Indiana Public Records: A Complete Research Guide

Last Updated on March 21, 2026 by Editorial Staff

Indiana public records are government-created documents, data, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3. The law declares it the public policy of Indiana that “all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees” — and importantly, places the burden of proof on the government agency rather than the requester when access is denied.

Residents frequently perform an Indiana public records search — sometimes called an Indiana APRA request, Indiana open records request, or Indiana government records search — to locate court filings, property ownership data, criminal history, business registrations, vital records, inmate information, and other government documents. The APRA covers all state agencies, counties, municipalities, townships, schools, and any entity that uses public funds or is subject to audit by the State Board of Accounts across Indiana’s 92 counties.

Public records in Indiana are distributed across state agencies and 92 county governments. The Indiana Judicial Branch’s mycase.in.gov provides free statewide court case access, and the Indiana State Police offers a public Limited Criminal History search for a fee. Understanding which agency maintains each record type is the key to researching public records effectively in Indiana.

Quick Answer: Where to Search Indiana Public Records

The most important free and low-cost government databases for researching Indiana public records include:

• Indiana Courts MyCase (mycase.in.gov) — free statewide court case search for most Indiana trial and appellate courts
• ISP Limited Criminal History (in.gov/isp) — Indiana State Police name-based criminal history search; $16.32/record online; felonies and misdemeanors only
• Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry (isor.in.gov) — free statewide sex offender registry maintained by Indiana DOC
• Indiana DOC Offender Search (in.gov/idoc) — Indiana Department of Correction inmate and offender search; free
• Indiana Secretary of State Business Search (sos.in.gov) — corporations, LLCs, and business registrations; free
• County Recorder portals — deeds, mortgages, and recorded property documents by county
• County Assessor portals — property ownership, assessed value, and tax records by county
• Indiana ISDH Vital Records (in.gov/health/vital-records) — birth certificates ($10/copy at ISDH); death certificates ($8/copy at ISDH); county health departments may charge different fees
• Indiana Public Access Counselor (in.gov/pac) — free APRA guidance, informal inquiries, and formal advisory opinions

These systems provide access to the majority of publicly searchable government records in Indiana.

⚠️ Legal Notice

Indiana public records law is governed by the Access to Public Records Act (APRA, Ind. Code § 5-14-3). APRA presumes that all government records are accessible unless a mandatory or discretionary exemption applies. Mandatory exemptions include records declared confidential by state or federal statute, patient medical records, Social Security numbers, and certain personnel information. Discretionary exemptions — which agencies may withhold but are not required to — include criminal investigatory records, attorney work product, intra-agency deliberative materials, and some personnel file information. When a request is denied, the burden of proof falls on the agency to demonstrate that an exemption properly applies. Indiana does not apply a balancing test — exemptions are categorical, not weighed against public interest.

This guide explains lawful public records research methods and does not constitute legal advice.

Why This Guide Is Reliable

This guide is written by the research team at inet-investigation.com and based directly on the text of the APRA (Ind. Code § 5-14-3), the Indiana Public Access Counselor’s official Handbook on Indiana’s Public Access Laws, official agency websites including the Indiana State Police, Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana Courts, and the Indiana Secretary of State. We cite specific statutory provisions so readers can verify our statements independently. We update our guides when laws or agency procedures change. We do not accept payment from agencies, databases, or third-party vendors to shape our content.

Why Indiana Public Records Law Is Distinctive

Indiana places the burden of proof on the government, not the requester — one of the clearest such statements in the country. Under Ind. Code § 5-14-3-9(e), if an agency denies a records request and a lawsuit is filed, the burden of proof is on the agency to prove its denial was proper. The requester does not need to prove they are entitled to the records — the government must prove it was right to withhold them. This pro-disclosure presumption is reinforced throughout the APRA’s text and is among the strongest such declarations in state public records law.

