Dearborn County Court Records Search
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Dearborn County, Indiana, lies along the Ohio border in the southeastern corner of the state and maintains a unified court system serving both its own residents and, in some matters, those of neighboring Ohio County. All court proceedings in the county generate official records — from felony indictments and civil contract disputes to guardianship petitions and marriage licenses — and those records are primarily held by the Dearborn County Clerk of Courts. Understanding which court handled a matter, how records are organized, and what fees apply will save considerable time when searching for specific case information.
Individuals researching Indiana court cases can consult IndianaStateCourts.us as a starting point for locating publicly available judicial resources throughout the state. From there, record seekers can connect to official clerk portals, public access computer terminals at the courthouse, and the state’s primary online case search tool. Because official court records are the authoritative source, any research should ultimately be confirmed through the Clerk’s office or a direct court inquiry rather than relying solely on secondary databases.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Dearborn County?
Court case information in Dearborn County is available through several channels depending on the type of case, the year it was filed, and how much detail the requester needs.
Online Case Search
The Indiana Judicial Branch operates the MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search portal, which provides free public access to many — though not all — court records statewide, including those filed in Dearborn County courts. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal does not contain every case type, and some records are excluded from public view under Indiana’s confidentiality rules, but it is the most efficient starting point for recent filings.
In-Person Access
The Clerk of Courts office at 165 Mary Street in Lawrenceburg offers in-person access during regular business hours. A public computer terminal is available on-site for genealogical research, archive queries, and court record lookups. Staff can assist with locating case files and processing copy requests, though they are prohibited by law from providing legal advice.
Dearborn County Courts — Locations and Contacts
| Court | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court | 165 Mary St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 | (812) 537-8867 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM |
| Superior Court I | 165 Mary St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 | (812) 537-8877 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM |
| Superior Court II | 165 Mary St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 | (812) 537-8800 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM |
| Lawrenceburg City Court | 349 Walnut St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 | (812) 532-3545 | Mon–Fri (hours vary) |
The Circuit Court and both Superior Courts are located in the Dearborn County Government Center/Courthouse on Mary Street. The Circuit Court occupies the second floor of the historic courthouse section of the building, while Superior Courts I and II are housed in the newer government center portion. A complete directory of Indiana courts and clerks is also published by the Indiana Judicial Branch and includes current contact information for each court in the state.
E-Filing
Attorneys practicing in Dearborn County are required to file cases electronically. Self-represented litigants are encouraged — but not mandated — to e-file. The Indiana Judicial Branch’s local rules page for Dearborn County provides additional guidance on electronic filing procedures and applicable local rules.
Are Court Records Public in Dearborn County?
Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA) establishes the general right of any person to inspect and copy records maintained by public agencies, including courts. Under this framework, most court case records — including civil filings, criminal dockets, judgment entries, and probate proceedings — are open to public inspection.
However, Indiana Administrative Rule 9 defines specific categories of court records that are excluded from public access entirely or require partial redaction. Records that are fully excluded from public view include:
- Juvenile court proceedings, including child in need of services (CHINS) cases and juvenile delinquency records
- Adoption records at all stages of the proceeding
- Mental health commitment and treatment records
- Records containing Social Security numbers in full
- Financial account numbers, including bank account and credit card data
- Records sealed by court order following expungement
Records that require redaction — meaning portions are removed before public release — include those containing dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, home addresses in certain protective order contexts, and the names of minor victims. When reviewing records in person or through MyCase, these fields will either be blank, marked as restricted, or replaced with a generic identifier.
Requests that are denied by the Clerk’s office may be appealed through the Indiana Public Access Counselor, and disputed denials can ultimately be reviewed under the APRA complaint process.
Dearborn County Criminal Court Records
Felony Cases — Circuit Court and Superior Court I
Felony cases in Dearborn County are primarily divided between the Circuit Court and Superior Court I. The Dearborn County Circuit Court — presided over by Judge F. Aaron Negangard and Magistrate Jerry Charls — holds jurisdiction over major felony cases classified at Level 3 and above (formerly Class C felonies and higher). Superior Court I, located in the same building, handles a general jurisdiction docket that includes criminal matters, particularly lower-level felonies and felony preliminary hearings.
