Indiana Court Records | Free Public Search 2026

Indiana · MyCase · 2026 Court Records Guide

Search Indiana court records online in 2026 using MyCase, the official Indiana public access case search system. This guide explains free case lookup, party name search, case number search, citation search, attorney search, public court documents, criminal, civil, family, probate, small claims, traffic, protection order records, appellate docket search, clerk copy requests, sealed records, remote hearings and PACER federal access.

Updated: April 2026 Reading time: 16 min Official sources: Indiana Judicial Branch · MyCase · PACER
Indiana Court Records MyCase Indiana Free Public Search Criminal Case Lookup Civil Court Records Family Court Records Probate Records Traffic Citation Search Protection Orders Appellate Docket Search Certified Copies Sealed Records

Need Indiana Court Records Right Now?

For most public Indiana trial court records, start with MyCase. MyCase is Indiana’s official public access case search platform for courts using the state Odyssey case management system. You can search many non-confidential cases by party name, case number, attorney, citation, or other available fields. If the document is not online, contact the clerk’s office in the county where the case was heard.

Main Court Websitein.gov/courts
MyCase Searchmycase.in.gov
Public Records HubIndiana Public Records
Request Court RecordsHow to request records
Find County CourtsCourts & Clerks Directory
Appellate DocketSearch appellate docket
Federal PACERpacer.uscourts.gov

Indiana Court Records Overview

Indiana court records are official records created by courts and clerk offices in Indiana. They may include case numbers, party names, filing dates, case status, court events, charges, judgments, orders, public filings, hearing dates, attorney information and document entries. Public access depends on the court, case type, document type, record age and confidentiality rules.

For everyday public search, the most important tool is MyCase. It is the Indiana public case search website connected to the Odyssey case management system used by most Indiana courts. MyCase is useful for searches like “Indiana court records by name,” “Indiana criminal case lookup,” “Indiana civil court records,” “Indiana divorce case search,” “Indiana traffic ticket lookup,” and “Indiana public court documents.”

What Indiana court records can usually be searched online?

Record NeedBest Official SearchTypical Search Method
Trial court case informationMyCaseParty name, case number, attorney, citation or business name
Public court documentsMyCase document accessOpen the case and review available documents
Criminal and traffic casesMyCaseDefendant name, case number, citation number or attorney
Civil lawsuitsMyCase or county clerkParty name, business name or case number
Family and divorce casesMyCase or county clerkParty name or case number, with privacy limits
Probate and estate recordsCounty clerk where case was heardEstate name, decedent name or case number
Appellate recordsIndiana appellate docket searchCase number, party name or attorney
Federal casesPACERFederal case number or party name
Quick Answer For indiana court records, start at MyCase. Search by case number first when possible. If you do not have the case number, search by party name, business name, attorney or citation. If a document is not available online, contact the clerk’s office in the county where the case was heard.

MyCase Free Public Case Search

MyCase is the official Indiana court case search system for public, non-confidential case information from courts using the Odyssey case management system. It is the main starting point for online Indiana court records in 2026 because it brings many county and trial court records into one public search experience.

Micro-level MyCase search options people use most

Search TypeUse This WhenBest Practice
Indiana case number searchYou have the exact court case numberEnter the full case number exactly as shown on court papers.
Indiana court records by nameYou do not know the case numberUse full legal name, middle initial and spelling variations.
Business name searchThe party is a company, landlord, LLC or creditorTry the legal name, trade name, abbreviation and punctuation variations.
Attorney searchYou know the lawyer but not the case numberSearch by attorney name when available, then filter by case type or court.
Citation searchYou have a ticket or citationUse the citation number from the ticket or notice.
  1. Open the official MyCase website Go to mycase.in.gov. Avoid paid websites first because private sites may have incomplete or outdated data.
  2. Select the correct search method Use case number when available. Use name search only when you do not have the case number.
  3. Enter narrow search details Add county, case type, filing date, attorney or business name when you can. Common names can return many results.
  4. Open the matching case carefully Confirm party role, county, case type, filing date and case number before relying on any result.
  5. Check available documents Some filings may be available online at no cost. If a document is not online, contact the county clerk.
Do Not Treat a Name Match as Proof A person can share the same name with someone else. Verify date of birth when shown, county, case number, charge or claim type, filing date and party role before making any decision based on a record.

