What are Putnam County Public Records?
According to I.C. § 5-14-3, Putnam County public records include writings, tape recordings, maps, photographs, reports, and any other record concerning the government, its public officers, employees, and their official activities. Still, not all records are publicly disclosable in the county.
Government agencies in Putnam County are obliged to allow requesters access to all records categorized as "disclosable". However, these agencies must provide a statutory basis for not disclosing all or part of a public record classified as "non-disclosable". Some non-disclosable records include:
- Records protected by state or federal law, such as adoption records or patients' medical records
- Trade secrets
- Confidential financial information about a company or person
Besides the records sealed by law or statute, there are some records that government agencies might decide to reveal in part or whole to the public. For example:
- Investigatory records of a law enforcement agency
- Certain information concerning employees
- Materials used for expressing opinions and decision making
In addition to government agencies, some public records may also be accessible 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. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Putnam County Crime Statistics
Per the Federal Bureau of Investigation's 2019 Uniform Crime Report, Putnam County recorded seven violent crimes and six property crimes in 2019. Of the violent crimes, Putnam County had five rapes, two aggravated assaults, and zero murder and robbery crimes. Meanwhile, the county witnessed four larceny thefts, two motor vehicle thefts, and no burglary or arson crimes from the property crime category. Data pulled from the county's 2018 Uniform Crime Report shows that violent crimes increased by 600%, while property crime reduced by approximately 67% in 2019.
Are Putnam County Criminal Records Public?
Yes. Putnam County Criminal Records are public records. These records contain arrest histories, criminal charges, convictions, and sentences. The Indiana State Police serves as the custodian of such records. Hence, individuals can send a request for criminal records to the Indiana State Police's mailbox at the following address:
Indiana State Police
Criminal History Limited Check
P.O. Box 6188
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188
The request must include a certified check or money order for $7.
Also, a requester can use the agency's Limited Criminal History Records Search tool to obtain publicly available Putnam County criminal records. This search costs $15 per record subscriber and $16.32 per record (credit card). To use the online tool, an individual must create an account with an email and a password.
How to Obtain Putnam County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Anyone interested in a Putnam County police report or arrest record should contact the Putnam County Sheriff's Department at the address below:
Putnam County Sheriff's Department
13 Keightly Road
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone: (765) 653-3211
Details such as the search subject's name, description of the incident, date of the incident, and the name of the arresting office may be required to find the report or record. The department may also request copy fees to reproduce a record.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Putnam County
The Putnam County Sherriff's Department maintains a sex offender registry as a public service tool. Individuals interested in finding sex offender information in Putnam County can search the registry with an address. Searches can also be conducted with an offender's name, phone number, internet name/email address, and more. Additionally, individuals can subscribe to receive email notifications on sex offenders via the registry.
How to Find Putnam County Inmate Records
The Putnam County Sheriff's Department has information on inmates housed at the Putnam County jail. Anyone interested in obtaining Putnam County inmate records can search the sheriff's online jail roster with an inmate's first or last name. It is possible to view details such as an inmate's arrest date, booking information, and mugshot by clicking the "View More" button. Alternatively, an individual can contact the sheriff's office for inmate records at (765) 653-3211.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Putnam County Jail
Inmates at the Putnam County jail are eligible for visitation after their initial hearing. Visits can be made through video conferencing at the jail or remotely via a computer or cellphone for 25 minutes. A visitor may video call an inmate at the jail from 8:00 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Remote video calls to an inmate are allowed between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Generally, visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance and may be recorded or monitored. The public can view other visitation information and rules on the Putnam County Sheriff's Department website.
Putnam County Court Records
The Putnam County court system features a circuit and superior court. The Putnam County Circuit Court is the county's court of general jurisdiction. It exercises authority over all county cases and is located at:
One Courthouse Square
Room #23
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone: (765) 653-5315
Fax: (765) 653-4870
On the other hand, the Putnam County Superior Court approves most local court rules, including those involving the selection of special judges in criminal and civil cases, court reporter services, and caseload allocation plans. The court is located at:
One Courthouse Square
Room #33
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone: (765) 653-2658
Fax: (765) 653-0222
Are Putnam County Court Records Public?
Yes. Putnam County court records are public information under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act. The court clerk is the custodian for all court records generated across Putnam County. Anyone interested in court records may visit or contact the clerk.
How to Obtain Putnam County Civil Court Case Records
Residents can access civil court case records in Putnam County from the court clerk's office. Requests can be sent to the clerk in person or by mail. Specifically, every requester must provide information to help the clerk identify the desired record, such as a litigant's name, case number, or filing date. Also, a requester must provide their contact details. Copy fees may apply for a record.
Individuals looking for Putnam County civil court case records can also search the Indiana Courts' mycase platform to view court records electronically.
How to Obtain Putnam County Criminal Court Records
Putnam County criminal court records are available at the Putnam County Court Clerk's office. An individual can request criminal court records by visiting or sending mail to the clerk. Each request must contain information like the plaintiff's/defendant's name or case number to enable the clerk to identify the record.
What are Putnam County Vital Records
Putnam County vital records provide information on significant events, such as birth, death, divorce, and marriage. The Vital Records Division of the Putnam County Health Department maintains and issues birth and death records, whereas the Putnam County Court Clerk maintains and disseminates divorce and marriage records.
Where and How to Obtain Putnam County Divorce Records
A divorce record is an official document confirming a marriage's end or dissolution. Anyone interested in acquiring a divorce record in Putnam County can contact the court clerk's office:
One Courthouse Square
Room #23
P.O. Box 546
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone: (765) 653-2648
Fax: (765) 653-8405
Where and How to Get Putnam County Marriage Records
A marriage record signifies that two individuals solemnized their union and obtained a marriage license. In Putnam County, the county clerk is the custodian of marriage records. Hence, anyone who wants to obtain a Putnam County marriage record should contact the court clerk's office.
Where and How to Get Putnam County Confidential Marriage Records
All marriage records in Putnam County are considered public per the Access to Public Records Act. As mentioned earlier, the public can access marriage records at the clerk's office. However, some personal and financial information in a marriage record is confidential and inaccessible to the public. For example, a social security number or bank account number.
Where and How to Find Putnam County Birth Records
Birth records contain details of a person's birth, such as their name, gender, birth date, place of birth, and parent's full names. In Putnam County, the Vital Records Division of the local health department issues birth certificates. People can get the certificate online or via mail by filling out State Form 49607 and sending it to the mailing address on the form.
It should be noted that the first request for a birth certificate costs $10, while subsequent copies cost $4. The check is payable to:
Putnam County Department of Health
1542 S. Bloomington Street
Suite 1500
P.O. Box 507
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone: (765) 301-7660
Fax: (765) 301-7665
The processing time for mail-in requests for birth certificates is 8 to 12 weeks.
Where and How to Find Putnam County Death Records
Death records bear information about a person's date, including the decedent's name, age at death, date of death, and gender. Only authorized individuals, such as a parent, sibling, child, or legal spouse, can obtain death records at the Vital Records Division of the Putnam County Health Department. These persons can request a death certificate online or via mail. To apply by mail, an individual must complete the State Form 49606 and notarize it.
It should be noted that a first death certificate costs $10, but subsequent copies cost $4 each, and the money is payable to the Putnam County Department of Health. The processing time for mail-in requests for death certificates is 8 to 12 weeks.
