Bartholomew County Court Records Search
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Bartholomew County, Indiana, is home to a multi-court judicial system headquartered in Columbus, the county seat. The county’s Circuit Court and two Superior Courts handle the full range of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters, generating a substantial volume of records maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Whether you need to verify a case disposition, obtain certified copies of a judgment, or research property filings, understanding how Bartholomew County organizes its courts and records will save time and help ensure you are directing requests to the right office. This guide covers every major record category, the offices responsible for them, available search tools, applicable fees, and the legal framework governing public access.
Residents of Indiana can begin locating court case information through the state judiciary’s own resources. The Indiana Judicial Branch maintains a public records portal, and the statewide courts website at IndianaStateCourts.us can help orient users to publicly available case data. In addition to the state-level tools, Bartholomew County offers direct access through the Clerk’s office, in-person public terminals at the courthouse, and online platforms such as MyCase and Doxpop. Together, these options let the public search indexes, view docket entries, and in many instances retrieve electronic copies of court documents without visiting the courthouse.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Bartholomew County?
All Bartholomew County court proceedings—whether criminal, civil, family, or probate—are indexed and maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The courthouse is located at 234 Washington Street, Columbus, IN 47201. Effective March 1, 2025, regular court hours changed to 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Clerk’s office operates during the same business hours.
Online search options
The fastest way to look up a Bartholomew County case is through the state’s MyCase system, which is the Odyssey Public Access portal operated by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration.
- Navigate to MyCase.
- Select “Bartholomew” from the county dropdown menu.
- Choose the record type: Criminal & Citations, Civil, Family, or Probate.
- Enter a case number, party name (first and last name only), or attorney name, then click Search.
Doxpop is an additional resource that aggregates Indiana court and recorded-document data. The Bartholomew County Doxpop page offers tiered subscription plans, from free citizen-level access 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 assist with locating specific filings, though they are not permitted to provide legal advice.
Requesting records by mail or online form
The Clerk’s office provides an online Public Information Request form for requesting electronic copies of court documents. To use it, you must supply a cause or case number. Completed requests are fulfilled and emailed within seven business days. For mail requests, send a written request including party names, case number, and a check or money order for 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. Researchers can use the online catalog to identify which Bartholomew County record series are stored there and schedule a visit by emailing patron services.
Are Court Records Public in Bartholomew County?
Indiana law establishes a broad presumption of public access to government records. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-1 et seq., commonly known as the Access to Public Records Act (APRA), any person may inspect and copy records held by a public agency, including county courts and clerks. This right extends to court filings, docket entries, judgments, and orders in both criminal and civil cases.
However, APRA and additional Indiana statutes carve out significant exceptions. Records that are exempt from public disclosure include:
- Medical records and mental health evaluations submitted in 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, including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers, which must be redacted from publicly accessible filings
- Sealed or expunged records, which cannot be accessed without a court order
Indiana’s Administrative Rule 9 governs what information in court records is excluded from public access. Parties filing documents must ensure that confidential data—Social Security numbers, account numbers, dates of birth of minors, and certain other identifiers—are redacted or filed under seal pursuant to the rule. Court staff will not release records that have been ordered sealed, impounded, or expunged.
When submitting a public records request, requesters may be asked to present a valid photo ID. If a record is partially restricted, the Clerk’s office may provide a redacted version with exempt information removed. Denials of access can be appealed to the Indiana Public Access Counselor.
Bartholomew County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Bartholomew County are distributed among its three trial courts. Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 handles felony prosecutions at Levels 1 through 6 as well as certain misdemeanor charges. Superior Court 2 also adjudicates criminal matters. The Circuit Court exercises general jurisdiction and may hear criminal cases beyond the scope of the Superior Courts. 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 can be searched through MyCase by selecting “Criminal & Citations” as the case type and entering the defendant’s name or case number. Doxpop also provides criminal case search capabilities for Bartholomew County.
