Marion County Court Records
According to Rule 3 of the Indiana Court Rules, the term "court records" refers to both case and court administrative records. Court case records are official records, information, or other materials generated, gathered, and managed by a court, court agency, or court clerk regarding a case.
Per Rule 77 and LR49-CR 23-102, the Marion County Clerk's Office is responsible for keeping and maintaining all court records from the county's superior, circuit, and probate courts. The clerk can preserve court records in any acceptable medium, i.e., paper, microfilm (if permitted under Administrative Rule 7(B)), or electronic format, regardless of a record's original form.
In the Marion County judicial system, court records serve as reference documents for judges, attorneys, members of the press, researchers, and the general public. Also, the records ensure that the judiciary is impartial transparent, and can be held accountable. Court records also give the public a peek into legal processes and how the judicial system works and, as such, are considered a part of Marion County Public Records.
Are Court Records Public in Marion County?
Yes. Under Rule 4 of the Indiana Court Rules, court records in Marion County are considered public records. As such, these records are available to interested members of the public.
However, as provided in Rule 5, selected court records are exempt from public disclosure. A document may be deemed confidential by federal or state law or by the court that handled a case. For example, juvenile records, mental health case records, medical records, and the personal data of witnesses or minors are deemed confidential.
Members of the public can peruse the Public Access to Court Records Handbook for more details on public accessibility to court records in Marion County.
What Do Marion County Court Records Contain?
Marion County court records include data specific to cases handled within the county, such as:
- Case information: case number, name of parties involved in a case, file date, case type, and case status
- Docket
- Transcripts, briefs, and memorandum
- Court case documents, including petitions, responses, and motions
- Exhibits, including witness statements
- Judgment
Where to Conduct a Marion County Case Lookup
Persons looking to conduct a Marion County court case lookup can query the following places:
- The Marion County Superior Court or the local courthouse where a case was filed.
- The Indiana Courts' online case management portal, which maintains electronic case records and offers remote access to court records
How to Conduct a Marion County Case Records Search
Whether a party to a case or the general public, individuals interested in conducting a Marion County case record search can do so online or in person. Those conducting an online search can access mycase.IN.gov to find Marion County case records by case, party name, or attorney. These searches can be carried out at no cost. However, requesting a copy costs $1 per page and $3 (no matter the number of pages) for a certified copy. (Parties to a case need to create an account and request an access code for their case files to be linked with their account.)
Inquirers can also visit the courthouse that handled a case during business hours to use the public terminals available to search for a public case record. Another option would be to visit the county clerk's office to inquire about a particular case, especially if the case is public but not available online or the requester needs certified copies. Details of a case (a case number or the name of a party involved) are necessary to complete a case records search at the courthouse.
The address of the Office of the Clerk is as follows:
City-County Building
200 East Washington Street
Suite W122
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 327-4740
Fax: (317) 327-3893
Finally, inquirers seeking earlier Marion County court records (1818 to 1930) can search the Indiana Archives and Records Administration's database or contact the agency to learn how to inspect or obtain records. However, the documents need to be completed and comprehensive. The IARA has more information about accessing older Marion County court records.
Marion County Civil Court Case Records
A Marion County civil court case record comprises all documents and information about a civil (non-criminal) proceeding within the county. Civil cases are heard in Marion County's circuit, superior, and small claims courts.
One way to obtain a Marion County civil case record is to go to the courthouse where the case was filed. Inquirers may also contact or visit the Marion County Clerk's Office, search the Indiana MyCase portal at mycase.IN.gov, or check the Indiana Archives and Records Administration for older records.
Marion County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court case records are the official documentation of criminal cases handled within a jurisdiction. These records are maintained at the courthouses where the associated cases were filed. In Marion County, the superior court has jurisdiction over all criminal cases.
One may request Marion County criminal court case records from the county clerk's office or visit the superior court at the Community Justice Campus. They may also visit mycase.IN.gov to search criminal cases.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Under Rule 4 of the Indiana Rules of Court, court records are accessible to members of the public, irrespective of a record's format. To this end, interested parties can obtain Marion County court records online for free through official sources, for example, the Indiana Courts' MyCase website. However, while inspecting (viewing) a court record is usually free online, requesting copies attracts a fee.
Some third-party aggregator sites also provide court records online for free but may require a fee to provide the user with comprehensive information or a PDF copy. These sites are typically searchable with a case party's name.
Courts in Marion County, Indiana
Below is a directory of courts within Marion County:
Circuit Court
675 Justice Way
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Phone: (317) 327-4012
Superior Court – Civil Division
675 Justice Way
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Phone: (317) 327-4747
Fax: (317) 327-3844
Superior Court - Criminal Division
675 Justice Way
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Phone: (317) 327-4747
Fax: (317) 327-3844
Family Law Division
675 Justice Way
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Phone: (317) 327-4747
Fax: (317) 327-3844
Superior Court - Traffic Court
8115 East Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46229
Phone: (317) 327-7995
City Court of Beech Grove
340 East Churchman Avenue
Beech Grove, IN 46107
Phone: (317) 803-9155
Center Township Small Claims Court
Julia M. Carson Government Center
300 East Fall Creek Parkway North Drive
Suite 130
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Phone: (317) 920-4530
Fax: (317) 920-4534
Decatur Township Small Claims Court
3730 South Foltz Street
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Phone: (317) 241-2854
Fax: (317) 247-5960
Franklin Township Small Claims Court
4531 Independence Square
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Phone: (317) 784-1751
Fax: (317) 784-1871
Lawrence Township Small Claims Court
4455 McCoy Street
Indianapolis, IN 46226
Phone: (317) 545-2369
Fax: (317) 545-1662
Perry Township Small Claims Court
4925 South Shelby Street
Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46227
Phone: (317) 786-9242
Fax: (317) 788-4826
Pike Township Small Claims Court
5665 Lafayette Road
Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46254
Phone: (317) 293-1842
Fax: (317) 290-8319
Warren Township Small Claims Court
501 North Post Road
Suite C
Indianapolis, IN 46219
Phone: (317) 327-8919
Fax: (317) 327-8922
Washington Township Small Claims Court
5302 North Keystone Avenue
Suite E
Indianapolis, IN 46220
Phone: (317) 327-8184
Fax: (317) 327-8190
Wayne Township Small Claims Court
5401 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Phone: (317) 241-9573
Fax: (317) 248-7917
Individuals who need to find a small claims court within Marion County can utilize the court finder on the county's website.
