Bartholomew County Court Records
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Bartholomew County, Indiana, runs a multi-court judicial system based in Columbus, the county seat. The county's Circuit Court and two Superior Courts cover the full range of criminal, civil, family, and probate cases, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps all the records those proceedings generate. Whether you need to confirm a case outcome, get certified copies of a judgment, or track down property filings, knowing how Bartholomew County organizes its courts will save you time and point you to the right office. This guide walks through every major record category, the offices that handle them, the search tools available, the fees involved, and the rules that govern what the public can and cannot access.
If you want to start at the state level, the Indiana Judicial Branch runs a public records portal, and IndianaStateCourts.us can help orient you to publicly available case data statewide. At the county level, the Clerk's office offers direct access, public terminals at the courthouse, and two online platforms — MyCase and Doxpop — where you can search indexes, read docket entries, and often pull electronic copies of documents without ever stepping into the courthouse.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Bartholomew County?
Every Bartholomew County court proceeding — criminal, civil, family, or probate — is indexed and kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 234 Washington Street, Columbus, IN 47201. As of March 1, 2025, regular court hours changed to 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Clerk's office keeps the same schedule.
Online search options
The quickest way to look up a Bartholomew County case is through MyCase, Indiana's Odyssey Public Access portal run by the Office of Judicial Administration.
- Go to MyCase.
- Pick Bartholomew from the county dropdown.
- Choose the record type: Criminal & Citations, Civil, Family, or Probate.
- Enter a case number, a party's name (first and last), or an attorney name, then click Search.
Doxpop is another solid option — it pulls together Indiana court and recorded-document data in one place. The Bartholomew County Doxpop page offers tiered subscription plans, from free citizen-level access all the way up to full professional research accounts.
In-person searches
Walk-in visitors can search court records at the Clerk's office inside the Bartholomew County Courthouse. Public-access terminals are available for case index lookups during business hours. Staff can help you find specific filings, though they cannot give legal advice.
Requesting records by mail or online form
The Clerk's office has an online Public Information Request form for requesting electronic copies of court documents. You'll need to supply a cause or case number. Completed requests are emailed within seven business days. For mail requests, send a written request with party names, case number, and a check or money order covering any applicable fees to:
Bartholomew County Clerk of the Circuit Court
234 Washington Street, P.O. Box 924
Columbus, IN 47201
Phone: (812) 379-1600
Fax: (812) 379-1675
Archived records
In August 2017, the Clerk's office transferred many older probate, criminal, and civil order books to the Indiana State Archives, located at 6440 E. 30th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219. Use the online catalog to identify which Bartholomew County record series are stored there, then schedule a visit by emailing patron services.
Are Court Records Public in Bartholomew County?
Indiana law sets a broad presumption in favor of public access. Under Indiana Code 5-14-3-1 et seq. — the Access to Public Records Act (APRA) — any person may inspect and copy records held by a public agency, including county courts and clerks. That right covers court filings, docket entries, judgments, and orders in both criminal and civil cases.
That said, APRA and several other Indiana statutes carve out meaningful exceptions. Records that are generally off-limits to the public include:
- Medical records and mental health evaluations submitted during court proceedings
- Juvenile records, which are confidential under Indiana law
- Adoption records, which are sealed unless a court orders otherwise
- Records protected by specific state or federal statutes, such as grand jury proceedings
- Confidential personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers — which must be redacted from publicly accessible filings
- Sealed or expunged records, which require a court order to access
Indiana's Administrative Rule 9 spells out what information in court records is excluded from public access. Anyone filing documents must redact or file under seal confidential data — Social Security numbers, account numbers, dates of birth for minors, and certain other identifiers — as required by the rule. Court staff will not release records that a judge has ordered sealed, impounded, or expunged.
When you submit a public records request, you may need to show a valid photo ID. If a record is only partially restricted, the Clerk's office may hand over a redacted version with the exempt portions removed. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Indiana Public Access Counselor.
