How to Access Public Records in Indiana (Property, Court, Criminal, Vital & Business Records)

Indiana public records are documents created or maintained by state and local government agencies that are accessible to the public under the Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3).

Indiana has broad public records access under the Access to Public Records Act, with no residency requirement, no need to state a purpose, and a seven-business-day response deadline. Residents frequently perform an Indiana public records search to locate property ownership, court filings, criminal cases, vital records, and business registrations across 92 counties.

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Indiana Public Records Quick Facts

Quickest Ways to Find Indiana Records

What Are Public Records in Indiana?

Public records in Indiana include documents, papers, electronic files, maps, photographs, recordings, and other materials made or received by a public agency in connection with public business. APRA broadly presumes these records are open unless a specific exemption applies.

How to Access Public Records in Indiana

1. Identify the type of record you need and the agency or office that maintains it.
2. Choose the record type — property, court, vital, criminal, or business.
3. For court records, use the statewide MyCase.in.gov portal, which provides access to most Indiana court dockets and case filings.
4. For property records, identify the county and use the Recorder for recorded instruments and the Assessor for valuation data.
5. For birth and death records, visit the Indiana Department of Health; marriage licenses come from County Clerks, and divorce records are held by the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted.
6. Submit requests in writing — by email, online form, mail, or in person. Requests must describe records with reasonable particularity; you do not need to state a purpose.
7. Agencies must respond within seven business days with records, a written denial, or an extension notice.
8. For a directory of official Indiana county record portals organized by county and record type, visit PublicRecordHub.

Indiana’s Open Records Law

Public records in Indiana are governed by the Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3. Enacted in 1977, the law establishes a broad presumption that all records held by public agencies are open for inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies.

In simple terms: any document, email, or recording made or received by an Indiana government agency in the conduct of public business is presumed to be a public record — the agency must justify withholding, not the requester.

Key provisions:

• Seven-business-day response — agencies must produce records, issue a written denial with legal basis, or notify of an extension.
• No residency or purpose requirement — any person may request records without explanation.
• Fees — charged for duplication and staff time; electronic delivery is often free; waivers available case by case.
• Mandatory exemptions — trade secrets, Social Security numbers, medical records, and other specifically protected categories.
• Discretionary exemptions — law enforcement investigatory records and internal deliberative materials.
• Public Access Counselor (PAC) — free, informal review through the Indiana Attorney General’s office for denied requests; judicial remedies also available.
• Court records — governed separately by the Indiana Access to Court Records Rules (ACR) and Administrative Rule 9, not APRA.

Who Can Request Public Records in Indiana?

Any person may request Indiana public records. There is no residency requirement and no need to state a purpose. Written requests are strongly recommended because they create a paper trail and help document the seven-business-day response period.

Certain categories are restricted regardless of requester: active law enforcement records, juvenile files, sealed cases, medical records, Social Security numbers, and trade secrets.

Common Reasons Records Are Denied in Indiana

Even valid requests can be denied under a recognized APRA exemption. Common reasons include:

• Trade secrets and confidential financial data
• Personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers
• Medical and patient records
• Active law enforcement investigatory records, body-worn camera footage, and victim information
• Personnel evaluation records (though pay rates and job classifications are generally open)
• Attorney-client privileged communications
• Juvenile records and sealed court cases

If your request is denied, the agency must cite the specific statutory exemption. Requesters may seek informal review through the Public Access Counselor or pursue judicial enforcement.

Unique Challenges When Searching Indiana Records

Indiana’s structure creates specific record-search challenges:

• No statewide property database — deed records are held by each county Recorder, so searches must be done at the county level.
• MyCase covers most but not all courts — it is the main statewide portal, but coverage varies and some older records may not be online.
• Court records governed by ACR/Administrative Rule 9, not APRA — Indiana court records follow the Access to Court Records Rules rather than the general Public Records Act. Court clerks operate under different rules than executive branch agencies.
• Vital records split across agencies — birth and death records are held statewide by the Indiana Department of Health; marriage licenses are issued by County Clerks; divorce records are held by the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted.
• Seven-business-day deadline — Indiana’s response deadline is longer than many states. Plan accordingly for time-sensitive requests.
• Criminal history is limited — the Indiana State Police search includes certain felony and Class A misdemeanor records, not a full RAP sheet.

Common Mistakes When Searching Indiana Public Records

• Searching for a statewide property database — Indiana deed records are maintained by county Recorder offices, not in one statewide portal.
• Confusing the County Recorder and County Assessor — the Recorder holds deeds and liens; the Assessor holds valuation and ownership data. Both are needed.
• Treating the Limited Criminal History as a full background check — the Indiana State Police online search covers felony and Class A misdemeanor records only. It is not a complete RAP sheet; more detailed history requires direct court or law enforcement requests.
• Requesting marriage records from the Department of Health — marriage licenses and certificates are issued by County Clerks, not the Indiana Department of Health. Sending the request to IDOH will not produce certified marriage records.
• Submitting vague requests — APRA requires records to be described with “reasonable particularity.” Overly broad or vague requests may be returned for clarification.
• Forgetting that court records follow different rules — Indiana court records are governed by ACR/Administrative Rule 9, not APRA. Court clerks follow court rules, not the general public records statute.

