What are Monroe County Public Records?
In compliance with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, Monroe County public records include documents in the form of any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, card, tape recording, or other material that is created, collected, and maintained by a public agency. While there are several public records and documents in Monroe, a record custodian may prevent public access to records where the information falls within the following statutory exemptions:
- Records and documents that are exempted by law;
- Trade secrets;
- Records and documents deemed confidential by a rule implemented by a public agency that has the authority to make public records confidential;
- Confidential financial information and other confidential information;
- Information on research conducted under the auspices of a state educational institution;
- Grade transcripts and ratings of the license exam;
- Records and documents exempted from public view by a court order or the rules of the Supreme Court of Indiana;
- Patient medical records and charts;
- Information on the application declared confidential;
- Photographs or audio/video autopsy recordings
- Social Security Numbers in Records
Monroe County Crime Statistics
According to data published by the FBI UCR crime statistics for 2017, Monroe County recorded 452 violent crimes and 2,708 property crimes during the year. Compared to the county’s 2013 crime figures, the violent crime rate increased by 31.8% while the property crime rate declined by 21.2% in 2017. A closer look at reported violent crime figures for 2017 shows that the county recorded 2 murders, 73 rapes, 53 robberies, and 319 aggravated assaults. Property crimes reported in the same period include 499 burglaries, 2,030 larcenies, and 179 motor vehicle thefts. The most recent five-year crime trend for the county shows that the following crimes recorded lower numbers in 2017 compared to 2013: murder (33.3%), robbery (34.6%), burglary (26.5%), larceny (20.9%), and motor vehicle theft (5.3%). On the other hand, rape (95%) and aggravated assault (45.7%) rates surged.
Are Monroe County Criminal Records Public?
The Indiana Access to Public Records Act makes Monroe County criminal records open to interested persons. Requests for Monroe county criminal records can be made by residents of the county. The Indiana State Police (ISP) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Section maintains criminal history records for Monroe County and provides name-based limited criminal history checks and fingerprint-based full criminal history checks. The limited criminal history contains only felonies and Class A misdemeanor arrest records. This criminal history can be requested online, in-person, or by mail. The CJIS charges $15 per record check or $16.32 when paying with a credit card. For in-person and mail-in requests, complete the request form, enclose a money order for the fee, and mail or submit it to:
Mailing address
Indiana State Police
Criminal History Limited Check
P.O. Box 6188
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188
Physical address
Indiana Government Center North
100 North Senate Avenue
Suite N302 (east elevators)
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-8262
Fingerprint-based criminal history checks are done electronically and require scheduling. To schedule an appointment call (877) 472-6917. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office provides countywide criminal history reports and charges $7 for each report. Individuals are only allowed to request personal criminal history reports. To make a request, complete the Request for Limited Criminal History form and submit it to:
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
301 North College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 349-2780
Fax: (812) 349-2828
sheriffsoffice@co.monroe.in.us
How to Obtain Monroe County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Monroe County arrest records and police reports for events that occurred in Monroe County are provided by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the various police departments in the cities, boroughs, and towns of the county. To request a copy of a report from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, complete the Access to Public Records form and mail it to the Sheriff’s Office at:
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
301 North College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 349-2780
Fax: (812) 349-2828
sheriffsoffice@co.monroe.in.us
To request police reports for the City of Bloomington, the county seat, complete the Public Access Request form and submit it in person or by mail to Bloomington Police Department at:
Bloomington Police Department - Records Division
220 East Third Street
Bloomington, IN 47401
(812) 339-4477
Each accident report for the county is provided by the local law enforcement agency that investigated the event.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Monroe County?
In compliance with Zachary’s Law, Indiana Sheriff’s Departments jointly established the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry. This registry is overseen by the Indiana Department of Correction and accessible online. Record seekers can log on to the Monroe County page to find registered offenders living in any neighborhood of the county by providing a name or a local address. The search result lists all registered Monroe County sex offenders living within a one-mile radius of the provided address.
How to Find Monroe County Inmate Records?
The Monroe County Correctional Center is the county’s main detention facility and it is maintained by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. To get information about inmates in the correctional facility, call (812) 349-2750.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Monroe County Jail?
Inmate visitation is done through video visitation. Visits can either be done on-site or from a remote location. Visits have to be scheduled. They can be scheduled by either the inmate or their friends and family. Visits also must be approved by the other party. There is no limit to the number of visits in a day or week. The Monroe County Correctional Center is located at:
Monroe County Correctional Center
301 North College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 349-2750
Fax: (812) 349-2054
Court Records
Monroe County has a unified court model with a Circuit Court with nine divisions. The Monroe County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all categories of cases from traffic violations to felonies, from small claims to corporate receiverships, and civil cases involving individuals and families.
Location of Courts in Monroe County
Monroe County Circuit Court
Monroe County Circuit Court
Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center
301 North College Avenue
Suite 201
P.O. Box 547
Bloomington, IN 47402
Phone: (812) 349-2614
Fax: (812) 349-2610
Are Monroe County Court Records Public?
Indiana State laws make the majority of Monroe County court records open to the public. This is except for court records that are exempted by law or court order. The Clerk of the Monroe Circuit Court maintains all Monroe court records and provides public access to these records via computer terminals available in the front lobby of the Clerk’s Office.
Can you look up a Monroe County Court Case Online?
Monroe County court cases can be searched online through the Indiana Courts case search database. The portal can be searched by case, name, or attorney. It provides case information on criminal, civil, family, probate, appellate, and commercial cases.
How to Obtain Monroe County Civil Court Case Records?
The Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk allows the public to request certified copies of the Monroe County civil court case records. Complete an online request form, or fill out the court record request form from the Public Document Center. Mail or fax the completed court request form to the Clerk’s Office at:
Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk
Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center
301 North College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 349-2614
Fax: (812) 349-2610
The Clerk’s Office charges $1 per page for court records plus an additional $1 certification fee per document.
How to Obtain Monroe County Criminal Court Records?
The Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk maintains copies of Monroe County criminal court records. To request a copy of court records, record seekers must fill out the online request form or fill out the court record request form from the Public Document Center. The form can be sent by mail or fax to the Clerk’s Office at:
Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk
Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center
301 North College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 349-2614
Fax: (812) 349-2610
Court records cost $1 per page and an additional $1 certification fee per document.
What are Monroe County Vital Records?
Monroe County vital records are official documents that include information about vital events that happened within the county. These vital records include marriage, divorce, birth, and death records. The Monroe County Circuit Clerk keeps the marriage and divorce records, while Monroe County Health Department keeps birth and death records. The Indiana State Department of Health is the statewide custodian of marriage, birth, and death records.
Where and How to Obtain Monroe County Divorce Records?
Monroe County divorce records are maintained by the Monroe County Circuit Clerk’s Office. To obtain a copy of a final divorce decree, requesters must download and complete the Request for Marriage Dissolution Decree form and submit it to the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in person or by mail at:
Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk
Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center
301 North College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 349-2614
Fax: (812) 349-2610
Where and How to Get Public Monroe County Marriage Records?
Certified copies of Monroe County marriage certificates are available at the Monroe County’s Clerk of Circuit Court office. To obtain a certified copy of a Monroe County marriage record, interested parties must fill out the marriage record online request form or complete the hard copy request form. Submit the completed hard copy form to the Circuit Court Clerk’s office in person or by mail to:
Monroe County Circuit Court Clerk
Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center
301 North College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 349-2614
Fax: (812) 349-2610
The Indiana State Department of Health also provides copies of Monroe County marriage records from 1958 to the present. Each copy costs a non-refundable $8 fee and can be ordered by mail. To purchase a copy of a marriage record, print and complete the State Form 54764. The applicant should enclose a check or money order for the fee along with proof of relationship and a valid ID with the mail, and send the request to:
Vital Records
Indiana State Department of Health
2 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Monroe County?
All marriage records in Monroe County are considered public.
Where and How to Find Monroe County Birth Records?
The Vital Statistics Division of the Monroe County Health Department maintains copies of Monroe County birth records from 1882 to the present. Birth records are available from the Health Department at $16 per copy through mail requests only. To obtain a copy of a Monroe County birth certificate, residents should fill out the Birth Certificate Application form. Enclose payment and a copy of any acceptable identification to the filled-out form. The request should be sent by mail to:
Monroe County Health Department
Attn: Vital Statistics Staff
119 West 7th Street
Bloomington, IN 47404
The accepted means of payment include cash, money order, checks, and credit cards.
The ISDH Vital Records Office issues copies of Monroe County birth records. Monroe County birth certificates from October 1907 are available at this office. A certified copy of a birth record costs $10, and $4 for each additional copy requested at the same time. To request certified copies of Monroe County birth certificates, a requester can call (866) 601-0891. Alternatively, a requester could complete the Birth Certificate Form 49607 and send it with a check or money for the fee, proof of relationship, and a valid ID to:
Vital Records
Indiana State Department of Health
2 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Where and How to Find Monroe County Death Records?
The Vital Statistics Division of the Monroe County Health Department keeps Monroe County death records from 1882 to the present. The Health Department provides copies of death records at $16 per copy through mail requests only. An applicant can get a Monroe County death certificate by completing the Death Certificate Application form. The applicant should include payment and a copy of an accepted identification with the completed form. Send the request by mail to:
Monroe County Health Department
Attn: Vital Statistics Staff
119 West 7th Street
Bloomington, IN 47404
Payment can be made with cash, money order, checks, or credit cards.
The ISDH Vital Records Office maintains copies of Monroe County death records. It has Monroe County death certificates from 1900 to the present in its custody A certified copy of a birth record costs $10 while a certified copy of a death record costs $8. Requesters can call (866) 601-0891 to request a certified copy of a death record. Requesters can also fill out the Death Certificate Form 49606. Enclose a check or money for the fee, proof of relationship, and a valid ID in the mail-in request to:
Vital Records
Indiana State Department of Health
2 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Monroe County?
Monroe County provides open access to property records in compliance with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act. Interested persons can obtain copies of property records from the county’s repository.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Monroe County?
The Monroe County Recorder is in charge of recording instruments and documents relating to real estate within the county from 1816 to date. These documents include deeds, mortgages, assignments, real estate contracts, releases, powers of attorney, and affidavits. Applicants can obtain copies of property records by visiting the Recorder’s Office at:
Monroe County Recorder
100 West Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 349-2520
Applicants can also send mail requests to the address below:
Monroe County Recorder
P.O. Box 1634
Bloomington, IN 47402
How to Look Up Monroe County Property Records?
The Monroe County Assessor keeps property records of all townships within the county. The property record includes information about the property features and the assessed value based on Market Value in use. The Assessor provides this information online through the Geographic Information System (GIS). This contains land records for property in Monroe County. It allows the identification of land use, soil ID, and other property owners within the neighborhood. Users can use the system to search by property owner, address, and tax ID number. It also contains sales information. Requesters can also access information by making a walk-in visit to the office or by sending a mail:
Monroe County Assessor
100 West Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 349-2502
Fax: (812) 349-2898
Location of Monroe County Property Assessors
Monroe County Assessor
100 West Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 349-2502
Fax: (812) 349-2898