Indiana has a Public Access Counselor (PAC) who issues advisory opinions — but with important 2024 limitations on methodology. Indiana’s PAC (created in 1998 under Ind. Code § 5-14-4) is a governor-appointed office that issues advisory opinions in response to formal complaints and informal inquiries. The PAC resolves approximately 95% of complaints without litigation. However, in 2024 the Indiana Legislature narrowed the PAC’s opinion-writing methodology: opinions may now only consider the “public access laws, as plainly written, and valid opinions of Indiana courts” — limiting the PAC’s ability to draw on prior advisory opinions or broader interpretive principles. Opinions remain non-binding but carry significant practical persuasive weight.

Indiana has a split response deadline — 24 hours for in-person/phone requests, 7 calendar days for mail/fax/email. Indiana’s APRA creates a two-track response timeline based on how the request was submitted. Requests made in person or by telephone must receive an acknowledgment within 24 hours; requests submitted by mail, fax, or email must receive an acknowledgment within seven calendar days. Crucially, these deadlines apply to acknowledgment only — agencies then have a “reasonable” amount of time to actually produce the records. This separation between the acknowledgment deadline and the production timeline creates practical uncertainty about when records must actually be delivered.

Indiana’s APRA covers any “person” — including non-residents, corporations, and organizations — with no residency requirement. Unlike Virginia and Tennessee, which restrict public records access to state citizens, Indiana’s APRA defines “person” broadly to include individuals, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, associations, and governmental entities. Any person may request records — no Indiana residency is required and no stated purpose is needed.

Indiana agencies may not charge for inspection, labor, overhead, searching, or review — only actual copying costs. State agencies are capped at $0.10 per page for copies. Other agencies may charge only the actual cost of copying. Agencies cannot charge for the time spent locating records, reviewing records for exemptions, or overhead costs. This fee structure is more restrictive on agencies than many states, particularly Wisconsin (which also prohibits charging for redaction) and Colorado (which charges $41.37/hour for research and retrieval).

Indiana’s Limited Criminal History (LCH) search is publicly accessible for a modest fee — but limited to felonies and Class A misdemeanors, and limited to counties that participate. The ISP’s Limited Criminal History search covers felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests based on name and date of birth, but its completeness depends on county participation in reporting to the state repository. Lower-level misdemeanors and offenses from non-participating counties may not appear. Researchers relying solely on the LCH for a comprehensive criminal history picture may miss significant records.

The Legal Framework

Indiana Court Records

Indiana’s court system has four levels: the Indiana Supreme Court (highest appellate), the Indiana Court of Appeals (intermediate appellate), Circuit and Superior Courts (trial courts of general jurisdiction, with at least one in each county), and City/Town Courts (limited jurisdiction for local ordinance and traffic matters). Indiana has 92 counties, each with its own circuit and/or superior courts.

Indiana Courts MyCase (mycase.in.gov) — Free Statewide Search

The Indiana Judicial Branch provides free public access to court case information through mycase.in.gov. This system covers most Indiana trial courts including circuit, superior, and county courts, as well as appellate courts. Cases are searchable by name, case number, citation number, or cross-reference number. Results include case type, charges, filing date, case status, hearings, and dispositions. Many case documents and filings are available directly in MyCase without charge.

MyCase is explicitly noted to be a public service — information displayed is not to be considered an official court record and may contain errors or omissions. For official, certified court documents, contact the clerk of the court where the case was filed. MyCase search results go back to the mid-1990s for most counties; older cases may require in-person research at the courthouse.

Appellate Court Records

Indiana Supreme Court and Court of Appeals opinions and orders are publicly accessible through the Indiana courts website at in.gov/courts. MyCase also covers appellate cases, and published opinions are searchable online.

Federal Court Records

Indiana has two federal judicial districts. The Northern District of Indiana (Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Hammond divisions) and the Southern District of Indiana (Indianapolis, Evansville, and Terre Haute divisions). Federal case records are available through PACER (pacer.gov) at $0.10 per page after a $30 quarterly free threshold.

Sealed and Expunged Records

Indiana has an expungement statute (Ind. Code § 35-38-9) that allows qualifying individuals to have arrests and convictions expunged or sealed after meeting waiting periods and eligibility requirements. Expunged records are sealed from public access in both court records and the ISP’s criminal history database. Juvenile records are generally confidential and not accessible through public court portals.