Tips for Faster Indiana Records Requests

• Use MyCase.in.gov first for court records — it is the fastest statewide starting point for most Indiana court searches.
• Submit requests in writing — even though APRA allows phone requests, written requests create a paper trail and ensure the seven-business-day deadline is formally triggered.
• Contact the County Recorder directly for property records — identify the correct county first, then go to that county’s Recorder website for deed and lien searches.
• Describe records with reasonable particularity — include specific names, date ranges, parcel numbers, or case numbers to prevent clarification delays.
• Use the Public Access Counselor for denied requests — Indiana’s PAC provides free, informal review of denied requests and is a faster alternative to litigation.

Property Records in Indiana

Property records in Indiana are maintained at the county level across Indiana’s 92 counties. Three distinct offices handle different aspects of property records:

• The County Recorder records legal instruments — deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements.
• The County Assessor maintains parcel data, ownership information, and assessed values.
• The County Auditor/Treasurer holds tax payment and lien records.

What Indiana property records contain:

• Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and sheriff’s deeds
• Mortgages, liens, and releases
• Plat maps and legal descriptions
• Parcel identifiers and ownership history (County Assessor)
• Property tax assessments and payment records (County Auditor/Treasurer)

How to search property records in Indiana:

1. Identify the county where the property is located.
2. Visit that county’s Recorder website to search recorded instruments by grantor/grantee name, parcel number, or document type.
3. Visit the County Assessor portal for ownership history and assessed values.
4. Visit the County Auditor or Treasurer portal for tax payment status.
5. For records not available online, contact the county Recorder directly — some smaller counties have limited digital availability.
6. Third-party vendors compile multi-county property data but verify against official county sources for certified records.

Use PublicRecordHub’s Indiana county directory to locate the correct Recorder, Assessor, and Treasurer portals for any of Indiana’s 92 counties.

Court Records in Indiana

Court records in Indiana are governed by the Indiana Access to Court Records Rules (ACR) and Administrative Rule 9, which establish a statewide presumption of openness for judicial records — separate from APRA, which governs executive branch agencies.

Indiana benefits from MyCase.in.gov — a statewide online portal that provides public access to court dockets, case filings, and related information for the majority of Indiana courts.

Indiana’s court structure:

• Indiana Supreme Court — highest court; opinions published online
• Indiana Court of Appeals — intermediate appellate court; opinions published online
• Tax Court — specialized jurisdiction
• Circuit Courts — general jurisdiction trial courts in each county
• Superior Courts — trial courts with concurrent or specialized jurisdiction in many counties
• Small Claims Courts — limited civil jurisdiction

How to access court records in Indiana:

1. Visit MyCase.in.gov and search by party name, case number, or filing date.
2. Review docket entries, case information, and available documents online.
3. For documents not available on MyCase or older records, contact the Circuit or Superior Court Clerk in the relevant county.
4. For Supreme Court and Court of Appeals opinions, use the Indiana Courts website directly.
5. Pay applicable fees for certified copies and transcripts.

Restrictions under ACR/Administrative Rule 9:

• Juvenile records are excluded from public access.
• Sealed and expunged records are not accessible through public portals.
• Certain family court and mental health records are confidential by rule.
• Some older records may require in-person requests at the courthouse.

Vital Records in Indiana (Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce)

Vital records in Indiana are distributed across state and county agencies.

Birth and death records are maintained by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH):

• Birth certificates: statewide records from 1907; some earlier county records exist
• Death certificates: statewide records from 1900; many counties hold pre-state records

Marriage and divorce records:

• Marriage licenses and certificates are issued and maintained by the County Clerk in the county where the license was obtained.
• Divorce records and decrees are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
• The Indiana Department of Health maintains statewide indexes for some marriage record years, but certified copies of marriage records come from the County Clerk.

How to obtain Indiana vital records:

1. For birth or death certificates, visit the Indiana Department of Health vital records page or submit requests online through an approved vendor, by mail, or in person.
2. For marriage certificates, contact the County Clerk in the county where the license was issued.
3. For divorce records and decrees, contact the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
4. Provide a valid government-issued photo ID and proof of eligibility.
5. Pay the applicable fee; processing times are listed on the IDOH website.

Access restrictions:

• Certified copies are restricted to individuals with a direct legal interest — the registrant (if adult), parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, or by court order.
• Indexes are publicly searchable; full records and certified copies require proof of eligibility.
• Adoptions, paternity acknowledgments, and court-ordered amendments to vital records may require additional authorization.

Criminal Records in Indiana

Criminal history information in Indiana is available through the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History system, accessible online through the Indiana State Police website.

