What Are Hammond City Public Records?
As per the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), Hammond City public records refer to any writing, book, paper, tape recording, report, map, photograph, or other documentary material - of any form – generated, received, or maintained by a public agency in connection with the city. These materials may be handwritten, typewritten, digitally recorded, or electronically stored. Access to these records is public unless the whole or part of the material is exempted from disclosure to ineligible persons. Examples of non-disclosable records or information include:
- Trade secrets
- Patient medical records
- Confidential financial information
- Adoption records
- Social security numbers
- Other records restricted by federal or state laws
Disclosure of some Hammond public records may also be at the discretion of the recording agency. This includes:
- Law enforcement investigatory records
- Certain employee personnel file information
- Materials conveying opinions and used for decision-making
If a record has both disclosable and confidential information, the custodian separates the materials and provides copies without the redacted copies to the public.
Hammond City Crime Statistics
According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, Hammond City had 315 violent crimes and 2,792 violent crimes in 2019. As reported in the UCR statistics, violent crimes included nine murders, 27 rape cases, 110 robberies, and 169 aggravated assaults, whereas property crimes consisted of 13 arson incidents, 264 motor vehicle thefts (MVT), 334 burglaries, and 2,194 larceny-thefts.
In comparison with the 2018 statistics of 365 violent crimes and 2,652 property crimes, there had been a 13.7% decrease and a 5.3% increase in violent crimes and property crimes, respectively. Most crime categories reduced between these two years including rape (-43.8%), arson (-23.5%), robbery (-14.1%), MVT (-9.3%), aggravated assault (-8.6%), and burglary (-7%). The only two crimes with increased crime rates were murder (+125%) and larceny-theft (+9.6%).
Are Hammond City Criminal Records Public?
The availability of Hammond City criminal records may depend on the requester’s eligibility, type of request made, and legal exemptions limiting the record disclosure. For instance, the ISP Criminal Justice Information Service provides fingerprint search services and full criminal history information to applicants, agencies, and employers through Indiana’s Electronic Fingerprinting Network. Meanwhile, persons may also conduct limited criminal history search online or by mailing request forms to:
Indiana State Police
Criminal History Limited Check
P.O. Box 6188
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188
Limited criminal history reports mainly contain information on misdemeanor and felony arrests within Indiana, while full criminal information provides more comprehensive details on all reported arrests, charges, and dispositions.
Moreover, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Bureau of Identification conducts background checks for a $7 fee in cash or money order. Interested persons should visit the bureau on the second floor of 2293 North Main Street, Crown Point, Indiana, on weekdays during office hours (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), taking along a valid government-issued identification card.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Hammond Police Department gathers, generates, files, and retains records of accidents, crimes, and other incidents that occur within its jurisdiction. Residents and nonresidents may get copies of offense/case reports, accident reports, and other police reports from the Records Section of the HPD located at:
Hammond Police Department
509 Douglas Street,
First Floor,
Hammond, IN
For Hammond City arrest records, interested persons may contact the Records Section at (219) 852-2901 or obtain limited criminal history reports from the Indiana State Police by conducting online searches or mailing request forms to:
Indiana State Police
Criminal History Limited Check
P.O. Box 6188
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188
Individuals may direct requests for arrest records and police reports to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department located at:
2293 North Main Street,
Crown Point, IN 46307
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Hammond City
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department provides a searchable database where interested persons can search for sex offenders online, register for email alerts, or view the listing of non-compliant offenders. Searches can be done according to an area with the specific address, by name, city, internet name/email, and phone number, and results may provide a list of matched offenders with the following information:
- Full name and aliases
- Mugshot
- Offender level and status
- Registration start and end date
- Physical description including age, sex, race, hair and eyes color, height, weight, and body markings
- Last recorded address and other known addresses
- Warrant information (if any)
- Offense details including case number, description, sentence, and conviction date
How to Find Hammond City Inmate Records
Individuals interested in finding prisoners housed in the Hammond City Jail may call the police department at (219) 853-6466. On the other hand, the Administration Division of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department is responsible for maintaining jail records for Lake County Jail located at 2293 North Main Street, Crown Point, Indiana. Individuals interested in inmate booking details may call (219) 648-6300 or call (219) 755-3421 for pretrial information or inmate records.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Hammond City Jail?
Persons interested in visiting inmates housed in the Hammond City Jail should call (219) 853-6466 or inquiries to police@hammondpolice.com.
On the other hand, only family and friends included on an inmate's visitor list can visit inmates in the Lake County Jail/Sheriff's Department. Approved persons may visit the facility along with valid identification cards such as Passport, State Identification, Driver's License, or Military Identification. In line with the inmate visitation rules, all visits must be according to the visitation schedule. Intended visitors are required to check-in 30 minutes before the end of visiting for processing.
Court Records
Hammond City court records are court-related materials such as dockets, transcripts, audio records, and case files that contain details of civil, criminal, traffic, and other matters brought and tried in a court. These are documents or pieces of information gathered, generated, submitted, or filed by a court with jurisdiction in the city. These courts include:
Lake County Superior Court - Hammond
232 Russell Street,
Hammond, IN 46320
Phone: (219) 933-2857
Fax: (219) 933-2805
Hammond City Court
City Hall
5925 Calumet Avenue,
Hammond, IN 46320
Phone: (219) 853-6346
Fax: (219) 853-6339
Are Hammond City Court Records Public?
