What are Jay County Public Records?
Jay County public records are information generated and saved by the county's public agencies as defined by Indiana Code 5-14-3. These public documents cover everything from photographs and recordings to maps, papers, books, and other materials created or maintained by public officials. Residents of Jay County can access public documents using the internet or other methods specified by the record custodian.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Jay County Crime Statistics
According to data retrieved from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR), Jay county law enforcement reported 60 index crimes in the 2019 UCR report, including 7 violent crimes and 53 property crimes. The reported crimes included 1 murder, 6 aggravated assaults, 4 burglaries, 43 larceny-thefts, and 6 motor vehicle thefts. Compared to 2018, index crimes in Jay County decreased by 25%. According to the 2018 UCR report, there were 81 reported offenses, including 16 violent crimes and 65 property crimes. The reported crimes were 2 robberies and 14 aggravated assaults, as well as 3 burglaries, 59 larceny-thefts, and 3 motor vehicle thefts.
Are Jay County Criminal Records Public?
The criminal records of individuals who live in Jay County are open to the public. Requestors must contact the Jay County Sheriff Department to file a formal request and obtain copies of a person's criminal records. Alternatively, the requestor may go through the Indiana State Police, which provides a name-based criminal records search service. Requestors can expect to see all charges, arrests, and convictions involving the person of interest in Jay County and across the state. To get criminal records in Jay County, go to the local Sheriff's office Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Jay County Sheriff Department
224 West Water Street
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-8188
Fax: (260) 726-8103
How to Obtain Jay County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Police reports and arrest records contain information about an individual's alleged crimes, as well as the facts surrounding the offender's crime and arrest. These documents also contain the individual's descriptive personal information. Persons who wish to obtain arrest records and police reports must contact the Jay County Sheriff's Department at:
Jay County Sheriff Department
224 West Water Street
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-8188
Fax: (260) 726-8103
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Jay County
The Indiana sex offender registry is a public database of people who have been convicted of sex offenses in counties across Indiana. The names, addresses, and offense information of registered sex offenders in Jay County are listed here.
The sex offender's list aids local law enforcement in tracking down and monitoring the movements of registered sex offenders in the county. The search engine allows members of the general public to look for registered sexual offenders in their area. The public can use the search engine to look for registered sex offenders by entering their name, sex, city, phone number, and other personal information.
How to Find Jay County Inmate Records
The Jay County Jail is where arrestees and persons serving a jail term of typically less than one year serve time under supervision. Members of the public looking for Jay County inmate records must contact the Sheriff's Department. Alternatively, use the Indiana Department of Corrections' statewide internet search. Either way, the searcher must have the offender's first and last names or identification numbers.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Jay County Jail?
Inmates' families and friends can visit inmates from the repose of their homes through video visitation. Visitors can also call the jail administrative desk to arrange for physical visitations at least a day in advance and no more than 14 days ahead of time. Generally, all visitors must provide a valid, government-issued photo ID, e.g., a driver's license or state ID card during visitations. Also, visitors must dress appropriately for both physical and remote visitations.
Jay County Jail
224 West Water Street
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-7541
Jay County Court Records
These are documents created during court procedures, including criminal, civil, or small-claims cases. The Jay County Clerk of Court is the record custodian for these documents, and interested persons may obtain a copy in person or online. The courthouse in Jay County is located at:
Jay County Circuit Court
120 North Court Street #2
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-7575
Are Jay County Court Records Public?
Yes. Non-confidential court records are available for public access on the Indiana Judiciary Case Search System, the online repository for court records created during family, civil, criminal, and probate law cases in Jay County. Intending searchers must know the case number, litigants' names, and attorneys' names to facilitate a search.
Jay County Circuit Court
120 North Court Street #2
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-4951
Fax: (260) 726-6922
How to Obtain Jay County Civil Court Case Records
Jay County's Circuit Court Clerk keeps track of its court records and makes them available on demand. Inquirers can submit written requests specifying the documents they want, or they can visit the Clerk's Office in person. The clerk is available between 8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Requestors send any requests to the following address:
Jay County Circuit Court
120 North Court Street #2
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-4951
Fax: (260) 726-6922
How to Obtain Jay County Criminal Court Records
Non-confidential criminal court records are available for public access on the Case Search System mentioned earlier. Interested parties can contact the County Clerk's Office to make a formal request for criminal court records, especially when the information sought is not available online.
Jay County Circuit Court
120 North Court Street #2
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-4951
Fax: (260) 726-6922
What are Jay County Vital Records?
Jay County residents' birth and death records and marriage and divorce records are all part of the county's vital records. The Vital Records Office of the Jay County Health Department is responsible for registering and issuing birth and death records in Jay County. On the other hand, the Clerk's Office is the record custodian for marriage and divorce records. Only the persons named on the record and their immediate family members can obtain certified copies of vital records.
Where and How to Obtain Jay County Divorce Records?
Indiana divorce records are not open to the public. The Court Clerk's Office can provide Indiana divorce records or divorce decrees to the divorced parties and authorized representatives. Eligible persons can visit the Circuit Court to obtain Jay County divorce certificates:
Jay County Circuit Court
120 North Court Street #2
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-4951
Fax: (260) 726-6922
Informational copies of divorce records are also available at the Indiana Archives and Records Administration office at:
Indiana State Records Center
6400 East 30th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46219-1007
Phone: (317) 591-5326
Fax: (317) 591-5328
Where and How to Get Jay County Marriage Records?
Marriage records created in Jay County are available to the persons named on the record and immediate family members at the Jay County Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. Requestors must provide the spouses' first and last names and the year of marriage to facilitate the search for marriage records.
Jay County Circuit Court
120 North Court Street #2
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-4951
Fax: (260) 726-6922
Informational copies of marriage records are also available at the Indiana Archives and Records Administration office at:
Indiana State Records Center
6400 East 30th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46219-1007
Phone: (317) 591-5326
Fax: (317) 591-5328
Where and How to Find Jay County Birth Records?
Jay County Health Department allows the persons named on the birth record and their immediate family members to make a request for birth records. These individuals must provide valid identification and submit a request letter for birth certificates. Also, the requestor must attach a check or money order for an administrative fee of $8.00, which covers a complete birth certificate plus a wallet birth certificate. Submit or mail forms to:
Jay County Department of Health
504 West Arch Street
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-8080
Fax: (260) 726-2220
Where and How to Find Jay County Death Records?
The Jay County Health Department is the record custodian for death records. The deceased's kin and authorized representative may obtain certified copies of Jay County death certificates by writing a letter listing the deceased's name and date of death. A death certificate costs $8.00. All requestors must submit an identity document showing the requestor's name, photo, address, and signature. Inquirers should send all inquiries to the health department's office at the following address:
Jay County Department of Health
504 West Arch Street
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-8080
Fax: (260) 726-2220
