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Divorce Residency Requirements in Indiana

In Indiana, one spouse must have lived in the state for 6 months and in the filing county for 3 months before filing, and the no-fault ground is irretrievable breakdown.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Indiana at a glance

State residency
6 months
County residency
3 months in the filing county
Residence or military station in the county. A guardian may file in the guardian's county in some cases.
No-fault ground
Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Indiana

How long must you live in Indiana before filing for divorce?

State residency in Indiana: 6 months.

Is there a county residency requirement for divorce in Indiana?

County residency in Indiana: 3 months in the filing county. Residence or military station in the county. A guardian may file in the guardian's county in some cases.

What is the no-fault ground for divorce in Indiana?

No-fault ground in Indiana: Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

Where do the Indiana divorce residency requirements come from?

The rules above come from Ind. Code 31-15-2-6 and Ind. Code 31-15-2-3. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Residency is about where a spouse actually lives and intends to stay, not just a mailing address. Courts may look at a driver's license, voter registration, a lease or deed, tax filings and employment records. Keeping copies of these documents can help if residency is questioned.

Meeting the residency requirement is separate from any waiting period after filing. Some states also require a period of separation before a no-fault divorce, or a cooling-off period before the final decree. Checking all of these timelines together gives a more realistic picture of when a divorce can be finalized.

Military members and their spouses often have special residency rules based on where they are stationed. If the spouses live in different states, more than one court may be able to hear the divorce, and the choice can affect issues like property division and support. A local family law attorney can confirm where to file.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.