Indiana PUBLIC RECORDS SEARCH

Indiana State Public Records Search Online

Indiana has over 6.7 million residents and is a diverse state with a mix of urban and rural communities. This diversity significantly affects how the state governs and manages public records.

Federal and state laws govern public records in Indiana. These records include everything from property deeds to environmental reports.

The availability of public records is important for residents seeking information for personal, legal, and professional purposes. Whether conducting a background check, verifying property ownership, or researching historical data, these records provide essential insights that can guide decisions and actions.

Indiana's commitment to maintaining accessible public records reflects the state's dedication to fostering an informed and engaged citizenry. Through easy access to these records, residents can stay informed about their community, protect their interests, and participate more fully in civic life.

What Records are Public in Indiana?

Most records generated, filed, or maintained by public agencies in Indiana are classified as public records under the state's definition, regardless of the format. This definition extends to records produced by outside contractors for a public agency.

Indiana allows residents to access millions of public records, including criminal records, court documents, vital records, environmental reports, and more.

What is Considered Public Information in Indiana?

In Indiana, information is considered public when it is created, received, maintained, or contained in a public record of a public agency. These public details are often found in these public records:

• Public arrest records
• Accident logs
• Sex offender information
• Public court records
• Divorce records
• Marriage records
• Inmate records
• Criminal records
• Criminal history records

Indiana Public Records Laws

Indiana's public records laws ensure transparency by granting individuals the right to access information held by government agencies. These laws are designed to promote accountability and openness within the government.

What is the Indiana Access to Public Records (APRA)?

The Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified in Indiana Code 5-14-3, grants the public access to government information and the official acts of public officials and employees. APRA covers all public records of city or county agencies, including writings, reports, maps, tape recordings, and photographs.

These records can be requested for viewing or copying, provided they are not classified as confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure by law. Government officials are obligated to make this information accessible.

In addition to the APRA, the Indiana Open Door Law regulates how public meetings are conducted and how the public can inspect them upon request.

What is the FOIA in Indiana?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in Indiana ensures public access to government records of a federal agency.

However, certain records and meetings are exempt from disclosure, such as social gatherings, on-site inspections, caucuses, and discussions about commercial prospects without decision-making.

Additionally, FOIA does not require disclosure of records deemed confidential by law, protecting sensitive information from public access.

Who Can Access Public Records in Indiana?

In Indiana, public records are accessible and available for inspection to everyone, whether a state resident or not, provided the documents are not confidential or legally exempted.

Requests can be made orally and in writing, but most public agencies prefer written requests for documentation and record-keeping purposes.

Public agencies typically respond within seven to ten business days after receiving a request. In-person requests often receive responses within 24 hours. Requests submitted via email, fax, or mail may require more processing time.

Indiana Public Records Search

Indiana public records can be accessed online and offline from various government agencies.

How to Find Indiana Public Records Online

Individuals can request records online via state portals, agency websites, email requests, or third-party providers.

Government portals may require requesters to create an online account to access specific records. On the other hand, email requests may include downloading required forms, scanning them, and sending them to the official email of the record custodian.

Third-party websites also compile records. However, these sites might not provide the most updated information.

Government websites and online databases are still the best sources of public records because they are updated regularly.

How to Find Indiana Public Records Offline

When online methods may not be applicable, other options include mail, fax, and personal visits to local offices, courthouses, or county clerks to obtain the necessary public documents.

To find a public record in Indiana using offline methods, follow these steps:

• Determine the custodian of the records needed.
• Confirm if the record is public by calling the custodian.
• Inquire about the details and prepare them.
• Select the best method for making requests based on circumstances and requirements.
• Download and fill out applicable forms.
• Submit them through the chosen method.
• Include check or money order payments on mail requests or pay associated fees for in-person visits through cash or card.

Types of Public Records in Indiana

Indiana maintains different public records, which are available upon request. Here are the common public records generated when the state performs its official responsibilities:

State of Indiana Public Court Records

According to Access to Court Records rules, these records include court orders, case files, transcripts, legal documents, and judgments. They serve as historical documentation and can be used as evidence in future legal matters.

Requesters can obtain court records in several ways, which may include:

• Online portals or databases
• Email submissions
• Personal visits
• Fax or phone
• Third-party aggregators

The judicial branch's online case search is the fastest way of obtaining court records. It enables individuals to look for non-confidential cases using the case number, attorney's, or plaintiff's names.

For faster and more accurate results when using the case number, requesters may need to supply the following:

• Case number, cross reference number, or citation number (either one of the three)
• Court level (appellate, supreme, or county courts)
• Case type (civil or criminal)
• Filing date
• Case status (open or closed)

If requesters cannot find the case documents in the lookup tool, they may need to use the APRA online request. Alternatively, they can use the judicial branch's standard contact form for email inquiries or requests.

Other options are visiting the courthouse and sending mail requests to the county court or clerk's office where the case was filed.

Requesters may also use the address below to send written requests:

Indiana Public Bankruptcy Records

Indiana public bankruptcy records contain detailed information about individuals, businesses, or companies that have filed for bankruptcy in the state's federal courts. These records typically include:

• The debtor's name
• Debts owed
• List of assets, liabilities, and source of income
• The amounts for each creditor
• Writs, contracts, and liens

Under the FOIA, these records are public, except when protected by law or a court order. The federal courts maintain bankruptcy records, and there are several ways to obtain them.

For the traditional method, individuals can visit or send written requests to any U.S. Bankruptcy Court location in the Northern or Southern Districts of Indiana. The Northern District Court has offices in Fort Wayne, Hammond, South Bend, and Lafayette. Meanwhile, the Southern District Court operates in Evansville, Indianapolis, New Albany, and Terre Haute.

Another option is to employ the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. It is an online repository of bankruptcy cases managed by the federal court. Registration is free, but viewing documents costs $0.10 per page. Users can search for cases using the debtor's name or case number.

Even better, interested parties can obtain basic bankruptcy case information for free via telephone using the Multi-Court Voice Case Information System (MCVCIS).

County Court Records in Indiana

Access to county-level court records in Indiana varies depending on the county and the type of court involved. Indiana's judicial system is composed of trial, appellate, and supreme courts. The trial courts include circuit courts, superior courts, and city or town courts.

These courts handle various civil and criminal matters, and their jurisdiction can differ from county to county.

For example, the Marion Countysmall claims courts handle cases up to $8,000. Other counties may have a limit of up to $6,000.

Indiana's county court system allows for more accessible and less formal procedures in small claims courts, which are designed to resolve disputes efficiently. Accessing records may involve visiting the county courthouse or using online portals provided by the county.

Here is a partial list of counties and their corresponding phone:

• Marion County: 317-327-4740
• Lake County: 219-755-3460
• Allen County: 260-449-7245
• Hamilton County: 317-776-9629
• St. Joseph County: 574-235-9635

Indiana Criminal Record s

Indiana criminal records are public under the APRA (Access to Public Records Act). These records are typically maintained by the Indiana State Police (ISP) and may also be obtained through court clerks.

They provide a comprehensive overview of an individual's criminal history and other legal actions. Common types of information found on criminal records include:

• Arrest records: Information on the arrest, charges, and arresting agency
• Convictions: Details of court decisions and sentencing
• Mugshots: Photographs taken at the time of booking
• Personal information: Full name, birth date, aliases, race, and physical descriptions
• Fingerprint records: Unique biometric data
• Warrants and indictments: Details of legal actions against the individual

Criminal records in Indiana are accessible through the ISP's Criminal History Search Services. For a fee of $15, individuals can perform a name-based or fingerprint-based search. Fee waivers may be available for those who qualify, and free public access to these records is offered.

Indiana Public Arrest Records

Indiana public arrest records are accessible to residents. Generally, the sheriff's department in each county is responsible for disseminating these records. Some sheriff's offices also provide online platforms for easy access. The ISP also maintains a limited criminal history search for arrests related to felonies and class A misdemeanors within the state.

Arrest records in Indiana detail the circumstances surrounding an individual's arrest. An arrest record is different from a criminal record, as not every arrest results in a conviction.

Arrest records contain the following details:

• The arrestee's name, birth date, gender, and ethnicity
• The reason for the arrest
• The date and location of the arrest
• The name, rank, and number of the arresting officer
• The address of the detention center
• The name of the issuer of the arrest warrant

However, law enforcement agencies may restrict access to certain arrest records if they are part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Disclosing such records could potentially impact the validity of future court judgments. Despite these restrictions, individuals can inquire about arrests made by law enforcement officers.

Indiana Warrant Records

Warrants in Indiana are typically confidential and not accessible to the public.

Indiana has four primary types of warrants:

• Arrest warrants: Issued by a judge based on probable cause to detain individuals suspected of crimes.
• Search warrants: Issued to search for and seize evidence.
• Bench warrants: Issued when an individual fails to comply with a court order, like missing a court date.
• Fugitive warrants: Issued to arrest individuals who evade charges by fleeing the state.

Search warrants are particularly restricted under Rule 5 of the Indiana Rules of Court. The confidentiality of arrest and bench warrants depends on whether they have been served or declared confidential by a trial court, following Indiana Supreme Court Administrative Rule 9.

Fugitive warrants are generally public but can be withheld if linked to ongoing investigations or if their disclosure poses safety risks.

To perform a warrant lookup in Indiana, individuals can search online databases, contact the sheriff's office, or visit the court clerk's office.