Indiana Case Number Lookup

A case number search is the cleanest way to find Indiana court records. A case number may appear on a ticket, summons, complaint, court order, hearing notice, payment notice, judgment, child support notice or attorney letter.

How to search Indiana court records by case number

  1. Find the full case number Look near the top of your court paper. Do not ignore zeros, dashes or letters because court case number formats can be strict.
  2. Open MyCase Visit mycase.in.gov and choose the case search option.
  3. Enter the case number exactly If the first search fails, try removing spaces or checking whether the number was typed from the wrong document.
  4. Confirm the court and county Make sure the result belongs to the correct Indiana county, court and case type.
  5. Save the record details Write down the case number, court, county, filing date and document names if you need clerk copies later.
Case Number Beats Name Search If you are doing a serious lookup, case number is safer than name search. It reduces wrong-person matches and helps the clerk locate documents faster.

If you do not have a case number, use the MyCase name search. This is useful for U.S. search intent queries like “Indiana court records by name free,” “Indiana public court records search by name,” “Indiana criminal records court case search,” and “Indiana divorce case lookup by name.”

How to search Indiana court records by person name

  1. Start with last name and first name Use the legal name first. For common names, add middle initial or county if available.
  2. Try spelling variations Search maiden names, former names, hyphenated names, initials, nicknames and common misspellings.
  3. Use filters carefully Filter by case type, filing date, county or court when MyCase gives those options.
  4. Compare multiple identifiers Look at party role, case type, county, filing date and docket entries before assuming it is the correct person.

How to search Indiana court records by business name

For companies, landlords, debt buyers, hospitals, banks, LLCs or contractors, search the business name exactly. Then try common variations. For example, search with and without “LLC,” “Inc.,” punctuation, initials and trade names. Many civil, eviction, collection and small claims records involve business parties, so business name variations can matter.

Indiana Criminal Court Records

Indiana criminal court records may include charges, court events, bond-related entries, hearings, plea information, sentencing entries, probation information, warrants in a case, orders and public documents when available. These are court records, not a complete criminal history report.

How to search Indiana criminal court records online

  1. Open MyCase Use MyCase as the official starting point.
  2. Search by defendant name or case number Case number is best. If using name search, verify county, filing date and party details.
  3. Check case type and charges Review whether the case is felony, misdemeanor, infraction, ordinance, traffic or another criminal-related category.
  4. Review the chronological case summary Look for filed charges, hearings, plea entries, sentencing, orders and case status.
  5. Contact the clerk for unavailable documents If the filing or order is not online, request it from the clerk in the county where the case was heard.
Court Record vs Criminal History MyCase shows court case information. It is not always a full criminal history check. Some older, sealed, expunged, confidential or agency-level records may not appear in the same way a background-check report would.

Civil, Family, Probate and Small Claims Court Records

Indiana civil court records can include lawsuits, collection cases, contract disputes, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant matters, small claims, judgments and orders. Family records may include divorce, custody, child support, paternity and protection-related matters. Probate records may include estates, wills, guardianships and trust matters.

Indiana civil court records search by case type

Case TypeWhere to SearchImportant Note
Civil lawsuitsMyCase or county clerkSearch by party name, business name or case number.
Small claimsMyCase or local courtUseful for debt, landlord, damage and service disputes.
Eviction casesMyCase or county clerkCheck case outcome and judgment details carefully.
Divorce recordsMyCase or county clerkSome documents may be restricted because of child, financial or personal data.
Child support recordsMyCase, clerk or child support officePayment and enforcement details may not all be public online.
Probate and willsCounty clerk where filedWills are not usually available online; request copies from the clerk if filed.

Indiana divorce records online: what to expect

MyCase may show a divorce case number, parties, filing date, court events and some public entries. But divorce decrees, settlement agreements, child-related filings, financial declarations and sensitive exhibits may be restricted or not available online. For a certified divorce decree, contact the clerk’s office in the county where the divorce was filed.

Indiana Traffic Tickets and Citation Search

Many Indiana traffic and infraction cases can be searched through MyCase by citation number, case number or name. You may see the case status, violation description, court, hearing date, payment status and related case events. Payment options may depend on the county and the type of ticket.

