Starke County Family Court Records Search
Starke County family court records, including dissolution of marriage, custody, child support, and paternity filings, are kept at the Starke County Courthouse in Knox, Indiana. The county clerk's office is the official custodian of all these records. Indiana's free MyCase system allows online searching for many cases, and the clerk's office handles in-person requests during business hours.
Starke County Quick Facts
Starke County Family Court Records at the Clerk's Office
The Starke County Clerk maintains all official family court records filed in the county. Every dissolution case, custody petition, child support order, and paternity filing goes through this office in Knox. Staff accept new filings, assign case numbers, collect court costs, and manage the official record for each case. Starke County is a northwestern Indiana county, and the courthouse in Knox is the sole filing point for all family court matters in the county.
Certified copies of court orders are available through the clerk's office. Copies cost $1 per page. Certification adds $3 per document. Staff can look up records by party name or case number. Bring a valid photo ID to the counter. Clerk staff cannot give legal advice, but they can show you what forms are available and help you request the documents you need.
Starke County courts handle family law under Indiana statutes including IC 31-15 (dissolution of marriage) and IC 31-17 (child custody and parenting time). The county uses Indiana's standard circuit court structure for all family court proceedings.
| Clerk's Office | Starke County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Starke County Courthouse 53 E Washington St Knox, IN 46534 |
| Phone | 574-772-9127 |
| 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 final dissolution decrees are not available for download. You must contact the Starke County Clerk's office to request certified copies of any court order.
Searching Family Court Records in Starke County
Indiana's free public case search, MyCase, allows you to search Starke County family court cases by party name, case number, or attorney. The system shows basic case details including filing date, case type, and scheduled hearings. No account is required, and the system is available at any time of day.
Starke County does not maintain a separate local court records website beyond the statewide system. The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal is the main statewide access point. From there you can reach MyCase and learn how to request records not in the electronic system. Older paper records, sealed documents, and physical exhibits are only available at the courthouse in Knox. Call ahead if you need records from before the electronic filing era so staff can prepare those files.
For in-person requests, visit the clerk's office at the Starke County Courthouse on E Washington Street. Staff can locate records by name or case number. If you have the approximate filing year, share that information to help narrow the search. Call 574-772-9127 before visiting if you need older documents not yet in the electronic system.
The Indiana Courts Trial Courts Directory lists all Indiana county courts with contact details and a breakdown of case types handled. Use it to verify which court division manages specific family law matters in Starke County.
The Indiana Courts Court Case Database allows public access to family and other court filings across all Indiana counties including Starke County.
Search by name, case number, or attorney to find case details.
Starke County Child Support and Paternity
Child support in Starke County follows the Income Shares Model under IC 31-16. The court uses both parents' gross incomes to set a support amount that reflects what the child would have received if the family had stayed together. Support orders are part of the official case file and are on record at the clerk's office in Knox.
The Indiana Child Support Bureau offers Title IV-D services to Starke County families. These services are free and available to all families, regardless of whether they receive public assistance. The Child Support Bureau can help locate non-custodial parents, establish paternity, and petition the court to set or change a support order. Enforcement options include wage withholding, tax refund intercepts, and license suspension.
For quick updates, call the Indiana Child Support Hotline at 800-840-8757. The automated system runs all day, every day. Live staff are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can check payment history, confirm case status, and ask about upcoming hearings through this line.
Paternity cases in Starke County are filed under IC 31-14. Legal paternity must be established before the court can issue child support or custody orders for a child born outside of marriage. The clerk's office in Knox handles these filings alongside all other family court cases.
Note: The Child Support Bureau handles financial support only. Custody, parenting time, and property matters are separate proceedings that may require the assistance of a private attorney.
Legal Help in Starke County
Starke County residents who need help with family court matters and cannot afford an attorney have several options. Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents statewide. Their attorneys can help with dissolution, custody, and protection order cases. Contact Indiana Legal Services to see if you qualify and to find the office serving Starke County.
The Indiana Courts Self-Service Legal Center provides free guides, forms, and step-by-step instructions for common family court actions including dissolution, custody, and child support. The center is designed for people who represent themselves and is written in plain, straightforward language.
The Parenting Time Helpline gives free answers to questions about Indiana's parenting time guidelines. Licensed attorneys answer questions about visitation schedules, parenting plans, and dispute resolution. Call 844-836-0003. The helpline is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m.
The Indiana State Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. If your case is contested or involves complex issues, a private family law attorney can help you through the process. The bar can connect you with a family law attorney serving the Starke County area.
Cities in Starke County
Starke County is a small rural county in northwestern Indiana. Knox is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Other towns in Starke County, including North Judson and San Pierre, file all family court cases at the courthouse in Knox. No city in Starke County meets the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All county residents have full access to the clerk's office and family court services in Knox.
Nearby Counties
Starke County is in northwestern Indiana and borders several neighboring counties. Your county of residence at the time of filing determines jurisdiction for most family court matters.