For online searches, the law enforcement agency's website may offer a search tool to look up outstanding or active warrants. However, this method is not straightforward, as requesters often need to delve into case files to locate specific warrant records.

Indiana Vital Records

Some Indiana vital records are public, while certified records are accessible only to authorized individuals with a direct, familial, or legal interest. These certified records include death, marriage, adoption, and divorce certificates governed by Indiana Code 16-37-1-10 & 11, 11.5C.

These vital records, maintained by the State Department of Health (DOH), serve legal functions, such as confirming identity or determining eligibility for benefits.

Due to privacy concerns, government repositories typically don't provide remote access to vital records. However, individuals can request records online by providing:

• Valid identification
• Proof of relationship
• The reason for the request
• Accurate information about the event, such as dates and place

Note that the department's third-party provider of online requests is VtialCheck.

Another way to obtain vital records is to visit the state agency, the relevant county's local health department, or the courthouse (marriage and divorce records) that handles the records.

Eligible persons can also send their mail requests together with the applicable forms and payments in checks or money orders to the official address below:

Non-eligible persons may send their inquiries via email ( publicrecords@health.in.gov). They can use the online health APRA (Access to Public Records Act) to learn more about how to request vital records for non-eligible persons. Moreover, Indiana residents born out of state may need to check the vital records agency of their birth state.

For older vital records, requesters can search the State Archives.

Indiana Public Birth Records

Indiana birth records document an individual's birth. They contain the registrant's name, sex, birthplace, date of birth, parents' names, and certificate number. These records are restricted to select people for the first 75 years after registration. After this period, birth records become public, and anyone can access them unless sealed by a court.

Indiana offers two types of certified birth certificates: the standard and long-form versions. The standard certificate, measuring 8.5" x 5.5", is used for official purposes such as obtaining a driver's license or passport.

The long-form certificate, measuring 8.5" x 11", includes additional details like the time of birth and hospital name and is often required for purposes such as dual citizenship or genealogy.

To obtain Indiana birth records, requesters need to provide detailed information, a valid government-issued ID, and proof of relationship. They can submit their request through the accredited provider portal.

Alternatively, individuals can mail their request with properly filled application forms to the official address of the DOH (Department of Health) or any of the local county health departments. Note that the county health department may prescribe a different application form from that of the state department.

Processing times vary. For instance, Monroe County provides records from 2007 onward within seven days, while older records may take longer. Most county departments hold records from 1907 to the present. For births before 1907, contact the Indiana State Archives.

Indiana Public Death Records

Indiana death records are official documents about an individual's death. While death records are generally considered public in Indiana, accessing a certified death certificate is restricted to immediate family members or those with court-ordered approval.

The DOH provides public access to death records for deaths recorded after 1917. Early records (1900-1917) can be found at the county health department where the death occurred.

Alternatively, individuals can contact the Indiana State Archives or use third-party services to obtain uncertified copies of death certificates between 1899 and 2011.

To obtain a death certificate by mail, the requester must submit a completed application form, valid identification, and the applicable fees ($8 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy) to the state department. Payment should be made by check or money order.

Individuals can also send their death certificate request to any county health department.

The required information includes:

• The deceased's full name
• Date of death
• The city where the death occurred
• The requester's relationship to the deceased
• The purpose of the request

Online request is through the accredited provider.

For deaths before 1882, the county or state did not officially keep records. In such cases, individuals can search for death information through alternative sources like cemetery records, newspapers, church records, or probate files.

Indiana Public Marriage Records

Indiana public marriage records include details such as the names of the spouses, the date and location of the marriage, and the officiant's name. These records are public information if the interested individual is a registrant, has a direct interest, or provides proper documentation of eligibility.

The DOH (Department of Health) maintains marriage license indexes and issues certified copies of marriage records upon request to eligible persons. These requests should include the Application for Search for Certified Record of Marriage (State Form 54764).

Additionally, the county clerk's office where the marriage occurred can process requests. For the most current request procedures, it is advisable to check with the local clerk's office.

Some marriage licenses can also be searched and accessed online through the Marriage License Public Lookup system. It has marriage records from 1993 to the present. For more historical records, Indiana's digital library offers free statewide access to marriage license indexes from 1850 and the years 1958 to 2022.

Indiana Public Divorce Records

Indiana public divorce records contain essential details such as the names of the divorced parties, the date and location of the divorce, and the case number. While these records are public information, financial settlements, and child support stipulations are excluded from public access.

To obtain a divorce record in Indiana, interested individuals can visit the county superior court where the divorce was finalized. Certified copies of divorce records are only available to the individuals named in the record or their legal representatives.