How to search an Indiana traffic citation

  1. Find your citation number Look at the traffic ticket or notice from the court. Keep the number exactly as printed.
  2. Search MyCase Use citation number, case number or your name if citation search does not work.
  3. Check court and due date Confirm the county, hearing date, payment deadline and whether a court appearance is required.
  4. Do not ignore unresolved tickets Failure to respond can cause added fees, license consequences or other court action.
Traffic Search Tip If your ticket does not show up immediately, wait a short time and check again. Some citations take time to be filed or entered by the court.

Indiana Protection Order Records and No-Contact Order Search

Indiana has protection order and no-contact order systems connected to court and law enforcement workflows. Public visibility depends on the type of order, confidentiality rules, case status and safety protections. Do not assume all protection-order details are public online.

How to handle a protection order record search

  1. Search the public case information first Use MyCase for public court case details that are not confidential.
  2. Check the county and court Protection orders can be tied to civil, family or criminal matters, so verify the court and case type.
  3. Contact the clerk for copies If you are a party and need official copies, contact the clerk where the order was issued.
  4. Use caution with safety information Victim addresses, protected-party details and confidential information may be restricted from public access.

Indiana Appellate Court Records, Opinions and Docket Search

Indiana appellate court records involve the Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Tax Court. Appellate materials are different from trial court case records because appeals review decisions from lower courts. You may need an appellate case number, party name, attorney name or trial court cause number.

Where to search Indiana appellate records

NeedOfficial ToolUse It For
Appellate docketAppellate docket searchSearch by case number, litigant name or other case information.
Published opinionsAppellate decisionsFind Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Tax Court opinions.
Official appellate copiesClerk of the Appellate CourtsRequest official copies or appellate clerk assistance.

How to search an Indiana appeal

  1. Search by appellate case number Use the appellate case number if you have it. This is the most precise method.
  2. Search by party name If you do not have the number, use a party or attorney name and compare results carefully.
  3. Check trial court details Compare the trial court cause number, county and lower court information to confirm the match.
  4. Use opinions page for decisions Search appellate decisions if you need the written opinion, memorandum decision or tax court opinion.

Copies and Certified Indiana Court Records

Online viewing is useful, but many official situations require a copy or certified copy from the clerk. Examples include legal filings, Social Security matters, name changes, immigration packets, professional licensing, real estate issues, probate matters, employment review and out-of-state court use.

How to request Indiana court records from the clerk

  1. Find the county and case number Use MyCase to identify the county, court, case number and exact document name.
  2. Open the court directory Use the official Courts & Clerks Directory to find the correct clerk office.
  3. Ask for the exact document Give the clerk the case number, party names, document title and filing date if known.
  4. Request certification if needed Tell the clerk if you need a certified copy, not just a plain copy.
  5. Confirm fees and delivery Fees and payment methods can vary by clerk office, especially for mailed requests.

Indiana court copy fees users should expect

Copy TypeTypical Indiana Fee GuidanceImportant Note
Plain copyUp to $1 per page for preparing a copy or transcript of a recordConfirm with the clerk before mailing payment.
CertificationCertification fee may apply per documentMany clerk offices list $3 certification for trial court records.
Appellate clerk copiesAppellate clerk fee schedule may differUse the Clerk of the Appellate Courts for appellate records.
Federal court copiesFederal court fees differUse PACER or the federal clerk’s office for federal cases.
Certified Copy Tip Ask the agency requesting your record whether they need a certified copy. A screenshot, printed docket or plain copy may not be accepted for official use.

Sealed, Confidential and Restricted Indiana Court Records

Indiana court records are not all public online. The Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records control what is open, what is excluded from public access and how confidential information should be handled. Certain case types, filings, data fields and documents may be restricted by rule, statute or court order.

Records that may be restricted from public access

  • Juvenile matters and child-related confidential records
  • Adoption records and certain parentage information
  • Protection order safety information and protected-party details
  • Medical, mental health and treatment records
  • Social Security numbers, account numbers and sensitive identifiers
  • Confidential financial information
  • Expunged, sealed or excluded court records
  • Documents filed as confidential under access rules

What to do if you need a restricted record

  1. Confirm you are eligible to request it Restricted records may be available only to parties, attorneys, agencies or people with a court order.
  2. Contact the clerk where the case was heard The local clerk can explain access steps, forms, ID requirements and whether a motion is needed.
  3. Do not submit confidential information openly Follow court rules for confidential filings and redaction. Sensitive details should not be placed in public filings.

