Indiana Civil Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Indiana Civil Court Records

There are three Appellate Courts in Indiana: the Supreme Court, the Indiana Tax Court, and the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Aside from these courts, the state has six different kinds of Trial Courts. These include the Superior Court, Circuit Court, St. Joseph Probate Court, Town Courts, Marion County Small Claims Courts, and City Courts.

In Indiana, a civil case can begin at any trial court. Often, these courts hear the issues that fall under their jurisdictions. But the Circuit and Superior Courts handle most civil matters in the state.

Most appeals from lower courts go to the Court of Appeals. However, the Indiana Tax Court hears appeals from situations involving taxes and state tax legislation.

The Indiana Supreme Court is the principal judicial system in the state and the state's court of last resort. It can hear appeals from the Court of Appeals of Indiana and the Indiana Tax Court.

Can you obtain a copy of the Indiana Civil Court Records? The Indiana Access to Public Records Act makes civil court records in this state available to the public.

However, you cannot get juvenile records in Indiana.

What Are Indiana Bankruptcy Records?

Indiana Bankruptcy Records show information about cases reported with the Northern or Southern Federal Bankruptcy Courts in Indiana.

These courts in Indiana maintain records containing records, pleas, testimonies, forms, schedules, and other information produced during the petition or hearing of a bankruptcy case.

Most state residents file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 or 11. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy but are unclear about the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the following explanation will help:

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

In Indiana, Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a method that allows individuals who can't pay their bills to pay them through liquidation. This kind of bankruptcy is easier to understand and only takes about five months.

When a company petitions for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it will no longer exist after the liquidation process. Under this chapter, people who file for bankruptcy may also lose their homes and other assets.

However, it is essential to keep in mind that Chapter 7 bankruptcy doesn't cover all debts, such as:

  • Certain taxes
  • Alimony
  • Criminal fines
  • Certain student loans
  • Child assistance

In Indiana, information about Chapter 7 bankruptcy will be on credit reports and court records for ten years.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

This form of bankruptcy is a choice for corporations, individuals, and partnerships that want to avoid liquidation and keep their businesses afloat.

The procedure for this sort of bankruptcy is lengthy, complex, and expensive and requires careful analysis and implementation. Additionally, the debtor or three or more creditors may file it freely or involuntarily.

However, before filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the debtor must take a credit consultation class within 180 days of filing the petition.

In addition to these bankruptcies, Indiana Bankruptcy Records also include Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and Chapter 12 Bankruptcy.

How To Find Indiana Bankruptcy Records?

If you want a copy of bankruptcy records in Indiana, you can go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Clerk's office and use the public access terminals to look up the case number and bankruptcy records.

You only have to pay $0.50 per page to copy a record if you recognize the case number and the form you need. However, if you don't see the document number or quantity of pages, you must pay a $31 search price and a $0.50 photocopy fee.

In this state, obtaining certified copies will cost an extra $11.

You can also get bankruptcy records online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system for documents filed before 2005.

Multi-Court Voice Case Information System (McVCIS) is another option to obtain these records. It is a telephone service available 24 hours daily and gives you some bankruptcy information.

Indiana Bankruptcy Records contain varied information depending on the type of bankruptcy case filed. Nevertheless, you can anticipate the following:

  • Bankruptcy discharge
  • Case number
  • Filing date
  • Case status
  • Name of the judge in charge
  • Name of the appointed trustee

What Are Indiana Property Lien Records?

Lien Property Records are another type of file that you might find in the Indiana Civil Court Records.

In this state, a property lien allows the lender or lienholder the power to claim or acquire a lienee's assets if they can't pay a debt, obligation, or agreement.

The most common types of property liens in Indiana are the following:

Judgment Lien

The decision, sentence, or ruling of a court serves as the basis for a judgment lien.

In this state, a judgment lien is automatically put on a debtor's property if it lies in the county.

A judgment lien in Indiana will remain connected to the debtor's property for ten years upon recording.

