Adams County, Indiana Court Records
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Adams County sits in the northeastern corner of Indiana, with Decatur as the county seat. Its judicial system processes thousands of case filings every year across two trial courts, producing a substantial body of public records that cover criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law matters, and probate proceedings. Those records — which can include pleadings, motions, judgments, orders, exhibits, and transcripts — are kept primarily by the Circuit and Superior Court Clerk's Office and are open to the public under Indiana law.
If you're trying to find court case information in Indiana, IndianaStateCourts.us can help point you toward publicly available case information and resources across the state. Adams County records can also be searched through the Indiana Judicial Branch's online case portal, through the clerk's office at the courthouse, or at public access terminals. Official court and county websites are always the most reliable place to check for current procedures, forms, and fees.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Adams County?
Adams County has two trial courts that share jurisdiction over different types of cases. Both courts are located in Decatur, and all case records run through a single clerk's office.
Adams County Circuit Court
Address: 112 South 2nd Street C, Decatur, IN 46733
Phone: (260) 724-5307
Fax: (260) 724-5308
Adams County Superior Court
Address: 122 South 3rd Street, Decatur, IN 46733
Phone: (260) 724-5347
Adams County Circuit and Superior Court Clerk's Office
Address: 112 South 2nd Street, Room A, Decatur, IN 46733
Phone: (260) 724-5309
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Email: clerksoffice@co.adams.in.us
The Clerk of Courts — currently Shelly M. Brite — is the official record keeper for both the Circuit and Superior Courts. The office handles all record requests, collects filing fees and court costs in civil matters, and manages fine and fee collection in criminal and infraction cases.
Online Search Options
The fastest way to look up an Adams County court case is through Indiana MyCase, the state judiciary's official public case search platform. MyCase lets anyone search non-confidential case information by party name, attorney name, bar number, or case number, and many case documents are viewable at no charge directly through the portal. No registration is required for basic public searches. Adams County is part of Indiana's Judicial District 9, which also includes Huntington, Wabash, and Wells counties.
In-Person Requests
To request physical copies of case records, download and complete the Court Records Request Form from the Clerk's website and submit it in person at Room A, by mail to the Clerk's address, or by email to clerksoffice@co.adams.in.us.
Are Court Records Public in Adams County?
Indiana law starts from a broad presumption that court records are open to the public. Two overlapping frameworks control access: Indiana Code 5-14-3, known as the Access to Public Records Act (APRA), and the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court. Together, these rules make most court filings, judgments, and docket entries available for public inspection and copying.
That said, certain records are designated as nonpublic and may only be released to legally authorized individuals. Records excluded from public access in Adams County courts include:
- Juvenile records
- Mental health records
- Drug or substance abuse records
- Paternity records
- Sealed court records
- Records designated confidential by statute or court order
Rule 5 of the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records sets out specific procedures for filing and locking nonpublic records and governs how redactions work when only part of a document is confidential. If a filing contains both public and nonpublic information, the nonpublic portions are redacted before the document is released. Requests for sealed or restricted records require a court order or demonstrated legal authority.
Adams County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Adams County is split between the two trial courts. The Adams County Superior Court primarily handles misdemeanors, Level 6 felonies, and Class D felonies, and processes all traffic cases filed in the county. The Adams County Circuit Court handles more serious felony matters along with probate and other complex civil proceedings. Both courts record criminal case activity through the Clerk's Office.
Searching Criminal Court Records
There are two distinct ways to access criminal records in Adams County, and the right method depends on what you actually need:
- Case-specific court records: To review documents from a specific criminal prosecution, use Indiana MyCase or submit a Court Records Request Form to the Clerk's Office. This retrieves the case file for a single proceeding.
- Comprehensive criminal history: If you need a full background check showing all criminal involvement across Indiana, the Indiana State Police offers a Limited Criminal History search. This service covers felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests statewide and costs $15.00 per record ($15.70 for non-subscriber online requests). The search is based on the subject's name, date of birth, race, and gender.
Arrest and Custody Information
The Adams County Sheriff's Department is the county's primary law enforcement agency and operates the county jail and E-911 dispatch center. Victims and members of the public can check an offender's custody status through the Indiana VINE system. The VINE toll-free number is (866) 959-8463 (1-866-959-VINE), and the service also lets users register for email and telephone alerts when custody status changes.
