Decatur County Court Records
How To Find Court Records in Decatur County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Decatur County may access publicly available case information through several official channels, including the Decatur County Clerk's office, courthouse public terminals, and statewide judicial search tools. DecaturRecords.org provides a directory of resources and publicly available information related to court records maintained by government agencies. The information accessible through these sources may include, depending on case type and applicable access rules:
- Civil case filings and judgments
- Criminal case dockets and disposition records
- Family court orders and divorce decrees
- Probate filings and estate records
- Traffic and infraction case records
- Small claims court filings
Court records in Indiana may be searched through the following five methods:
1. Clerk of Court or Court Records Office The Decatur County Clerk of Courts maintains official case files for the Circuit and Superior Courts. Members of the public may visit the clerk's office in person to request access to non-confidential case records. Providing a case number, party name, or approximate filing date assists staff in locating records efficiently.
Decatur County Clerk of Courts
150 Courthouse Square, Suite 5
Greensburg, IN 47240
Phone: (812) 663-8223
Clerk | Decatur County, Indiana
2. Courthouse Public Access Terminals Public access computer terminals are available at the Decatur County Courthouse, allowing members of the public to search non-confidential case information at no charge during regular business hours. These terminals connect to the statewide Odyssey case management system.
3. Online Court Search The Indiana Judicial Branch provides the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal, through which members of the public may search non-confidential court records statewide, including cases filed in Decatur County. Searches may be conducted by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal displays docket entries, hearing dates, and case status for eligible cases.
4. State-Level Judicial Search Tools The Indiana Judicial Branch public records portal provides guidance on locating court records across all Indiana counties. This resource identifies which courts maintain specific record types and explains applicable access procedures.
5. Written or Mail Requests Members of the public who are unable to appear in person may submit written requests to the Decatur County Clerk's office. Requests should identify the case by party name, case number, or filing date. Fees for copies apply, and certified copies require an additional fee. The Indiana Supreme Court also accepts APRA requests for judicial branch records through its Office of General Counsel.
Are Court Records Public In Decatur County
Court records in Decatur County are subject to public access under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, codified at Ind. Code § 5-14-3, which establishes the right of members of the public to inspect and copy public records maintained by government agencies, including courts. The Indiana Supreme Court's administrative rules further govern access to judicial records.
Records that are public under current law include:
- Case docket entries and hearing schedules
- Party names and case numbers
- Filed pleadings, motions, and orders in non-restricted cases
- Final judgments and sentencing entries
- Civil case filings, including complaints and answers
- Probate filings and estate inventories
Records that may be confidential, sealed, or restricted include:
- Juvenile delinquency and child in need of services (CHINS) records
- Adoption records and related filings
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Records sealed by court order
- Expunged criminal records under Ind. Code § 35-38-9
- Protected personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers
A distinction exists between courthouse inspection and online access. While members of the public may inspect a broader range of records in person at the clerk's office, the MyCase online portal displays only those records designated as publicly accessible under Indiana Supreme Court administrative rules. Certain case types visible at the courthouse may not appear in online search results.
What Are Court Records in Decatur County?
Court records are the official documents and data generated by judicial proceedings from the initial filing of a case through its final disposition and any subsequent appeal. In Decatur County, court records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts, which serves as the official custodian of all case files for those courts.
A docket entry is a chronological log of actions taken in a case, while a full case file contains the actual documents filed by parties and the court. Civil court records document disputes between private parties or between a party and a government entity, while criminal court records document proceedings initiated by the State of Indiana against an individual charged with a criminal offense. Filed pleadings are the initial documents submitted by parties, whereas final judgments represent the court's conclusive resolution of the matter.
Public filings are those accessible to any member of the public under applicable law, while sealed or restricted filings are withheld from public inspection by court order or statute. Trial court records originate in the Circuit or Superior Court and are maintained locally, while appellate records are transmitted to the Indiana Court of Appeals or Indiana Supreme Court upon the filing of an appeal.
Court records are created at the moment a case is filed and are updated continuously as parties submit documents, hearings are held, and orders are entered. Upon final disposition, the record is closed but retained in accordance with the applicable records retention schedule.
What's Included in a Decatur County Court Record?
A court record in Decatur County may include the following information, subject to applicable public-access rules and case type:
- Case identification: Case number, court name and division, and filing date
- Party information: Names of plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, respondents, and attorneys of record
- Case classification: Case type (civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic) and current status
- Docket entries: A chronological log of all actions taken in the case
- Hearing information: Scheduled and completed hearing dates, continuances, and minute entries
- Filed documents: Complaints, petitions, answers, motions, responses, notices, and supporting exhibits where publicly accessible
- Court orders and judgments: Interlocutory orders, final judgments, sentencing entries, custody rulings, probate orders, and decrees
- Outcome information: Dismissals, verdicts, pleas, convictions, acquittals, and appellate decisions
- Financial and administrative data: Filing fees, assessed court costs, fines, restitution amounts, and bond information where publicly shown
Records that are excluded or restricted from public access include sealed filings, expunged matters, juvenile case files, adoption records, protected personal identifiers, and certain exhibits containing sensitive information. The extent of available information varies by case type and the specific orders entered by the presiding judge.
