Indiana Divorce Forms and Papers You Need to File

Indiana provides free blank divorce forms through its Self-Service Legal Center and Indiana Legal Help portal — but the state doesn't tell you which forms to file when, what order they go in, or what happens if you miss one. County clerks are legally prohibited from helping you fill them out. Here's the full document list, organized by the stage where each one matters.

Stage 1: Initial Filing Forms

These go to the county clerk when you start your case.

Domestic Relations Appearance Form — identifies you, your address, phone number, and whether you have an attorney. You must select the correct case type: "DN" for dissolution without minor children, "DC" for dissolution with minor children. Getting this wrong creates processing delays.

Verified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage — the core filing document. It covers your marriage date, separation date, grounds for dissolution (almost always "irretrievable breakdown"), and what you're asking the court to decide. You must sign under penalty of perjury. If you want your maiden name restored, this is where you request it.

Domestic Relations Summons — the formal notice to your spouse that a divorce action has been filed. You must specify the service method: certified mail, sheriff delivery, or private process server. The clerk issues the summons after you file.

Stage 2: Service of Process Documents

These prove your spouse was properly notified.

Return of Service — filed by the sheriff or process server after delivering the summons. For certified mail, the signed green return receipt card serves as proof.

Verified Waiver of Service of Process — if your spouse cooperates, they can sign this form acknowledging they received the petition. This avoids the $28 sheriff fee or certified mail costs entirely.

Affidavit of Diligent Search — required only if you can't locate your spouse and need to request service by publication.

Stage 3: Mandatory Financial Disclosures

Both spouses must exchange these during the 60-day waiting period. They cannot be waived by agreement.

Verified Financial Declaration Form — a comprehensive disclosure of all income, assets, debts, and expenses. This feeds directly into property division and any child support or maintenance calculations. Required items include:

• Gross monthly income from all sources
• Last three years of tax returns
• All bank account balances (checking, savings, investment)
• Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, pension)
• Real estate ownership and mortgage balances
• Outstanding debts (credit cards, student loans, auto loans)
• Monthly living expenses

Stage 4: Child-Related Forms (If Applicable)

Required when the case involves minor children (case type "DC").

Indiana Child Support Obligation Worksheet — calculates the child support amount using each parent's income, parenting time percentage, and costs for health insurance and childcare. Indiana uses an income shares model.

Parenting Plan — documents your proposed custody arrangement, including the parenting time schedule, holiday rotation, decision-making authority, and communication protocols. Must comply with the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines.

Parenting Class Certificate — both parents must complete a court-approved parenting class and file the certificate. Requirements vary by county — Lake County requires "TransParenting" ($50), Allen County accepts "Children in Between Online," and Adams/Wells counties require "Families in Transition" ($100).

Stage 5: Settlement and Finalization

These wrap up the case after the 60-day waiting period expires.

Settlement Agreement (also called Marital Settlement Agreement) — the written agreement covering property division, debt allocation, spousal maintenance, and parenting arrangements. Both spouses must sign. This is the backbone of your final decree.

Verified Waiver of Final Hearing — allows the judge to sign your decree without scheduling a court hearing. Available only for fully uncontested cases where both parties agree on every issue.

Proposed Decree of Dissolution of Marriage — the final order you want the judge to sign. It incorporates your settlement agreement and formally dissolves the marriage.

Non-Military Affidavit — required for default judgments. Confirms your spouse is not on active military duty (active service members have special protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act).

Formatting Requirements

All documents must be on standard 8.5 × 11 inch white paper. If filing in person, bring the original plus at least two copies. Electronic filing is available through Indiana's e-filing portal in most counties.

Keeping every form organized and filed in the right sequence is the difference between a 60-day divorce and one that drags on for months. The Indiana Divorce Filing Process Guide provides a chronological checklist that maps each document to the exact filing stage, so nothing gets missed.

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