Indiana Civil Court Records
Indiana civil court records are public documents stored by county clerks in all 92 counties across the state. These records cover case filings, court orders, judgments, and other papers from civil cases heard in Indiana trial courts. The state gives free online access to most civil court records through the MyCase portal, which pulls data from courts in every county. You can also get copies in person at any county clerk office or send a request by mail. This guide covers how to find, search, and request civil court records in Indiana using the tools and resources the state provides to the public.
Indiana Civil Court Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Indiana Civil Court Records
The main place to find Indiana civil court records is the MyCase public access portal. This free tool is run by the Indiana courts. It holds case data from all 92 counties. You do not need an account to search. The MyCase portal shows case info in real time. It pulls from the Odyssey case management system that Indiana courts use across the state. Most civil case records filed since the mid-2000s are on the system. Some counties have older records loaded too.
MyCase shows civil case summaries, hearing dates, and party names. Some courts also post document links you can view or save. The tool works on any phone, tablet, or computer with a web browser. It runs all day, every day. This makes it the fastest way to look up Indiana civil court records from home.
County clerk offices are the other key source for civil court records in Indiana. Each of the 92 counties has a clerk who keeps all local case files. You can visit in person to view records or get copies. The Indiana Judicial Branch website has info on every county court in the state, with hours, phone numbers, and maps to each office. Clerks hold the official copies of all civil court records filed in their county. These files include every paper both sides submit during a case. Online records may not show all documents, so a trip to the clerk can give you more detail.
For older records that have not been scanned into the digital system, you may need to visit the clerk office in person or call ahead to ask about their archive holdings.
Search Civil Court Records Online
To search Indiana civil court records on MyCase, go to the portal and pick a search type. You can search by case number, party name, or attorney name. The MyCase help page has guides for each option. Party name searches are the most common method. Type the last name first, then the first name. You can use a wildcard (*) for partial name matches, but you need at least two letters before the wildcard. The system shows up to 1,000 results per search. Click any case number to see the full summary of that Indiana civil court record.
The search tips page covers more ways to narrow your results for Indiana civil court records. You can filter by file date, use the "sounds like" box for name variants, and search by the exact case number format. Under Administrative Rule 8, Indiana uses a set case number pattern. It shows the county code, court type, year, month, case type, and sequence number. If you know the case number, that is the fastest way to pull up a specific record.
A case number looks like 49D01-2401-CC-000123. The first two digits are the county code. These codes match each county's spot in an alphabetical list of all 92 Indiana counties.
How to Request Civil Court Records
Indiana gives you three main ways to get copies of civil court records. You can go in person, send a mail request, or use an online form in some counties. The Indiana courts public records page lays out the steps for each method and links to more details.
In person is the most direct route. Bring a valid photo ID to the county clerk office where the case was filed. Give them the case number or the names of the parties involved. Staff will look up the case and pull the file. You can review it at a counter or terminal. If you want copies, the clerk charges $1 per page. Certified copies cost an extra $3 per document on top of the page fee. Most offices take cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. Under Indiana Code 5-14-3, the state's Access to Public Records Act, agencies must respond to records requests within 7 days. Any denial must cite a specific legal exemption.
When you visit a clerk office for civil court records in Indiana, it helps to bring:
- A valid photo ID
- The case number or names of the parties
- The approximate date the case was filed
- Cash, check, or a card for copy fees
The how to request records page has full details on each method for getting Indiana civil court records. For mail requests, send a letter with the case number, party names, case type, and your contact info. Include a check or money order for the estimated fees, made payable to the county clerk. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery. Most clerks handle mail requests in 5 to 10 business days.
Marion County has an online portal where you can submit requests and get non-certified copies by email at no charge. A few other counties take email or fax requests too. Call the clerk's office first to ask what methods they accept for civil court records in their area.
Types of Indiana Civil Court Records
Indiana trial courts handle a broad range of civil cases. The records from these cases are open to the public in most situations. The Indiana courts directory lists every court in the state along with its case types and divisions.
Civil court records in Indiana cover many case types. Contract disputes make up a large share of the civil docket. Personal injury and property cases are also common. Family law matters like divorce, custody, and child support go through the civil courts as well. Small claims cases under $10,000 use a simpler process but still produce public records. Eviction cases, civil protection orders, and probate matters all create civil court records in Indiana too. Each case type builds its own file. A contract case might hold the complaint, answer, motions, discovery documents, and the final judgment. A small claims file has less paperwork but still goes on the public record for anyone to request.
The county court listings page shows which courts serve each part of Indiana. Most counties have a Circuit Court and one or more Superior Courts. Big counties like Marion and Lake have many court divisions, with some handling only civil cases while others focus on family law or small claims.
Under Indiana Code 5-14-3, the state's Access to Public Records Act, court records are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. Anyone can ask to see civil court records in Indiana. You do not have to be a party in the case. You do not have to give a reason for the request.
Indiana Court Rules on Public Access
Administrative Rule 9 sets the rules for who can see Indiana court records and when access may be limited. Under Rule 3, records are open to the public unless they fall into a specific excluded group. The court records rules page has the full text of this rule and all its parts. These rules apply to civil court records across every county in Indiana.
Records that are excluded from public view include adoption files, mental health and commitment records, certain juvenile case records, and trade secrets filed under seal. Personal details like Social Security numbers get blacked out from public copies of Indiana civil court records. If you need access to an excluded record, you can file a petition with the court under Rule 8 of the same administrative code. The court may grant access after a hearing if you show a good reason for needing the information.
The MyCase portal comes with its own set of terms. The terms of use page notes that online data is not the official court record and may have errors or missing info. For any legal matter, get verified copies from the clerk office. Financial data on MyCase may not reflect recent payments.
Note: Always confirm details with the county clerk when you need Indiana civil court records for a legal purpose or official use.
Appellate Court Records in Indiana
Indiana has three appellate courts that hear civil appeals from lower courts. The Indiana Supreme Court sits at the top. It takes cases on review and handles attorney discipline matters. The Supreme Court office is at the State House, Room 315, in Indianapolis. Civil cases that reach this level are part of the public record and can be searched through MyCase.
The Indiana Court of Appeals hears most civil appeals from trial courts. It has 15 judges who sit in panels of three. Their opinions on civil cases are public records available through MyCase and the courts website.
The Appellate Clerk's office in Indianapolis handles filings for all three appellate courts. You can call the Records Division at 317-232-7225 to request copies of any appellate civil court record. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies add $3 per document. Make checks payable to "Clerk of the Supreme Court."
The Indiana Tax Court handles tax-related civil disputes over state and local assessments. It is based at 115 W. Washington Street in Indianapolis. Tax Court records go through the same Appellate Clerk office.
You can search appellate records on MyCase or call 317-232-7225 for help finding a specific civil case at the state level.
Legal Help for Indiana Court Cases
Indiana Legal Help is a free site for people who need guidance on court cases in the state. It has self-help tools, legal forms, and plain-language guides for common civil court issues. The site can point you to local legal aid groups that may take your case at no cost if you qualify based on income.
The Indiana State Bar runs a lawyer referral service for people who need an attorney. Local legal aid offices across the state also help with civil cases for those who meet income limits. Many Indiana counties have pro bono programs that pair people with volunteer lawyers at no charge. If you need court forms for a civil case in Indiana, the courts website has standard forms you can download and print at home.
Browse Indiana Civil Court Records by County
Each county in Indiana has its own clerk who keeps civil court records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for court records in that area.
Civil Court Records in Major Indiana Cities
Residents of major cities file civil cases at their county court. Pick a city below to learn about civil court records in that area.