Indiana Divorce Records

United States   Indiana    Divorce Records

Divorces were first authorized by legislation in the Northwest Territory in 1795. They were granted through the General Court or Circuit Court. Generally this legislation remained in effect through Indiana’s territorial period (1800–1816), and courts having civil jurisdiction also heard divorce cases. In 1807 the territorial General Assembly also had power to grant divorces; in 1811 they passed two acts granting divorces. From 1817 to 1852 the Circuit Court in each county had jurisdiction over divorces, and the Indiana General Assembly could also grant divorces, through special legislation. These early divorces have been abstracted:

Divorces Granted by the Indiana General Assembly Prior to 1852 by M.E.E. Newland. 1981. To locate a copy nearest you, search WorldCat.org

The Court of Common Pleas in each county could grant divorces concurrently with its Circuit Court from 1853 to 1873. As Superior courts were established in various counties, they have had concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court. Divorces were entered in the appropriate court’s Order Book, and these books are being microfilmed through 1920 by the Family History Library. Original pleadings remain as they survive in each county. They may show the date of marriage, children, residencies, and other helpful information.

Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court for more information, providing names and approximate date of divorce.

The Family History Library has some divorce records for Indiana. If they are on microfilm/fiche, they can be loaned to your local Family History Center. Using the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog, type in the county, then click on the topic: Divorce Records.

How to locate a microfilm number in the Family History Library Catalog. How to locate a Family History Center.