DeKalb County Family Court Records
DeKalb County family court records are maintained by the DeKalb County Clerk at the courthouse in Auburn, Indiana. The clerk's office handles all filings for dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, paternity, and protection orders in the county. Records are searchable online through Indiana's free MyCase portal, and the clerk's office including its dedicated child support division is open weekdays for in-person requests and certified copy services.
DeKalb County Quick Facts
DeKalb County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The DeKalb County Clerk is the official keeper of all family court records in the county. Every dissolution filing, custody case, child support action, paternity petition, and protection order goes through this office. Staff accept new filings, assign case numbers, collect court costs, and maintain both electronic and paper case files. The clerk's office also handles child support payment records and maintains a dedicated Child Support Division on the second floor of the courthouse for those cases specifically.
Certified copies of court orders are available from the clerk. Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certification of a document adds $3 per document. For child support payment history records, the cost is $0.10 per page, with an additional $3 for a certified copy. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Staff can search by party name or case number. The clerk does not give legal advice, but can confirm what is on file, what documents are in a case, and what forms are available for common filings.
DeKalb County uses a circuit court that handles all family law matters. Cases are filed under IC 31-15 for dissolution of marriage and under IC 31-17 for custody and parenting time. The county's official website is at co.dekalb.in.us and provides general information about county offices. All case records are filed and maintained at the DeKalb County Courthouse on S Main Street in Auburn.
| Clerk's Office | DeKalb County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | DeKalb County Courthouse 100 S Main St Auburn, IN 46706 |
| Phone | 260-925-0912 |
| Child Support Division | 260-925-6595 (2nd floor, courthouse) |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Copy Fees | $1 per page; $3 certification per document |
| Payment | Cash only for child support payments in person at clerk's office |
Note: The DeKalb County Clerk cannot modify a child support payment schedule without a court order. If you need to change an existing support amount, you must file a modification motion with the court and consult an attorney about the process.
Searching DeKalb County Family Court Records
Indiana's free public case search tool is MyCase. No account is required to use it. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name to see basic case information, including the filing date, case type, and upcoming hearings. MyCase covers DeKalb County circuit court cases along with records from all other Indiana counties. It is available around the clock at no cost.
Not all records appear in MyCase. Older paper files, sealed documents, and physical exhibits must be reviewed at the courthouse. If you are searching for an older case, call 260-925-0912 in advance so staff can prepare the file. The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal describes what is available electronically and how to request records that are not online. The How to Request Records page gives a clear step-by-step guide for making written requests.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal links directly to MyCase and provides guidance for requesting family court records not available online, covering all Indiana counties including DeKalb.
Users can navigate from the portal directly to case-specific information in MyCase or submit a written request for older paper records.
DeKalb County Child Support and Custody Cases
Child support in DeKalb County is set by the circuit court using Indiana's Income Shares Model under IC 31-16. Both parents' gross incomes are used in the calculation. The resulting amount is meant to give the child the same standard of living they would have had if the family had stayed together. Once entered, the order becomes part of the official case record maintained by the DeKalb County Clerk. Only the court can modify an existing support amount. The clerk's office does not have authority to change a payment schedule without a court order in place.
DeKalb County has a dedicated Child Support Division located on the second floor of the courthouse in Auburn. The division handles in-person questions about support cases and payment history. Call 260-925-6595 to reach that office directly. Cash is the only payment method accepted in person for child support payments at the clerk's office. For questions about your child support case outside of business hours, call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757. The automated system works 24 hours a day. Live agents are available weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services to DeKalb County families. These include locating non-custodial parents, establishing paternity, setting up wage withholding, and pursuing enforcement actions through tax intercepts or license suspension. The Bureau coordinates with the local Title IV-D office at the DeKalb County Prosecutor's office, which can be reached at 260-925-3450 for enforcement matters.
Paternity cases in DeKalb County are handled under IC 31-14. Legal paternity is required before the court can enter a custody or support order for a child born outside of marriage. Parents who agree can sign a Paternity Affidavit at the hospital or through the health department. Contested paternity cases are resolved by the circuit court in Auburn through a formal hearing.
Legal Help for DeKalb County Family Court Cases
Indiana Legal Services offers free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents. Their attorneys handle dissolution, custody, and protection order cases. Contact Indiana Legal Services to check eligibility and find the office that covers northeastern Indiana. Many people in smaller counties qualify for free help based on income.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center provides forms and step-by-step guides for common family court situations. You can find dissolution packets, custody modification forms, and child support petitions online at no cost. The center does not give legal advice, but the materials are written in plain language and cover most common situations. The Family Legal Resources page lists additional local organizations that may serve DeKalb County residents directly.
The Parenting Time Helpline is free and staffed by licensed attorneys. Call 844-836-0003 on weekdays from noon to 5:00 p.m. with questions about parenting schedules and Indiana's parenting time guidelines. If your case requires private representation, the Indiana State Bar Association referral service can help you find a family law attorney in the Auburn area. If your case involves contested support amounts, complex custody, or enforcement issues, a private attorney who knows DeKalb County's courts is a good investment.
Cities in DeKalb County
DeKalb County is located in northeastern Indiana. Auburn is the county seat and the location of the courthouse where all family court cases are filed. Other communities in the county include Garrett, Butler, and Waterloo. None of these towns meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All DeKalb County residents file their family court cases at the courthouse in Auburn, and the clerk's office serves everyone in the county equally.
Nearby Counties
DeKalb County is in northeastern Indiana and shares borders with Steuben, Noble, Allen, and LaGrange counties. If you are not sure which county court has jurisdiction, your county of residence at the time of filing is the usual starting point for most family law matters.