Search LaPorte County Family Court Records
LaPorte County family court records are maintained by the LaPorte County Clerk at the courthouse on Lincolnway in LaPorte, Indiana. The clerk handles all dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and protection order filings for the county. Indiana's statewide MyCase system provides free online access to many records, and the clerk's office is available for in-person requests during regular business hours.
LaPorte County Quick Facts
LaPorte County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The LaPorte County Clerk is the official custodian of all court records in the county. The office processes every family case filed in the circuit and superior courts, including dissolution petitions, custody and parenting time actions, child support filings, and paternity cases. Staff accept new filings, assign case numbers, collect court fees, and maintain both paper and electronic files for each case. Certified copies of any court order must come from this office.
Certified copies cost $1 per page, plus $3 per document for certification. Staff can search records by party name or case number. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Clerk staff cannot provide legal advice, but they can confirm what documents exist in a file and explain how to request them formally.
LaPorte County has a circuit court and multiple superior court divisions that hear family law cases. Dissolution matters are filed under IC 31-15. Custody and parenting time cases are governed by IC 31-17. All original filings and case documents are stored at the LaPorte County Courthouse on Lincolnway. LaPorte County is a northwestern Indiana county bordering Lake Michigan and draws family court cases from communities across the county.
| Clerk's Office | LaPorte County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | LaPorte County Courthouse 813 Lincolnway LaPorte, IN 46350 |
| Phone | 219-326-6808 |
| 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: Certified copies of divorce decrees are not available for download online. Contact the clerk directly for any certified court documents.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal connects users to MyCase and provides guidance on requesting court records from county clerks across Indiana, including LaPorte County.
The portal is maintained by the Indiana Office of Court Services.
Searching Family Court Records in LaPorte County
Indiana's MyCase system is where you start for LaPorte County family court searches. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name to pull up case details, docket entries, filing dates, and hearing schedules. The system is free and does not require a login. It is available at any hour of the day.
LaPorte County does not have a separate local court records site. All online access runs through the Indiana Courts Public Records Portal and MyCase. Older paper files and sealed records cannot be accessed online. For documents not in MyCase, call the clerk at 219-326-6808 to ask whether the record can be retrieved. Older case files may take extra time if they have been moved to offsite storage.
For in-person access, go to the clerk's office at the LaPorte County Courthouse on Lincolnway during business hours. Bring the party name or case number. If you know approximately when the case was filed, that information helps staff narrow the search. The clerk's office is your only option for certified copies and original document review.
The Indiana Courts family legal resources page provides guides for residents of LaPorte County dealing with custody, support, and dissolution cases.
Resources include plain-language explanations of court procedures and links to official forms.
Child Support in LaPorte County
Child support in LaPorte County follows the Income Shares Model under IC 31-16. Both parents' incomes are factored in to calculate a support amount that reflects what the child would receive in an intact household. Support orders become part of the official court record at the clerk's office.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides free Title IV-D services to any family that qualifies, not just those on public assistance. Services from the Child Support Bureau include locating non-custodial parents, establishing new support orders, setting up wage withholding, and using enforcement tools such as tax refund intercepts and license suspension for overdue support.
Call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757 for case updates and payment history. The automated system runs all day and night. Live staff are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Paternity cases in LaPorte County are filed under IC 31-14. The court cannot enter custody or support orders for a child born outside of marriage until paternity is established. The clerk's office handles these filings the same way it handles other family court cases.
Note: The Child Support Bureau deals with financial support only. Custody and parenting time disputes are handled separately through the court or with a private attorney.
Legal Help in LaPorte County
Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income residents across the state, including those in LaPorte County. They handle family court cases including dissolution, custody, and protection orders. Contact them to find out which office covers your area and whether you qualify.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center offers free forms and plain-language step-by-step guides for common family court actions. You can find dissolution of marriage forms, custody modification procedures, and child support petition guides. The center does not give legal advice but the materials are clear and easy to follow.
The Parenting Time Helpline connects callers with licensed attorneys who answer questions about Indiana's parenting time guidelines at no cost. Call 844-836-0003, Monday through Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m.
The Indiana State Bar Association can refer you to a private family law attorney who practices in the LaPorte County area if your case requires private representation.
Cities in LaPorte County
LaPorte County includes several communities, and one qualifies for its own dedicated page. All family court cases filed by residents of any LaPorte County community are heard at the LaPorte County Courthouse on Lincolnway in LaPorte.
- Michigan City, LaPorte County's largest city, on Lake Michigan
Other LaPorte County communities, including the city of LaPorte, Westville, New Carlisle, and Rolling Prairie, also file family court cases at the same courthouse in LaPorte. These communities do not have separate city pages.
Nearby Counties
LaPorte County sits in northwestern Indiana bordering Lake Michigan to the north. If you are uncertain which county holds your case, your county of residence at the time the case was filed determines the correct jurisdiction.