Search Newton County Family Court Records
Newton County family court records are maintained by the Newton County Clerk at the courthouse in Kentland, Indiana. The clerk handles filings for dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, and related family law matters, and Indiana's free online tools make many of these records searchable without a visit to the courthouse.
Newton County Quick Facts
Newton County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Newton County Clerk is the official keeper of all family court records in the county. Every dissolution filing, custody action, support petition, and related family law matter goes through this office. Staff accept new cases, assign case numbers, collect required fees, and maintain all case documents that make up the public record. This is the starting point for anyone who needs to file something new or retrieve an existing record in Newton County.
Record copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $3 fee per document. Staff can look up records by party name or case number. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit in person. Clerks can help you find forms and confirm what's in a file, but they cannot offer legal advice or tell you how to handle your case.
Newton County is a smaller rural county in northwestern Indiana and uses a circuit court structure to handle all family law matters. Dissolution cases fall under IC 31-15, which governs the grounds, waiting periods, and steps involved in ending a marriage in Indiana. Child custody and parenting time matters are handled under IC 31-17. All case records are maintained at the Newton County Courthouse in Kentland.
| Clerk's Office | Newton County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Newton County Courthouse 201 N 3rd St Kentland, IN 47951 |
| Phone | 219-474-6081 |
| 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 are not available for electronic download from any online system. Contact the Newton County Clerk directly to request a certified copy of a dissolution decree.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal provides access to statewide case search tools and guidance for requesting family court records from any Indiana county.
The portal connects users to MyCase and other official court resources.
Searching Family Court Records in Newton County
Indiana's free public case search tool, MyCase, is available to anyone without creating an account. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney and get basic case information including filing dates, case type, party names, and scheduled hearings. The system covers all Indiana counties and runs around the clock. It's the best first step for most record searches.
Newton County does not have a dedicated court records website of its own. The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal is the statewide access point and links to MyCase and other resources. Some documents are not in the online system, including older paper records, sealed filings, and physical exhibits. For those, contact the clerk's office in Kentland or visit in person during business hours.
For in-person searches, go to the Newton County Courthouse during regular hours. Staff will search by name or case number and pull files for you. If you're looking for older records that may not be in the digital system, calling 219-474-6081 ahead of your visit lets staff retrieve the paper file before you arrive. This saves time and is especially helpful for records from several years ago.
The Indiana Courts Trial Courts Directory lists contact details for every Indiana county court. Use it to confirm contact information for Newton County or to find the right division for your type of case.
The Indiana Courts family legal resources page provides links and guidance for families navigating Indiana court processes, including dissolution and custody.
Resources are available for both people with attorneys and those who represent themselves.
Newton County Child Support Services
Child support in Newton County follows Indiana's Income Shares Model established under IC 31-16. Both parents' incomes are factored into the calculation to produce a support amount that reflects what the child would have received if the family had stayed together. The resulting order becomes part of the family court record and is on file with the Newton County Clerk in Kentland.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services to Newton County families. The bureau can help establish new support orders, modify existing orders when financial circumstances have changed, and enforce orders when payments stop. Enforcement tools include wage withholding, tax intercepts, and license suspension. Any family can use these services regardless of whether they receive public assistance. Visit the Child Support Bureau page to learn more or open a case.
For quick information about a support case, call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757. Automated services run at all hours. Live staff take calls Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Use this line to check payment status, ask about hearing dates, or get general information about a current support order.
Paternity cases in Newton County are filed under IC 31-14. Establishing legal paternity must come before the court can enter custody or support orders for a child born outside of marriage. The Newton County Clerk handles these filings in the same way as all other family court matters.
Note: Child Support Bureau services cover financial support matters only. Custody, parenting time, and property issues require separate court proceedings and often need legal assistance beyond what the bureau provides.
Legal Help in Newton County
Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents throughout Indiana. Their attorneys handle dissolution, custody petitions, and protection orders. Contact the organization to find out which office covers Newton County and whether you meet the income threshold for free services.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center offers court-approved forms and step-by-step guides for handling common family court matters on your own. Forms for dissolution of marriage, custody modifications, and child support petitions are available at no cost. The center doesn't give legal advice, but the materials are plain and detailed enough to walk most people through a straightforward filing.
The Parenting Time Helpline is staffed by licensed Indiana attorneys who answer questions about parenting time guidelines free of charge. Call 844-836-0003, Monday through Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m. Useful for questions about standard visitation schedules, parenting plan modifications, and how Indiana courts handle parenting disputes.
For private legal representation, the Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. If your case is contested or involves complex custody or support issues, a family law attorney who knows the local Newton County courts can be a significant advantage. The referral service can match you with someone who practices in the area.
Cities in Newton County
Newton County is a small rural county in northwestern Indiana. Kentland is the county seat, and other communities include Morocco, Brook, Lake Village, and Goodland. None of the towns in Newton County meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All family court cases for Newton County residents are filed at the courthouse in Kentland, and the clerk's office there serves all residents across the county.
Nearby Counties
Newton County borders several counties in northwestern Indiana. Your county of residence at the time of filing typically determines the correct jurisdiction for family court matters.