What are Gary Public Records?
Gary public records are described as records created, received, or maintained by a public agency. Under the Access to Public Records Act, these records include writings, reports, maps, photographs, tape recordings, and other materials regardless of form. However, Indiana law provides exemptions, including the following:
- Records containing trade secrets
- Confidential financial information
- Medical records or charts
- University or state college research records
- Law enforcement investigatory records
- All records considered private by law
Gary Crime Statistics
According to the UCR figures published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), there were 414 violent crimes in 2019. These include 21 rape incidents, 175 robberies, 161 aggravated assault incidents, and 57 murder and nonnegligent manslaughter cases. The report also listed 2,656 property crimes, including 567 burglary cases, 490 motor vehicle thefts, and 1,599 cases of larceny-theft. There were also 21 reported arsons. With 3,091 reported crimes, the 2019 crime rate is a 0.9% reduction in crime numbers compared to the 3,091 published in 2018.
Are Gary Criminal Records Public?
Gary criminal records are not public records. Under Indiana Code 10-13-3-27, access to criminal records is restricted under certain conditions. Eligible requestors include agencies requesting for employment or licensure purposes. Agencies may also request criminal records of candidates for public office and current public officials. Requests may also be authorized if the subject of the record is involved with matters that require setting a bond, probation, a plea bargain, or sentencing. Other instances include situations where a person has volunteered services at a school or is otherwise involved with child care. Individuals may also request their own criminal records.
Eligible requestors may contact the Indiana State Police (ISP). However, the ISP only issues limited criminal history reports when the requestor is not the subject of the record. Available details include felony and misdemeanor arrests less than one year old, and felony and misdemeanor arrests more than one year old, where there is a court disposition. Criminal records contain names, aliases, charges, arrest dates, and dispositions.
An interested person may request an online limited criminal history search or send a completed request form by mail. Each mail request costs $7, payable by a money order made out to the "State of Indiana". Mail requests should be sent to:
Indiana State Police
Criminal History Limited Check
P.O. Box 6188
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188
Individuals may also access full criminal history reports. These reports are fingerprint-based reports that show all charges, arrests, and dispositions. Interested persons must register and schedule fingerprinting sessions to begin.
How to Obtain Gary Police Reports and Arrest Records
Persons seeking police reports and arrest records should contact the Gary Police Department (GPD). Through its Records Department, the GPD provides interested parties with copies of Gary arrest records and other police reports. Residents may contact the GPD in writing or visit in person. Each request must describe the desired record as much as possible, providing names, dates, and location details. Record seekers may submit requests to:
Gary Police Department
555 Polk Street
Gary, IN 46402
Phone: (219) 881-1201
Phone: (219) 881-1247 or (219) 881-1226 (Records Division)
Fax: (219) 881-1259
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Gary
Interested parties may find Gary sex offenders on the Sex and Violent Offender Registry provided by the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC). Record seekers must select the Lake County Sheriff's Office from the provided list and include a full name, address, phone number, internet name, or email. Access to a list of non-compliant sex offenders is also available. The registry displays each offender's name, aliases, level, status, registration number, and registration duration. Other details include a photograph, address, offense details, and a physical description.
How to Find Gary Inmate Records
The Lake County Sheriff's Department operates the county jail. The Sheriff's Department does not provide inmate records online. Persons seeking Gary inmate records should call the department's Jail Records and Pretrial services at (219) 755-3421 Record seekers may also request in person at the:
Lake County Sheriff's Department
2293 N. Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307-1854
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Gary Jail?
Only persons that appear on inmates' visitation lists are allowed to visit the inmate. All persons must check in at least 30 minutes before the end of the facility's visitation period or risk cancellation. Each visitor must also present a valid government-issued identification card. Acceptable examples include a state identification card, military identification, or driver's license. Interested visitors may obtain more information and schedule visits via the jail's third-party vendor. Alternatively, family and friends may call (219) 755-3400
Court Records
The City of Gary has a Lake County Superior Court branch and a City Court. The Superior Court has general jurisdiction over most matters, with specialized divisions for family, criminal, and civil cases. The Superior Court hears misdemeanors, felonies, and general civil claims. The City Court's jurisdiction covers civil cases such as libel, slander, and foreclosures. It also hears city ordinance violations, infractions, and some misdemeanor criminal matters.
Although it does not sit in Gary, the Lake County Circuit Court exercises original jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases in the county. It also handles most domestic relations matters, including child custody, divorce, child support, and paternity cases. Courts that hear Gary cases are located at the following addresses:
Lake County Circuit Court
Lake County Government Complex
2293 North Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: (219) 755-3488
Fax: (219) 755-3520
Lake County Superior Court – Gary
Justice Robert D. Rucker Superior Courthouse
15 West Fourth Avenue
Gary, IN 46402
Phone: (219) 881-6157 (Division 3)
Fax: (219) 881-6153 (Division 3)
Phone: (219) 881-6146 (Division 4)
Fax: (219) 881-6168 (Division 4)
Gary City Court - Criminal Division
555 Polk Street
Gary, IN 46402
Phone: (219) 881-1271
Fax: (219) 881-1278
Gary City Court - Civil Division
401 Broadway
Gary, IN 46402
Phone: (219) 881-1657
Fax: (219) 881-5088
Are Gary Court Records Public?
