program handles child support enforcement at no cost to the custodial parent. If you need help collecting support in Clay County, you can contact the local prosecutor's office or reach the state Child Support Bureau. The state also runs a 24-hour automated hotline at 800-840-8757. Live staff are available Monday through Friday from 7 am to 6 pm. The Indiana Child Support Bureau website has information on how to open an enforcement case and how to track payments.
Child support orders are part of the court record in Clay County. You can find the original order through MyCase if the case is coded as CS. Modifications to support require a new court order. You cannot change the amount by agreement alone. File a petition to modify support with the Clay County Circuit Court if circumstances have changed significantly since the original order was entered.
Note: Custody and support records under IC 31-17 are maintained by the circuit court clerk and are generally available to parties and their attorneys, though some portions may be restricted when minors are involved.
Legal Help for Family Court Cases in Clay County
Several resources are available for people who need help with family court matters in Clay County. Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income Hoosiers, including assistance with divorce, custody, and child support cases. Eligibility is based on income. Contact their office to ask about services available to Clay County residents.
The Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral program that can connect you with a family law attorney in your area. The first consultation is often available at a reduced rate. If you need help understanding a court order or preparing for a hearing in Clay County, speaking with an attorney early can save time and prevent mistakes.
Indiana also runs a Parenting Time Helpline at 844-836-0003. This service is free and staffed by licensed attorneys from noon to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. It covers questions about parenting time schedules, IC 31-17 custody standards, and how to respond if a court order is not being followed. More details are on the Parenting Time Helpline page.
The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center is a good starting point if you plan to handle your own case. It has plain-language guides and downloadable forms for dissolution, paternity, and support. The Indiana Trial Courts directory lists contact information for every circuit court in the state, including Clay County.
Cities in Clay County
Clay County includes Brazil and several smaller communities. No city in Clay County meets the 25,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All family court filings for residents of Brazil and other towns in the county go through the Clay County Circuit Court in Brazil.
If you live in Clay County and need to file a family court case, the courthouse in Brazil is your filing location regardless of which city or town you live in.
Nearby Counties
Clay County borders several other Indiana counties. If you are unsure which county courthouse handles your case, the rule is simple: file where you or the other party currently lives. Links below go to neighboring county family court records pages.