Miami County Public Records /Miami County Divorce Records

Miami County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Miami County in 2026

MiamiCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Miami County, Indiana. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, child custody determinations, and support orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Divorce records in Miami County may be searched through official court resources, the Clerk of Courts office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools provided by the Indiana Judicial Branch.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Miami County Clerk of Courts maintains the official index of dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. Members of the public may search case information through the Indiana Judicial Branch's MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search portal, which provides free access to basic case information including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and docket entries. Obtaining copies of actual documents may require payment of applicable fees.

2. State Court System Portal

The Indiana Judicial Branch operates a statewide case search system through MyCase, which allows users to search dissolution of marriage records across all Indiana counties from a single consolidated database. This tool is particularly useful when the county of filing is uncertain, as Indiana law requires divorce to be filed in the county where either spouse resides.

3. State Vital Records

Indiana does not issue divorce certificates through the state vital records office in the same manner as birth or death certificates. However, the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records maintains statistical records of divorces and may provide verification letters. Complete divorce records, including final decrees and case files, are maintained exclusively by the Clerk of Courts in the county where the case was filed. The Indiana Judicial Branch's guidance on how to request public records clarifies that marriage and divorce records are obtained directly from the court of jurisdiction.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Courts — Miami County:

Miami County Clerk of Courts
25 N. Broadway
Peru, IN 46970
Phone: (765) 472-3901
Miami County - Indiana Judicial Branch

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Services available in person include:

Searching case files by party name or case number
Viewing documents at public access terminals
Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
Staff assistance with locating records

Records Department:

Historical and archived dissolution cases may be stored separately from active files. Cases predating electronic filing systems may exist only in paper format and may require additional retrieval time. Staff can assist in locating archived records upon request.

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail requests to:

Miami County Clerk of Courts
25 N. Broadway
Peru, IN 46970
Phone: (765) 472-3901
Miami County - Indiana Judicial Branch

Written requests should include:

Full legal names of both parties
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or filing
Case number, if known
Requestor's full name and contact information
Purpose of the request, if required
Payment for applicable copy fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence

Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, though archived or older cases may require additional time.

By Phone

Limited Information:

Clerk of Courts: (765) 472-3901
Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide a case number, confirm case status, and verify the filing date
Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or any information subject to confidentiality restrictions by phone

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Indiana may access dissolution of marriage records on behalf of a client, including requesting documents that may be subject to restricted access. Attorneys may also petition the court for access to sealed records upon a showing of good cause. The Indiana State Bar Association maintains a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation in complex records matters.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or year of filing
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Indiana
Names of children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Indiana are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public searching for a divorce record must identify the correct county of residence, as records are not centralized at the county level. The MyCase statewide portal allows cross-county searching when the county of filing is unknown.

Residency Requirement:

Under Indiana Code § 31-15-2-6, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Indiana for six months and a resident of the county where the petition is filed for three months immediately preceding the filing of the petition.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing
Allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final order is entered
Court staff can confirm whether a recent case has been indexed

Older Divorces:

Cases predating electronic filing may exist only in paper format
Archived records may require special retrieval requests
Records that have not been digitized may require additional processing time

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

Incorrect county of search
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 or subject to confidentiality order

Next Steps:

Contact the Clerk of Courts at (765) 472-3901
Attempt alternate name spellings
Search under both spouses' names
Use the MyCase statewide portal to search across counties
Consult the Indiana Department of Health for statistical verification

What Are Miami County Divorce Records?

Miami County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Miami Circuit Court or Miami Superior Court. These records are maintained by the Miami County Clerk of Courts and constitute part of the permanent family law case file. Under Indiana law, dissolution of marriage proceedings are governed by Indiana Code § 31-15, which establishes the legal framework for filing, adjudicating, and finalizing divorce cases in the state.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files include the following documents:

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 of marriage

Final Decree is the official court order that legally terminates the marriage. It establishes:

The date of dissolution
Division of marital property and debts
Alimony or spousal maintenance, if ordered
Child custody and parenting time arrangements, if applicable
Child support orders, if applicable
Restoration of a former name, if requested

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Courts and serve as legal proof of divorce for purposes including remarriage, name changes, estate planning, immigration proceedings, and Social Security benefit applications.

Supporting Documents may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, financial disclosure documents, property appraisals, parenting plan attachments, and post-judgment modification orders.

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

The Miami County Clerk of Courts is the primary custodian of all dissolution of marriage records filed in the county. The Clerk indexes records by party name and case number and provides certified copies upon request. The Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records maintains statistical divorce data at the state level but does not serve as the official custodian of court case files.

Are Miami County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Miami County are public court records subject to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act and the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest. As the Indiana Judicial Branch states, "Official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record."

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and docket entries
Court orders and judgments
Final divorce decree
Property division orders
General case status

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access
Certain financial statements may be filed under restricted access

Children's Information:

Addresses where minor children reside may be withheld
Schools attended by minor children may be restricted
Medical and psychological evaluations of children may be sealed
Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access
Child custody evaluations ordered by the court may be sealed

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 subject to HIPAA protections

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a dissolution of marriage case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Indiana law and are not part of the public record.

Who Can Access Records:

General Public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees
Parties to the Case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents subject to restricted access
Attorneys: May access case files on behalf of clients and may petition for access to sealed records with a proper showing
Researchers and Media: May access public portions of case files; sealed records require a court order

Prohibited Uses:

Stalking, harassment, or intimidation of any party
Identity theft or fraudulent purposes
Violation of existing protective orders
Any use prohibited by applicable state or federal law

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Miami County?