Copy Fees for Criminal Records
Per Indiana Code 33-37-5-1 and 33-37-5-3, the Clerk charges:
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain (uncertified) copy | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy | $3.00 per document |
Adams County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Adams County — contract disputes, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant matters, small claims, and real property actions — fall under the concurrent jurisdiction of both trial courts. The Superior Court's primary civil focus is small claims matters involving $10,000 or less, while larger civil disputes and certain specialized proceedings go to the Circuit Court. The Clerk's Office maintains all civil case records for both courts.
How to Request Civil Records
- Search the case online through Indiana MyCase using the party's name or case number.
- If you need copies of specific documents, complete the Court Records Request Form.
- Submit by email (clerksoffice@co.adams.in.us), mail, or in person at the Clerk's Office during business hours.
- Pay $1.00 per plain copy page or $3.00 per certified document.
Property Records
Real estate documents — deeds, mortgages, and liens — are maintained separately from court records by the Adams County Recorder's Office, which also provides an online document search system. Copy fees at the Recorder's Office are $1.00 per page for documents 11" x 17" or smaller, $5.00 per page for oversized documents, and $5.00 for certified copies. Keep in mind that the Recorder's office cannot search by street address or parcel number — for that type of lookup, use the Adams County Assessor's Office or the Adams County Public GIS system instead.
Adams County Family Court Records
Family law proceedings in Adams County — divorce, child custody, child support, domestic relations, and adoption — are handled by both the Circuit and Superior Courts, with the Superior Court taking primary responsibility for dissolution of marriage and domestic matters. All related case records are held by the Clerk's Office and are searchable through Indiana MyCase.
Dissolution of Marriage
Under Indiana law, a dissolution of marriage cannot be granted until at least 60 days have passed from the date of filing. When children are involved, the court will not issue a decree unless both parties have successfully completed the Families in Transition program, which can be arranged by calling (260) 824-8574. Child support amounts are determined using the Indiana Child Support Guidelines, and parenting time arrangements typically follow the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, both issued by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and marriage certificates are issued and maintained by the Adams County Clerk of Courts. A marriage license costs $25.00, plus $4.00 for the first certified copy. To request copies of existing marriage certificates, complete the Marriage License Copies Request Form and submit it to the Clerk's Office in person, by mail, or by email. Uncertified copies cost $1.00 each; certified copies are $3.00.
You can also search marriage records online through the Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup portal, which covers licenses issued since 1993. Historical marriage indexes are available through the Indiana State Library, with records spanning through 1850 and from 1958 through 2022 accessible online.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for events occurring in Adams County are held by the Adams County Health Department Vital Records division, located at 313 West Jefferson Street, Room 314, Decatur, IN 46733-1660 (Phone: (260) 724-5326; Fax: (260) 724-5328). Records are available from 1882 to the present. Walk-in service runs Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The office accepts only cash, checks, and money orders — no credit cards.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $15.00 |
| Death Certificate | $15.00 |
| Paternity Affidavit | $25.00 |
| Genealogy Hard Copy | $10.00 |
Certified birth certificates are restricted to individuals with a direct interest in the record — the registrant, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives. Death certificates similarly require proof of a qualifying relationship or legal authority. Valid photo ID is required for all requests. Pre-printed applications for birth certificates and death certificates are available on the county website and can be filled out before you visit the office.
Adams County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Adams County are handled by the Adams County Circuit Court. Matters before the probate division include the administration of decedents' estates, probate of wills, appointment of personal representatives, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and adoptions. All filings become part of the court record maintained by the Clerk of Courts.
How to Access Probate Records
- Online: Search probate case information through Indiana MyCase using the decedent's name, case number, or related party. Many non-confidential documents are viewable at no charge.
- In person: Visit the Clerk's Office at 112 South 2nd Street, Room A, during business hours and ask for the case file.
- By mail or email: Complete the Court Records Request Form and send it to the Clerk's Office with payment.
Probate forms — including estate claim forms and guardianship documents — are available through the Adams County Probate page on the county website. Copy fees for probate records follow the standard court schedule: $1.00 per plain copy page and $3.00 for certified documents. Adoption records are specifically excluded from public access under Indiana's confidentiality rules and are not released without a court order. Guardianship records may also contain restricted portions depending on the circumstances of the proceeding.
For historical probate research predating the current digital system, the Indiana State Library and FamilySearch maintain indexes and records from Adams County probate proceedings dating back to the nineteenth century, which can be particularly useful for genealogical research and locating older estate dispositions.