Find Family Court Records in Martin County
Martin County family court records are filed and maintained by the Martin County Clerk at the courthouse in Shoals, Indiana. The clerk's office handles dissolution of marriage, child custody, support orders, and other family law matters, and Indiana provides free online tools to help the public search many of these cases without visiting the courthouse in person.
Martin County Quick Facts
Martin County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Martin County Clerk is the keeper of all official family court records in the county. Every divorce, custody petition, child support filing, and protection order goes through this office. Clerks accept new filings, assign case numbers, collect required fees, and maintain the full set of case documents that make up the public record. If you need to file something or get a copy of something already on file, this is your first stop.
Record copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies require an additional $3 per document. Staff can search by party name or case number, and bringing a valid photo ID is a good idea when you visit. Clerks can tell you what forms exist and where to get them, but they are not allowed to give legal advice about your case.
Martin County has a circuit court that handles all family law matters for the county. Dissolution of marriage cases fall under IC 31-15, which sets out the grounds and procedures for ending a marriage in Indiana. Custody and parenting time disputes are governed by IC 31-17. All case records are on file at the Martin County Courthouse in Shoals.
| Clerk's Office | Martin County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Martin County Courthouse 221 Capitol Ave Shoals, IN 47581 |
| Phone | 812-247-3651 |
| 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; personal checks not accepted |
Note: Certified divorce decrees are not available for download online. Contact the Martin County Clerk's office directly to request a certified copy of a final order.
The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center provides forms and step-by-step guides for common family court actions across Indiana.
Forms for dissolution, custody, and child support are available through the center at no charge.
Searching Family Court Records in Martin County
Indiana's free statewide case search tool, MyCase, lets you search for family court records by party name, case number, or attorney. You can find case type, filing date, party names, and upcoming hearings. The system is open to the public without any login, and it runs around the clock. This is typically the fastest way to check whether a case exists in the system and get basic case information.
Martin County does not maintain a separate court records website. The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal is the statewide access point, and it links to MyCase and other tools. Keep in mind that not every document is available online. Older filings, sealed records, and physical exhibits exist only at the courthouse in Shoals. For anything not showing up in MyCase, you'll need to contact the clerk directly or visit in person.
In-person searches work well for older cases or documents not in the electronic system. Visit the clerk's office at the Martin County Courthouse during business hours. Staff will search by name or case number. If you're looking for a case from before electronic filing began, calling 812-247-3651 ahead of time can help staff pull the right file before you arrive.
The Indiana Courts Trial Courts Directory lists current contact information for every county in Indiana, including Martin County. Use it to confirm which court division handles your type of case or to get a direct line to court staff.
The Indiana Courts public records access page provides guidance on how to request records from any county court in Indiana.
The page walks through the request process and explains what information you need to provide.
Martin County Child Support Services
Child support in Martin County follows Indiana's Income Shares Model under IC 31-16. The court factors in both parents' incomes to arrive at a support amount that reflects what the child would have had if the household had not split. The support order becomes part of the court record, stored with the clerk's office in Shoals.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau offers Title IV-D services to Martin County families. These services cover establishing new orders, modifying existing ones, and enforcing payment. The bureau can help locate a non-custodial parent, establish paternity, and use enforcement tools like wage garnishment or tax intercepts when payments fall behind. You don't need to be on public assistance to use these services. Visit the Child Support Bureau page to learn more or start a case.
For quick status checks or general questions, call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757. Automated services run all day and night. Live agents are on Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The line can tell you about recent payments, upcoming hearings, and general case status.
Paternity actions in Martin County are filed under IC 31-14. Paternity must be established legally before the court can issue custody or support orders for children born outside of marriage. The clerk's office in Shoals handles these filings just like any other family court case.
Note: The Child Support Bureau focuses on financial support only. Questions about parenting time, custody, and property fall under separate court proceedings.
Legal Help in Martin County
For free civil legal help in Martin County, Indiana Legal Services serves income-qualifying residents across the state. Their attorneys can handle dissolution, custody petitions, and protection orders at no charge for those who qualify. Contact the organization to find the office that covers Martin County and to check your eligibility.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center provides court-approved forms and plain-language guides for dissolution of marriage, custody modifications, and support petitions. These materials are designed for people who represent themselves in court. The center doesn't give legal advice, but the forms and instructions are detailed enough for straightforward cases.
The Parenting Time Helpline connects you with licensed attorneys who answer questions about Indiana's parenting time guidelines. The service is free. Call 844-836-0003, Monday through Friday, from noon to 5:00 p.m. This is a good option if you have questions about visitation schedules or parenting plans and need quick guidance without hiring a lawyer.
For private representation, the Indiana State Bar Association has a referral service that can match you with a family law attorney who serves Martin County. Contested cases, high-conflict custody situations, or filings with complex financial issues often go better with legal counsel involved from the start.
Cities in Martin County
Martin County is a small, rural county in southern Indiana. Shoals serves as the county seat, and other communities include Loogootee, Crane, and Mitchelltree. None of the towns in Martin County reach the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All family court cases for residents throughout the county are filed at the Martin County Courthouse in Shoals, and all residents have equal access to clerk services there.
Nearby Counties
Martin County is bordered by several counties in south-central Indiana. If you are not sure which county handles your case, the county where you lived at the time of filing is typically the right jurisdiction.