Clay County Court Records Search
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Clay County, Indiana sits in the west-central part of the state, with its county seat in Brazil. The county operates a Circuit Court and a Superior Court, both housed at the Clay County Courthouse, along with a Probate division and magistrate functions. Together, these courts handle the full range of legal matters — from misdemeanor traffic violations and small claims disputes to felony prosecutions, family law proceedings, and estate administration. Knowing which court maintains a particular record, and how to request it, is essential for anyone navigating the county's legal system.
Indiana court records may be searched through IndianaStateCourts.us, which can help you locate publicly available case information maintained by state and county courts. Beyond that statewide resource, records are accessible through the county clerk's office in person, at public access terminals in the courthouse, by mail, and through Indiana's official online case management portal. Each method has its own procedures, costs, and limitations depending on the nature of the record you're looking for.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Clay County?
The most direct path to Clay County court records is through MyCase, Indiana's official Odyssey Public Access portal. This free, publicly available system lets you search Circuit Court and Superior Court cases by party name, case number, or filing date. Many case documents and filings are available at no cost directly through the portal, though certified copies require a separate in-person or mail request.
For records not available online — or when you need certified copies — contact the Clay County Clerk of Courts, which maintains all circuit and superior court records.
Clay County Clerk of Courts
Address: Courthouse, 609 East National Avenue, Room 209, Brazil, Indiana 47834
Phone: (General/Traffic/Jury): (812) 448-9032
Phone: (Child Support): (812) 448-9024
Traffic and court payments: PayGov.us or call (866) 480-8552
In-person access is available during regular courthouse business hours. Bring the case number, names of the parties, and approximate filing date to help staff locate records efficiently.
Mail requests are accepted for certified copies of specific documents. Standard copy fees apply: $1.00 per page plus $3.00 for certification. Payment must accompany the request by money order or check made payable to the Clerk of Courts.
If you only need basic case status or court scheduling information, the Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides additional guidance on navigating official record requests across the state court system.
Are Court Records Public in Clay County?
Most Clay County court records are public documents. Indiana Administrative Rule 9 governs public access to court records statewide and sets out which records are accessible and which are excluded. The rule is designed to balance judicial transparency with the privacy interests of people involved in court proceedings.
Under Administrative Rule 9, the following categories of records are generally excluded from public access or treated as confidential:
- Juvenile court records and case files
- Adoption proceedings
- Mental health commitment records
- Records sealed by court order
- Specific financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, and other personal identifiers
- Information identifying confidential informants
- Certain domestic violence protective order filings
Even in publicly accessible cases, courts are required to redact sensitive personally identifiable information before making documents available. This applies to both physical copies and electronic records displayed through MyCase.
Records that don't fall into any excluded category — including most civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files — are open for inspection during regular courthouse hours or through the MyCase online portal. Indiana Administrative Rule 6 further defines what constitutes an official court record subject to public access rules, covering digital files, audio recordings, and paper documents alike.
Clay County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Clay County are divided between the two courts depending on the nature of the offense. Felony charges and Class A misdemeanors generally proceed through the Clay County Circuit Court, while lower-level misdemeanors and infractions may be handled at the Superior Court level.
Clay County Circuit Court
Address: 609 East National Avenue, Room 213, Brazil, IN 47834
Phone: (812) 448-9025
Fax: (812) 446-9602
Clay County Superior Court
Address: 609 East National Avenue, Room 203, Brazil, IN 47834
Phone: (812) 448-9031
Fax: (812) 446-9602
Court-level criminal case records — including charges, case status, hearing dates, plea information, and sentencing outcomes — are publicly accessible through MyCase at no cost. These records reflect what is on file with the court and are covered by Indiana Code § 5-14-3, the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, which affirms public access to basic criminal case information.
Criminal History Background Checks
Court records only reflect case dispositions. For a broader picture of someone's criminal history — including arrests and contacts with law enforcement — the Indiana State Police (ISP) administers two types of criminal history searches:
- Limited Criminal History (LCH): A name-based search covering felonies and misdemeanor arrests in Indiana only. Available online through ISP or by mailing a completed request form to: Indiana State Police, Criminal History Limited Check, P.O. Box 6188, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188. Mail requests require a money order made out to the State of Indiana.
- National Full Criminal History: A fingerprint-based check through ISP's Inkless Livescan system that provides a more comprehensive multi-state report. Fees for these services generally range from $15 to $30, depending on the type and method of request.
Neither LCH results nor fingerprint-based reports are maintained by the Clay County Clerk — those are functions of the State Police.
Clay County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Clay County cover a wide range of legal actions: contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disagreements, collections, and more. Cases involving amounts above the small claims threshold are filed in the Circuit or Superior Court. Both courts share the same courthouse address and clerk's office.
Civil case filings are publicly searchable through MyCase, Indiana's Odyssey case management portal. Search by party name or case number to find case status, filings, and scheduling information.
