Hamilton County Court Records
The Indiana Rules of Court Rule 3 defines court records as data, documents, information, or other items relating to a specific case or about the administration of the judicial system. These records are created, collected, received, or maintained by the Hamilton County Clerk of Court. The Clerks operates under the Hamilton County Court Local Rules and Indiana Rules of Court by making court records available to members of the public. Public access to Hamilton Court records serves vital importance:
- It helps protect public health and welfare.
- It provides information vital to media reporting on matters of public interest and concern.
- It permits the public to monitor the operations of the county’s judicial system and helps ensure the fairness and honesty of case proceedings.
Are Court Records Public in Hamilton County
Yes. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) and Indiana Rules of Court’s Rules on Access to Court Records make court records accessible to the public. However, Indiana law exempts the following court records from public disclosure:
- Medical records
- Paternity records
- Mental health cases (I.C. § 12- 26)
- Investigative requests and process
- Drug or substance abuse records
- Sealed and expunged records
- Personal information of litigants, witnesses, and children
- Pre-trial release and supervision and problem-solving court supervision records
- Guardian and litem/court-appointed special advocate reports, parenting coordinator reports, and custody evaluation reports.
- Complete Social Security Numbers of living persons, account numbers, personal identification numbers, and passwords.
Where to Conduct a Hamilton County Case Lookup
Hamilton County case records are created when a case is filed with any court in the county. Everything that transpired during the case from the time it was filed is documented by the record custodians. Below are the custodians responsible for disseminating court records in Hamilton County:
- Hamilton County Traffic Court
- Hamilton County Drug Court
- Hamilton County Veterans Court
- Hamilton County Circuit Court
- Hamilton County Superior Courts
How to Conduct a Hamilton County Case Records Search
The Hamilton County Clerk’s Office provides access to court records online and in person. Online requests can be made through the Clerk Records Request Form. This service attracts a small fee of $.50 per page and $3 per certification. Certified copies can be delivered by regular mail or picked up in the Microfilm / Records Department. Uncertified copies can be sent via email to the requesters. In-person requests can be made at the Clerk’s Office during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 a.m.). Direct every question regarding court record requests to the Hamilton County Clerk’s Records Office at (317) 776-8480.
Hamilton County Civil Court Case Records
A civil court case record is an information or document that contains details of a lawsuit to enforce a right or to gain repayment for a wrong done to a person or organization by others. The Hamilton County Clerk’s Office keeps and disseminates these records to members of the public. Therefore, requesters can get civil court case records online or in person at the Clerk’s Office. Online requests can be made via the Clerk Records Request Form for a fee or the Case Search tool at no cost. In both options, a case number or party name is required for the search. The Clerk’s Office also provides access to small claims judgments for free online. In-person requests must be made during normal business hours. The Clerk’s office typically charges a fee for copies of civil case records. Inquirers can submit a Request for Audio CD of Court Proceedings form to the Clerk’s Office to retrieve a civil case proceeding in an audio format.
Hamilton County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal case records include information on cases brought by the government against an individual accused of violating state criminal laws. The Hamilton County Clerk’s Office maintains these records, and they are available for public inspection and copying. This permits record seekers to retrieve criminal case records online or in person at the Clerk's Office from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Non-confidential court records can be viewed online for free through the Indiana Judicial Branch Case Search tool. Click the Case tab to search by case number, citation number, or cross-reference number, or click the Name tab to search by party name or the Attorney tab to search by attorney name or number. After providing the necessary information in any tabs, Go to the Court section to select the specific court in Hamilton County where the case was filed. Requesters can use the advanced search options to narrow their search. The Clerk’s Office also provides access to criminal judgment dockets and indexes for free online.
Courts in Hamilton County
Below is an overview of the addresses of all the courts in Hamilton County:
Hamilton County Courts
1 Hamilton County Square
Suite 313
Noblesville, IN 46060
Phone: (317) 776-8589
Carmel City Court
City Court Building
481 Gradle Drive
Carmel, IN 46032-1751
Phone: (317) 571-2440
Noblesville City Court
135 South Ninth Street
Noblesville, IN 46060-2608
Phone: (317) 776-6344
Fax: (317) 776-6377
Fishers City Court
3 Municipal Drive
Fishers, IN 46038
Phone: (317) 595-3130
Fax: (317) 595-3130
