White County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In White County in 2026
WhiteCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in White County, Indiana. Members of the public may find case numbers, party names, filing dates, final decrees, and related court documents. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, child custody arrangements, and support orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The primary custodian of divorce records in White County is the White County Clerk of Court, which maintains complete case files for all dissolution proceedings filed in the county. Members of the public may access these records in person, by mail, or through available online portals.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The White County Clerk's Office maintains court records accessible online. Members of the public may search case information at no charge for basic docket entries. Obtaining copies of documents may require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The Indiana Judicial Branch: White County page provides access to local court information and links to case search tools. This portal allows users to search across Indiana jurisdictions and access consolidated case data.
3. State Vital Records
Indiana does not register divorce decrees as vital records in the same manner as birth or death certificates. However, the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records maintains divorce records reported by county clerks and may provide divorce certificates for proceedings finalized after 1958. Fees apply for certified copies obtained through this office.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — White County:
White County Clerk of Court
110 N Main St
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-7032
White County Clerk's Office
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees
- Staff assistance for locating records
Records Department:
Historical and archived divorce cases may be stored separately from active files. Cases filed prior to digitization may require additional retrieval time. Staff can assist in locating archived records upon request.
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: White County Clerk of Court, 110 N Main St, Monticello, IN 47960
- Include the following in the written request:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately one to two weeks, subject to staff availability and record location.
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
- Clerk of Court: (574) 583-7032
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys
An attorney of record may access the complete case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view. Attorneys may petition the court for access to sealed records upon a showing of good cause. The Indiana State Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service for individuals seeking legal representation in connection with divorce record matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in White County
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Divorce proceedings in Indiana are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides guidance on locating the correct court. Under Indiana Code § 31-15-2-6, one spouse must have been a resident of Indiana for at least six months prior to filing, and the petition must be filed in the county of that spouse's residence.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Finalized decrees may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing
- Allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final order is entered
- Contact the Clerk's office to confirm availability
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may exist only in paper form
- Archived records may require additional retrieval time
- Records from before 1958 may not be available through the state vital records office
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- Incorrect county of filing
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- Case still pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records held in off-site storage
- Case sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the White County Clerk at (574) 583-7032
- Attempt alternate name spellings
- Search under both spouses' names
- Check the Indiana Department of Health vital records database
- Consult an attorney for complex or sealed record situations
What Are White County Divorce Records?
White County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the White County Circuit or Superior Court. These records are maintained by the White County Clerk of Court as part of the permanent family law case file and constitute public records subject to Indiana's Access to Public Records Act.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files
The complete case file includes all documents filed by the parties and the court throughout the proceeding:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of dissolution
Final Decree
The final decree of dissolution is the official court order terminating the marriage. It is the primary document sought by individuals who need legal proof of divorce. The final decree establishes:
- The date the marriage was legally dissolved
- Division of marital property and debts
- Alimony or spousal maintenance, if ordered
- Child custody and parenting time arrangements, if applicable
- Child support obligations, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available through the White County Clerk of Court.
Supporting Documents
Additional documents within the case file may include:
- The original marriage certificate submitted as an exhibit
- Financial disclosure statements and supporting documentation
- Real and personal property inventories
- Post-judgment modification orders
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for retirement account division
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Legal Purposes
- Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
- Documenting name changes for government identification
- Supporting immigration proceedings and visa applications
- Verifying eligibility for Social Security survivor or spousal benefits
- Facilitating property transfers and estate planning
Personal Purposes
- Genealogical and family history research
- Personal recordkeeping and verification of divorce terms
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The White County Clerk of Court serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files. The Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records maintains a separate registry of divorce certificates reported by county clerks for proceedings finalized after 1958, though this registry contains limited information compared to the full court file.
Legal Framework:
Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Indiana are governed by Indiana Code § 31-15, which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for divorce in the state. Public access to court records is governed by Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which balances the presumption of open access against enumerated privacy protections applicable to family law cases.
Are White County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records in White County are public court records subject to Indiana's presumption of open access. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of most documents in a divorce case file. However, certain categories of information are restricted, redacted, or sealed pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 9 and applicable state and federal privacy laws.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Scheduled court hearing dates
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status and docket entries
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information
- Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings
- Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
- Detailed financial statements may be subject to limited access
- Tax returns submitted as exhibits may be sealed or restricted
Children's Information
- Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted in certain circumstances
- Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
- Medical and psychological evaluation records related to children are restricted
- Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access
- Child custody evaluation reports may be sealed by court order
Sensitive Personal Information
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records are restricted
- Personal addresses of domestic violence victims are protected
- Medical records submitted as exhibits are restricted under HIPAA
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public. Parties to the case and their attorneys retain access to sealed materials. Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for disclosure.
Who Can Access Records:
| Requestor | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents; redacted copies |
| Parties to the case | Full access to own case file |
| Attorneys of record | Full access; may petition for sealed records |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to restricted information |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; court permission required for sealed records |
Restrictions on Use:
Access to divorce records is subject to Indiana law prohibiting use of public records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or fraudulent purposes. Protective orders issued in connection with divorce proceedings remain enforceable regardless of the public nature of the underlying case file.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in White County?
The White County Clerk of Court charges fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records in accordance with Indiana statutory fee schedules. Members of the public may inspect records at the courthouse at no charge. Fees apply when copies are requested.
Current Fee Structure:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee |
| Certification seal | Included in certification fee |
| Electronic copy (if available) | Varies; contact Clerk's office |
| Search fee | No separate search fee for in-person requests |
- Fees for certified copies obtained through the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records differ from court copy fees and are set by the Indiana State Department of Health.
- Payment methods accepted at the White County Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order payable to the White County Clerk of Court. Members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods prior to submitting a mail request.