Indiana Property Records

Indiana property records are essential documents generated during real estate transactions. They are accessible to the public under the APRA (Access to Public Records Act) and useful for various purposes, such as pre-purchase research or resolving boundary disputes.

Types of information included in property records are:

• Owner's name
• Legal description and property boundaries
• Property deeds or ownership transfer between parties
• Property maps
• Tax records
• Mortgage records

Anyone interested in obtaining Indiana property records can do so through the county recorder or tax assessor's office. Requests can be made in person, by phone, or online. To conduct a search, the requester must know the property's location and the owner's details. Fees for copies vary depending on the type and size of the documents.

For example, the Marion County Recorder's Office may charge $1 per page for a non-certified copy of deeds and an additional $5 for a certified one.

Indiana Inmate Records

Indiana inmate records contain detailed information about individuals held within the state's correctional facilities. The Indiana Department of Corrections (DOC) generally maintains these records. An inmate record often includes the following information:

• The inmate's complete legal name
• The inmate's birth date
• Gender of the inmate
• DOC Number
• Inmate's race
• The current location where the inmate is currently housed
• Name of the correctional facility

In order to obtain inmate records, inquirers can search the DOC Offender Database using the inmate's first and last name or DOC number. If inaccuracies are found in the information provided, complaints can be submitted in writing to the department.

For further inquiries or to report inaccuracies, contact the DOC using the address below:

In cases of inmates held in county jails, inquirers should contact the local sheriff's office. If requesters are checking for federal inmates, they may contact the Federal Correctional Institution at Terre Haute for more details.

For those looking for non-confidential records of juvenile inmates, they must visit the juvenile correctional facility directly.

Indiana Traffic Records

Indiana public traffic records are official documents that detail the driving history and traffic-related incidents of individuals within the state.

These records include information such as:

• Traffic tickets
• Violation points
• License suspensions
• Fines
• Crash reports
• Reinstatement fees

They are generated and maintained by various government agencies, including the state's courts, police departments, Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), and the Department of Transportation. The BMV serves as the central repository for traffic records in Indiana.

Though traffic records are public in Indiana, some restrictions apply as defined in the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). Certain information, such as social security and driver's license numbers, may be confidential and withheld.

If a traffic record contains confidential information, the record custodian must inform the requester and redact the non-disclosable content.

Interested individuals can look up Indiana traffic records online. Users must create accounts to view records and can obtain certified copies for $4. For in-person requests, individuals may visit local BMV offices or the county clerk's office in the county where the ticket was issued.

License Plate Lookup in Indiana

Performing a license plate lookup in Indiana allows individuals to obtain publicly available information about a vehicle registered with the BMV. While a lookup will not reveal the vehicle owner's name or contact details due to privacy protections, it can provide other useful data to help identify the vehicle.

Requesters can search a vehicle record through the Indiana BMV using a vehicle identification number (VIN) to perform a lookup.

Alternatively, third-party websites offer a convenient way to access license plate information. These independent sites compile data from government sources and often provide quicker access to records. Users may also need to provide specific details to facilitate the search and pay any associated fees to obtain the information they seek.

What Information is Exempt from the Public Records Act in Indiana?

Under Indiana law, certain types of information and records are exempt from public access. Here's a partial list of exclusions:

• Investigation records: Information obtained during ongoing investigations
• Protected personal information: Personal details of protected individuals
• Protective orders: Records involving protective orders
• Whistleblower identity: Identity of individuals reporting misuse of public funds
• Attorney general/inspector general interventions: Details of interventions by these offices
• Civil investigative demands: Answers to civil investigative demands
• Inheritance tax information: Confidentiality of inheritance tax files
• Juvenile records: Sealed juvenile history
• Parole conditions: Details of parole conditions
• Privileged communications: Communications with school counselors
• Patient confidentiality: Disclosure of patient information without consent
• Licensee data: Data exchange/matching for licensees charged with offenses
• Employment termination details: Information on employment terminations provided to commissioners
• Confidential information: Information not subject to subpoena
• NMLSR information: Data stored in the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLSR)

Other Public Records in Indiana

Below are the other public records that Indiana residents can inspect following the proper procedures of requesting:

• Sex Offender Registry: This registry provides the names, addresses, and crimes of registered sex offenders in Indiana. It helps the public stay informed about potentially dangerous individuals living nearby.
• Business Records: These records are information on businesses registered in Indiana, including names, addresses, and registration details, that are accessible to the public.
• Voter Information: Voter information is available to political parties and specific individuals. It includes names and county locations but excludes sensitive information.
• Environmental Reports: Managed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), these reports include data on air and water quality, pollution reports, and other environmental concerns.
• State Legacy: This database combines Indiana State Library records with local history, vital records, and other historical documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

This list refers to commonly asked questions that may be helpful in accessing public records:

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