Find Civil Court Records in DeKalb County

Civil court records in DeKalb County are managed by the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse in Auburn. The county has about 44,330 residents and is located in northeastern Indiana near the Ohio border. DeKalb County operates a Circuit Court and Superior Court that hear all civil matters filed in the area. You can search these records for free through the state MyCase portal or visit the clerk office in Auburn during business hours. Cases from contract disputes, small claims, property issues, debt collection, and other civil actions all create public records that the clerk maintains. This page explains how to find, search, and get copies of civil court records from DeKalb County.

DeKalb County Clerk of Courts Office

The Clerk of Courts handles all civil court records in DeKalb County. This office files new cases, stores all documents, and provides copies to the public. The clerk office sits at 100 S. Main Street in Auburn. You can walk in during office hours to look up records, file new civil papers, or pick up copies.

Call the DeKalb County clerk at (260) 333-0701 if you want to check on a case before making the trip. Staff can tell you the case 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 for payment. You can also fax requests to (260) 333-0702, though calling first is a good idea to confirm they can process it that way. Indiana Code 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act, says the clerk must respond to any records request within 7 days. Walk-in requests at the DeKalb County courthouse usually get handled the same day.

The DeKalb County government website has information about county offices and services, including the clerk of courts and courthouse hours.

Search DeKalb County Civil Records Online

The MyCase portal is the best way to search civil court records in DeKalb 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. DeKalb County uses county code 17 in the system, so local case numbers start with "17" followed by the court type, year, and sequence number.

To find a DeKalb County civil case on MyCase, enter the last name first, then the first name. Set the county filter to DeKalb County to narrow your results. The system shows case summaries, hearing dates, party names, and sometimes links to documents. Civil court records from DeKalb County going back to the mid-2000s are on the system for most case types. Records from before that time may not be loaded yet. For older files, contact the clerk office in Auburn. The MyCase help page has step-by-step guides for each search option.

Try wildcards in the name fields if your first search comes up empty. Enter just a last name with the county set to DeKalb and see what comes back. Sometimes spelling differences or name changes cause a case not to show up on the first try.

The DeKalb County court page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website lists all court divisions, judges, and the types of cases each division handles in the county.

This screenshot from the state courts website shows how the DeKalb County court system is set up and which divisions hear civil matters.

Civil Courts in DeKalb County

DeKalb County has a Circuit Court and a Superior Court. The Circuit Court is the main trial court for the county. It handles a wide range of civil cases. The Superior Court takes on additional civil filings to help manage the load. Both courts operate out of the courthouse in Auburn.

Common civil court records in DeKalb 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 records that the clerk stores. Small claims cases in DeKalb County cover disputes under the state dollar limit and use a simpler filing process. Each case type creates its own file at the clerk office.

Under Administrative Rule 9, all civil court records in DeKalb County are presumed open to the public. Some records get restricted, including cases involving juveniles, mental health matters, and sealed files. But the vast majority of civil court records filed in DeKalb County are available to anyone who asks. The court records rules page on the Indiana courts site has the full text of the public access rules.

How to Get DeKalb County Court Records

You have three main ways to get copies of civil court records from DeKalb County. Pick the one that fits your needs best.

In person is the quickest option. Go to the clerk office at 100 S. Main Street in Auburn. 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. If you want copies, the clerk charges $1 per page. Certified copies cost an extra $3 per document. The clerk takes cash, check, and money order. Most walk-in requests for DeKalb County civil court records get handled the same day you show up.

Mail requests work well too. Send a letter to the DeKalb County Clerk of Courts at 100 S. Main Street, Auburn, IN 46706. Include the case number, party names, and what documents you need. Add a check or money order for the fees, payable to the DeKalb County Clerk. Put in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow 5 to 10 business days for processing. Under Indiana Code 5-14-3, the clerk must respond to your request within 7 days. The state records request page has the full steps for getting records from any Indiana county.

Always confirm fees with the clerk before mailing payment.

DeKalb County Court Record Fees

Copy fees for civil court records in DeKalb 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 final orders.

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 (260) 333-0701 first to get an exact quote so you send the right payment. Fees can change, so always check with the DeKalb County clerk office before making a trip or mailing your request.

Legal Help in DeKalb 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 connects you with legal aid groups that serve the DeKalb County area. If you qualify based on income, you may get a lawyer at no cost for your civil case.

Legal aid offices in northeastern Indiana handle cases for low-income residents in DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, the Indiana courts website has standard forms you can download and print. The Fort Wayne area has more legal service providers that may also assist DeKalb County residents since Allen County borders DeKalb to the south.

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

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

Cities in DeKalb County

DeKalb County has several small cities and towns. Auburn is the county seat and the largest city. Other communities include Garrett, Butler, and Waterloo. All civil cases from these areas go through the DeKalb County courts in Auburn. The clerk at 100 S. Main Street holds all civil court records for the entire county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border DeKalb County. Make sure you file your civil case in the right county based on where the dispute took place or where the parties live.