Hancock County Family Court Records
Family court records in Hancock County are filed and maintained by the Hancock County Clerk at the courthouse in Greenfield, Indiana. The clerk's office is the official source for dissolution of marriage, custody, child support, paternity, and protection order cases. Indiana's statewide MyCase system gives you online access to many of these records, and clerk staff can assist you in person with filings and certified copies during regular business hours.
Hancock County Quick Facts
Hancock County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Hancock County Clerk keeps all official family court files for the county. Every case filed in the circuit or superior court runs through this office. That includes dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody modifications, paternity actions, and protection orders. Clerk staff accept new filings, assign case numbers, collect court costs, and store the physical and electronic case documents that make up the public record in Hancock County.
Certified copies of final decrees and court orders are available at the clerk's office. Standard copy fees are $1 per page. Certification adds $3 per document. You can request copies in person or by mail. When you visit in person, bring a valid ID and the case number if you have it. Staff can search by party name if you don't have the number. The clerk's staff cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you which forms apply to your situation and point you to the right resources.
Hancock County's circuit and superior courts handle all family law matters under Indiana's unified court system. Dissolution cases are governed by IC 31-15, which sets out the grounds, waiting periods, and property division rules for divorce in Indiana. Custody and parenting time matters fall under IC 31-17. Both types of cases are fully on file at the courthouse in Greenfield. Being part of the Indianapolis metro area, Hancock County's courts see a steady volume of family court filings each year.
| Clerk's Office | Hancock County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Hancock County Courthouse 9 E Main St Greenfield, IN 46140 |
| Phone | 317-477-1109 |
| 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 accepted |
Note: Certified copies of divorce decrees are not available through MyCase or any online portal. You must contact the Hancock County Clerk directly to get a certified copy of any final order.
Searching Family Court Records in Hancock County
Indiana's free public case search tool, MyCase, is the main way to look up family court records online. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Results show basic case data: filing date, case type, judge assigned, and upcoming hearing dates. No account is needed. The system runs around the clock and covers all Indiana counties, including Hancock.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal provides additional guidance on what records are public and how to request them. Not every document in a case appears in MyCase. Sealed records, confidential exhibits, and older paper files are not online. If you need something that isn't in the system, call the clerk's office at 317-477-1109. Staff can tell you whether the record exists and how to get it. For cases filed before electronic records were common, you may need to visit the courthouse in person so staff can retrieve the paper file.
The Indiana Courts Trial Courts Directory lists every county court in the state along with contact information and court division breakdowns. You can use that directory to confirm which specific court division in Hancock County handles the type of family case you are searching for.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal shows the tools available for searching family court records statewide.
The portal links users to MyCase and other resources maintained by the Indiana Office of Court Services.
Hancock County Child Support Services
Child support in Hancock County is calculated using the Income Shares Model under IC 31-16. The court looks at both parents' gross incomes to set an amount that reflects what the child would have received if the household had stayed together. Support orders are part of the family court file and are on record with the clerk's office in Greenfield.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services statewide. Any family can use these services, not just those on public assistance. The Child Support Bureau can help locate a non-custodial parent, establish paternity, set a new support order, modify an existing one, and enforce collection. Enforcement tools include wage withholding, tax refund intercepts, and suspension of driver's licenses and professional licenses.
The Child Support Hotline is 800-840-8757. The automated line works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Live staff answer Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can check payment history, ask about case status, or get details on upcoming hearings through this number.
Paternity cases in Hancock County are filed under IC 31-14. Establishing paternity must happen before a court can enter a custody or support order for a child born outside of marriage. The clerk's office in Greenfield handles paternity filings the same way it handles other family court cases.
Note: The Child Support Bureau focuses on financial support only. Custody schedules, parenting time disputes, and property division are separate legal matters handled through the court or with help from a private attorney.
Legal Help in Hancock County
If you can't afford an attorney, Indiana Legal Services offers free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents. Their attorneys handle family law cases including dissolution, custody, and protection orders. Contact them to see if your income qualifies and which office covers Hancock County.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center has guides and forms for the most common family court actions. You'll find documents for dissolution, custody modifications, and child support petitions. The center does not give legal advice, but the step-by-step materials are written clearly for people who represent themselves in court.
The Parenting Time Helpline offers free answers on Indiana's parenting time guidelines from licensed attorneys. Call 844-836-0003. The line is open Monday through Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m. Questions about visitation schedules, parenting plans, and how courts handle disputes are all within scope for the helpline.
For private representation, the Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. If your case involves contested custody, significant assets, or complex legal questions, a private family law attorney can protect your interests. The bar can help you find someone who practices in Hancock County and the surrounding area.
Cities in Hancock County
Hancock County's largest city is Greenfield, which serves as the county seat and the location of the courthouse. Residents of Greenfield and all other communities in Hancock County file family court cases at the courthouse on East Main Street. Other towns in the county, including McCordsville and Cumberland, also use the Hancock County Clerk for all family court filings.
Nearby Counties
Hancock County is surrounded by several counties in central Indiana. Filing jurisdiction for most family cases is the county where you live, so make sure you file in the right place.