Gary court records are considered public. The Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records provides public access to most court records, notwithstanding the manner of creation, storage form, or collection method. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Examples include:
- Court records deemed confidential by a court rule or statute
- All court records restricted in accordance with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act
- Mental health cases
- Sealed court records
- Some medical, drug, or substance abuse records
Can You Look up a Gary Court Case Online?
The Indiana Courts maintains online records of court records, accessible through the case search system. Record seekers may conduct case, name, or attorney searches. Using the case search, interested persons may provide a case, citation, or cross-reference number, and also select the relevant court and the correct case type. If these details are unavailable, residents may provide party or business names, or provide attorney information on the attorney search. Obtainable details include case numbers, case types, filing dates, case status, parties, charge information, and case summaries.
How to Obtain Gary Civil Court Case Records
The Clerk of the Lake Circuit/Superior Court maintains copies of Gary civil court case records. Interested persons may contact the court to request copies of non-confidential civil court records. Requestors must provide the Clerk's Office with detailed descriptions of desired records. Requests should include names, court dates, and other known details. Residents may contact the Clerk's Office using the details below:
Lake County Clerk of Courts
Courts Building
First Floor
2293 North Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: (219) 755-3460
Fax: (219) 755-3520
How to Obtain Gary Criminal Court Case Records
Interested persons can obtain copies of Gary criminal court records from the Clerk of the Lake Circuit/Superior Court. The Clerk's Office will provide copies of public records to requestors upon receiving requests that describe the desired records. Record seekers may also be charged varying request fees before making copies of desired records available. Interested persons should submit requests for court records to the address below:
Lake County Clerk of Courts
Courts Building
First Floor
2293 North Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: (219) 755-3460
Fax: (219) 755-3520
What are Gary Vital Records?
Gary vital records contain details of life events that happen in the city. These records are generated by governmental agencies, and include records of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. Gary vital records are requestable from the Lake County Clerk's Office or the Gary Health and Human Services office, through its Vital Records Division. Not all Gary vital records are public records.
Where and How to Obtain Gary Divorce Records
Gary divorce records are obtainable from the Clerk of the Lake Circuit/Superior Court. To obtain these records, interested persons must submit details to the Clerk's Office. Details required to obtain a Gary divorce decree include the divorced parties' names and the divorce date. The Clerk's Office may charge each requestor a fee to produce copies. Requests are processed at:
Lake County Clerk of Courts
Courts Building
First Floor
2293 North Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: (219) 755-3460
Fax: (219) 755-3520
Where and How to Get Public Gary Marriage Records
Interested persons may contact the Clerk of the Lake Circuit/Superior Court to obtain copies of Gary marriage records. These records are considered public and are therefore accessible to all requesters. Residents may obtain records by submitting the names of both married parties, marriage date, and other details as requested by the Clerk's Office. Persons seeking Gary marriage certificates may contact the Clerk's Office at the following address:
Lake County Clerk of Courts
Courts Building
First Floor
2293 North Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: (219) 755-3460
Fax: (219) 755-3520
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records
Gary marriage records are public records. Unless a court order states otherwise, all interested requestors may obtain copies.
Where and How to Find Gary Birth Records
The Gary Health and Human Services office provides copies of Gary birth records. Through its Vital Records Division, the office issues records of all Gary births after 1910. However, birth records are not public records. Access is restricted to persons that can demonstrate a direct interest in the record. Apart from the person named on the record, eligible requestors include the following related persons:
- Parents listed on the record
- Grandparents or stepparents
- Adult children, grandchildren, or siblings
- Current spouse, aunt, or uncle
- An attorney representing the person named on the record
- A legal guardian appointed by the court
Eligible parties may obtain Gary birth certificates by mail or in person. A mail request requires a written application that contains the following information:
- The subject's full name and date of birth
- Mother's full maiden name
- Father's full name, if recorded on the certificate
- The requestor's full name and phone number
Each Gary birth certificate costs $15, payable by money order made out to the "Gary Health Department." Interested persons must enclose the written application with a money order and a self-addressed and stamped envelope. The requestor must also include a copy of a valid driver's license or state identification card. Where neither is available, the Vital Records Division may accept a Passport or other government-issued ID. Standard mail requests require up to seven days mailing time, each way. Eligible requestors may send requests by mail or visit in person at the following address:
Gary Health Development
Attention: Vital Records
1145 West 5th Avenue
Gary, IN 46402
Phone: (219) 882-5565
Where and How to Find Gary Death Records
Gary death records are obtainable from the city's Health and Human Services Office. The Vital Records Division provides records of all deaths after 1910. Death records are not public records. The Vital Records Division will only entertain requests from persons that can prove a direct interest in the desired record. Eligible persons must be related to the decedent in one of the following ways:
- Parents listed on the record
- A spouse or grandparent
- An adult sibling, child, grandchild, niece, or nephew
- An uncle or aunt
Persons that cannot prove a direct interest may obtain copies by providing proof of legal interest, including documents such as titles, agreements, or court orders. Eligible persons may submit written applications to the Vital Records Division. The application must contain the decedent's full name, death date, and names of both parents. Applicants must also include their full names and active phone numbers.
Each request should include a completed application, a self-addressed and stamped envelope, and a $12 money order, payable to the "Gary Health Department." The request should also include a copy of a valid state identification card or driver's license. Other government-issued forms of identification, including Passports, may be acceptable. Requests should be submitted by mail or in person to the:
Gary Health Development
Attention: Vital Records
1145 West 5th Avenue
Gary, IN 46402
Phone: (219) 882-5565
