Clerk of the Circuit Court

Robert J. Behler Jr. , County Clerk

813 Lincolnway Suite 105
La Porte, Indiana 46350
219-326-6808 La Porte
219-874-5611 Michigan City

Other office staff extensions: 270-236-259-468-471-466-258

Office Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday

Definition of the Clerk of the Circuit Court         

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is a ministerial officer who is the custodian of the Clerk's record and seal, issues process, accepts filings of commencement of actions in litigation, enters judgments and orders of the court, receives money in his official capacity, makes certified copies of record, issues many miscellaneous licenses, and keeps a record of all wills and matters of trust in probate proceedings. The Clerk, who is an officer of the Court, performs all official duties imposed by statute or by lawful authority of the Court.

Proceedings

New Court Costs: effective July 1, 2006

• Adoption $132.00 plus additional fees of $14.00 and $70.00
• Guardianship $153.00
• Paternity $153.00
• Probate/Estates $153.00
• Civil Plenary $133.00 plus $10.00 service fee per defendant after 1st defendant
• Civil Collections $133.00 plus $10.00 service fee per defendant after 1st defendant
• Mortgage Foreclosure $133.00 plus $10.00 service fee per defendant after 1st defendant
• Divorce $133.00
• (Child support payment history) please call office for information
• Protection Orders: No fee
• Juvenile Proceedings $160.00
• Criminal $160.00 plus fine
• OWI $360.50 plus fine
• Small Claims $62.00 plus $10.00 service fee per defendant starting with first defendant
• If Sheriff service is done, each Cause Number requires $13.00 service fee

Marriage License Applications
Cost $18.00 resident of Indiana
Cost $60.00 out of state residents

Please click here for marriage license application requirements and records.

Voter Registration
Please visit the elections page by clicking here.

Passports
Passports can be obtained at the post offices.
219-362-9514 (LaPorte)
219-872-9163 (Michigan City)

Hunting and Fishing Licenses
These licenses can be purchased online by clicking here, or at most Wal-Mart and K-Mart stores.

Birth Certificates
Please visit the health department's pages by clicking here.

Alcohol and Drug Service Fee. Click here.