To search for a felony case, use the MyCase portal and select “Criminal” as the case type. The system returns case numbers, charges, docket entries, and current status. Certified copies of criminal case documents must be obtained directly from the Clerk of Courts.
Misdemeanor and Traffic Cases — Superior Court I and City Court
Misdemeanor offenses and traffic violations are handled primarily by Superior Court I and Lawrenceburg City Court. Superior Court I’s Criminal Division can be reached at (812) 537-8877, while Lawrenceburg City Court handles matters arising from city ordinances and state traffic laws within the city limits and is located at 349 Walnut Street, (812) 532-3545.
Arrest Records — Sheriff’s Office
Arrest records are generated and maintained by the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office, located at 301 W High Street, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025. The office can be reached at (812) 537-3431 and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a lunch closure from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Arrest records do not equal convictions and are subject to the same APRA exemptions applicable to other law enforcement records. Individuals seeking a certified criminal history may need to contact the Indiana State Police, as the Sheriff’s Office does not maintain centralized criminal history records for all county matters.
Expungement
Individuals who have had criminal records expunged in Dearborn County may request that the Clerk remove those records from public access. Once an expungement order is granted by the court, the sealed materials are no longer available through standard public record channels, including MyCase.
Dearborn County Civil Court Records
Jurisdiction Overview
Civil litigation in Dearborn County is distributed between three courts based on the dollar amount in controversy and the nature of the claim:
- Circuit Court: Civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000; also hears appeals from administrative agencies
- Superior Court I: Civil Tort and Civil Plenary cases, landlord/tenant matters, and small claims cases up to Indiana’s statutory small claims limit
- Superior Court II: Established by the Indiana legislature in 2006 and presided over by Judge Sally A. McLaughlin, this court handles a range of civil and other proceedings
Small Claims
Small claims matters in Indiana currently allow for claims up to $10,000 (with some variation by jurisdiction). The Clerk of Courts assists pro se filers with small claims filing through case assistance services, including providing copies of the small claims manual, court forms, and instructions for completing them. Filing fees for small claims range from approximately $35 to $85 depending on the claim amount, consistent with Indiana statewide schedules. The Indiana Judicial Branch publishes a Small Claims Manual that walks self-represented litigants through the entire process.
Protective Orders
Protective order processing is handled through the Superior Court clerk staff. Individuals seeking an emergency protective order should contact the Clerk’s office or appear at the courthouse during business hours. No filing fee is required for protective order petitions under Indiana law.
Civil Record Copies
Uncertified copies of civil case documents cost between $0.50 and $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $11.00 certification fee per document. Payments may be made in cash, cashier’s check, money order, or credit card, with a $1.00 administrative fee added to each credit card transaction. Online payment is also available through the county’s PayGov portal for fines and fees associated with court proceedings.
Property Records
The Dearborn County Recorder’s Office, located at 165 Mary Street, (812) 537-8837, maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments. The Recorder’s fee schedule for recording documents is as follows:
| Document Type | Recording Fee |
|---|---|
| Mortgages (including subordinate/2nd mortgages) | $55.00 (no min/max on page count) |
| Deeds and all other instruments | $25.00 (no min/max on page count) |
| Mechanics Lien | $25.00 (includes one mailing) |
| UCC Financing Statements | $25.00 |
| Copies (letter, legal, or ledger size) | $1.00 per page |
| Survey-size copies (18×24 / 24×36) | $5.00 per page |
| Certified copy | $5.00 |
The Recorder’s office only accepts cash or checks. Property records dating from the year 2000 forward are searchable online through Doxpop, a subscription-based platform that also offers a free Property Watch alert service. GIS maps and broader property data are accessible through Beacon Schneider Corp. Electronic recording of transferable and non-transferable documents is accepted through Simplifile and Indecomm.
Dearborn County Family Court Records
Divorce and Dissolution
Divorce and dissolution of marriage proceedings in Dearborn County are filed with the Clerk of Courts and heard in the Circuit Court or Superior Court, depending on caseload allocation. The Clerk maintains all divorce records, and individuals seeking copies must submit a written or in-person request including the full names of both parties, the date of filing, the date the divorce was finalized, a copy of a valid photo ID, and the case file number if known. Uncertified copies cost $0.50 to $1.00 per page; certified copies carry an additional $11.00 fee per document.
