Jennings County Family Court Records
Family court records in Jennings County are filed and maintained by the Jennings County Clerk at the courthouse in Vernon, Indiana. The clerk handles dissolution of marriage, custody, child support, paternity, and protection order cases for the county. Many records are accessible online through Indiana's statewide case search tool, and the clerk's office can assist with in-person requests as well.
Jennings County Quick Facts
Jennings County Clerk and Family Court Records
The Jennings County Clerk serves as the official keeper of all court records in the county. This office processes every family case that comes through the circuit court, including dissolution filings, custody petitions, child support orders, and paternity actions. The clerk assigns case numbers, collects fees, and maintains both paper and electronic records. If you need an official copy of any court document, this is where you go.
Certified copies of court orders, including final divorce decrees and custody orders, cost $1 per page plus $3 per document for certification. Staff can search records by party name or case number. You will need to bring a valid photo ID when you visit. The clerk's staff cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you what documents are on file and how to request them.
Jennings County uses a circuit court structure. The circuit court handles all family law matters under IC 31-15 for dissolution of marriage and IC 31-17 for custody and parenting time. All original filings remain at the courthouse in Vernon. Southeastern Indiana residents in Jennings County benefit from having one central courthouse that handles every family court case in the county.
| Clerk's Office | Jennings County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Jennings County Courthouse 24 N Main St Vernon, IN 47282 |
| Phone | 812-352-3055 |
| 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 |
Note: Divorce decrees are not available for download online. Contact the clerk's office directly to get a certified copy of a final decree.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal provides access to case information and guides for requesting court records statewide.
The portal links to MyCase and explains how to reach individual county clerks for documents not available electronically.
Searching Family Court Records in Jennings County
Indiana's free public case search system, MyCase, is the best place to start. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. MyCase shows case type, filing date, hearing schedule, and basic docket information. No account is needed. The system runs around the clock, so you can check a case at any time of day or night.
Jennings County does not operate its own separate court records portal. The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal is the main statewide access point and links directly to MyCase and other resources. Not every document is available online. Older files, sealed records, and physical exhibits must be viewed at the courthouse in Vernon. If you need something that is not showing in MyCase, call the clerk's office to ask whether it can be pulled from storage.
In-person searches are straightforward. Go to the clerk's office at the Jennings County Courthouse during business hours. Bring the name of the party or the case number if you have it. Staff can search the system and locate most files quickly. For cases filed before electronic records were common, allow extra time since staff may need to retrieve older paper files. Calling ahead at 812-352-3055 is a good idea if you are looking for records from more than 15 years ago.
The Indiana Courts self-service legal center provides guides and forms for people navigating family court on their own.
The center covers dissolution, custody, child support, and paternity procedures in plain language.
Child Support in Jennings County
Child support in Jennings County follows the Income Shares Model set out under IC 31-16. The court looks at both parents' incomes and calculates a support amount that reflects what the child would have received in an intact household. Support orders become part of the family court record and are on file with the clerk's office.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services to families who need help with support establishment, modification, or enforcement. These services are free and open to any family, not just those on public assistance. The Child Support Bureau can locate non-custodial parents, establish paternity, and pursue enforcement through wage withholding, tax refund intercepts, and license suspension when needed.
Call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757 for quick answers. The automated line runs 24 hours a day. Live staff are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can check payment history and case status through this number.
Paternity cases fall under IC 31-14. The court needs paternity established before it can enter custody or support orders for a child born outside of marriage. The Jennings County Clerk handles paternity filings the same way it handles other family court cases.
Note: The Child Support Bureau handles financial support matters only. Custody and parenting time are separate and require either a private attorney or the court's self-service resources.
Legal Help in Jennings County
Indiana Legal Services offers free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents across the state. Their attorneys handle dissolution, custody, and protection order cases. Contact them to check eligibility and find out which office covers Jennings County.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center has forms and plain-language guides for people who handle their own cases. You will find step-by-step instructions for dissolution of marriage, custody modifications, and child support petitions. The center does not give legal advice, but the materials are straightforward and free to use.
The Parenting Time Helpline connects callers with licensed attorneys who can answer questions about Indiana's parenting time guidelines. Call 844-836-0003. The helpline is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m. and there is no charge for the call.
For private representation, the Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. If your case involves contested custody, significant assets, or other complex issues, a private family law attorney can help. The bar association can refer you to someone who practices in the Jennings County area.
Cities in Jennings County
Jennings County is a smaller rural county in southeastern Indiana. Communities in the county, including Vernon, North Vernon, Hayden, and Paris Crossing, all file family court cases at the Jennings County Courthouse in Vernon. None of these communities meet the 25,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page. Residents of every town in the county have full access to the clerk's office and all family court services at the courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Jennings County is located in southeastern Indiana and shares borders with several neighboring counties. If you are unsure which county has jurisdiction, your county of residence at the time of filing generally controls where the case is heard.