What are Adams County Public Records?
The County Recorder is responsible for maintaining and disseminating Adams County public records for the county. These public records include deeds, real estate, personal properties, mortgages, liens, etc. However, military service discharge records are not public records. Public records can be accessed by the public online, where the county has accurate data stored for viewing. Public records available on the site are from 1990 to the present. The office of the county recorder provides computers where interested parties can search for public records between the hours of 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M., Mondays to Fridays at the following address:
313 West Jefferson Street
Suite 240
Decatur, IN 46733
Phone: (260) 724-5343
Fax: (260) 724-5344
Adams County Crime Statistics
The state of Indiana does not provide crime rates by county. However, the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) has provided online data for crimes committed in each city according to offenses recognized by law enforcement. The 2019 report indicates that there were no records of violent crimes in Adams County. Violent crimes in Adams County include rape, aggravated assault, robbery, murder, and non-negligent manslaughter. None of these were recorded in 2019 at Adams County. However, one property crime was recorded in 2019. There was only one incident of larceny-theft recorded in that year. There are other property crimes recognized in Adams county although none were reported in 2019 and they include: arson, burglar, and motor vehicle theft.
Are Adams County Criminal Records Public?
Yes, they are. Adams County criminal records records are maintained by the Adams County Sheriff Department and can be obtained by making a formal request at the Sheriff's office. Parties can also retrieve Indiana criminal records from the Indiana State Police, which offers criminal history services. The service offers the criminal history of the interested party through a name-based and fingerprint-based search; this service provides all charges and arrests made within the state, including Adams County. To obtain criminal records in Adams County, visit the local sheriff's office, Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at:
911 West Peacekeepers Way
Decatur, IN 46733-0608
Phone: (260) 724-5345
Fax: (260) 724-5346
How to Obtain Adams County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Police reports and Adams County arrest records are official documents with information on the crimes committed in the county and the criminals that commit them. Police reports are transcripts written by the arresting officers detailing the reasons for arrests and the circumstances of the offense committed by the offender. The arrest records will contain personal information on the people apprehended related to the offense. These police reports and arrest records are maintained by local law enforcement so can be obtained by visiting Adams County Sheriff's Department, which is located at:
911 West Peacekeepers Way
Decatur, IN 46733-0608
Phone: (260) 724-5345
Fax: (260) 724-5346
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Adams County
The Office of the Sheriff in Adams County utilizes the online search site known as Sex and Violent Offender Registry. It aids local law enforcement in supervising the location and monitoring the compliance of registered sex offenders in the county. This search engine is available to the public to run a search on registered sex offenders that may be living within their residence. The search engine enables the public to search for registered sex offenders using the following parameters:
- Name
- Non-compliance
- City
- Within a specified area
- Phone and internet (it is important to note that only exact matches will be displayed)
How to Find Adams County Inmate Records
The Adams County Sheriff's Department is responsible for housing inmates in the Adams County Jail and the Sheriff's Work Release building. For members of the public who wish to request Adams County inmate records, parties can contact the Sheriff's Department. Alternatively, an online search through the statewide Indiana Department of Corrections can aid in the search for an offender. The first and last name of the offender as well as the number of the offender is needed for the search.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Adams County Jail?
Prospective visitors to the Adams County Jail must register for video and onsite visitation by contacting Combined Public Communications on (866) 340-7879. Onsite visitation days and times are from Mondays to Sundays from 9:00 A.M.to 9:00 P.M. In preparation for visitation, Adams County jail typically has certain dress codes that, if violated, would result in visitation privileges being revoked. Photo identification would also be required before visitation is approved; minors would need the presence of an approved adult before visiting an inmate. Visitation schedules are also available for onsite visits. The Adams County Jail is located at:
Adams County Sheriff's Office and Detention Center
911 West Peacekeepers Way
Decatur, IN 46733-0608
Phone: (260) 724-5345
Fax: (260) 724-534
Adams County Court Records
These are records produced from cases tried at court, and they include criminal cases, civil or small claims disputes. Adams County records are maintained by the Clerk of Court assigned to the county. Most court records are available for the public and can be obtained online for free. However, some records typically require a fee before being released to the requester. In some cases, the records are available to particular people involved in the case, for example, lawyers, judges, and clients for free. Adams County has two courts that serve its inhabitants for different scenarios, and they include:
Circuit Court
112 South 2nd Street C
Decatur, IN 46733-1618
Phone: (260) 724-5307
Fax: (260) 724-5308
Superior Court
122 South 3rd Street
Decatur, IN 46733
Phone: (260) 724-5347
Fax: (260) 724-5348
Are Adams County Court Records Public?