Indiana Criminal Records

ISP Limited Criminal History (LCH) — Public Search ($16.32)

The Indiana State Police (ISP) maintains the state’s criminal history records and provides a Limited Criminal History (LCH) search at in.gov/isp. Any person may request a name-based LCH search online at in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch for $16.32 per record by credit card (or $15 for subscribers). The LCH contains felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests and convictions within Indiana. Important limitations: the LCH does not include lower-level misdemeanors (Class B, C, or D) and its completeness depends on whether individual counties have submitted their records to the state repository. Counties that do not participate in state reporting will have gaps in the LCH.

Fingerprint-based full criminal history searches are also available through the ISP for more comprehensive results — these are more definitive for identity verification and include records not captured in the name-based LCH.

MyCase as a Supplemental Criminal Records Tool

For case-level detail, the free MyCase portal (mycase.in.gov) shows criminal court filings, charges, and dispositions from Indiana trial courts. While not a criminal history repository like the ISP LCH, MyCase provides free access to individual court case records and is useful for researching the specifics of a case rather than doing a comprehensive background check.

Indiana Expungement

Indiana’s expungement law (Ind. Code § 35-38-9) is one of the more accessible in the country. Qualifying arrests without convictions may be expunged one year after arrest; misdemeanor convictions may be expunged five years after conviction; certain felony convictions may be expunged eight years after conviction. Expunged records are sealed from public access in court records, the ISP database, and MyCase. However, expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies for criminal justice purposes.

Sex and Violent Offender Registry

The Indiana Department of Correction maintains the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender (ISOR) Registry at isor.in.gov. The registry is free and searchable by name, address, county, or zip code. Indiana requires sex offenders and certain violent offenders to register with local law enforcement in their county of residence. The public registry includes photographs, addresses, and offense information.

Indiana Property Records

Indiana property records are maintained at the county level across two offices: the County Recorder (recorded property instruments — deeds, mortgages, liens) and the County Assessor (property ownership, assessed value, and tax records). Indiana has 92 counties, each with its own Recorder and Assessor. There is no statewide consolidated property records portal, though many counties provide free online access.

County Recorder — Recorded Instruments

The County Recorder records and indexes deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other property instruments for the county where the property is located. When property is sold in Indiana, the deed is recorded with the County Recorder in the county of the property’s location. Indiana imposes a Real Estate Sales Disclosure requirement when residential property is transferred — this disclosure form typically captures the sale price and is filed with the County Assessor, making sale prices generally accessible as public records. Most Indiana county recorders provide free or low-cost online searching of recorded documents; many provide free document images. Hennepin County, Marion County (Indianapolis), Hamilton County, and Allen County (Fort Wayne) all maintain robust online recorder search tools.

County Assessor — Ownership and Valuation

The County Assessor maintains current property ownership, assessed values (assessed at market value under Indiana law), and property tax information. Most Indiana county assessor websites provide free online searching by owner name, address, or parcel number. The Indiana Gateway for Government Units (gateway.ifionline.org) provides some aggregate statewide assessment data, and many counties link to their assessor portals through county government websites. The Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) oversees assessment standards statewide.

Indiana Business Records

The Indiana Secretary of State’s Business Services Division maintains business entity records at sos.in.gov. The free online search covers corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and other registered entities. Entity status, registered agent, principal office address, and filing history are publicly accessible. The Secretary of State also maintains UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statement filings, which are publicly searchable.

Indiana requires most business entities to submit biennial reports (every two years). Entities that fail to file may be administratively dissolved, and this status is visible in the public search. The Secretary of State’s business search is a useful tool for verifying current entity status.

Indiana Vital Records

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) Division of Vital Records maintains statewide birth and death records. ISDH has birth records from 1907 and death records from 1900. Indiana vital records are not all fully public — birth records within 75 years of birth are restricted to authorized individuals; death and marriage records are generally accessible to the public. Walk-in service is not available at the ISDH state office in Indianapolis — all state-level orders are by mail, phone (VitalChek), or online.