Small Claims Court in Indiana has a jurisdictional limit of $8,000. Small claims cases are typically filed in the Superior Court. Filing fees at the Clay County level follow the Indiana trial court fee schedule:
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $100.00 | $55.00 |
| $100.01 – $500.00 | $80.00 |
| $500.01 – $1,500.00 | $95.00 |
| $1,500.01 – $3,000.00 | $115.00 |
| $3,000.01 – $6,000.00 | $130.00 |
| $6,000.01 – $8,000.00 | $145.00 |
Additional service fees may apply for certified mail service on each defendant. For standard civil case filings, fees vary by case type — civil plenary and tort actions carry a filing fee of approximately $157–$232.
Certified copies of civil case documents cost $1.00 per page plus a $3.00 certification fee, payable to the Clay County Clerk at the courthouse. For e-filing information and approved forms, the Indiana Supreme Court Administration Office SCAO forms page is the appropriate place to start.
Clay County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorce (marriage dissolution), child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and protective orders — are handled by the Clay County Circuit Court and Superior Court. These proceedings are broadly covered by Indiana Code Title 31, which governs family and juvenile law.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are maintained by the Clay County Clerk of Courts. They include dissolution decrees, property settlement agreements, and parenting plans. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus $3.00 for certification. You can request these in person at Room 209 of the courthouse or by mail with payment enclosed. Note that sensitive financial disclosures or child custody arrangements within divorce files may be subject to restricted access under Administrative Rule 9.
Marriage Licenses and Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Clay County Clerk's Office. Key requirements and details:
- License fee: $29.00 (Indiana residents); $69.00 (out-of-state residents)
- Both applicants must appear in person; appointments required — call (812) 448-9024
- No license will be processed after 3:00 p.m.
- One applicant must be a Clay County resident
- Valid driver's license or state ID required for both applicants
- License is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance
- Start the application process online at mycourts.in.gov/mlpublic
To request a certified copy of an existing marriage license, download and complete the Marriage License Copy Request Form, include payment by money order to the Clerk's Office, and allow approximately 7 days for processing. Historical marriage licenses from 1993 forward may also be located through the Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup (MLPL) tool, searchable by name and year.
Child Support
Child support enforcement services are administered through the Clerk's Office. For questions, call (812) 448-9024. Online payments are accepted at childsupport.in.gov/pay, with PayNearMe and MoneyGram also available for cash payments at participating retail locations.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and the Clay County Health Department, under Indiana Code § 16-37-1. These records are restricted to individuals with a direct interest — the person named, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives.
- Birth certificates: $10.00 per copy (CCHD); IDOH charges $10.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy in the same order
- Death certificates: $10.00 per copy (CCHD); IDOH charges $8.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
- IDOH requests can be submitted online, by mail, or by phone at (866) 601-0891
- Local request forms are available at the Clay County Health Department
Clay County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Clay County — including the administration of decedent estates, will filings, guardianships, and conservatorships — are covered by Indiana Code Title 29 and administered through the Clay County court system. The Clay County Clerk of Courts maintains all probate records.
Probate cases are searchable through MyCase using the decedent's name or case number. For certified copies or documents not accessible online, visit the Clerk's Office at Room 209, 609 East National Avenue, Brazil, IN 47834, or send a written request by mail.
Probate Filing Fees
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition to open an estate (probate filing) | $177.00 |
| Sheriff service (if required) | +$28.00 additional |
| Copies of probate documents | $1.00 per page |
| Certification of documents | $3.00 per document |
Publication costs for estate notices are additional expenses, typically ranging from $100–$150 depending on the newspaper of record. Attorney fees, if applicable, are separate from court-imposed fees.
Wills may be filed with the Clerk's Office for safekeeping prior to a person's death; this does not constitute opening a probate case. Guardianship and conservatorship petitions follow the same basic filing structure as estate proceedings and are handled within the same division.
For those handling estate matters without an attorney, the Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides guidance on navigating court procedures, and general probate forms are available through the Indiana Supreme Court Administration SCAO forms library.
Property Records
Property-related records — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, easements, and related instruments — are maintained by the Clay County Recorder's Office, located on the first floor (Room 111) of the courthouse at 609 East National Avenue, Brazil, IN 47834. Recording fees include:
- Deeds and most instruments: $25.00 (includes one oversize page)
- Mortgages and re-recorded mortgages: $55.00
- Additional pages over 8½" × 14": $5.00 each
- Copies (11" × 17" or smaller): $1.00 per page
- Copies larger than 11" × 17": $5.00 per page
- Certification of document: $5.00
Property assessment and valuation information is available through the Clay County Assessor's Office, and property tax payment details are accessible through the Clay County Treasurer's Office. Parcel boundary and zoning data can be explored visually through the Clay County GIS Mapping System.