Arrest records and jail information
The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports. To find out whether an individual is currently in custody at the Bartholomew County Jail, call (812) 379-1750, option 2. The Sheriff’s Office address is 543 2nd Street, Columbus, IN 47201.
To request copies of Sheriff’s Office records—including arrest reports, incident reports, and body camera footage—use the online request forms:
Statewide criminal history checks
The Bartholomew County Clerk’s office does not perform background checks. Statewide criminal history searches are handled by the Indiana State Police through its Limited Criminal History Request Service. This name-based search covers felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests across Indiana. Users must create an account and pay the applicable fee. The Indiana Department of Correction also offers an offender search tool for looking up individuals who are or were incarcerated in state facilities.
Restrictions on criminal records
Records of ongoing 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) allows qualifying individuals to petition for expungement, after which the records are restricted from public view.
Bartholomew County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Bartholomew County spans 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 exceeding the $6,000 small-claims limit and handles civil tort cases involving medical malpractice, automobile accidents, and property damage. Both the Circuit Court and Superior Court 2 also hear general civil matters.
Filing fees
Civil filing fees in Bartholomew County are set by Indiana statute and a 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: fees are lower and governed by 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 procedures in these cases.
How to search civil records
Civil case records can be searched on MyCase by selecting the “Civil” case type. The same platform displays docket entries, filing dates, parties, and dispositions. In-person searches at the Clerk’s office and requests via the online Public Information Request form are also available. Requesters should have a case number ready when making written or electronic requests.
Property and recorded documents
Real estate records, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments are maintained 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—including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, protective orders, and spousal support—are adjudicated by both the Circuit Court and the Superior Courts in Bartholomew County. Superior Court 1 hears a significant share of family law cases, including divorce, child custody, parenting time, and domestic violence protective orders.
Divorce and dissolution records
Dissolution of marriage petitions are filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the courthouse, 234 Washington Street, Columbus. The standard civil filing fee of $157.00 applies (or $185.00 if service of process is included). After a case concludes, the decree of dissolution and any related orders become part of the permanent court record accessible through MyCase or by contacting the Clerk’s office directly.
Protective orders
Individuals seeking protection from domestic violence or harassment may 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. Certain details in protective order cases—particularly 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 general public. Juvenile court proceedings, including cases involving delinquency, status offenses, and child in need of services (CHINS) matters, are also confidential. Access to these records requires a court order or proof of eligibility as defined by statute.
Marriage licenses
Marriage licenses in Bartholomew County are issued by the Clerk’s office by appointment only. Applicants must first complete 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; couples must arrange a separate officiant.
Marriage license records can be searched through the state’s Marriage License Public Lookup portal, which contains records from 1993 to the present.
Birth and death records
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Bartholomew County Health Department, Vital Records Division, located 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 persons demonstrating 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 ID.
Bartholomew County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Bartholomew County—including the administration of decedent estates, validation of wills, establishment of trusts, and appointment of guardians and conservators—are handled by the Circuit Court and the Superior Courts. Superior Court 1 hears a substantial portion of guardianship and estate cases, while the Circuit Court exercises general probate jurisdiction.
Searching probate records
Probate case information is available through MyCase by selecting “Probate” as the case type and searching by the decedent’s name or the assigned case number. Doxpop also indexes probate filings. For older records that predate electronic systems, researchers should check the Indiana State Archives, where many of Bartholomew County’s historical probate and estate order books are now stored.
Guardianship filings
The Clerk’s office maintains a library of guardianship forms for self-represented petitioners. These include 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 performing fiduciary duties is also available for download from the Clerk’s guardianship forms page. All guardianship appointments 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 (requires a case number).
- 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, specific documents needed, 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 filing costs.
Public access to probate records
Most probate records—wills admitted to probate, estate inventories, accountings, and court orders—are public. However, certain financial details, medical records submitted in guardianship proceedings, and other sensitive information may be restricted from public view under Indiana Administrative Rule 9 or specific court orders. Records related to minor guardianships may contain redacted information to protect the child’s identity.