Jefferson County Family Court Records
Jefferson County family court records are filed and kept by the Jefferson County Clerk at the courthouse in Madison, Indiana. The clerk's office is the official source for dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, paternity, and protection order cases in Jefferson County. Indiana's free statewide MyCase system provides online access to many public case records, while the clerk handles in-person requests, certified copies, and filing assistance during regular office hours Monday through Friday.
Jefferson County Quick Facts
Jefferson County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Jefferson County Clerk is the official custodian of all family court records in the county. Every case filed in Jefferson County circuit or superior court runs through this office. That includes dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody modifications, paternity actions, and protection orders. Staff accept new filings, assign case numbers, collect filing fees, and maintain both electronic and paper case files as the official public record for Jefferson County.
Jefferson County's courthouse sits in Madison, Indiana, along the Ohio River. Madison serves as the county seat for Jefferson County. Do not confuse Madison with Jeffersonville, which is the county seat of Clark County. All Jefferson County family court cases are filed and heard in Madison. To get a certified copy of a court order or final decree, contact the clerk's office. Copies cost $1 per page. Certification adds $3 per document. You can visit in person with a photo ID, mail a written request with payment, or call ahead to ask about your options.
Family law matters in Jefferson County follow Indiana state law. Dissolution of marriage is governed by IC 31-15, which covers the grounds for divorce, the mandatory 60-day waiting period from date of filing, and how courts divide marital property and debts. Child custody decisions are made under IC 31-17, which uses the best interest of the child standard. All filings under both statutes are on record at the Madison courthouse. The clerk's staff cannot give legal advice but can tell you what forms are available and point you to court resources.
| Clerk's Office | Jefferson County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Jefferson County Courthouse 300 E Main St Madison, IN 47250 |
| Phone | 812-265-8924 |
| 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 final divorce decrees are not available online through MyCase or any other portal. Contact the Jefferson County Clerk at 812-265-8924 to request a certified copy of any family court order.
Searching Jefferson County Family Court Records
Indiana's free statewide case search, MyCase, covers Jefferson County and all other Indiana counties. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results include filing dates, case type, the assigned judge, and any upcoming hearing dates. No account is needed. The tool runs 24 hours a day.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal explains what records are available to the public, what restrictions apply under Indiana law, and how to request documents not in the online system. Not every case document is in MyCase. Sealed filings, confidential records, older paper-only files, and hearing exhibits may only be available at the courthouse. For those records, call the clerk at 812-265-8924. If the file is in off-site storage, calling ahead lets staff pull it before you arrive.
For help understanding how to submit a formal records request to an Indiana court, the Indiana Courts How to Request Records page provides step-by-step guidance, including what to include in your request and what fees may apply. The Indiana Courts Trial Courts Directory also lists contact details for every county court in Indiana, which can help you confirm you are contacting the right division.
The Indiana Courts family legal resources page provides links and guidance for navigating family court in any Indiana county.
The page is maintained by the Indiana Office of Court Services and covers self-help resources, forms, and access to court records.
Jefferson County Child Support Services
Child support in Jefferson County is calculated under the Income Shares Model established by IC 31-16. Both parents' gross incomes are combined to determine the total support obligation, which reflects what the child would have received in an intact household. The court then splits that obligation between the parents based on their proportional incomes. Support orders are filed with the clerk's office and become part of the permanent family court record in Madison.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services statewide, including Jefferson County. All families can use these services, not just those on public assistance. The Child Support Bureau can locate non-custodial parents, establish paternity, set new support orders, modify existing ones when circumstances change, and enforce payment through wage withholding, tax refund intercepts, and license suspension. Most services are free for qualifying families.
The Indiana Child Support Hotline is 800-840-8757. Automated service runs around the clock. Live staff answer Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., for help with payment history, case status, and upcoming hearing dates.
Paternity cases in Jefferson County are filed under IC 31-14. Courts cannot issue child support or custody orders for a child born outside of marriage until paternity is established. The clerk's office in Madison handles paternity filings alongside all other family court matters.
Legal Help in Jefferson County
Income-qualifying residents can get free civil legal help from Indiana Legal Services. Their attorneys handle family law matters including dissolution, custody, and protection orders. Contact them to check eligibility and find which office serves Jefferson County in southeastern Indiana.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center has court-approved forms and plain-language guides for dissolution of marriage, custody modifications, and child support petitions. The center does not provide legal advice, but the materials help self-represented people understand the process and file correctly.
The Parenting Time Helpline is a free service staffed by licensed Indiana attorneys. Call 844-836-0003, Monday through Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m. The helpline answers questions about Indiana's parenting time guidelines, visitation schedules, and what courts look for when parents can't agree on a parenting plan.
For private legal representation, the Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. If your case involves contested custody, significant marital assets, or is likely to go to hearing, having an attorney is worth it. The bar can connect you with a family law practitioner serving the Jefferson County area in southeastern Indiana.
Cities in Jefferson County
Jefferson County includes Madison, Hanover, and several smaller communities along the Ohio River in southeastern Indiana. All family court cases for county residents are filed at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Madison. None of the communities in Jefferson County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site, but all residents have full access to family court services through the clerk's office at 300 E Main St in Madison.
Nearby Counties
Jefferson County is located in southeastern Indiana along the Kentucky border. Your county of residence at the time of filing determines where your family court case is handled.