Hammond City court records are generally considered public unless specifically exempted by state statute, federal laws, court order, or court rule. For instance, court records may be undisclosable in line with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act. Therefore, court records containing trade secrets, confidential financial information, patient medical records, and other exempted information are unavailable to the public unless the confidential sections are removed or redacted from copies.
How to Obtain Hammond City Civil Court Case Records
Records of civil case proceedings in Hammond City may be available at the court where the case was filed. Interested persons may access unrestricted civil court case records by making requests through the proper channels, providing relevant details of the legal actions to the appropriate court clerk, and provide the necessary fees when asked.
How to Obtain Hammond City Criminal Court Records
Hammond City criminal court records may be available at the filing court. Individuals must determine the custodian and record accessibility before making requests in person, via mail, or through other provided channels. Requesters should provide relevant details of the legal actions to the appropriate court clerk to aid the search. Also, provide the necessary fees when asked.
What Are Hammond City Vital Records?
Hammond City vital records are official documents that may serve as proof that certain life events happened in the city or informational copies that provide brief details of the event. These documents may provide information on marriages, divorces, births, deaths, or other landmark occurrences recorded by public agencies. Hammond City vital records may be available locally or in state-run depositories.
Where and How to Obtain Hammond City Divorce Records
Records of divorces that occurred in Hammond City are available at the Superior Court where the case was filed. Interested persons may obtain copies of these documents by making requests at the Clerk of the County/Superior Court in person or via mail to:
Clerk of the Lake Circuit/Superior Court
Courts Building,
2293 North Main Street,
First Floor
Crown Point, IN 46307
Or
Lake County Superior Court - Hammond
232 Russell Street,
Hammond, IN 46320
Phone: (219) 933-2857
Fax: (219) 933-2805
However, requesters should call the Clerk beforehand to confirm record availability and ask about requirements. Generally, requesters have to provide the case number, divorce date, party names, and other divorce details to facilitate the search. Valid identification may also be required to obtain certified copies of the divorce decree and fees necessary for duplication.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Hammond City
Hammond City marriage records are publicly available in the county office where the license was granted.
Where and How to Get Public Hammond City Marriage Records
The Lake County Clerk maintains marriage records for Hammond City and the whole county. Interested persons may obtain copies of Hammond City marriage certificates by visiting the office and providing marriage details such as marriage date, couple's names, and license number. Make requests at:
Courts Building,
2293 North Main Street,
First Floor
Crown Point, IN 46307
When required, requesters should also pay fees, provide a mailing address, and present valid photo identification. Additional resources for getting free marriage information include:
- The Indiana Court marriage license searchable database from 1993 till date
- The Indiana State Library marriages index from 1958 - 2018
- The Indiana State Library marriages database through 1850
Note: Annual marriage reports by the Indiana State Department of Health are also available online.
Where and How to Find Hammond City Birth Records
Hammond City birth records are available at the Lake County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). However, access to these documents is restricted for 75 years except to persons with direct claims or legitimate interests such as the registrant, parents, grandparents, siblings, and spouse. Eligible persons can obtain Hammond City birth certificates locally by making requests in person at the Lake County Government Complex or by forwarding mail application forms to:
Lake County Health Department
2900 West 93rd Avenue,
Crown Point, IN 46307
The mail must contain:
- Registrant’s name at birth
- Birthdate
- City of birth
- Parents’ names
- Copy of valid identification
- Self-addressed, stamped envelope
- $10 per copy in money order or cash
For ISDH birth certificates, qualified parties may order copies online or by mailing completed request forms and requirements to:
Vital Records
Indiana State Department of Health
P.O. Box 7125
Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125
The request should contain:
- Registrant’s full name at birth
- City and county of birth
- Name of the birth/adopted parent
- Valid identification
- $10 check or money order for the first copy and $4 per additional copy. Fees should be payable to the Indiana State Department of Health
Where and How to Find Hammond City Death Records
Records of deaths that happened in Hammond City may be available at the Lake County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). Adult applicants with legitimate interests can obtain Hammond City death certificates locally by making requests in person at the Lake County Government Complex or by forwarding mail application forms to:
Lake County Health Department
2900 West 93rd Avenue,
Crown Point, IN 46307
The mail must contain:
- The deceased’s name
- Requester’s relationship to the record subject
- Copy of valid identification
- Self-addressed, stamped return envelope
- $11 money order or cash per copy
For ISDH death certificates, qualified parties may order copies online or by mailing completed request forms and requirements to:
Vital Records
Indiana State Department of Health
P.O. Box 7125
Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125
The request should contain:
- Deceased’s legal name at the time of death
- Death of death
- Deceased’s date of birth and parents’ names (if known)
- City and county of death
- Requester’s details and relationship to the deceased
- Fees in check or money order made payable to the Indiana State Department of Health
- Valid identification
Note: Annual death reports by the ISDH are also available online.
