Access Hendricks County Civil Court Records
Hendricks County civil court records are kept at the clerk office in Danville, the county seat. Sitting just west of Indianapolis, Hendricks County is home to about 191,000 people and ranks among the fastest growing counties in Indiana. The court system here handles a large number of civil filings each year. You can search Hendricks County civil court records for free through the state MyCase portal run by the Indiana courts. The clerk office in Danville also takes walk-in requests for copies of case files. Most civil court records are public and can be pulled up by name or case number at no charge for a basic lookup.
Hendricks County Quick Facts
Hendricks County Civil Court Records Office
The Hendricks County Clerk manages all civil court records for the county. The office is at 87 W. Main Street in Danville. Staff file new civil cases, store all court papers, and provide copies to the public. The Hendricks County government website has info on the clerk office and other county services. Below is a look at the county website.
Walk-in visits to the clerk office work well for same-day requests. Bring a valid photo ID and the case details you want to look up. Staff can search by name or case number and make copies while you wait. Hendricks County charges $1 per page for standard copies. Certified copies add $3 per document. The office takes cash, checks, and money orders for payment. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, which is a bit shorter than some nearby counties, so plan your visit with that in mind.
| Office |
Hendricks County Clerk 87 W. Main Street Danville, IN 46122 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (317) 745-9300 |
| Fax | (317) 745-9301 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | co.hendricks.in.us |
Search Hendricks County Civil Records Online
The MyCase portal is the free state tool for looking up civil court records in Hendricks County. Run by the Indiana courts, this system holds case data from all 92 counties. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. No account is needed, and it runs around the clock. Most civil cases filed in Hendricks County since the mid-2000s are on MyCase with basic case info, hearing dates, and party names.
Hendricks County uses the code 32 in its case numbers. A typical case number from this county looks like 32D01-2401-CT-000567. The first two digits are the county code. The rest of the string tells you the court, year, and case type. If you have the full case number, type it straight into the MyCase search bar for a fast result. For name searches, enter the last name first. You can use the asterisk as a wildcard for partial matches, but you need at least two letters before the wildcard character.
The Indiana courts page for Hendricks County shows the local court setup, case types, and contact info for each court. The screenshot below shows the judicial page for Hendricks County on the state site.
Check this page before you file or visit to find the right court for your case type in Hendricks County.
Civil Courts in Hendricks County
Hendricks County has a Circuit Court and multiple Superior Court divisions that hear civil cases. The rapid growth of the county over the past two decades has led to more court divisions to handle the growing caseload. Contract disputes, debt collection, and personal injury cases make up a big share of the civil docket. Property disputes, small claims, and family law matters go through the same court system.
Small claims cases in Hendricks County follow a faster track than other civil cases. These cover disputes under $10,000 and use a simpler set of rules. But the records from small claims are still public, just like any other civil court record. Divorce, custody, and support cases are civil matters too, and they produce their own set of court files that the clerk stores in Danville. All of these records are open to the public under Indiana law, with some limits set by Administrative Rule 9 on what the courts can keep from public view.
Hendricks County Court Record Access
Most civil court records in Hendricks County are public. IC 5-14-3, Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, says that court records belong to the public unless a law says otherwise. You do not need to be part of the case to get copies. You do not need to say why you want them. The Hendricks County Clerk must handle your request within a reasonable time. Any denial has to cite a specific legal reason.
Administrative Rule 9 sets the boundaries for court record access in Indiana. Social Security numbers get blacked out in public copies of civil court records from Hendricks County. Sealed cases, adoption files, and certain mental health records stay hidden from public view. But for the large majority of civil court records here, the files are open to anyone who asks. The court records rules page has the full text of Rule 9 for anyone who wants to know the exact limits on access.
Fees for copies are straightforward. Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $3 more per document. The clerk takes cash, checks, and money orders. If you are making a mail request, include a check made out to the Hendricks County Clerk and a stamped return envelope.
Getting Copies of Hendricks County Civil Court Records
Visiting the clerk office in Danville is the fastest way to get copies of civil court records in Hendricks County. Bring your ID and the case number or party names. The clerk pulls the file and makes copies on the spot. In-person requests are usually handled the same day.
Mail requests are the other common method for getting civil court records from Hendricks County. Send your letter to the Hendricks County Clerk at 87 W. Main Street, Danville, IN 46122. Include the case number or party names, case type, and your contact info in the letter. Attach a check or money order for the expected copy fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can send the copies back to you. Most mail requests are filled in 5 to 10 business days. The how to request records page on the Indiana courts site covers each method in detail. You can also view case summaries on MyCase for free, though certified copies still need to come from the clerk.
Legal Resources in Hendricks County
Indiana Legal Help is a free site with self-help guides, court forms, and tools for people who need to handle civil cases on their own. The site covers common issues like debt, family law, and housing disputes. It also links to legal aid groups that may take your case at no charge if you meet income limits. Several of these groups serve the greater Indianapolis area, which includes Hendricks County.
The Indiana courts website has standard forms for most civil case types that you can download and print. The Hendricks County clerk office in Danville keeps blank forms as well. For questions about how to search for civil court records in the county, the MyCase help page has guides that walk you through the online search tool step by step.
Because Hendricks County sits right next to Marion County, some residents may have access to legal clinics and pro bono programs based in Indianapolis. Check with the Indiana State Bar or local legal aid offices for current options.
Cities in Hendricks County
Hendricks County includes the towns of Plainfield, Brownsburg, Avon, Danville, and Pittsboro. All civil cases from these communities go through the Hendricks County courts in Danville. None of these cities meet the threshold for a dedicated city page, but all residents use the same clerk office and courts for civil court records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Hendricks County. If you are unsure which county handles your civil case, check where the events occurred or where the other party lives to make sure you file in the right place.