Find Family Court Records in Shelby County
Shelby County family court records cover dissolution of marriage, custody, child support, paternity, and protection orders filed at the Shelby County Courthouse in Shelbyville, Indiana. The county clerk's office is the official keeper of all these records. Many cases can be searched online through Indiana's MyCase system, and the clerk's office is open for in-person requests Monday through Friday.
Shelby County Quick Facts
Shelby County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Shelby County Clerk maintains all official family court records for the county. Every dissolution of marriage, child custody case, child support order, and paternity action filed in Shelby County circuit or superior court goes through this office. The clerk's staff accepts filings, assigns case numbers, collects court costs, and keeps both physical and electronic records that form the public file. Shelbyville is the hub for all family court activity in the county.
To get a certified copy of a court order, you must contact the clerk's office. Copies cost $1 per page. Adding certification costs $3 per document. Staff can search by party name or case number. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk's office does not give legal advice, but staff can show you what forms are available and explain how to request specific records.
Shelby County uses Indiana's circuit and superior court structure. Family cases fall under statutes including IC 31-15 for dissolution of marriage and IC 31-17 for child custody and parenting time. Shelby County sits east of Indianapolis, making it one of the more accessible courthouses in the region.
| Clerk's Office | Shelby County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Shelby County Courthouse 407 S Harrison St Shelbyville, IN 46176 |
| Phone | 317-392-6320 |
| 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 copies of dissolution decrees are not available for download online. You must contact the Shelby County Clerk directly to get a certified copy of a final court order.
Searching Family Court Records in Shelby County
Indiana's free public case search, MyCase, lets anyone search Shelby County family court cases by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system displays basic case details including filing date, case type, and scheduled hearings. No account is needed to run a search, and the system is available at any hour of the day.
Shelby County does not run its own dedicated court records website separate from the state system. The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal is the main statewide entry point. From there you can access MyCase and find guidance on requesting documents not available electronically. Older records, sealed filings, and physical exhibits may only be accessible at the courthouse in Shelbyville. If you need records from before the electronic filing era, call ahead so staff can locate the paper files.
For in-person visits, go to the clerk's office at the Shelby County Courthouse on S Harrison Street. Staff can look up records by name or case number. Knowing the approximate filing year helps the search. Call 317-392-6320 before visiting if you need older documents that may not be in the electronic system.
The Indiana Courts Trial Courts Directory lists every county court in the state, with contact information and a breakdown of case types. Use this directory to confirm which court handles specific family law matters in Shelby County.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal is the statewide access point for family court case information.
The portal links to MyCase and provides guidance on requesting records that are not online.
Shelby County Child Support and Paternity
Child support in Shelby County follows the Income Shares Model under IC 31-16. The court uses both parents' gross incomes to calculate the support amount. The goal is to provide the child with financial support similar to what they would have received if the family had stayed together. All support orders are on file as part of the official case record at the Shelby County Courthouse.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides Title IV-D services statewide, including in Shelby County. These services are free to all families and cover locating non-custodial parents, establishing paternity, and setting or modifying support orders. The Child Support Bureau uses enforcement tools such as wage withholding, tax refund intercepts, and suspension of driver's and professional licenses to ensure compliance with court orders.
The Indiana Child Support Hotline is 800-840-8757. The automated system runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Live staff are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Use this line to check payment history, get case status updates, and ask about upcoming court dates.
Paternity cases in Shelby County are governed by IC 31-14. Before the court can enter a child support or custody order for a child born outside of marriage, legal paternity must be established. The clerk's office in Shelbyville files and manages paternity cases alongside all other family court matters.
Note: The Child Support Bureau handles financial support only. Custody, parenting time, and property division are separate proceedings that may require an attorney or use of the court's self-service tools.
Legal Help in Shelby County
Free and low-cost legal help is available for Shelby County residents who need help with family court matters. Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents. Their attorneys can help with dissolution, custody, and protection orders. Contact Indiana Legal Services to check eligibility and find the office serving Shelby County.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center offers guides, forms, and instructions for the most common family court actions. You can find step-by-step help for dissolution of marriage, custody modifications, and child support petitions. The center does not give legal advice, but its materials are written clearly for people who represent themselves in court.
The Parenting Time Helpline provides free answers to questions about Indiana's parenting time guidelines. Licensed attorneys staff the line. Call 844-836-0003. The helpline is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m. It covers visitation schedules, parenting plans, and how courts handle disputes.
The Indiana State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service for residents who need a private attorney. If your case involves significant assets, contested custody, or other complex issues, a private family law attorney can protect your rights. The bar can help you find a lawyer serving the Shelby County area.
Cities in Shelby County
Shelby County is located east of Indianapolis in central Indiana. Shelbyville is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Other communities including Morristown and St. Paul file all family court matters at the courthouse in Shelbyville. No city in Shelby County meets the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All residents have full access to family court services and clerk's office records in Shelbyville.
Nearby Counties
Shelby County borders several counties in central Indiana. For most family court matters, your county of residence at the time of filing sets jurisdiction.