Remote Hearings and Indiana Trial Court Live Streams

Many Indiana trial courts use remote proceedings or stream non-confidential hearings to support public access. A hearing may be in person, remote or hybrid depending on the court, judge, case type and hearing notice. Always follow the notice you receive from the court.

How to check an Indiana remote hearing

  1. Read your court notice Look for video link, phone instructions, meeting ID, courtroom, judge, time and attendance rules.
  2. Search the trial court hearing page Use the Indiana Judicial Branch remote hearing information page for public viewing links where available.
  3. Test your device early Check internet, camera, microphone, speaker and app access before the hearing day.
  4. Join early and use your real name Log in before the scheduled time and identify yourself clearly.
  5. Do not record unless allowed Recording, broadcasting or photographing court proceedings may be restricted by court order or rule.
Remote Hearing Warning Remote does not mean optional. If you are a party and you miss a remote hearing, the judge may still enter orders, default, warrant-related action, dismissal or other case consequences depending on the matter.

Federal Court Records in Indiana

Federal court records are not searched through MyCase. Indiana has federal district court, bankruptcy court and appellate records that are accessed through PACER and federal court CM/ECF systems. Use federal court tools for federal crimes, bankruptcy, federal civil rights, federal agency cases, federal employment cases, patent, copyright, immigration-related federal filings and federal appeals.

Indiana federal court records search options

Federal Court NeedOfficial ToolUse It For
Nationwide federal case searchPACER Find a CaseSearch federal cases when you do not know the exact court.
Southern District of IndianaSouthern District case searchFederal cases from Indianapolis, Evansville, Terre Haute and New Albany divisions.
Northern District of IndianaNorthern District case informationFederal cases from Fort Wayne, Hammond, South Bend and related divisions.
Bankruptcy casesPACERFederal bankruptcy docket and document access.
  1. Create or use a PACER account Go to pacer.uscourts.gov.
  2. Search the correct federal court Use Southern District, Northern District, bankruptcy court or PACER Case Locator.
  3. Search by case number or party Case number is best. Party name search is useful when you do not know the case number.
  4. Download documents carefully PACER may charge fees for pages or documents, subject to federal PACER policies.
State vs Federal Search Use MyCase for Indiana state court records. Use PACER for federal court records. A case filed in federal court will not appear as a normal Indiana state trial court case in MyCase.

Indiana Court Locations and Clerk Offices

Indiana court records are maintained by the court or clerk office connected to the case. If you need certified copies, older records, probate documents, transcript guidance, or records not available online, use the official Courts & Clerks Directory to find the county clerk.

Indiana Supreme Court and Appellate Clerk location

Indiana Supreme Court
315 Indiana State House, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-232-2540

Clerk of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Tax Court
State House, Room 216, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Main office: 317-232-1930 · Records: 317-232-7225

Common Indiana court location searches

User SearchBest Official PageWhat to Do
Indiana county court clerk near meCourts & Clerks DirectorySelect your county and contact the clerk.
Indiana court case information by countyMyCaseSearch by case number, party or attorney.
Indiana appellate clerk recordsAppellate ClerkUse for Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Tax Court records.
Indiana court formsSelf-service legal centerFind official court forms and self-help resources.

Practical Search Tips for Indiana Court Records

Tip #1 — Start With MyCase, Not Paid Background Sites For Indiana state court records, begin with the official MyCase site. Paid private sites may be useful for broad research, but they are not the official court record.
Tip #2 — Use Case Number When Possible If you have a summons, ticket, order or notice, search by case number first. It is more accurate than a name search.
Tip #3 — Use County Filters for Common Names Names like Smith, Johnson, Williams and Brown can return many results. Add county, case type or filing date when available.
Tip #4 — Try Business Name Variations For civil and small claims cases, search with and without “LLC,” “Inc.,” punctuation, abbreviations and trade names.
Tip #5 — Not Every Document Is Online If a document is not available in MyCase, it does not mean the document is unavailable. Contact the clerk where the case was heard.
Tip #6 — Use Clerk Records for Certified Copies Certified copies generally must come from the correct clerk office. Ask for certification before you pay or mail a request.
Tip #7 — Appellate Records Have Separate Tools Indiana appellate dockets and opinions have their own official search pages. Do not rely only on trial court MyCase results for appeals.
Tip #8 — Sealed and Expunged Records May Not Appear If a case was sealed, expunged or restricted, public search may not show it. Follow clerk or court instructions if you are legally eligible to request access.
Tip #9 — Remote Hearing Details Can Change Always follow the latest court notice. MyCase and public hearing pages help, but the judge’s order or clerk notice controls.
Tip #10 — Use PACER for Federal Cases Federal court records from Indiana are not normal MyCase records. Use PACER, the Northern District, Southern District or bankruptcy court systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I search Indiana court records online for free?