Bartholomew County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Bartholomew County are spread across all three trial courts. Superior Court 1 handles felony prosecutions at Levels 1 through 6 and certain misdemeanor charges. Superior Court 2 also hears criminal matters. The Circuit Court exercises general jurisdiction and can take on criminal cases that fall outside the Superior Courts' scope. All criminal court records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Court locations for criminal matters
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bartholomew County Circuit Court | 234 Washington St., Room 105, Columbus, IN 47201 | (812) 379-1600 |
| Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 | 234 Washington St., Room 302, Columbus, IN 47201 | (812) 379-1623 |
| Bartholomew County Superior Court 2 | 234 Washington St., Room 302, Columbus, IN 47201 | (812) 379-1610 |
Searching criminal records online
Criminal case dockets, charges, dispositions, and sentencing information are all searchable through MyCase — just select Criminal & Citations as the case type and enter the defendant's name or case number. Doxpop also offers criminal case search capabilities for Bartholomew County.
Arrest records and jail information
The Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports. To find out whether someone is currently in custody at the Bartholomew County Jail, call (812) 379-1750, option 2. The Sheriff's Office is at 543 2nd Street, Columbus, IN 47201.
To request copies of Sheriff's Office records — arrest reports, incident reports, body camera footage — use the appropriate online form:
Statewide criminal history checks
The Bartholomew County Clerk's office does not run background checks. Statewide criminal history searches go through the Indiana State Police via its Limited Criminal History Request Service. This name-based search covers felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests across Indiana. You'll need to create an account and pay the applicable fee. If you're looking for someone incarcerated in a state facility, the Indiana Department of Correction also has an offender search tool.
Restrictions on criminal records
Records tied to active law enforcement investigations, sealed cases, and expunged convictions are not available to the public. Juvenile criminal proceedings are confidential. Indiana's Second Chance Law (IC 35-38-9) lets qualifying individuals petition for expungement, after which those records are restricted from public view.
Bartholomew County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Bartholomew County covers contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, consumer protection actions, and other non-criminal proceedings. Superior Court 1 has exclusive jurisdiction over civil collection cases that exceed the $6,000 small-claims limit and handles civil tort cases including medical malpractice, auto accidents, and property damage. Both the Circuit Court and Superior Court 2 also hear general civil matters.
Filing fees
Civil filing fees are set by Indiana statute and the county's local fee schedule. Based on the county's published court costs and fees document:
- Civil filing fee (general): $157.00
- Civil filing fee with service of process: $185.00
- Small claims filing: lower fees apply under Indiana Small Claims Rules
Additional charges may apply for certified copies, subpoenas, and other ancillary services.
Small claims
Small claims disputes (generally up to $6,000) are heard in Superior Court 2. The Clerk's office provides a Small Claims Appearance form for self-represented litigants. Indiana's Rules for Small Claims govern how these cases proceed.
How to search civil records
Civil case records can be searched on MyCase by selecting the Civil case type. The platform shows docket entries, filing dates, parties, and dispositions. In-person searches at the Clerk's office and requests through the online Public Information Request form are also available. Have a case number ready when submitting written or electronic requests.
Property and recorded documents
Real estate records, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments are kept by the Bartholomew County Recorder's Office — not the Clerk of Courts. The Recorder's office is at 440 Third Street, Columbus, IN 47201, Phone: (812) 379-1520, Fax: (812) 379-5440 Property documents can be searched online through Doxpop, and the Recorder offers a free Property Watch alert service that notifies property owners when new documents are filed against their name or legal description.
Selected Recorder fees (effective January 1, 2021):
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Deed (standard size) | $25 |
| Mortgage | $55 |
| Affidavit / Other Document | $25 |
| Release / Partial Release / Assignment | $25 |
| Mechanics Lien | $25 |
| UCC Filing | $25 |
| Copies (11×17 or smaller), per page | $1 |
| Certifying or acknowledging a document | $5 |
Bartholomew County Family Court Records
Family law matters — divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, protective orders, and spousal support — are handled by both the Circuit Court and the Superior Courts. Superior Court 1 hears a significant share of family cases, including divorce, custody, parenting time, and domestic violence protective orders.
