Search Daviess County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Daviess County are managed by the Clerk of Courts office in Washington. The county has about 34,097 residents and sits in southwestern Indiana. Daviess County runs a Circuit Court and Superior Court that handle all civil filings in the area. You can search these records for free on the state MyCase portal or visit the clerk office at the courthouse on Walnut Street. This page covers how to find, search, and request civil court records from Daviess County courts.

Daviess County Clerk of Courts Office

The Clerk of Courts is in charge of all civil court records in Daviess County. This office files new cases, stores documents, and provides copies to the public. The clerk office is at 200 E. Walnut Street in Washington. You can walk in during business hours to request records or file civil papers.

Call the Daviess County clerk at (812) 254-8665 if you want to check on a case before you visit. Staff can tell you the status of a civil file and let you know what documents are available. Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies add $3 per document on top of the page fee. The clerk takes cash, check, and money order for payment. Older case files may be in off-site storage, so calling ahead is a good idea when you need records from past years. Under Indiana Code 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act, the clerk must respond to any records request within 7 days. Most walk-in requests at the Daviess County clerk office get handled the same day you show up.

The Daviess County court page on the state judicial website has details about local courts, judges, and how civil cases move through the system in Daviess County.

This page from the state courts website shows how Daviess County courts are set up and which divisions handle civil filings in the area.

Search Daviess County Civil Records Online

The MyCase portal is the best way to search civil court records in Daviess County from home. This free tool from the Indiana courts pulls case data from all 92 counties in the state. No account is needed. Just go to the site and search by party name or case number. Daviess County uses county code 14 in the system, so local case numbers start with "14" then the court type, year, and sequence number.

To search for a Daviess County civil case on MyCase, type the last name first, then the first name. Use the county filter to narrow results to Daviess County only. The system shows case summaries, hearing dates, party names, and sometimes links to documents you can view or save. Civil court records from Daviess County going back to the mid-2000s are on the system for most case types. Older records may not be loaded, so contact the clerk for those. The MyCase help page has guides on how to use each search option.

You can also use the MyCase search tips page if you have trouble finding a specific record. Wildcards work in the name fields. Try entering just a last name with the county set to Daviess if a full name search turns up nothing.

How to Get Daviess County Court Records

There are three ways to get copies of civil court records from Daviess County. In person, by mail, or through online search. Each works, and the right choice depends on what you need and how fast you need it.

Going in person is the quickest option. Visit the clerk office at 200 E. Walnut Street in Washington. Bring a valid photo ID and give staff the case number or party names. They will pull the file so you can look through it at the counter. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies add $3 per document. The clerk takes cash, check, and money order. Under Indiana Code 5-14-3, the clerk must respond to your request within 7 days, but most in-person requests for Daviess County civil court records get handled right away.

For mail requests, send a letter to the Daviess County Clerk of Courts at 200 E. Walnut Street, Washington, IN 47501. Include the case number, party names, and what documents you want. Put in a check or money order for the fees, payable to the Daviess County Clerk. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope so they can send the copies back. Mail requests for Daviess County civil court records usually take 5 to 10 business days to process. The state records request page has the full steps for getting records from any Indiana county clerk.

Note: Call the clerk at (812) 254-8665 to check current fees before sending payment by mail.

Daviess County Court Record Fees

Copy fees for civil court records in Daviess County follow standard rates. Regular copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $3 more per document on top of the page fee. These fees apply to all civil case documents, from complaints and motions to judgments and orders.

The clerk office takes cash, check, and money order. If you mail a request, include a check or money order for the total amount. Call ahead to get an exact fee quote so you send the right amount. Fees can change, so always check with the Daviess County clerk before making a trip or mailing payment.

Civil Courts in Daviess County

Daviess County has a Circuit Court and a Superior Court. The Circuit Court is the main trial court and handles a broad range of civil cases. The Superior Court takes on additional civil matters to help manage the caseload. Both courts operate out of the courthouse in Washington.

Common types of civil court records in Daviess County come from contract disputes, debt collection suits, eviction cases, property disputes, and personal injury claims. Family law cases like divorce, custody, and child support also produce civil court records. Small claims cases in Daviess County cover disputes under the state dollar limit and use a simpler filing process. Each case type creates its own file that the clerk maintains. Under Administrative Rule 9, most civil court records in Daviess County are open to the public. Some records get restricted, like cases involving juveniles or mental health matters. But the large majority of files stay open for anyone to review.

The court records rules page on the Indiana courts website has the full text of Administrative Rule 9 and its sections on public access to civil court records.

Legal Help in Daviess County

Indiana Legal Help is a free site with self-help tools and guides for people dealing with civil court cases. It covers common case types and links to legal aid groups that serve the Daviess County area. If you qualify based on income, you may get a lawyer at no cost for your civil case.

Legal aid offices in southwestern Indiana handle cases for low-income residents in Daviess County and nearby areas. The Indiana State Bar runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with an attorney. If you need court forms for a civil case in Daviess County, the Indiana courts website has standard forms you can download and print at home. Call the clerk at (812) 254-8665 if you need help finding the right forms or resources for your case.

The Indiana courts public records page covers the full process for getting civil court records from any county in the state, including Daviess County.

This site provides forms, guides, and links to legal aid offices that serve Daviess County and surrounding areas in southwestern Indiana.

Cities in Daviess County

Daviess County has several small towns and communities. Washington is the county seat and the largest city. Other communities include Montgomery, Odon, Elnora, and Cannelburg. All civil cases from these areas go through the Daviess County courts in Washington. The clerk at 200 E. Walnut Street holds all civil court records for the entire county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Daviess County. Check the address tied to your case to make sure you file in the right county. The court must have jurisdiction over the area where the dispute took place.