Lake County Civil Court Records
Lake County civil court records are stored at the Clerk's office in Crown Point. With over 502,000 residents, Lake County is the second most populous county in Indiana and sits in the far northwest corner of the state. The county operates a Circuit Court, six Superior Courts, a Juvenile Court, a Probate Court, and Small Claims Courts. You can search civil court records from Lake County for free on the state MyCase system. The clerk office in Crown Point also handles walk-in requests, mail orders, and copies of records from current and older cases filed in Lake County.
Lake County Quick Facts
Lake County Clerk Office
The Lake County Clerk of Courts handles all civil court records filed in the county. The office is at 2293 N. Main Street in Crown Point. Staff can help you search for case files, view records, and get copies. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (219) 755-3460 for questions about civil court records or to check on a pending request. You can also send a fax to (219) 755-3385.
Lake County is home to cities like Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, and Merrillville. All civil cases from these cities route through the county courts in Crown Point. Whether you live in Gary or Hammond, your civil court records end up at the same clerk office. The size of the county means the courts see a high volume of filings each year, so having your case number ready speeds up any request you make for Lake County civil court records.
| Address |
2293 N. Main Street Crown Point, IN 46307 Phone: (219) 755-3460 Fax: (219) 755-3385 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search Lake County Civil Court Records Online
The MyCase portal is the best tool for searching Lake County civil court records from home. It is free and does not need an account. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney. The system pulls data from every court division in Lake County. Most civil records filed since the mid-2000s show up in MyCase, and some older ones are there too.
The MyCase portal shows basic case details for Lake County civil court records. You can see party names, filing dates, hearing schedules, and case status. Some courts also post documents you can view or download. For a full look at all the papers in a case, you may still need to visit the clerk office in Crown Point. Online data is not the official record and may have gaps. The MyCase help page walks you through each search option step by step.
Lake County cases use the county code 45 in the case number format. A Lake County case number starts with 45 and then shows the court type, division, year, case type, and sequence. If you know the full case number, that is the fastest search for any Lake County civil court record on MyCase.
Civil Courts in Lake County
Lake County has a large court system to serve its half-million residents. The Indiana Judicial Branch page for Lake County lists all the courts and divisions that operate in the county. The Circuit Court handles general civil cases. Six Superior Courts take on different types of civil matters, from contract disputes to family law. A Juvenile Court and Probate Court handle their own case types, and Small Claims Courts hear civil disputes under $8,000.
Under Administrative Rule 9, civil court records in Lake County are presumed open. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need to be part of the case. Some files get restricted if they involve juveniles, mental health issues, or sealed matters. But the bulk of civil court records from Lake County are public. The court records rules page on the Indiana courts site has the full text of the rules that control public access to these records.
Each court division in Lake County produces its own set of civil records. A contract case in Superior Court will have different documents than a small claims case. But all of them go through the same clerk office in Crown Point. That makes the clerk your single point of contact for any civil court record in Lake County, no matter which division heard the case.
Lake County Record Fees
Copies of civil court records in Lake County cost $1 per page. Certified copies add $3 per document. If you request copies by fax, the fee is also $1 per page. The clerk takes cash, checks, money orders, credit and debit cards, and cashier's checks for payment.
When you visit in person, bring the case number or the names of the parties. Staff will pull the file. You can look through it at the office before you decide which pages to copy. This can save you money if you only need a few key documents from a Lake County civil court record rather than the whole file. For large requests, call ahead so staff can have the file ready when you arrive.
Note: Fees may change, so call (219) 755-3460 to confirm current rates before you send a mail request for Lake County civil court records.
How to Request Lake County Civil Court Records
You can get civil court records from Lake County in person, by mail, or by fax. Each method works. In person is the fastest option. Go to the clerk office at 2293 N. Main Street in Crown Point. Bring a photo ID and your case details. Staff will search the system and pull the file for you. You can view it on site and get copies the same day.
For mail requests, send a letter to the Lake County Clerk at 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307. Include the case number if you have it, the names of the parties, and the type of civil court record you need. Add a check or money order payable to the Lake County Clerk. Put in a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Under Indiana Code 5-14-3, the clerk must respond to records requests within 7 days. Most mail requests take 5 to 10 business days for processing in Lake County.
The Indiana courts request page has more detail on the steps for getting civil court records by mail or in person. It covers what to include in your letter and how fees work across all Indiana counties, including Lake County.
E-Filing for Lake County Courts
Attorneys who file civil cases in Lake County must use the state e-filing system. The Odyssey e-filing portal handles all electronic filings for Indiana courts. This system lets lawyers submit new cases, motions, and other court papers online. Once filed, these documents become part of the civil court record in Lake County.
Self-represented parties can also use the e-filing system in many case types. It saves a trip to Crown Point. Documents filed through Odyssey show up in the case record on MyCase after the clerk processes them. If you have questions about e-filing for a civil case in Lake County, call the clerk office at (219) 755-3460 or check the Indiana courts public records page for guidance on how electronic records work in the state system.
Legal Help in Lake County
Indiana Legal Help is a free site for people dealing with civil court issues. It has guides, forms, and links to legal aid groups that serve Lake County. If you meet the income limits, you may get a lawyer at no cost for your civil case. The site also has self-help tools for people who plan to represent themselves in court.
Lake County sits in northwest Indiana, close to the Illinois border. Legal aid groups in the region serve residents of Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, and the smaller towns across the county. The Indiana State Bar has a lawyer referral service for anyone who needs an attorney but does not know where to start. Standard civil court forms for Indiana cases are on the courts website and can be printed at home. If you need help with a case in Lake County, start with Indiana Legal Help or call the clerk at (219) 755-3460 to ask about local programs in your area.
The MyCase search tips page is a good resource if you want to find a specific civil record in Lake County on your own. It covers wildcards, date filters, and how to read the case number format used by Indiana courts.
Cities in Lake County
Lake County has several cities with large populations. Gary and Hammond are the two qualifying cities that have their own pages. All civil cases from Lake County cities file through the county courts in Crown Point. Pick a city below to learn more about civil court records in that area.
Other communities in Lake County include East Chicago, Hobart, Merrillville, Munster, Schererville, and Griffith. All civil court records for these areas go through the Lake County Clerk office in Crown Point.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lake County. Make sure you file your civil case in the right county. If you are not sure which county has jurisdiction, check the address tied to your dispute or where the other party lives.