- Fee waivers are not available for record copy requests from the general public. Parties who are indigent and represented by counsel in an active proceeding may petition the court for waiver of certain fees.
- Inspection of records at the public access terminal in the Clerk's office is available at no charge during regular business hours.
What's Included in Divorce Records in White County
A complete White County divorce case file contains all documents filed by the parties and entered by the court from the date of initial filing through the entry of the final judgment and any subsequent post-judgment proceedings. The scope of documents varies depending on whether the case was contested or uncontested and whether children or significant assets were involved.
Basic Case Information:
- Case number and court assignment
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Names and contact information of attorneys of record
- Judge assigned to the case
- Filing date and case type designation
Initial Pleadings:
The petition for dissolution of marriage sets forth the basis for the court's jurisdiction, the date and place of marriage, the date of separation if applicable, information regarding minor children, and the relief requested by the petitioner. The respondent's answer or counterpetition states the respondent's position on each issue raised in the petition.
Financial Affidavits:
Both parties are required to submit financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, and all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Discovery Documents:
In contested cases, the file may contain interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents, deposition notices, and subpoenas. Financial records including tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and retirement account statements may be submitted as exhibits.
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory with descriptions and estimated values
- Debt inventory with creditor names and balances
- Real property appraisals
- Business valuations, if applicable
- Expert reports on asset values
Children-Related Documents:
When minor children are involved, the case file includes the parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, the parenting time schedule including holidays and vacations, the child support calculation worksheet, and any orders for health insurance and childcare cost allocation. Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports, if ordered, are part of the file but may be subject to restricted access.
Settlement Documents:
A marital settlement agreement, if the parties reached an agreement, is incorporated into the final decree and addresses all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related matters. Mediation communications are confidential and are not part of the public record.
Final Judgment of Dissolution:
The final judgment is the court's order terminating the marriage. It contains the court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and specific orders on all contested and agreed issues. The judge's signature and court seal appear on the final judgment.
Post-Judgment Documents:
The case file may also contain petitions to modify custody or support, orders on modification requests, income deduction orders for support enforcement, contempt motions and orders, and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders for division of retirement benefits.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from all public documents)
- Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Addresses and school information for minor children
- Domestic violence allegations and evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiation communications not filed with the court
How to Get Proof of Divorce in White County?
Proof of divorce in White County is obtained through a certified copy of the final decree of dissolution issued by the White County Clerk of Court. A certified copy bears the Clerk's official seal and signature and is accepted by government agencies, financial institutions, and other entities as legal proof that a marriage was dissolved.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
- Identify the case by locating the case number through the White County Clerk's Office online records system or by contacting the Clerk directly.
- Submit a request in person at the Clerk's office, by mail, or through any available online request portal.
- Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if known.
- Pay the applicable certification fee at the time of the request.
- Receive the certified copy in person or by mail, depending on the method of request.
For divorces finalized after 1958, members of the public may also request a divorce certificate from the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records. The state-issued divorce certificate contains limited information compared to the certified court decree but may be sufficient for certain purposes such as remarriage or name change applications.
As noted in the Indiana Judicial Branch's guidance on how to request public records, "To request a certified copy of a marriage certificate or divorce decree, contact the clerk's office in the county where the marriage occurred." For divorce records specifically, the request should be directed to the clerk's office in the county where the divorce was filed, which is the White County Clerk of Court for proceedings filed in White County.
White County Clerk of Court
110 N Main St
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-7032
White County Clerk's Office
Indiana Department of Health — Division of Vital Records
2 N Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 233-2700
Indiana Vital Records
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in White County?
Divorce proceedings in White County are presumptively public, but Indiana law permits the court to restrict access to specific documents or entire case files under defined circumstances. Confidentiality in divorce cases is the exception rather than the rule and requires a court order or specific statutory authority.
Circumstances Under Which Records May Be Confidential:
- Domestic violence cases: Courts may seal identifying information, including addresses and contact details, for parties who are victims of domestic violence or stalking to prevent further harm.
- Sealed financial records: Tax returns, detailed financial statements, and account numbers may be sealed or redacted upon motion by either party.
- Children's records: Psychological evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and custody evaluation reports may be sealed to protect the best interests of minor children.
- Court-ordered sealing: Either party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in open records against the privacy interests of the parties.
- Mediation records: Under Indiana law, communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not filed with the court or accessible to the public.
- Mental health and medical records: Records pertaining to mental health treatment or medical conditions submitted as exhibits are restricted pursuant to HIPAA and Indiana privacy statutes.
Indiana Administrative Rule 9 governs the exclusion of information from public court records and provides the legal framework for confidentiality determinations in family law cases. Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must petition the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for disclosure.
How Long Does White County Keep Divorce Records?
White County divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Indiana court record retention schedules. The retention period varies depending on the type of record and the nature of the proceeding.
Retention Periods:
- Final decrees and permanent orders: Retained permanently. The final judgment of dissolution and all permanent orders, including custody and support orders, are maintained indefinitely as part of the permanent court record.
- Complete case files: Retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case for most dissolution proceedings. Cases involving minor children may be retained until the youngest child reaches the age of majority plus an additional period.
- Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the duration of the applicable retention period.
- Post-judgment modification records: Retained as part of the original case file and subject to the same retention schedule.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's electronic case management system and are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records.
Under Indiana Code § 33-23-1-3, the Indiana Supreme Court has authority to establish record retention schedules for all Indiana courts. The Indiana Supreme Court's record retention schedule governs the minimum periods for which White County must maintain divorce case files. Members of the public seeking records from cases that may have been archived or destroyed should contact the White County Clerk of Court directly to confirm availability.
White County Government Center
110 N Main St
Monticello, IN 47960
Phone: (574) 583-7032
White County Home