Marriage Licenses and Records
Marriage licenses are issued exclusively through the Dearborn County Clerk of Courts for the Circuit Court. Both applicants must appear in person at the Clerk’s office during business hours. The Clerk also maintains historical marriage records dating back to 1826, making this office a valuable resource for genealogical research. Marriage record searches can be conducted in person or at the public access computer terminal available on-site.
Juvenile and Child Welfare
The Dearborn County Circuit Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over all juvenile matters, including Child in Need of Services (CHINS) cases, delinquency proceedings, paternity actions, and child custody determinations involving minors. The court also oversees the Dearborn-Ohio County Child Advocate Program, which provides a voice for children in the court system. For information about this program, contact (812) 532-2071 or visit voiceofachild.net. Juvenile records are confidential under Indiana law and are not accessible through standard public record channels.
Protective Orders
Protective order matters are filed and processed through the Superior Court clerk staff and are accessible to the parties involved. Protective order proceedings may include emergency, preliminary, or final orders addressing issues of domestic violence, harassment, or stalking.
Vital Records — Birth and Death Certificates
The Dearborn County Health Department – Vital Records, now located at 272 Bielby Road, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025, issues birth and death certificates for Dearborn County and, as of a recent statewide policy change, can now issue certificates from any county in Indiana. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Contact number: (812) 537-8826.
Current fees at the Dearborn County Health Department are:
- Birth Certificate: $15.00 per copy
- Death Certificate: $30.00 per copy
- Paternity Affidavit: $50.00
An administrative fee applies to credit card transactions. Payment is accepted by cash, cashier’s check, money order, or credit card. Birth records are restricted to authorized requesters; public access is not granted until 75 years after the date of birth. Requesters must provide documentation establishing their relationship to the record subject. The Indiana Department of Health also offers online ordering at IN.gov Vital Records for an $8.00 fee for the first certificate and $4.00 for each additional copy.
Dearborn County Probate Court Records
All probate matters in Dearborn County fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Dearborn County Circuit Court. This includes the administration of decedents’ estates, guardianships over adults and minors, conservatorships, adoptions, trust proceedings, and related matters. The Circuit Court is presided over by Judge F. Aaron Negangard, who was elected to serve Dearborn and Ohio Counties in 2022 and took the bench in 2023, and Magistrate Jerry Charls.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and can be searched using the MyCase Indiana portal by selecting “Probate” as the case type. Historical probate filings, including estate and guardianship records, may also be located through the public access terminal at the courthouse, which supports genealogical and archival research. The Clerk’s office, reached at (812) 537-8867, can assist with locating specific case files and providing copies.
Estate Administration
When a Dearborn County resident dies, their estate may be opened for administration in the Circuit Court. The personal representative or petitioner files an opening petition with the Clerk, and the court supervises the process of validating the will (if applicable), identifying and valuing estate assets, notifying creditors, and ultimately distributing assets to beneficiaries. Dearborn County local court rules govern procedural requirements including motion filing, hearing schedules, and the appearance standards expected of all parties appearing before the court.
Guardianships and Conservatorships
Guardianship petitions — whether over an incapacitated adult or a minor — are filed in the Circuit Court and require notice to all interested parties, a hearing, and, in most cases, the appointment of a guardian ad litem or court visitor to make an independent recommendation. The Circuit Court also exercises jurisdiction over conservatorships. Ongoing guardianship cases require periodic reports to the court, and any major decisions involving the protected person’s estate must be approved by a judge.
Adoptions
Adoption proceedings are filed in and supervised by the Circuit Court. All adoption records are sealed by operation of Indiana law and are not accessible to the general public. Parties with a legal right to access adoption records — such as an adult adoptee or birth parent — must follow statutory procedures, which may require a court order.
Requesting Copies
To obtain copies of probate case documents, submit a written or in-person request to the Clerk of Courts at 165 Mary Street, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 during office hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Fees follow the standard copy schedule: $0.50 to $1.00 per page for uncertified copies, plus an $11.00 certification fee per certified document. Payments by credit card include a $1.00 administrative processing fee.