Marion County, Indiana Court Records

The Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records (ACR) Rule 3 defines Marion County court records as any data, information, document, or item generated, received, or kept by the court or clerk of court relating to a particular case or court administration. The Marion County Circuit and Superior Courts are the custodians of these records. The maintenance and release of court records comply with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) and the Indiana Access to Court Records Rule. Individuals may find court records in other public records, such as vital records, arrest information, and federal case files, depending on the nature of the case.

Are Marion County Court Records Public?

Yes. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) and the Indiana Access to Court Records Rule 4 support the public inspection and copying of court records. Therefore, anyone may request these records from the Marion County Circuit or Superior Court during regular business hours. The request must contain sufficient information on the specific record being requested. Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person.

However, the court may deny someone access to some court records if they are not eligible. This is because some court records are deemed confidential and are released only to the subjects of the records, their attorneys, and anyone with a court order. The Indiana Rules of Court Rule 5 and the Public Access to Court Records Handbook provide examples of records excluded from public disclosure:

Drug or substance abuse records
Medical and paternity records
Sealed and expunged court records
Adoption and juvenile case proceedings
A court employee’s residential addresses
The personal information of litigants and children
Mental health cases and grand jury proceedings
Attorney’s work product and unexecuted search warrant
Personal identifying information of witnesses or victims

What Information is Available in Marion County Court Records?

The content of Marion County court records includes:

Case summary (case number, court, case type, filing date, and case status)
Case party (name, address, attorney’s name, bar number, phone number, and address)
Charges details (statute, degree, charge date, charge
Financial information (balance due, description, amount, credit, payment, and transaction date)
Hearing (date, time, and judicial officer)
Chronological case summary (date, all documents filed during the proceeding, and specific details of everything that happened from the opening and closing of the case)

Marion County Court Records Search

Members of the public may search and access Marion County court records via the following means:

Online Access: Requesters may use the statewide Odyssey Case Management System to search non-confidential court information at no charge. Users should click the Name tab to search by party name, the Case tab to search by case number, or the Attorney tab to search by attorney. To streamline the search, go to the court box and select any court in Marion County. Then, go to the "Limit search to" section and select the relevant case type. Copies of court records may also be requested electronically by submitting a Public Record Request Form. Interested persons must complete all fields marked with an asterisk and choose a delivery method, including in person, mail, or email.
In-Person Access: Individuals may visit the Marion County Clerk’s Office from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to obtain copies of court records. The records staff may provide a form for the requester to complete or simply ask for the case party’s name or case number to facilitate the search. Anyone seeking copies of the record must pay a copy fee.
Mail: The Clerk has several documents on its official website that record seekers may download and complete to submit a mail request. After completing the form, send it, along with the appropriate fees, to the Clerk’s Office. The office will contact the requester by phone to provide payment information.

Fees for Court Records in Marion County

Per IC § 33-37-5-1, the Marion County Clerk’s Office charges $1.00 per page for physical copies of court records. Certified copies attract an additional $3 flat fee (IC § 33-37-5-3). Therefore, a certified copy of the court record will cost $4. The Clerk’s Office accepts money orders, cash, credit/debit cards, and cashier’s checks. There is a nominal fee for credit/debit card payments. There is no fee for viewing court records via the Odyssey Case Management System.

The Marion County Clerk’s Office is also the custodian of vital records, such as marriage and divorce records, which have fees similar to those for court records. However, birth and death records are maintained by the Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD). A certified copy of a birth certificate costs $15, while a death certificate costs $20. Acceptable forms of payment include check, cash, money order, and credit cards.