The Limited Criminal History includes certain statewide felony and Class A misdemeanor arrest and conviction data, but it is not a full RAP sheet.

How to request criminal records in Indiana:

Online Limited Criminal History (public):

1. Visit the Indiana State Police website and use the Limited Criminal History online search.
2. Pay the $15 fee (card transactions may include additional processing charges).
3. Results include felony and Class A misdemeanor arrest and conviction data; juvenile records, sealed files, and certain other records are excluded.

Sex offender registry: 4. Search the Indiana Sex Offender Registry maintained by the Indiana Department of Correction — searchable online by name, county, or zip code.

Inmate information: 5. Use the Indiana Department of Correction offender search for current and released inmate information.

Restrictions:

• Juvenile records are confidential and not available through ordinary public-access channels.
• Sealed and expunged records are withheld from public access.
• Limited Criminal History results do not provide a complete RAP sheet.

Business Records in Indiana

Business entity records in Indiana are managed by the Indiana Secretary of State, accessible through the INBiz portal at sos.in.gov.

Indiana Secretary of State maintains:

• Corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other registered entities
• Articles of incorporation and formation documents
• Annual reports and entity status
• Registered agent information
• Amendments, dissolutions, and merger filings
• UCC filings

How to search business records in Indiana:

1. Go to the INBiz portal at sos.in.gov.
2. Search by business name, filing number, or registered agent.
3. View entity status, formation date, registered agent, and filing history.
4. Download available formation documents and annual reports — basic searches are free.
5. Certified copies and certain records require login and payment.
6. For UCC filings, use the UCC search tool on the Secretary of State portal.
7. For professional licenses, use the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) license lookup portal.

Additional Indiana Public Records

Certain specialized records are maintained by other state agencies:

• Professional Licenses — healthcare providers, contractors, and other regulated occupations are searchable through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) portal.
• Voter Registration Records — maintained by the Indiana Secretary of State and county election boards.
• Environmental Permits — air, water, and hazardous waste permits maintained by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
• Inmate Records — current and released inmate information available through the Indiana Department of Correction offender search.
• Sex Offender Registry — maintained by the Indiana Department of Correction and searchable online.
• Indiana State Archives — located at 6440 East 30th Street in Indianapolis; holds historical government records from Indiana’s territorial period to the present, including Civil War records, Indian treaty maps, and pre-state vital records. Records can be requested by email; digital collections are available online.

Related Indiana Record Searches

People researching public records in Indiana often also need:

• How to find Indiana property deeds by county Recorder
• How to search Indiana court records through MyCase
• How to obtain Indiana birth and death certificates through IDOH
• How to look up Indiana business entity filings through INBiz
• How to find inmate records in Indiana correctional facilities

PublicRecordHub provides step-by-step guides and official portals for each of Indiana’s 92 counties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Indiana public records free?

Inspection of records is generally free. Agencies may charge for duplication and staff time; electronic delivery is often free or lower cost. The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History search costs $15 plus any card processing charges. Vital records certified copies carry per-certificate fees listed on the IDOH website. Business record searches through INBiz are free; certified copies require payment.

Can non-residents request Indiana public records?

Yes. Indiana’s APRA grants access to any person regardless of residency. There is no requirement to be an Indiana resident or to state a purpose for the request.

How far back do Indiana records go?

The Indiana Department of Health holds statewide birth records from 1907 and death records from 1900, with some earlier county records. County Recorder deed records vary by county — the Indiana State Archives holds historical records from Indiana’s territorial period. Business records through the Secretary of State date to the entity’s formation date.

Are criminal records public in Indiana?

Indiana makes Limited Criminal History information available to the public for a fee through the Indiana State Police. It includes certain felony and Class A misdemeanor arrest and conviction data, but it is not a complete RAP sheet. Juvenile, sealed, and expunged records are not publicly available.

How quickly must Indiana agencies respond?

Indiana’s APRA requires agencies to respond within seven business days — either producing records, issuing a written denial with specific legal basis, or notifying the requester of a necessary extension. This is a longer deadline than many states; plan accordingly for time-sensitive requests.

What is the Indiana Public Access Counselor?

The Indiana Public Access Counselor (PAC) is an office within the Indiana Attorney General’s office that provides free, informal review of denied or disputed public records requests under APRA. The PAC also issues advisory opinions on open records and open meeting questions. Requesters who disagree with an agency’s denial can file a complaint with the PAC as an alternative to litigation.

Do all Indiana counties provide online record access?

Online access varies by county. Most counties offer online property records through Recorder or Assessor websites, while MyCase provides court access for most Indiana courts. Smaller counties may still require mail or in-person requests for some records.

Find Indiana County Record Portals

Indiana’s 92 counties maintain their own Recorder, Assessor, Auditor/Treasurer, and Clerk offices. Finding the right portal usually starts with identifying the county office that holds the record.

PublicRecordHub organizes official portals for all 92 Indiana counties in one place — Recorder, Assessor, Clerk, and Court — available free at PublicRecordHub.