Find Putnam County Family Court Records
Putnam County family court records are maintained by the Putnam County Clerk at the courthouse in Greencastle, Indiana. The clerk handles all official filings for dissolution of marriage, custody, child support, paternity, and protection orders in the county. Indiana's statewide online tools and the clerk's in-person services provide multiple ways to search for case information.
Putnam County Quick Facts
Putnam County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Putnam County Clerk is the official record keeper for all family court cases in the county. Every case filed in the circuit or superior court goes through this office. That includes dissolution of marriage, child custody and parenting time disputes, child support petitions, paternity actions, and protection orders. The clerk's staff assigns case numbers, collects court costs, and maintains both physical and electronic case files that make up the public record for Putnam County.
If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree or any family court order, the clerk's office is your starting point. Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certification of a document adds $3. Staff can search records by party name or case number. Bring a valid ID when you visit. The clerk cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you what forms exist, where to get them, and what the filing process looks like.
Putnam County uses Indiana's circuit court structure for family law. Dissolution of marriage is governed by IC 31-15. Child custody and parenting time fall under IC 31-17. All original case documents and orders are on file at the Putnam County Courthouse in Greencastle. The county is also served by a superior court that handles overflow family law matters when the circuit court docket is full.
| Clerk's Office | Putnam County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Putnam County Courthouse 1 E Washington St Greencastle, IN 46135 |
| Phone | 765-653-2648 |
| 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 |
Note: Final decrees and court orders are not available to download online. Contact the Putnam County Clerk directly to get certified copies of any family court documents.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal provides Putnam County residents with statewide case search tools and record request resources.
The portal links directly to MyCase and explains how to request records not available electronically.
Searching Family Court Records in Putnam County
Indiana's free public case search system, MyCase, covers Putnam County along with every other Indiana county. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. You can view filing dates, case type, scheduled hearings, and current status. No account is required. The system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Putnam County does not maintain its own dedicated court records website. Use the Indiana Courts Public Records Portal as the primary statewide access point. That portal links to MyCase and explains how to request records not available electronically. Exhibits, sealed filings, and older paper records may only exist at the courthouse in Greencastle. The How to Request Records page covers the formal process in plain language.
To search in person, visit the clerk's office at the Putnam County Courthouse during business hours. Staff can pull records by name or case number. If you know when the case was filed, share that information to speed up the search. For records that predate electronic filing, the clerk may need advance notice to locate paper files. Call 765-653-2648 before visiting if you are looking for older documents so staff can have them ready.
The Indiana Courts Trial Courts Directory lists contact information for every county court in Indiana. Use it to confirm current hours, addresses, and which court division handles specific family law matters in Putnam County.
The Indiana MyCase public access portal lets Putnam County residents look up family court cases from any device at no cost.
Search by party name or case number without creating an account.
Child Support in Putnam County
Child support in Putnam County is calculated using the Income Shares Model established under IC 31-16. The court considers both parents' incomes to determine a support amount that reflects what the child would have received had the household remained intact. Support orders are part of the public family court record and are on file with the Putnam County Clerk.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services to any Indiana family who needs help establishing, modifying, or enforcing a support order. Public assistance is not required to access these services. The Child Support Bureau can help locate non-custodial parents, establish paternity, and work with the Putnam County court to set or adjust support amounts. Enforcement tools include wage withholding, tax refund intercepts, and license suspension for non-payment.
For quick questions about a child support case, call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757. The automated system works 24 hours a day. Live agents are on duty Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can check payment history, get case status, and ask about upcoming hearings.
Paternity cases in Putnam County are filed under IC 31-14. Establishing paternity is required before the court can enter child support or custody orders for a child born outside of marriage. The clerk's office in Greencastle handles paternity filings the same as all other family court matters.
Note: The Child Support Bureau deals with financial support only. Questions about custody, parenting time, and property division require separate court proceedings.
Legal Help in Putnam County
If you need legal help and cannot afford a private attorney, Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying Indiana residents. Their attorneys handle dissolution, custody, and protection order matters. Contact them to find out if you qualify and which office serves Putnam County.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center offers free forms, guides, and plain-language instructions for common family court actions. You can access dissolution packets, custody modification forms, and child support petition materials without paying a lawyer. The center does not give legal advice, but the step-by-step guides are clear enough for most self-represented filers to use effectively.
The Parenting Time Helpline offers free guidance from licensed Indiana attorneys. Call 844-836-0003, Monday through Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m. Attorneys answer questions about parenting schedules, plans, and disputes between co-parents. The call is free to all Indiana residents.
For private legal representation, the Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. If your case involves contested custody, significant property, or other complex issues, a private family law attorney can protect your interests from start to finish. The bar can connect you with attorneys who practice in the Putnam County area.
Cities in Putnam County
Putnam County is located in west-central Indiana. Greencastle is the county seat and home to DePauw University. Smaller communities like Bainbridge, Cloverdale, and Roachdale are also in the county. None of the communities in Putnam County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but all residents have full access to family court services at the courthouse in Greencastle.
Nearby Counties
Putnam County borders several counties in central and west-central Indiana. Your county of residence at the time of filing is typically the correct jurisdiction for family court matters.