Mortgage Lien

When people in Indiana get mortgages, they put liens on their homes. Although this lien is on the mortgagor's property, it does not affect the title. It indicates that a mortgage lien in this state serves only as a security for the obligation.

The mortgagee cannot acquire the title unless the owner forecloses and sells the subject property. Moreover, when a mortgaged house changes hands, the creditor also loses the right to get and own it.

UCC Lien

This lien gives the creditor ownership rights to the debtor's property and notifies the public of the creditor's interest in it as debt collateral.

In this state, material suppliers in the construction industry usually file UCC liens to get the money owed to them or to get paid for services they have already done.

In the Indiana Property Lien Records, you might also find tax liens and mechanic's liens, in addition to judgment, mortgage, and UCC liens.

How To Check Indiana Property Lien Records?

After filing a property lien in Indiana becomes a matter of public record.

To access these records, you must visit the relevant government agency.

You can also send a request by mail to the recorder's office in the district where the asset lies. You can copy and look over this information for $6.95 per lookup and $1 per printed page.

In Indiana, you can also search for property liens online through the services offered by the county recorder's office.

What Are Indiana Civil Driving Violation Records?

The Indiana Civil Driving Violation Records list the types of traffic infractions drivers in the state have committed.

Speeding tickets are the most common type of civil driving violation in Indiana. Some other examples are:

  • Drive without insurance
  • Not using turn signals
  • Illegal U-turns
  • Refusal to yield
  • Not stopping at a red light

This type of traffic offense in Indiana carries a fine but no jail time. But if you are guilty of these violations, you must go to court and pay a fine.

If you fail to do so, you risk having your license suspended. In some instances, attending a traffic school may be an alternative to paying a fine.

How To Look Up Indiana Civil Driving Violation Records?

Obtaining access to Indian Civil Driving Violation Records is a simple process.

In this state, you can use the online search tool on the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) website. On request, you must give your driver's license number and date of birth. After providing this information, you will see a list of your traffic violations.

If you wish to appeal a traffic violation in this state, you may do so via mail or in person at a nearby BMV office.

Often, you will need to fill out a Contest of Traffic Violation form and send it in with any other paperwork that backs it up. After sending the appeal, you need to attend a hearing where you can state your case. 

What Are Indiana Legal Judgment Records?

Indiana Legal Judgment Records contain a court's final judgment after a legal procedure. It establishes a party's grievance and specifies the relief to which that party has the right.

The law of this state asserts that a judgment is a court ruling or any order from which a person can appeal. It's the court's ruling on a legal dispute and a petitioner's entitlement to compensation. It could consist of financial payment, service delivery, or defense from an undesired service.

Rule 64 of the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure explains the creation of legal judgments in the state. These concerns include the origin of the decision, its purposes, application, and restrictions.

How To Look Up Indiana Legal Judgment Records?

If you want to get legal judgment records in Indiana, you can search for them with the court that dealt with the case. Once you find it, you can ask the Office of the Clerk of the Court for a copy of the judgment.

Additionally, you can remotely obtain legal judgment records via mycase.in.gov.

What Are Indiana Small Claims Records?

In Indiana, small claims records provide a detailed account of the proceedings of a minor legal lawsuit. These records cover all documents filed from the start to the end of a small claims lawsuit.

In Indiana, the Circuit Courts and Superior Courts handle most civil cases, including small claims.

Small Claims Courts in this state typically manage civil cases where the amount in dispute is less than $6,000. But the Marion County Small Claims Courts also deal with civil issues up to $8,000 in value.

Among the cases heard by the courts are the ones listed below:

  • Landlord-tenant emergency repossessions
  • Personal injuries
  • Unjustly seized property and cash for poor work
  • Property damage or damage to real estate
  • Owed money through bad checks, salary, services given, etc.
  • Tenant-landlord disputes

In Indiana, to sue someone in Small Claims Court, you must file a lawsuit and make them come to court.

