Madison County Dissolution Of Marriage Search
Madison County dissolution of marriage records are on file at the Clerk of Courts in the Madison County Courthouse in London. The Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division manages all dissolution filings for the county. You can search for dissolution of marriage records using the free online records search tool or by visiting the courthouse at 1 North Main Street. No account registration is needed for the online system. Madison County has maintained court records since 1810, and the Clerk's office can help you locate dissolution cases going back decades.
Madison County Quick Facts
Madison County Clerk of Courts
The Madison County Clerk of Courts is at the Madison County Courthouse, 1 North Main Street, London, OH 43140. You can reach the office by phone at (740) 852-9776 or (740) 852-0756. The fax number is (740) 852-1778. Email the office at clerkofcourts@co.madison.oh.us. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Domestic Relations Division handles dissolution of marriage cases. It shares the same address as the main Clerk of Courts. Staff members can search for cases by party name, case number, hearing date, or filing date. Walk-in requests are welcome. For certified copies, you will need to show a valid photo ID.
Madison County offers a free online records search that does not require account registration. You can look up cases by plaintiff or defendant name, case number, hearing date, or file date. Basic case information is available through this system. Full certified copies still require a visit to the office or a mail request.
Filing for Dissolution in Madison County
Ohio law governs the dissolution of marriage process across all 88 counties. Under ORC Section 3105.63, both spouses file a joint petition with a separation agreement. The agreement must cover everything: property, debt, support, and child custody. At least one spouse must have been a resident of Ohio for six continuous months.
The Madison County Court of Common Pleas sets the hearing between 30 and 90 days after the petition hits the Clerk's desk. Both spouses show up and tell the judge under oath that they signed the agreement freely. If the judge approves the terms, the dissolution is granted. The decree goes into the permanent file at the Clerk of Courts. That is the record people come back for later when they need proof the marriage was dissolved.
How to Get Madison County Dissolution Records
Walk into the Clerk's office during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Give them the names and any case details you have. For recent cases, the staff can usually pull records quickly. Divorce forms are available from the Ohio Supreme Court website if you need to start a new case.
Mail requests go to Madison County Clerk of Courts, 1 North Main Street, London, OH 43140. Put the names of both spouses and the approximate date in your letter. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the copy fees. Contact the office for current fee rates. Standard Ohio county rates typically apply.
The Ohio Clerk of Courts Association has a directory of all county clerks if you need to check more than one county. The Ohio Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps abstract indexes from 1954 forward, but those are not the full decree. For complete records, you need the Madison County Clerk of Courts.
Note: Madison County has divorce records going back to 1810 when the county was formed, though older records may require special handling.
Madison County Dissolution Fees
Contact the Madison County Clerk of Courts at (740) 852-9776 for current copy and certification fees. Most Ohio counties charge around $1.00 per page for certified copies with an additional certification fee per document. Filing fees for new dissolution cases typically range from $300 to $400 statewide.
The Ohio State Bar Association has general information about court costs for domestic relations cases. If you cannot afford court fees, ask the Clerk about filing a poverty affidavit to request a fee waiver. Ohio courts can waive fees for people who meet income guidelines.
State Resources for Madison County
The Ohio History Connection holds some older dissolution and divorce records that have been transferred from county offices. Under Ohio Administrative Code 3701-5-11, records can be moved to the History Connection after 50 years. Their archives in Columbus may have records from Madison County, though the time periods vary by county.
Madison County Dissolution Of Marriage Record Contents
A dissolution case file in Madison County holds a standard set of documents. The joint petition names both spouses and states they seek to end the marriage. The separation agreement details every term of the split. Under ORC Section 3105.171, Ohio uses equitable distribution for marital property. The agreement must show a fair division of assets, debts, and any support obligations. Financial disclosure forms from both spouses are also in the file.
The final decree is the last document added to the case. The judge signs it at the hearing. This is the record that proves the marriage is over. People need it for remarriage, name changes, insurance, and government agency updates. Under ORC Section 149.43, these records are public. Anyone can request them from the Madison County Clerk of Courts. You do not need to explain your reason. Self-help forms from the Ohio Supreme Court are free and accepted at the Madison County courthouse for people who want to file without a lawyer.
Nearby County Dissolution Records
Counties bordering Madison County: