Search Ohio County Family Court Records
Ohio County family court records are kept by the Ohio County Clerk at the courthouse in Rising Sun, Indiana. Indiana's smallest county by area handles all family law filings here, including dissolution of marriage, child custody, and support cases, and the public can search many of these records online through Indiana's free statewide case search system.
Ohio County Quick Facts
Ohio County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Ohio County Clerk is the official keeper of all family court records in the county. Ohio County is the smallest county in Indiana by area, located along the Ohio River in the southeastern corner of the state. Despite its size, the clerk's office handles the full range of family court matters including dissolution, custody, child support, and protection orders. Staff accept new filings, assign case numbers, collect fees, and maintain all case documents.
Record copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $3 per document. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit in person. Staff can search by name or case number. Because Ohio County is small and staffing is limited, calling ahead at 812-438-2610 before you come in is always a good idea, especially for older records that may require extra time to locate.
Ohio County uses a circuit court structure that handles all family law matters for the county. Dissolution cases are governed by IC 31-15, which covers the grounds, waiting periods, and process for ending a marriage in Indiana. Custody and parenting time matters fall under IC 31-17. All records are filed and stored at the Ohio County Courthouse in Rising Sun.
| Clerk's Office | Ohio County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Ohio County Courthouse 413 Main St Rising Sun, IN 47040 |
| Phone | 812-438-2610 |
| 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 electronic download. Contact the Ohio County Clerk directly to request a certified copy of a dissolution decree or final family court order.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal is the main statewide hub for accessing court case information and guidance on requesting records from any Indiana county court.
The portal connects users to MyCase and other official resources maintained by the Indiana Office of Court Services.
Searching Family Court Records in Ohio County
Indiana's free statewide case search tool, MyCase, covers Ohio County family court cases along with all other Indiana counties. You don't need an account. Search by party name, case number, or attorney and get case type, filing date, party names, and upcoming hearing dates. The system runs around the clock. For most searches, MyCase is the fastest and easiest starting point.
Ohio County does not have a dedicated local court records website. The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal is the statewide access point and links to MyCase and other resources. Not all documents are online. Older paper records, sealed filings, and physical exhibits may only be available at the courthouse in Rising Sun. For those, contact the clerk directly or visit in person during business hours.
Because Ohio County is Indiana's smallest county, the courthouse in Rising Sun is compact and staff are limited. In-person searches are straightforward for recent cases. For records that predate the electronic system, calling ahead at 812-438-2610 gives staff time to find the paper file before you arrive. Mail-in record requests are also accepted; contact the clerk's office for the correct process and any required fees.
The Indiana Courts Trial Courts Directory lists contact information for all Indiana county courts, including Ohio County. Use it to verify contact details or confirm which division handles a specific type of family case.
The Indiana Courts MyCase system provides public access to family court records for all Indiana counties, including Ohio County filings.
Search results include case type, party names, filing date, and upcoming court dates for public family court cases.
Ohio County Child Support Services
Child support in Ohio County follows Indiana's Income Shares Model under IC 31-16. Both parents' incomes are used to calculate a support amount that reflects what the child would have received if the family had stayed together. Once the court enters the order, it becomes part of the family court record on file with the Ohio County Clerk in Rising Sun.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services to Ohio County families. The bureau can help establish a new support order, modify an existing order when financial circumstances change, and enforce payments that fall behind. Enforcement tools include wage withholding, tax refund intercepts, and license suspension. All families are eligible for these services, not only those who receive public assistance. Visit the Child Support Bureau page to learn more or open a case.
For quick questions, call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757. Automated services run at all hours. Live staff are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The line provides payment history, case status updates, and general information about open support orders in Ohio County.
Paternity cases in Ohio County are filed under IC 31-14. Legal paternity must be established before a court can enter custody or support orders for a child born outside of marriage. The Ohio County Clerk handles these filings the same way it handles all other family court matters at the courthouse in Rising Sun.
Note: The Child Support Bureau handles financial support only. Custody and parenting time disputes are separate matters that require court proceedings and often benefit from legal assistance.
Legal Help in Ohio County
For free civil legal help, Indiana Legal Services assists income-qualifying residents throughout Indiana, including those in Ohio County. Their attorneys handle dissolution, custody, and protection order cases. Contact the organization to find which office covers the Rising Sun area and to check your eligibility based on income.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center provides court-approved forms and plain-language guides for common family court actions. Forms for dissolution of marriage, custody modifications, and support petitions are available at no cost. The center doesn't provide legal advice, but the instructions are detailed and easy to follow for straightforward cases that people handle on their own.
The Parenting Time Helpline is staffed by licensed attorneys who answer questions about Indiana parenting time guidelines free of charge. Call 844-836-0003, Monday through Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m. This is a useful resource for quick questions about visitation schedules, parenting plans, and how courts handle parenting disputes in Indiana.
If you want private legal representation in Ohio County, the Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney serving the area. Given Ohio County's small size, attorneys may also practice in neighboring Dearborn or Switzerland counties. The bar can help you find someone familiar with the local courts and courthouse staff.
Cities in Ohio County
Ohio County is Indiana's smallest county by area and has a small overall population. Rising Sun is both the county seat and the largest community in the county. Other communities include Aurora (which is actually in Dearborn County just to the north). All family court cases for Ohio County residents are filed at the Ohio County Courthouse in Rising Sun. No communities in Ohio County meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Ohio County borders just two counties along Indiana's southeastern edge. Your county of residence at the time of filing generally determines the correct jurisdiction for family court matters.