The Miami County Clerk of Courts charges fees for copies and certified copies of dissolution of marriage records. Current fees are established pursuant to Indiana Code § 33-37-5-1, which governs court fees and costs in Indiana.

Service	Current Fee
Standard copy (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee
Certification fee	$5.00 per document
Search fee (if applicable)	Varies; confirm with Clerk

Inspection of records: Members of the public may inspect public court records at no charge at the courthouse during regular business hours using public access terminals
Electronic copies: Availability and fees for electronic copies should be confirmed directly with the Clerk of Courts
Accepted payment methods: The Clerk of Courts accepts cash, check, and money order; credit card acceptance should be confirmed at the time of request
Fee waivers: Indigent parties to a case may petition the court for a waiver of copy fees; fee waiver provisions are governed by Indiana court rules
Free basic information: Case numbers, filing dates, party names, and docket entries are available at no charge through the MyCase online portal

What's Included in Divorce Records in Miami County

A complete dissolution of marriage case file maintained by the Miami County Clerk of Courts contains the following categories of documents:

Basic Case Information:

Case number, court name, and division
Names of petitioner and respondent
Judge assigned to the case
Attorneys of record
Filing date and case type

Initial Pleadings:

The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage includes the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce (Indiana is a no-fault state recognizing irretrievable breakdown of the marriage under Indiana Code § 31-15-2-3), information regarding minor children, property claims, and relief requested.

The Response/Answer contains the respondent's position, admissions or denials of the petition's allegations, any counterpetition, and the respondent's requests for relief.

Financial Affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, and personal property, and liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.

Discovery Documents may include interrogatories and answers under oath, requests for production of financial records, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment and retirement account statements, and business financial records where applicable.

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory with descriptions and values
Debt inventory
Real property appraisals
Business valuations
Expert reports on asset values

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, timesharing schedule, holiday and vacation provisions, transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities
Child support calculation worksheets reflecting income, number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare costs
Custody evaluations ordered by the court
Guardian ad litem reports, subject to restricted access

Support Documents:

Alimony or spousal maintenance orders specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
Income and standard of living analysis worksheets

Settlement Documents:

Marital Settlement Agreement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions
Mediation agreement, if the case was mediated (communications remain confidential)

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property
Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage including findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody and parenting time, name restoration if requested, and the judge's signature and seal
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) if retirement accounts are divided

Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):

Petitions to modify custody or support
Court orders on modification requests
Contempt motions and enforcement actions
Income deduction orders

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers (redacted from all public filings)
Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence details (may be sealed by court order)
Mental health evaluations (restricted access)
Substance abuse treatment records
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Miami County?

Proof of divorce in Miami County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage issued by the Miami County Clerk of Courts. A certified copy bears the official court seal and the Clerk's certification, making it legally acceptable for purposes including remarriage, name changes with government agencies, Social Security benefit applications, immigration proceedings, and estate administration.

Members of the public may obtain a certified copy through the following methods:

In Person: Visit the Miami County Clerk of Courts at 25 N. Broadway, Peru, IN 46970, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). Present the case number or the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. Pay the applicable certification fee at the time of request.
By Mail: Submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address above, including party names, approximate divorce date, case number if known, requestor contact information, and payment for fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Online: Basic case information and docket entries are available through the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal. Certified copies are not available electronically and must be obtained directly from the Clerk.
State Vital Records Verification: For statistical verification only, the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records may provide a verification letter confirming that a divorce was recorded in Indiana. This document does not substitute for a certified court copy.

The Indiana Judicial Branch's guidance on how to request public records confirms that divorce records are obtained directly from the court of jurisdiction, not from the state vital records office.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Miami County?

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Miami County are presumptively public under Indiana court rules; however, specific portions of a case file or an entire case may be made confidential under certain circumstances.

Domestic violence cases: When a dissolution of marriage involves allegations of domestic violence or a protective order is in place, the court may restrict access to the victim's address, contact information, and related evidence to protect the safety of the parties involved.
Sealed records: A 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 transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children.
Children's information: Under Indiana court rules, certain information identifying minor children, including residential addresses, school information, and psychological evaluations, is subject to restricted access.
Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings as a matter of standard court practice.
Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not filed with the court or made part of the public record.
Mental health and substance abuse records submitted as exhibits are subject to restricted access consistent with applicable state and federal privacy laws.

A court order is required to seal an entire case file, and such orders are granted on a case-by-case basis upon a demonstrated showing of good cause.

How Long Does Miami County Keep Divorce Records?

Miami County maintains dissolution of marriage records in accordance with Indiana court records retention schedules established by the Indiana Supreme Court.

Permanent retention: Final judgments of dissolution of marriage, including the final decree and all court orders, are retained permanently as part of the official court record. These records do not expire and remain accessible indefinitely.
Complete case files: The full dissolution of marriage case file, including all pleadings, financial affidavits, and supporting documents, is retained for a minimum period established by Indiana court rules. Members of the public should confirm current retention schedules with the Clerk of Courts.
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically through the Indiana E-Filing System are maintained in the statewide electronic case management system and are accessible through the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal.
Paper records: Cases filed prior to electronic filing may be stored in paper format at the courthouse or in off-site archival storage. Retrieval of archived paper records may require additional processing time.
Post-judgment modifications: Orders modifying custody, support, or other provisions of the original decree are filed in the original case and retained as part of the permanent case record.
Destruction of records: No dissolution of marriage final judgment or decree may be destroyed, as these constitute permanent court records under Indiana law.

Members of the public seeking records from older cases should contact the Miami County Clerk of Courts directly at (765) 472-3901 to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.