Fees and Ordering

The ISDH fee structure is notably lower than many states:

• Birth certificates: $10 for the first copy, $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
• Death certificates: $8 for the first copy, $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time

Note: Local county health departments may charge different fees — Lake County, for example, charges $20 for certified birth and death certificates. For faster service, ISDH recommends ordering through the local county health department where the event occurred. Orders through VitalChek (the ISDH-authorized online vendor) include additional service fees. ISDH does not accept walk-in requests at its Indianapolis state office.

Who Can Obtain Certified Copies

Certified birth certificates (for births within 75 years) are issued to parents listed on the certificate, grandparents, siblings (age 18+), adult children, current spouse, aunts/uncles, stepparents, legal guardians, and those showing cause. Death certificates are publicly accessible records in Indiana. Marriage records are generally accessible as public records. Government-issued photo ID is required for all requests.

Historical Records and Public Access

Indiana birth records become publicly accessible after 75 years. Death records and marriage records are accessible to the public. Historical records are available through the Indiana State Archives (in.gov/iara) and genealogical databases including Ancestry and FamilySearch. Indiana began requiring statewide registration of births in 1907 and deaths in 1900, though earlier records exist at the county level.

Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage licenses in Indiana are issued by the County Clerk in the county where the license is obtained. Certified copies of marriage records are available from the county clerk or ISDH. Divorce records (dissolution of marriage) are maintained by the County Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Indiana marriage and divorce records are accessible as public records without the same restrictions that apply to birth records.

Indiana Inmate and Corrections Records

The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) maintains a free public Offender Search at in.gov/idoc. The search covers individuals currently incarcerated in Indiana state correctional facilities, individuals on parole or probation, and individuals who have been discharged. Results include offense information, sentence details, and current facility or supervision status.

County jail records are maintained by individual county sheriff’s offices and are not in the IDOC system. Most Indiana county sheriffs maintain online inmate rosters or jail lookups. Marion County (Indianapolis), Allen County (Fort Wayne), Hamilton County, and St. Joseph County (South Bend) all provide online jail search tools through their sheriff’s office websites.

Professional License Records

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) (in.gov/pla) is the primary licensing authority for dozens of regulated professions in Indiana, including engineers, architects, contractors, real estate agents, home inspectors, barbers, cosmetologists, and many others. IPLA’s free online license lookup at in.gov/pla/license-search is searchable by name, license number, or profession type and includes current license status and any public disciplinary actions.

Health professions in Indiana are licensed through various boards including the Indiana Medical Licensing Board, the Indiana State Board of Nursing, and other health boards under the Indiana Department of Health and the Health Professions Bureau. Each board maintains a public license verification tool. The Indiana Supreme Court Roll of Attorneys maintains the official attorney roster, searchable through the Indiana courts website at in.gov/courts/roll.

Charity and Nonprofit Records

Charitable organizations soliciting contributions in Indiana are required to register with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office. The AG’s Charities database at in.gov/attorneygeneral provides registration status, annual reports, and financial information for registered organizations. Indiana requires registration for most organizations raising more than $25,000 annually from Indiana donors.

For federal tax-exempt organizations (501(c)(3) and related entities), the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (apps.irs.gov/app/eos) provides free access to Form 990 returns and exemption status. ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer (projects.propublica.org/nonprofits) also provides searchable Form 990 data for Indiana nonprofits.

How to Submit an Indiana APRA Request

Any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — may submit an APRA request to any Indiana public agency. Requests may be made orally (in person or by telephone) or in writing. Written requests are recommended because written denials are subject to broader review rights, and the 7-day response deadline applies specifically to mailed/faxed requests.

Step 1 — Identify the Correct Agency

Determine which specific agency created or maintains the records you need. APRA applies broadly to any agency that exercises government power or uses public funds. If you’re unsure which agency holds a record, the Indiana Public Access Counselor’s website (in.gov/pac) and the Indiana State Information Center can assist in identifying the right agency.