Adams County court records that are non-confidential can be accessed by the public online through Case Search. Its data contains cases that pertain to family, civil, criminal, and probate. The following information that concerns parties involved in the case is required to search the site: attorney details, case number, and client information (an individual or business name). If the records are unavailable online, then parties should contact the Adams County Clerk of Court for court records:
112 South 2nd Street, Room A
Decatur, IN 46733-1618
Phone: (260) 724-5309
Fax: (260) 724-5313
How to Obtain Adams County Civil Court Case Records
The Adams County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all civil cases of all amounts in the county. Its primary focus, however, is on small claims of $10,000 or less. The court handles all felonies but primarily Level 6 and Class D felonies as well as misdemeanors. The only cases the court does not preside over are juvenile cases. The court is open Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. but is closed from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. Making requests for civil case records may incur a fee. To obtain any civil case records in Adams County or to make inquiries about a case, visit:
122 South 3rd Street
Decatur, IN 46733
Phone: (260) 724-5347
How to Obtain Adams County Criminal Court Records
Interested persons can obtain criminal court records online if they are not confidential. Parties can also collect a copy of the transcripts from the court reporter appointed for the case. The fee for a copy of the transcript from a court reporter can be up to $1 per page. It is important to note that not all criminal court records will be available online. Parties should contact the Office of the County Clerk to make a formal request for records not found online. Typically, a fee will be requested when making requests for a criminal court record.
What are Adams County Vital Records?
Adams County vital records include the birth and death records of Adams County citizens. The vital records division is a subdivision of the Adams County Health Department. The division is responsible for registering, issuing, and maintaining birth and death records in Adams County. It is also charged with providing certified copies of the county's death and birth records, and available records date back to 1882. The office for vital records offers the following additional services that people can only render by scheduling an appointment:
- Amendments to birth records
- Registering home births
- Paternity affidavits
- Genealogy searched
The Adams County vital records office is located at:
Adams County Registrar
313 West Jefferson Street
Decatur, IN 46733
Room 314
Phone: (260) 724-5326
Where and How to Obtain Adams County Divorce Records?
Indiana divorce records are not available to the public. The parties involved in the divorce can obtain Indiana divorce records or divorce decrees at the County Clerk Office, where it was issued. If children are involved in a dissolution of marriage, a decree is withheld by the court until both parties have completed a "Families in Transition" program. Enrollment is done by calling (260) 824-8574. Divorce records from 1852 to the present are available in all counties in Indiana. Persons can retrieve divorce records from the Clerk of Court's office where the divorce was granted. In Adams County, the superior court and circuit court preside over divorce hearings and can be visited at:
Circuit Court
112 South 2nd Street C
Decatur, IN 46733-1618
Phone: (260) 724-5307
Fax: (260) 724-5308
Superior Court
122 South 3rd Street
Decatur, IN 46733
Phone: (260) 724-5347
Fax: (260) 724-5348
Where and How to Get Public Adams County Marriage Records?
A public domain is available to research Adams County marriage licenses recorded. The database holds most of the marriage certificates from 1993 to the present on the site. The first and last names of the individuals will be required, the year they were married or at least a range, and the county which issued the marriage license are required. To search for older records, obtain certified copies, or if there are further inquiries, parties can contact the Adams County Clerk of the Circuit Court:
112 South 2nd Street, Room A
Decatur, IN 46733-1618
Phone: (260) 724-5309
Fax: (260) 724-5313
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Adams County?
Marriage records in Adams County are public records and are therefore non-confidential. Persons can obtain marriage records by visiting the office of the Adams County Clerk of the Court where the marriage license was issued.
Where and How to Find Adams County Birth Records?
Parties can obtain Adams County birth records from the county's health department. The birth records obtained from the department are of people who were born in Adams County, Indiana. Proper identification is required to request these Adams County birth certificates from the department. The only people eligible to make the request are immediate family members. If a person has no ID, then an immediate family member should request them. The family members must be over 18 years of age and show proof of relationship and personal identification. An application for a birth certificate can be filled out and printed before a visit along with a valid ID. A birth certificate (Full or Wallet) is $15, while a birth certificate (Both Full and Wallet) is $25.
Where and How to Find Adams County Death Records?
The Adams County Health Department is in charge of providing the county's death records. Despite where the burial or ceremony took place, parties can only retrieve a certified death record from the deceased's county. An application for a death record must be filled and submitted to the health department to obtain a death record. Death certificates cost $15. To obtain a death record in Adams County, Indiana, the requestor will be required to present identification with the requestor's name, photo, address, and signature, such as a driver's license. Lawyers and case managers requesting this record will need to provide a professional and personal ID alongside a Release of Information from the client.