Use the official MyCase website at mycase.in.gov. Search by case number, party name, business name, attorney or citation. Some public case information and documents are available online at no cost.

What is the official Indiana court records website?

The official Indiana court records search website is MyCase. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records hub is also available at in.gov/courts/public-records.

Can I search Indiana court records by name?

Yes. MyCase supports public name search for many non-confidential cases. Use full legal name, spelling variations, middle initials, county filters and case type details to reduce wrong matches.

Can I search Indiana court records by case number?

Yes. Case number search is usually the most accurate method. Enter the full case number exactly as shown on the court notice, ticket, complaint, judgment or order.

Are Indiana court records public?

Many Indiana court records are public, but some cases, documents and data fields are confidential or excluded from public access under court rules, statutes or court orders.

Why can’t I find an Indiana court record online?

The case may be confidential, sealed, expunged, older, filed under a different name, filed in a court not fully visible online, or handled by federal court. Contact the clerk where the case was heard if you cannot find the document online.

How do I get certified copies of Indiana court records?

Contact the clerk’s office in the county where the case was heard. Give the case number, party names and document title. Ask specifically for a certified copy if you need official proof.

How much do Indiana court record copies cost?

Indiana fee guidance commonly allows copy charges up to $1 per page and certification charges may apply. Local clerk offices may have specific payment methods and mailing rules, so confirm before sending payment.

Can I search Indiana criminal court records on MyCase?

Yes, many public criminal court cases can be searched on MyCase by defendant name, case number, citation or attorney. This is court case information, not necessarily a complete criminal history report.

How do I search Indiana traffic tickets online?

Use MyCase and search by citation number, case number or name. Confirm the county, hearing date, payment status and whether the ticket requires a court appearance.

Are Indiana divorce records online?

Some divorce case information may appear in MyCase, but divorce decrees, child-related filings, financial documents and sensitive records may be restricted. Certified divorce records usually come from the county clerk where the case was filed.

How do I search Indiana probate records?

Search MyCase first by estate name, decedent name or case number. Wills and estate documents are not always available online, so contact the county clerk where the probate case was heard.

How do I search Indiana appellate court records?

Use the Indiana appellate docket search for Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Tax Court case information. Use the appellate decisions page for published opinions and memorandum decisions.

Can I watch Indiana court hearings online?

Many Indiana courts stream non-confidential trial court proceedings or conduct remote hearings. Use the official Indiana Judicial Branch trial court hearings page and follow your court notice.

Are Indiana juvenile court records public?

Many juvenile records are confidential or restricted. Access depends on the case type, court rules, statute, party role and court order.

What is Odyssey Public Access in Indiana?

Odyssey Public Access is the MyCase platform used for online services provided by Indiana court administration. Case information on MyCase comes from courts using the state Odyssey case management system.

How do I search federal court records in Indiana?

Use PACER for federal court records. Indiana federal cases may be in the Northern District of Indiana, Southern District of Indiana, bankruptcy court or federal appellate courts.

Is MyCase the same as a background check?

No. MyCase is a public court case search tool. A formal background check may require a separate authorized process, fingerprint search or agency record depending on the purpose.

Editorial note: This guide is for general public information and practical court-record search help. It is not legal advice and does not replace official Indiana Judicial Branch instructions, clerk guidance, court notices, attorney advice or judge orders. Court access rules, fees, remote hearing procedures, online document access and clerk processes can change, so always verify details through official court websites before paying, filing, appearing in court or relying on a record.

Final Summary

For indiana court records, start with the official MyCase website. Use case number search when possible, or search by party name, business name, attorney or citation when you do not have the case number. Review the county, court, case type, filing date and party role before trusting a result.

If the record or document is not available online, contact the clerk’s office in the county where the case was heard. Use the appellate docket for Indiana appeals and PACER for federal court cases. For certified copies, older records, probate documents or restricted records, the correct clerk office remains the safest official path.

Leave a Comment