Step 2 — Submit Your Request with Reasonable Particularity

Describe the records you want with “reasonable particularity” — enough detail for the record-keeper to identify the specific records being requested. You do not need to state a reason for wanting the records. You can submit the request by phone or in person (triggering the 24-hour acknowledgment deadline), or by mail, fax, or email (triggering the 7-calendar-day deadline). Some agencies have specific forms or online portals for APRA requests — check the agency’s website first.

Step 3 — Track the Acknowledgment and Production Timelines

Document when you submitted your request. The 24-hour or 7-day clock applies to acknowledgment — the agency may acknowledge by confirming receipt and providing an estimated timeline for production. Production must then occur within a “reasonable” time. If a mailed or faxed request receives no response within 7 calendar days, it is automatically deemed denied under Ind. Code § 5-14-3-9(b).

Step 4 — Address Denials Through the PAC or Court

If your request is denied, the agency must provide a written explanation including the legal basis and the name of the responsible person. You may contact the Indiana Public Access Counselor (PAC) at in.gov/pac for a free informal inquiry or formal advisory opinion. The PAC resolves approximately 95% of complaints without litigation through mediation and advisory opinions. For binding enforcement, file a civil lawsuit in the circuit or superior court of the county where the denial occurred. In court, the agency bears the burden of proof — it must prove the denial was proper. Substantially prevailing requesters are entitled to attorney’s fees, court costs, and other litigation expenses.

Free Government Databases for Indiana Public Records

Common Mistakes When Researching Indiana Public Records

Relying solely on the ISP Limited Criminal History for comprehensive background research. Indiana’s LCH covers only felonies and Class A misdemeanors, and its completeness depends on whether individual counties have submitted records to the state repository. Lower-level misdemeanors (Class B, C, and D) are generally not captured, and records from counties that do not participate in state reporting will be missing. For more comprehensive results, supplement the LCH with a MyCase court case search and direct contact with county clerk offices if completeness is critical.

Expecting production of records within the 24-hour or 7-day acknowledgment windows. Indiana’s APRA deadlines apply to acknowledgment — not production. A 24-hour acknowledgment simply confirms the agency received your request. Production of the actual records is required within a “reasonable” time, which can vary significantly based on volume and complexity. Don’t interpret the acknowledgment deadline as a production deadline, and follow up proactively if production is delayed beyond what seems reasonable for your request.

Failing to track the 7-day deemed-denial provision for mailed requests. If you submit a mailed or faxed request and the agency does not respond within 7 calendar days, the request is automatically deemed denied under Ind. Code § 5-14-3-9(b). This deemed-denial triggers your right to contact the PAC or file a lawsuit — but only if you document that 7 days have passed without any response. Keep a copy of your mailed request and the postmarked envelope, or use certified mail to establish receipt date.

Looking for birth certificates at the ISDH state office in Indianapolis expecting walk-in service. ISDH’s Division of Vital Records does not offer walk-in service at its Indianapolis state office. For in-person same-day service, visit the local county health department in the county where the birth occurred. County health departments can issue certified copies while you wait. Note also that county fees may differ from ISDH fees — confirm the fee before visiting.

Not invoking the PAC before filing a lawsuit. While filing a PAC complaint is not a mandatory prerequisite to filing a lawsuit, it is practically important for two reasons: approximately 95% of complaints are resolved through the PAC without litigation; and filing a PAC complaint before a lawsuit may demonstrate good faith attempts at resolution. The PAC process is free, typically faster than litigation, and the agency cannot recover attorney’s fees against you for using it. Take advantage of this resource before incurring litigation costs.

Assuming Indiana’s discretionary exemptions are mandatory. Indiana’s APRA distinguishes between mandatory exemptions (records the agency must withhold) and discretionary exemptions (records the agency may withhold but is not required to). Categories like criminal investigatory records, attorney work product, and deliberative materials are discretionary — the agency can choose to release them even if the exemption technically applies. Requesters who receive a discretionary exemption denial can ask the agency to exercise its discretion to release the record, and can argue that the public interest favors disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Indiana public records open to anyone?