In this state, the steps for a court hearing are easy to understand. The plaintiff must show the court why the defendant owes them money or should restore the property. The judge may question each party to confirm the case's facts.

The judge will then decide based on the hearing's evidence. The defendant must pay all obligations, court, and lawyer fees if the plaintiff wins the case.

How To Look Up Indiana Small Claims Records?

The Indiana Judicial Branch is in charge of small claims court records, which are open to the public. This state agency provides trial and appellate court case access, among other things.

Another option to look for small claims records in this state is to go to the website mycase.in.gov.

If you can't find the document on this website, call the clerk's office in the case's county. You can also search for online search portals on the courthouse's website or request and view printed papers in person.

What Are Indiana Divorce Court Records?

Indiana Divorce Court Records show, with varying degrees of detail, that two people divorced.

When you file for a divorce in Indiana, you or your spouse must live in the state where you want to file. You can read this general information regarding divorce in Indiana for additional details.

After filing, the information provided will be part of the Indiana Divorce Court Records, which can be either the following:

Divorce Certificates

This document in Indiana confirms that the divorcing parties have signed divorce papers and completed the legal process.

It lacks information regarding divorce arrangements. Instead, it has details like the parties' full names and the location and date of the divorce.

Indiana makes these documents public, but only the divorced parties and their attorneys can get certified copies of divorce certificates.

Divorce Decrees

This record is a final decision from a divorce court that parties obtain after filing a divorce petition and signing an original divorce document.

All of the above information from a divorce certificate is in this record. But it also provides data about the following:

  • Any schedules or other payments
  • Alimony
  • Child Assistance
  • Ownership of Property
  • Child custody

Divorce decrees are less readily available to the public than divorce certificates are. Unless members of the public or officers have a court ruling, these are only asked for and given to the people in the judicial separation who want to contest the terms listed.

Divorce Records

In addition to the divorce certificate and decree information, divorce records comprise documents, transcripts, reports, and files produced throughout the proceedings.

Divorce records are available to the public, but only the two people getting divorced and their attorneys can get certified copies.

How To Look Up Indiana Divorce Courts Records?

You can get divorce court records in Indiana by mail, in person, or on the Internet.

To get divorce records by mail in this state, you must fill out a form from the Indiana county clerk in the district where the divorce occurred. You should also provide all relevant information and payments.

Requesting Indiana Divorce Court Records in person requires a completed request form, just like by mail. Request forms vary by county, so you must obtain the request form from the county that handled the case of interest.

Lastly, you can visit the Indiana Courts Case Search portal to search online for divorce court records from the state's Family Courts.

What Are Indiana Probate Court Records?

Indiana probate is the formal, judicial process of carrying out a person's last desires by validating their last will (if they had one), paying off any remaining debt or taxes, and giving any remaining wealth to the legitimate heir.

Typically, Indiana Probate Court Records contain the following information:

  • Orders
  • Administrations
  • Accounts
  • Wills
  • Inventories
  • Bonds
  • Decrees

Each state has its probate regulations and procedures; if interested, you can review the Indiana probate guidelines and policies.

Where can you find records from the Indiana Probate Court? In this state, you can get these records from the circuit or superior court that handled the case.

On the Indiana government website, you can locate the court for your county.

How To Look Up Civil Court Cases in Indiana?

When attempting to get civil court records in Indiana, the first step is to determine the type of record and the court where it resides. Following this, you may contact the court's record keeper.

The Clerks of Court offices managed Trial Court civil court records. You can get these records by contacting these offices.

If interested, you can find contact information for these offices in the state's online court directory.

You must supply details about the individual whose record you intend to access when requesting access to these records. Before you can get copies of court records, you must also present proof of your identity and pay a fee.

Most copies of these records cost $1 per page, while certified copies cost $2 per page.

Alternatively, you can obtain some Indiana Civil Court Records via the Case Search portal of the state's judiciary.