Marion County Courthouse Locations

Marion County has a Circuit, Small Claims, and Superior Courts, which are all located at the addresses below:

Marion County Courthouse

675 Justice Way

Indianapolis, IN 46203

Phone: (317) 327-4012

Marion Small Claims Court Locations

Center Township Small Claims Court

300 E. Fall Creek Pkwy N. Drive #130

Indianapolis, IN 46205

Phone: (317) 920-4530

Fax: (317) 920-4534

Decatur Township Small Claims Court

3730 S. Foltz St.

Indianapolis, IN 46241

Phone: (317) 241-2854

Fax: (317) 247-5960

Lawrence Township Small Claims Court

4455 McCoy St.

Indianapolis, IN 46226

Phone: (317) 545-2369

Fax: (317) 545-1662

Perry Township Small Claims Court

4925 S. Shelby St., #100

Indianapolis, IN 46227

Phone: (317) 786-9242

Fax: (317) 788-4826

Pike Township Small Claims Court

5665 Lafayette Rd., Suite B

Indianapolis, IN 46254

Phone: (317) 293-1842

Fax: (317) 290-8319

Warren Township Small Claims Court

501 N. Post Rd., Suite C

Indianapolis, IN 46219

Phone: (317) 327-8919

Fax: (317) 327-8922

Washington Township Small Claims Court

5302 N. Keystone Avenue, Suite E

Indianapolis, IN 46220

Phone: (317) 327-8184

Fax: (317) 327-8190

Wayne Township Small Claims Court

5401 W. Washington St.

Indianapolis, IN 46241

Phone: (317) 241-9573

Fax: (317) 248-7917

Franklin Township Small Claims Court

4351 Independence Square

Indianapolis, IN 46203

Phone: (317) 784-1751

Fax: (317) 784-1871

Criminal Records Access in Marion County

The Indiana State Police (ISP) provides limited criminal history records online and by mail to requesters for $7 each. Mail applicants must print and send a completed Request Form and a check or money order to the address below:

Indiana State Police, Criminal History Limited Check

P.O. Box 6188

Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188

Although criminal history records may include some criminal court information, they differ from the criminal case records handled at the local level. The Marion County Circuit Court and the Superior Court’s Criminal Division are the custodians of all criminal charges filed by the prosecutor’s office. Cases include misdemeanours, felonies, domestic violence, and drug-related matters.

Interested persons may access these cases online via the Odyssey Case Management System or by submitting a Public Record Request Form. Requesters will need a name or number to access the case portal. Anyone who wants copies of court records may submit a request to the court where the case was handled, in person or by mail (for circuit court criminal records only). Mail applicants must complete the Criminal Case Records Form and submit it, along with the appropriate fees, to the Marion County Clerk’s Office.

Marion County Probate Records

The Superior Court Civil Division and the Circuit Court both handle Marion County probate records, including estates, wills, trusts, and guardianships. These records are public and can be easily assessed online via the Odyssey Case Management System at no charge. The search parameter includes a name or a number. Individuals may also complete the online Public Record Request Form or visit the court where the case was filed to obtain copies of probate records.

If the case was filed in the Circuit Court, requesters may complete the Civil Case Records Formand mail it, along with the appropriate fees, to the Marion County Clerk’s Office.

Marion County Family Court Records

The Family Division of the Marion County Circuit Court and Superior Court handles domestic relations matters, including divorce, visitation rights, paternity, and child support. Not all family court records are public. Therefore, requesters may call the courthouse to inquire about their eligibility for a desired record.

However, public family court records are available online through the Odyssey Case Management System. Users will need a name or a number to search by. Individuals who want comprehensive searches or copies of records may visit the court where the case was filed to submit a request. Alternatively, they may complete a Civil Case Records Form or Divorce Decree Records Form and mail it to the court where the case was filed.

Federal Court Records in Marion County

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is the federal court responsible for federal cases in Marion County. Individuals seeking copies of recent federal civil and criminal cases should use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) portal. They must register an account to access information on the portal. Documents are in PDF format, and cost $0.10 per page. Requests may also be made by mail or email to INSD_Requests@insd.uscourts.gov, along with a completed Copy Request Form. The Clerk’s Office provides copies of federal court records for 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $12.00 per certification, and exemplified copies cost $24.00 per exemplification. Acceptable forms of payment include checks, money orders, credit cards, and exact cash. The mailing address is:

U.S. District Court

46 East Ohio Street

Room 105

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Documents filed in the courthouse in Indianapolis may be viewed and printed in person at the Clerk’s office on public-access computers. The address is:

Birch Bayh Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse

46 East Ohio Street

Indianapolis, IN 46204