Yes — Indiana’s APRA imposes no residency requirement, no citizenship requirement, and no stated-purpose requirement. Any person — including non-residents, corporations, and other organizations — may request public records. The APRA defines “person” broadly to include all types of legal entities. Requesters do not need to explain why they want the records.

Does Indiana have a FOIA law?

Indiana does not call its open records law “FOIA” — the federal Freedom of Information Act applies only to federal agencies. Indiana’s state law is the Access to Public Records Act (APRA, Ind. Code § 5-14-3), enacted in 1983. The APRA is generally considered a strong pro-disclosure statute — its placement of the burden of proof on the agency (not the requester) and its clear public policy declaration that “government is the servant of the people and not their master” reflect a robust openness framework.

Are Indiana criminal records public?

Felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests and convictions are accessible through the ISP’s Limited Criminal History search ($16.32 online at in.gov/isp). More comprehensive criminal record information is accessible through MyCase (free court case search) and fingerprint-based full criminal history searches through ISP. Lower-level misdemeanors and records from counties that don’t report to the state may not appear in the LCH. Juvenile records are confidential. Expunged records are sealed from public access.

Where are Indiana property records searched?

Indiana property research requires two offices in the correct county. The County Recorder maintains recorded instruments — deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements — for the county where the property is located. The County Assessor maintains ownership, assessed value, and property tax records. Indiana’s Real Estate Sales Disclosure form (filed with the County Assessor when residential property is transferred) typically captures the sale price, making sale prices generally accessible as public records. Both offices are county-level — Indiana has 92 counties.

Are Indiana arrest records public?

Most arrest information becomes part of the public record in Indiana. Recent arrest records are accessible through the ISP Limited Criminal History search, through MyCase court filings, and through individual county sheriff’s offices. Indiana does not have a statewide online arrest database separate from the LCH and court system. Expunged arrest records are sealed. Juvenile arrest records are confidential.

Can an Indiana public agency charge fees for records?

Indiana agencies may charge for copying records, but the fees are tightly capped. State agencies may charge no more than $0.10 per page for copies. All other agencies may charge only the actual cost of copying. No agency may charge for search time, labor, overhead, review, or redaction. Inspection of records in person is free — fees apply only to copies. These restrictions make Indiana one of the more requester-friendly states for copy fee purposes.

Final Thoughts

Indiana’s public records framework is built on a clear and enforceable pro-disclosure presumption — the agency-bears-burden-of-proof provision is a meaningful distinction from many states, and the two-track acknowledgment deadline (24 hours in person/phone, 7 days by mail/fax/email) provides useful clarity on response expectations. The free MyCase court case system is excellent, the ISOR sex offender registry is robust, and Indiana’s strict limits on copy fees (no search fees, no labor charges, $0.10/page cap for state agencies) protect requesters from cost barriers.

The main practical limitations are the ISP LCH’s restricted scope (felonies and Class A misdemeanors only, with county participation gaps), the separation between acknowledgment and production timelines (which can create open-ended waits for actual records), and the 2024 restrictions on PAC advisory opinion methodology. Property research is county-by-county with 92 counties to navigate, and vital records access at the ISDH state office requires mail or online ordering rather than walk-in service.

For the most common research tasks: start court records at mycase.in.gov (free, covers most Indiana courts); for criminal history use the ISP LCH ($16.32 online); for property records, identify the county and search both the County Recorder (deeds) and County Assessor (ownership and valuation); for vital records, contact the county health department in the county where the event occurred for faster service and competitive fees. When submitting APRA requests, consider the submission method carefully — phone/in-person triggers the 24-hour acknowledgment; mail triggers the 7-day timeline and the automatic deemed-denial if ignored.

Related Guides

• Illinois Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Ohio Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Michigan Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Tennessee Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Wisconsin Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• How to Search Property Records Step by Step
• How FOIA Requests Work
• Best Government Databases for Background Research

Disclaimer

This guide is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Public records laws and agency procedures change over time. Always verify current law and agency requirements directly with the relevant government office or a licensed Indiana attorney before relying on this information for legal or official purposes.