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How to Find Public Records in Decatur County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Decatur County, Indiana, may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state-maintained databases, and online portals. DecaturRecords.org aggregates publicly available data that may relate to records maintained by county agencies. The official Decatur County government website serves as the primary starting point for locating records maintained by county departments.

Records that may be available through official channels include:

Court case filings (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records such as marriage licenses
Tax assessment and property records
Meeting minutes and county commission agendas
Recorded land documents dating back to January 1994

Online Access:

Members of the public may search non-confidential court case information through the Indiana Courts case search portal, which is maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court and provides public access to case records statewide. The Decatur County Clerk's office provides online tools to look up court cases, make court payments, pay traffic tickets, and apply for marriage licenses. The Decatur County Recorder's office maintains an index of recorded documents filed from January 1994 to the present, accessible through the county's online portal.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Decatur County Clerk's Office or the Recorder's Office located at the Decatur County Courthouse, 150 Courthouse Square, Greensburg, Indiana 47240. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should be prepared to provide the name of the subject, approximate date range, and record type sought.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted to the appropriate office by mail at 150 Courthouse Square, Greensburg, IN 47240. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed 24 hours on days the agency is open for business for a denial, and seven days for fulfillment or acknowledgment.

Phone/Email:

Decatur County Clerk: (812) 663-8223
Decatur County Recorder: (812) 663-4190

What Are Public Records in Decatur County?

Public records in Decatur County are defined under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act as any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, tape, recording, or other material that is created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency. The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Decatur County Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Decatur County Recorder
Marriage licenses	Decatur County Clerk
Property tax assessments	Decatur County Assessor
Business licenses and permits	Decatur County Clerk / State agencies
Meeting minutes and agendas	Decatur County Council / Commissioners
Voting and election records	Decatur County Election Board
Land use and zoning records	Decatur County Plan Commission
Law enforcement records (where permitted)	Decatur County Sheriff's Office

The Decatur County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website provides additional guidance on obtaining copies of court documents and navigating local court procedures.

Is Decatur County an Open Records County?

Decatur County operates in full compliance with Indiana's statewide open records framework. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA) establishes the right of the public to scrutinize the actions of government at all levels.

As stated in the Indiana Public Access Counselor's guidance: "The Access to Public Records Act reflects Indiana's commitment to open government and the public's right to know how their government operates." The law does not require requestors to state a reason for seeking records, nor does it limit access based on residency.

Decatur County agencies are bound by these provisions and do not impose additional local restrictions beyond those permitted under state law. The Indiana Public Access Counselor's office provides advisory opinions and enforcement guidance for disputes arising under APRA.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Decatur County?

The current fee structure for public records in Decatur County is governed by Indiana Code and the policies of each maintaining office. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:

Fee Type	Amount
Paper copies (letter/legal size)	$0.10 per page
Certified copies (court records)	Varies by document type
Certification fee	$1.00–$5.00 per document
Electronic copies	No charge in many cases
Search fee	Not permitted under APRA for most records

Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge for the cost of copying but may not charge for the time spent retrieving or reviewing records unless the request requires an extraordinary amount of time. Fees for certified copies of vital records and recorded documents may differ from standard copy fees and are set by the relevant office.

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some online portals accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests made in the public interest, subject to agency discretion.

Does Decatur County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public during regular business hours at the maintaining office, as required by Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Inspection does not require payment; fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following free online resources are currently available:

The Indiana Courts case search tool provides free access to non-confidential court case information statewide, including Decatur County Circuit and Superior Court filings.
The Decatur County Clerk's online portal allows free searching of non-confidential court case records and related filings.
The Decatur County Recorder's office provides a free online index of recorded documents filed from January 1994 to the present.
Property assessment data may be searched at no cost through the Decatur County Assessor's online tools.

As noted by the Indiana Supreme Court: "Official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record," and the MyCase portal is provided as a public access tool at no charge.

Who Can Request Public Records in Decatur County?

Any person may request public records in Decatur County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or affiliation. Specific eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Indiana retain full rights to request public records.
Identification: Agencies may not require identification as a condition of access to public records, except for records that require proof of identity by law (e.g., certain vital records).
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a reason for their request under APRA.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access certain records that are otherwise restricted, such as sealed records in limited circumstances.
Restrictions for specific record types: Some records, such as adoption files, juvenile records, and certain law enforcement investigative materials, are restricted regardless of who is requesting them.

Members of the public seeking court records may use the Indiana Courts case search system without registration for basic searches, though some functions may require account creation.

What Records Are Confidential in Decatur County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Indiana Code identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from public access. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted under state law:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Indiana law.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes are exempt while an investigation is active.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and federal HIPAA provisions.
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Indiana Department of Child Services.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a public agency under a claim of confidentiality.
Security plans and infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.

Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 enumerates the specific exemptions applicable to public agency records statewide. Agencies applying an exemption are required to identify the specific statutory basis for withholding any record.

Decatur County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Decatur County Recorder's Office
150 Courthouse Square, Suite 5
Greensburg, IN 47240
(812) 663-4190
Decatur County Recorder

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

The Recorder's office maintains an index of documents filed from January 1994 to the present and offers the Doxpop Property Watch service for property record monitoring.

Additional Offices:

Decatur County Clerk's Office
150 Courthouse Square
Greensburg, IN 47240
(812) 663-8223
Decatur County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Decatur County Circuit and Superior Courts
150 Courthouse Square
Greensburg, IN 47240
(812) 663-8223
Decatur County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch