Decatur County Civil Court Records Search

Civil court records in Decatur County are kept by the Clerk of Courts office at the courthouse in Greensburg. The county has about 26,421 residents and sits in southeastern Indiana. Decatur County runs a Circuit Court and Superior Court that hear all civil matters filed in the area. You can search these records for free on the state MyCase portal or visit the clerk office in person. Cases from contract disputes, small claims, debt suits, property matters, and other civil actions all produce public records at the Decatur County courthouse. This page covers how to find, search, and request civil court records from Decatur County.

Decatur County Clerk of Courts Office

The Clerk of Courts handles all civil court records in Decatur County. This office files new civil cases, stores documents, and provides copies to anyone who asks. The clerk office is at 150 W. Main Street in Greensburg. Walk in during business hours to request records or file civil papers.

Call the Decatur County clerk at (812) 663-8223 before you visit if you want to check on a case. Staff can tell you the status and what documents are in the file. 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. You can also fax requests to (812) 663-8266, but call first to make sure they can handle it that way. 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 for Decatur County civil court records get handled the same day.

The Decatur County government website has details about county offices and services, including the clerk of courts.

This page from the county website shows how to reach the clerk office and other departments that handle public records in Decatur County.

Search Decatur County Civil Records Online

The MyCase portal is the fastest way to search civil court records in Decatur County from home. This free tool from the Indiana courts holds case data from all 92 counties. No account is needed. Just go to the site and search by party name or case number. Decatur County uses county code 16 in the system, so local case numbers start with "16" followed by the court type, year, and sequence number.

To find a Decatur County civil case on MyCase, type the last name first, then the first name. Use the county filter to narrow results to Decatur 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 Decatur County going back to the mid-2000s are on the system. Older records may not be loaded, so contact the clerk for those files. The MyCase help page has step-by-step guides for each search type.

You can also try wildcards in the name fields if your first search turns up nothing. Enter just a last name with the county set to Decatur and review what comes back. The search tips page on the state courts site covers all the tricks for finding hard-to-locate civil records.

Civil Courts in Decatur County

Decatur County has a Circuit Court and a Superior Court. The Circuit Court is the main trial court. It handles a broad range of civil matters, from large contract disputes to family law cases. The Superior Court takes on additional civil filings to help with the caseload. Both courts run out of the courthouse in Greensburg.

Common civil court records in Decatur County come from debt collection suits, eviction cases, property disputes, and personal injury claims. Family law cases like divorce, custody, and child support also create civil records the clerk stores. Small claims cases in Decatur County cover disputes under the state dollar limit and use a simpler process. Each case type makes its own file that the clerk keeps on record.

The Decatur County court page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website lists all court divisions and the types of cases each one handles.

This screenshot from the state courts site shows the Decatur County court structure and which divisions hear civil cases in the county.

Under Administrative Rule 9, all civil court records in Decatur County are presumed open to the public. Some records get restricted. Cases that involve juveniles, mental health, or sealed files are not available. But the large majority of civil court records filed in Decatur County stay open for anyone to see. The court records rules page on the Indiana courts site covers what is and is not public.

How to Get Decatur County Court Records

There are three ways to get copies of civil court records from Decatur County. Each method works, but they differ in speed and cost.

In person is the most direct route. Go to the clerk office at 150 W. Main Street in Greensburg. Bring a photo ID and the case number or names of the parties. Staff will pull the file. You can view it at the counter. If you need copies, pay $1 per page. Certified copies cost an extra $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. Same-day service is common for walk-in requests at the Decatur County courthouse.

Mail requests work too. Send a letter to the Decatur County Clerk of Courts at 150 W. Main Street, Greensburg, IN 47240. Include the case number, party names, and the documents you need. Add a check or money order for the fees, payable to the Decatur County Clerk. Put in a self-addressed stamped envelope so they can send the copies back. Allow 5 to 10 business days for processing. The state records request page has the full steps for getting records from any Indiana county.

Always check current fees with the clerk before sending payment by mail.

Decatur County Court Record Fees

Copy fees for civil court records in Decatur 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, whether it is a complaint, a motion, a judgment, or an order.

The clerk office takes cash, check, and money order. If you mail a request, include a check or money order for the full amount. Call (812) 663-8223 first to get an exact quote so you send the right payment. Fees can change from time to time, so always confirm with the Decatur County clerk before making a trip or mailing your request.

Legal Help in Decatur County

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

Legal aid offices in southeastern Indiana handle cases for low-income residents in Decatur County and nearby areas. The Indiana State Bar runs a lawyer referral service that can match you with an attorney. If you need court forms for a civil case in Decatur County, the Indiana courts website has standard forms you can print at home. Call the clerk at (812) 663-8223 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 Indiana, including Decatur County.

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

Cities in Decatur County

Decatur County has several small communities. Greensburg is the county seat and the largest town. Other places include Westport, New Point, Milhousen, and St. Paul. All civil cases from these areas go through the Decatur County courts in Greensburg. The clerk at 150 W. Main Street holds all civil court records for the entire county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Decatur County. Check the address tied to your case to make sure you file in the right county. Jurisdiction depends on where the events in the dispute took place or where the parties live.