Divorce and dissolution records
File a dissolution of marriage petition with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 234 Washington Street, Columbus. The standard civil filing fee of $157.00 applies, or $185.00 if service of process is included. Once a case closes, the decree of dissolution and any related orders become part of the permanent court record, searchable through MyCase or by contacting the Clerk's office directly.
Protective orders
If you need protection from domestic violence or harassment, you can file for a protective order in any of the county's trial courts. Indiana's protective order registry is searchable through the Indiana Judicial Branch's public records portal. Some details in protective order cases — especially those involving minors or victims of domestic violence — may be restricted.
Adoption and juvenile records
Adoption case files are sealed under Indiana law and are not available to the public. Juvenile court proceedings — including delinquency, status offenses, and child in need of services (CHINS) matters — are also confidential. Accessing these records requires a court order or proof of eligibility as defined by statute.
Marriage licenses
The Clerk's office issues marriage licenses by appointment only. Start by completing the online marriage license application through the Indiana Courts portal, then call (812) 379-1600 to schedule a 15-minute appointment. Appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30–9:15 a.m. or 2:00–2:45 p.m. The license fee is $25 for Indiana residents and $65 for out-of-state applicants. The Clerk's office does not perform marriage ceremonies — you'll need to arrange a separate officiant.
Marriage license records from 1993 to the present can be searched through the state's Marriage License Public Lookup portal.
Birth and death records
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Bartholomew County Health Department, Vital Records Division, at 440 Third Street, Suite 303, Columbus, IN 47201. Records date back to 1882. Birth certificates are restricted to the named individual and immediate family with valid ID. Death certificates are available to immediate family and others who can show a direct interest.
Vital records fees:
| Certificate | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate (regular size with plastic sleeve) | $12 |
| Certified death certificate | $12 |
| Paternity Affidavit | $30 |
| Copy of Paternity Affidavit | $5 |
Certificates can also be ordered online through VitalChek or by mailing a completed application (available on the Health Department website) with payment and a copy of your ID.
Bartholomew County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Bartholomew County — administering decedent estates, validating wills, establishing trusts, and appointing guardians and conservators — are handled by the Circuit Court and the Superior Courts. Superior Court 1 hears a large share of guardianship and estate cases, while the Circuit Court exercises general probate jurisdiction.
Searching probate records
Look up probate case information on MyCase by selecting Probate as the case type and searching by the decedent's name or assigned case number. Doxpop also indexes probate filings. For older records that predate electronic systems, check the Indiana State Archives — many of Bartholomew County's historical probate and estate order books are stored there.
Guardianship filings
The Clerk's office keeps a library of guardianship forms for self-represented petitioners, including the petition for pro se guardianship, acceptance and oath of guardian, consent forms, fee waiver petitions, and the Guardianship Registry Information Sheet. A guide to fiduciary duties is also available for download from the Clerk's guardianship forms page. Every guardianship appointment in Indiana must be reported to the state's Guardianship and Conservatorship Registry.
How to request probate records
Probate records can be requested through the same channels as other court records:
- Online — Use the Clerk's Public Information Request form (a case number is required).
- In person — Visit the Clerk's office at 234 Washington Street, Room 105, Columbus, during business hours (8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday).
- By mail — Send a written request with the decedent's name, case number, the specific documents you need, and payment to the Clerk's office at P.O. Box 924, Columbus, IN 47201.
Fees for probate filings
Probate filing fees follow the same statutory schedule as other civil filings. The general probate filing fee is $157.00. Certified copies and additional services are charged separately. Fee waiver petitions are available for individuals who cannot afford the filing costs.
Public access to probate records
Most probate records — wills admitted to probate, estate inventories, accountings, and court orders — are generally public. However, certain financial details, medical records submitted in guardianship proceedings, and other sensitive information may be restricted under Indiana Administrative Rule 9 or specific court orders. Records related to minor guardianships may also contain redacted information to protect the child's identity.