Types of Courts in Decatur County
Decatur County is served by two trial courts operating under the Indiana unified court system: the Decatur Circuit Court and the Decatur Superior Court. Both courts are courts of general jurisdiction, meaning they have authority to hear a broad range of civil and criminal matters. The Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts maintains the official records for both courts.
Decatur Circuit Court and Superior Court
150 Courthouse Square
Greensburg, IN 47240
Phone: (812) 663-8223
Decatur County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch
What Types of Cases Do Decatur County Courts Hear
The Decatur Circuit Court and Decatur Superior Court collectively hear the following case types:
- Criminal cases: Felony and misdemeanor prosecutions initiated by the State of Indiana
- Civil cases: Contract disputes, personal injury claims, and other civil litigation
- Family law matters: Dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, and custody proceedings
- Juvenile matters: Delinquency proceedings and child in need of services (CHINS) cases
- Probate matters: Estate administration, guardianship, and trust proceedings
- Traffic and infraction cases: Moving violations and civil infractions
- Small claims: Civil disputes involving amounts within the statutory small claims limit
The Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Supreme Court serve as the appellate courts for cases originating in Decatur County. Appeals from the trial courts are transmitted to the appellate level, where separate records are maintained by the appellate clerk.
How to Search Decatur County Court Records for Free?
Members of the public may search Decatur County court records at no charge through several methods. In-person inspection of non-confidential case files at the Decatur County Clerk's office is available without a fee during regular business hours. The MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal provides free online access to non-confidential case information statewide, including docket entries, party names, and hearing dates for eligible Decatur County cases.
Public access terminals at the Decatur County Courthouse also provide free case lookup during courthouse hours. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page identifies additional no-cost resources, including assistance available through the Indiana State Library.
The following activities carry fees:
| Service | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copies | $1.00 per page + certification fee |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Varies by request |
| Research by clerk staff | May apply for extensive requests |
Fee authority is established under Indiana statutes governing clerk fees. Members of the public seeking certified copies of marriage certificates or divorce decrees must submit requests directly to the clerk, as these documents are not available through online portals, as noted in the Indiana Judicial Branch guide on how to request public records.
How Long Does Decatur County Keep Court Records?
Decatur County court records are retained in accordance with the Indiana Commission on Public Records retention schedules applicable to judicial records. Retention periods vary by case type and record category:
- Felony criminal case files are retained permanently or for extended periods given the severity of the underlying offense.
- Misdemeanor and infraction records are subject to shorter retention periods, though docket books and judgment records may be retained permanently.
- Civil case files are retained for varying periods depending on the nature of the judgment and whether appeals were filed.
- Probate records involving real property interests are retained permanently in many instances.
- Juvenile records are subject to separate retention rules and may be sealed or destroyed upon the subject reaching adulthood, depending on case type.
- Traffic and small claims records are retained for shorter periods consistent with applicable schedules.
Paper case files may be destroyed after imaging, microfilming, or transfer to archival storage, provided the retention period has been satisfied. Destruction of a record is distinct from sealing or expungement: a sealed record continues to exist but is withheld from public access, while an expunged record under Ind. Code § 35-38-9 is treated as though the arrest or conviction did not occur for most purposes. Older records may exist in paper files, microfilm, or county archives held at the courthouse or transferred to the Indiana State Archives.
How To Find a Court Docket in Decatur County
A court docket is a chronological index of all actions taken in a specific case, distinct from the full case file, which contains the actual documents filed by parties and the court. The docket records each filing, hearing, order, and status change from the date of filing through final disposition.
Dockets for non-confidential Decatur County cases are accessible through the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal. To locate a docket, members of the public may follow these steps:
- Navigate to the MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov.
- Select the search option for party name or case number.
- Enter the known party name or case number and select Decatur County as the jurisdiction.
- Review the list of matching cases and select the relevant case to view the docket.
The docket displayed through MyCase includes hearing dates, continuances, motion filings, minute entries, and case status updates. The portal does not display full document images for all case types, and sealed entries, confidential attachments, and restricted filings do not appear in online results. As the Indiana Judicial Branch notes, "official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record."
Hearing calendars and daily court schedules may be available through the Decatur County Clerk's office or by contacting the court directly. Members of the public seeking docket information for cases not appearing in the online portal may submit a written request to the clerk or visit the courthouse public access terminal. The Decatur County Clerk's office provides access to Circuit and Superior Court filings for non-confidential matters.