Porter County Family Court Records
Porter County family court records are maintained by the Porter County Clerk at the Government Center in Valparaiso, Indiana. The clerk handles all official filings for dissolution of marriage, custody, child support, paternity, and protection orders. Porter County is one of a small number of Indiana counties with a dedicated Family Court division, housed in Superior Court 4, which focuses exclusively on family law matters.
Porter County Quick Facts
Porter County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Porter County Clerk is the official keeper of all family court records in the county. Every case filed in the circuit or superior court goes through this office, including dissolution of marriage, custody disputes, parenting time modifications, child support petitions, paternity actions, protection orders, and guardianship matters. The clerk's staff assigns case numbers, collects court costs, and maintains the official case files that form the public family court record in Porter County.
Porter County Superior Court 4 serves as the county's dedicated Family Court division. This specialized court handles family law matters exclusively, giving cases more focused judicial attention than in counties where a single judge covers multiple types of cases. Porter County also operates an IVD Court specifically for Title IV-D child support enforcement cases. All filings go to the clerk's office at the Government Center in Valparaiso.
Attorney e-filing is required in Porter County. All attorney pleadings must be submitted electronically. Self-represented litigants may file paper documents directly with the clerk's office until 4:15 p.m. on business days. Protection orders can be filed online or with paper forms at the clerk's office, and those are processed until 4:00 p.m. Cases under IC 31-15 for dissolution and IC 31-17 for custody and parenting time are the most common family court filings. Certified copies of decrees cost $1 per page, with a $3 certification fee.
| Clerk's Office | Porter County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Porter County Government Center 155 Indiana Ave Valparaiso, IN 46383 |
| Phone | 219-465-3450 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Copy Fees | $1 per page; $3 certification per document |
| E-Filing | Required for all attorney filings; self-represented litigants may file in person |
| County Website | portercountyin.gov |
Note: Porter County email addresses are transitioning from @porterco.org to @portercountyin.gov as the county moves to its new domain. Use the current website at portercountyin.gov to confirm current contact information.
The Porter County Government Center website provides information on court services, clerk operations, and access to family court records.
The site includes links to the Courts page, clerk information, and online services.
The Porter County Courts page lists the available courts, including Superior Court 4 which serves as the dedicated Family Court division. 
The courts page shows case search tools, court schedules, and information on all court divisions.
Searching Family Court Records in Porter County
Indiana's free public case search tool, MyCase, covers all Porter County courts including Superior Court 4. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows filing dates, case type, hearing schedules, and current case status. No account is required, and the tool is available around the clock.
Porter County also provides free access to adult court case records through its county website at portercountyin.gov. This is separate from the statewide MyCase tool and may offer additional search options for locally maintained records. For the broadest access, use both the county website and the Indiana Courts Public Records Portal. The portal explains how to request records not available electronically, including sealed filings, exhibits, and older paper documents. The How to Request Records page covers the formal process.
For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at the Porter County Government Center during business hours. Staff can pull files by name or case number. Call 219-465-3450 before visiting if you are looking for older records so staff can retrieve files in advance. The Trial Courts Directory lists current contact details for every Indiana court including all Porter County divisions.
Child Support in Porter County
Porter County has a dedicated IVD Court for child support cases, separate from the Family Court division. This court focuses specifically on establishing, modifying, and enforcing support orders under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. Support calculations follow the Income Shares Model established under IC 31-16. The court uses both parents' incomes to determine a support amount that reflects what the child would have received had the household stayed together.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services statewide, including in Porter County. Any family can use these services regardless of whether they receive public assistance. The Child Support Bureau helps locate non-custodial parents, establish paternity, set support orders, and enforce existing orders. Enforcement tools include wage withholding, tax refund intercepts, and license suspension. Call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757 for quick case status updates. Live staff are on duty Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Paternity cases in Porter County are filed under IC 31-14. Paternity must be established before the court can enter child support or custody orders for a child born outside of marriage. The clerk's office handles paternity filings the same as other family court cases.
Note: The IVD Court and Child Support Bureau handle financial support matters only. Custody, parenting time, and property division are handled through Family Court and may require a private attorney or the court's self-service resources.
Legal Help in Porter County
If you need legal help and cannot afford a lawyer, Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying Indiana residents. Their attorneys handle dissolution, custody, and protection order cases. Contact them to find the office that serves Porter County and to learn if you qualify for free representation.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center has forms, guides, and step-by-step instructions for common family court actions. You can get dissolution forms, custody modification packets, and child support petitions without hiring an attorney. The center does not give legal advice, but the materials cover the filing process clearly. Porter County's dedicated Family Court division also has more focused staff familiar with self-represented filers.
The Parenting Time Helpline provides free guidance from licensed Indiana attorneys on parenting time questions. Call 844-836-0003, Monday through Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Attorneys can answer questions about parenting schedules, plans, and disputes. The helpline is free to all callers.
For private legal representation, the Indiana State Bar Association runs a referral service that can connect you with family law attorneys in the Porter County area. Porter County's dedicated Family Court and IVD Court mean that local attorneys have significant experience handling the specific procedures used in this county.
Cities in Porter County
Porter County includes two qualifying cities with dedicated pages. Portage is one of the most populous cities in the county and files family court cases at the Porter County Government Center in Valparaiso. Valparaiso serves as the county seat and is home to the Porter County Government Center where all family court records are maintained. Residents of both cities have full access to the county's dedicated Family Court division in Superior Court 4.
Nearby Counties
Porter County is located in northwestern Indiana and borders several other counties in the region. Your county of residence at the time of filing is typically the correct jurisdiction for most family court matters.