Search Miami County Family Court Records
Miami County family court records are maintained by the Miami County Clerk at the courthouse in Peru, Indiana. The clerk handles all filings for dissolution of marriage, child custody, support orders, and paternity actions, and Indiana's public online tools let you search many of these cases from anywhere without a trip to the courthouse.
Miami County Quick Facts
Miami County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Miami County Clerk serves as the official custodian of all family court records filed in the county. Every dissolution case, custody action, child support order, and paternity filing goes through this office. Staff accept new filings, assign case numbers, collect court fees, and keep both paper and digital copies of case documents. This is the office to contact whether you need to file something new or retrieve something old.
Copies of records cost $1 per page. If you need a certified copy, add $3 per document for the certification fee. Staff can search by name or case number. Bring a photo ID when you visit. Clerks can help you find the right forms and confirm what's in the file, but they cannot give you legal advice or tell you how to handle your case.
Miami County operates a circuit court and a superior court, both of which may hear family law matters depending on the caseload. Dissolution cases are governed by IC 31-15, which covers the grounds, waiting periods, and process for ending a marriage in Indiana. Child custody and parenting time cases fall under IC 31-17. Records from both courts are kept at the courthouse in Peru.
| Clerk's Office | Miami County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Miami County Courthouse 25 N Broadway Peru, IN 46970 |
| Phone | 765-472-3901 |
| 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: Final divorce decrees cannot be downloaded from any online system. Contact the Miami County Clerk directly to get a certified copy of a dissolution decree.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal is the main online hub for accessing case information from courts across all 92 Indiana counties.
The portal links to MyCase, the statewide case search system, and to guidance on requesting records not available electronically.
Searching Family Court Records in Miami County
Indiana's free public case search tool, MyCase, is the best starting point for most record searches. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney without creating an account. The system shows case type, filing date, party names, and scheduled hearings. MyCase is available 24 hours a day and covers family court cases filed in Miami County along with every other county in Indiana.
Miami County does not maintain a standalone court records website separate from the state system. Use the Indiana Courts Public Records Portal for access to MyCase and for information on requesting records that are not yet in the electronic system. Some older documents, sealed filings, and physical exhibits are only available at the courthouse and cannot be retrieved online. For those, you will need to visit in person or send a written request to the clerk.
For in-person searches, go to the Miami County Courthouse in Peru during regular business hours. Staff search by name or case number and can usually pull a file while you wait for recent cases. For older paper records not in the digital system, calling ahead at 765-472-3901 lets staff retrieve the file before you arrive and saves time on both ends.
The Indiana Courts Trial Courts Directory lists contact information for every Indiana county court, including Miami County. Use it to verify which court division handles the type of case you're looking for or to find a direct contact for a specific court department.
The MyCase public access portal provides free statewide case search for Indiana court records.
Search by name, case number, or attorney to find family court filings across Indiana including Miami County cases.
Miami County Child Support Services
Child support in Miami County is calculated using Indiana's Income Shares Model under IC 31-16. Both parents' incomes are considered. The formula produces a support amount that reflects what the child would have received if the family had stayed together. Once a judge approves the order, it becomes part of the court record on file with the clerk's office in Peru.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services to families in Miami County. The bureau helps establish new orders, modify existing ones when circumstances change, and enforce payments when they fall behind. Enforcement tools include wage withholding, tax intercepts, and license suspension. Any family can use these services, not only those who receive public assistance. Contact the Child Support Bureau to open a case or ask about your options.
For quick questions about a support case, call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757. Automated services are available around the clock. Live staff answer calls Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Use this line to check payment history, case status, and upcoming hearing dates.
Paternity cases are filed under IC 31-14. Establishing paternity must happen before the court can issue custody or child support orders for a child born outside of marriage. The Miami County Clerk's office in Peru handles these filings the same way it handles all other family court matters.
Note: Child Support Bureau services cover financial support only. Custody and parenting time require separate court action and often need legal help beyond what the bureau provides.
Legal Help in Miami County
For free legal help in Miami County, Indiana Legal Services assists income-qualifying residents with civil cases including dissolution, custody, and protection orders. Call or visit their website to find the office nearest to Peru and check whether you meet the income guidelines for free representation.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center offers court-approved forms and plain-language instructions for handling family court matters on your own. Forms for dissolution, custody modifications, and support petitions are available at no cost. The center doesn't give legal advice, but the materials are detailed enough to guide someone through a straightforward filing.
The Parenting Time Helpline is staffed by licensed Indiana attorneys who answer questions about parenting time guidelines. It's free to call. The number is 844-836-0003, and the line is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Good for quick questions about visitation schedules and parenting plan disputes.
If you want to hire a private attorney, the Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. A family law attorney in the Miami County area can help with contested divorces, complex custody issues, or support cases involving unusual circumstances. The referral service can point you toward someone with experience in the local courts.
Cities in Miami County
Miami County is a north-central Indiana county with Peru as its county seat. Other communities in the county include Bunker Hill, Macy, Mexico, and Amboy. None of the cities and towns in Miami County reach the 100,000 population level needed for a dedicated city page on this site. All family court cases for Miami County residents are filed at the courthouse in Peru, regardless of which town they live in.
Nearby Counties
Miami County is surrounded by several counties in north-central Indiana. Your county of residence at the time of filing is normally the correct jurisdiction for most family court matters.