Access Howard County Family Court Records
Howard County family court records are filed and maintained by the Howard County Clerk at the courthouse in Kokomo, Indiana. The clerk's office handles all filings for dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, paternity, and protection orders in the county. Indiana's free statewide MyCase tool provides online access to public case information, while the clerk is available in person Monday through Friday for certified copies, filing assistance, and case questions.
Howard County Quick Facts
Howard County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Howard County Clerk is the official keeper of all family court records in the county. Every case filed in Howard County circuit or superior court runs through this office. That includes dissolution of marriage, legal separation, custody modifications, paternity actions, and protection order petitions. Clerk staff accept new filings, assign case numbers, collect filing fees, and maintain the complete electronic and paper case files that form the official public record for the county.
Howard County's courthouse is located in Kokomo, the county seat and the largest city in the county. The clerk's office serves the full county, including all surrounding communities. To get a certified copy of a court order or final decree, contact the clerk directly. Standard copy fees are $1 per page. Certification costs $3 per document. You can visit in person with a photo ID, call ahead, or mail a written request with payment. If you only know the parties' names and not the case number, clerk staff can search the index for you. The office does not provide legal advice.
Family law cases in Howard County fall under Indiana state law. Dissolution of marriage is governed by IC 31-15, covering filing requirements, the 60-day waiting period, and property division. Child custody and parenting time are handled under IC 31-17, which uses the best interest standard when courts make custody decisions. All filings under both statutes are on record at the Kokomo courthouse. The county also has an official website at howardcountyin.gov where you can find additional court contact details.
| Clerk's Office | Howard County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Howard County Courthouse 100 N Main St Kokomo, IN 46901 |
| Phone | 765-456-2200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Copy Fees | $1 per page; $3 certification per document |
| County Website | howardcountyin.gov |
Note: Certified copies of final divorce decrees are not available through MyCase or any online portal. Contact the Howard County Clerk at 765-456-2200 to request a certified copy of any family court order.
Searching Family Court Records in Howard County
Indiana's free statewide search tool, MyCase, covers Howard County along with every other Indiana county. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show filing dates, case type, the assigned judge, and upcoming hearings. No account is needed. The system runs at any hour and is free to use.
Not every case document appears in MyCase. Sealed filings, older paper-based records, confidential documents, and exhibits attached to hearings are not always available online. The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal explains what is public and how to ask for records that are not online. For documents not in the system, call the clerk at 765-456-2200 and describe what you need. If a case is old enough to be in off-site paper storage, call ahead so staff can retrieve the file before your visit.
The Indiana Courts Trial Courts Directory lists contact information and court division details for every county in Indiana. You can use the directory to confirm which specific court in Howard County handles dissolution, custody, or child support filings.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides services statewide, including Howard County.
The bureau helps families establish, modify, and enforce support orders through Indiana's court system.
Howard County Child Support Services
Child support in Howard County follows the Income Shares Model established under IC 31-16. The court calculates support by combining both parents' incomes and determining the proportional share each parent owes toward what the child would have received in an intact family. Support orders are filed with the clerk and become part of the permanent family court record in Kokomo.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services in Howard County and throughout the state. These services are available to all families, not just those receiving public benefits. The Child Support Bureau can help locate a non-custodial parent, establish paternity, create or modify a support order, and enforce payment. Common enforcement tools include wage withholding, tax refund intercepts, and suspension of driver's or professional licenses. Most bureau services are free to qualifying families.
Call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757 for quick case information. Automated service runs all day, every day. Live staff take calls Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can get payment history, case status, and information on upcoming hearings through the hotline.
Paternity cases in Howard County are filed under IC 31-14. The court needs paternity established before it can issue custody or support orders for a child born outside of marriage. The clerk's office in Kokomo handles paternity filings the same way it handles other family court matters.
Legal Help in Howard County
If you meet income guidelines, Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help for family law matters including dissolution, custody, and protection orders. Contact them to check eligibility and find which office covers Howard County and the north-central Indiana region.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center has approved forms and guides for dissolution of marriage, custody modifications, and child support petitions. The center does not give legal advice, but the materials are straightforward and designed to help people navigate the courts on their own.
The Parenting Time Helpline is free and staffed by licensed attorneys. Call 844-836-0003, Monday through Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m. The helpline answers questions about Indiana parenting time guidelines, visitation schedules, and how courts resolve disputes when parents can't agree on a parenting plan.
For private legal representation, the Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Contested custody cases, significant property disputes, or cases with complex facts benefit from professional help. The bar can connect you with a family law attorney who practices in Howard County.
Cities in Howard County
Howard County's largest city is Kokomo, which also serves as the county seat and courthouse location. Residents of Kokomo and all other communities in Howard County file their family court cases at the courthouse on North Main Street. Smaller communities throughout the county use the same clerk's office for all family law filings.
Nearby Counties
Howard County is located in north-central Indiana. If you're not sure which county handles your case, your county of residence at the time of filing is typically the correct jurisdiction.