DeKalb County Court Records Search

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    DeKalb County, Indiana, is located in the northeastern corner of the state, with Auburn serving as the county seat. The county’s court system generates records across a broad spectrum of legal proceedings — from felony prosecutions and civil contract disputes to probate estates and family law matters. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts, Dana Hedrick, who serves as the constitutional officer responsible for recording, preserving, and providing public access to case filings for the Circuit Court and both Superior Courts. Understanding which court maintains which type of record, and how to access it, is the practical starting point for any records search in DeKalb County.

    Court records in Indiana can be searched through the clerk’s office in person, by mail, at public access terminals at the courthouse, and through the state’s online case management tools. IndianaStateCourts.us can help orient users to Indiana’s court structure and point toward publicly available case information. The Indiana Judiciary also operates a free statewide case search database that covers DeKalb County courts, detailed in the section below.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in DeKalb County?

    DeKalb County’s primary courts are all housed at the same courthouse campus in Auburn. The Clerk’s Office coordinates record requests for all three county courts.

    CourtAddressPhoneJudge
    Circuit Court100 S. Main Street, Auburn, IN 46706(260) 925-2764Hon. Kurt Grimm
    Superior Court No. 1100 S. Main Street, Auburn, IN 46706(260) 925-4723 / Fax: (260) 927-4798Hon. Adam C. Squiller
    Superior Court No. 2100 S. Main Street, Auburn, IN 46706(260) 925-5277 / Fax: (260) 927-8540Hon. Patrick Jessup
    Butler City Court120 West Main Street (P.O. Box 13), Butler, IN 46721(260) 868-2441 / Fax: (260) 868-5524Hon. Richard L. Obendorf

    DeKalb County Clerk of Courts
    Address: 100 S. Main Street, P.O. Box 230, Auburn, IN 46706
    Phone: (260) 925-0912 | Fax: (260) 925-5126
    Clerk: Dana Hedrick
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    Note: The Clerk’s Office closes for lunch daily from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

    There are three main ways to search for a court case in DeKalb County:

    1. Online via MyCase: The Indiana Judiciary’s MyCase portal provides free public access to case records from DeKalb County’s courts. Search by case number, party name, or attorney name. Some document types are available to view and download at no cost directly through the portal.
    2. In Person: Visit the Clerk’s Office at 100 S. Main Street during business hours. Bring as much identifying information as possible — party names, approximate filing dates, and case numbers when known. Request the Request for Copies of Court Records form from the clerk.
    3. By Mail: Complete the records request form and mail it with a check or money order payable to DeKalb County Clerk to P.O. Box 230, Auburn, IN 46706. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence.

    The Clerk’s office maintains separate direct lines by division: Civil Division (260) 925-0912, Criminal Division (260) 925-4575, Small Claims Division (260) 925-1315, Traffic Division (260) 925-4576, and Child Support (260) 925-6595.

    Are Court Records Public in DeKalb County?

    Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at IC 5-14-3, establishes that the public has the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by government agencies, including courts. This presumption of openness means that most civil, criminal, and family court case records in DeKalb County are accessible to anyone who submits a proper request with sufficient identifying information.

    However, Indiana Administrative Rule 9 governs public access to court records specifically and carves out categories of records that are excluded from public access entirely or must have certain information redacted:

    • Records declared confidential by the Indiana Supreme Court
    • Certain records involving minors, including juvenile delinquency proceedings
    • Documents that are part of a debtor’s mitigation package
    • Records exempt under applicable state or federal statutes
    • Personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and medical information, which are redacted even in otherwise public filings

    When a court file contains a mix of public and confidential material, clerks provide access to the publicly accessible portions while withholding restricted documents. The Indiana Judicial Branch’s public records page explains how to request access to records that are excluded from standard public access, including the process for seeking court approval to review restricted materials.

    DeKalb County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal jurisdiction in DeKalb County is exercised by the Circuit Court and both Superior Courts, depending on case assignment and the court’s caseload allocation plan. The Circuit Court handles certain categories of criminal cases pursuant to local court rules, while Superior Courts share felony and misdemeanor jurisdiction. The DeKalb County local court rules, available through the Indiana Judicial Branch local rules page, govern procedures for criminal filings, bail, and case management for all county courts.

    To search criminal case records online, use the MyCase portal and enter the defendant’s name or case number. Criminal case dockets, hearing dates, charges, and dispositions for publicly accessible cases are displayed in the search results.

    For arrest records and law enforcement reports, contact the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office:

    DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office – Records Division
    Address: 215 E. 8th Street, Auburn, IN 46706
    Phone: (260) 925-3365, ext. 4410
    Email: sheriff@co.dekalb.in.us
    Website: dekalbsheriff.in.gov

    Sheriff’s Office records fees are as follows:

    Record TypeFee
    Police Reports$2.00
    State Crash Reports$5.00
    Limited Criminal Background Check$2.00
    Fingerprints$10.00 per card

    Payment is accepted in cash, money order, or cashier’s check payable to DeKalb County Sheriff. In-person requests receive a response within 24 hours; mail requests are processed within seven days. For mail requests, download the Request for Public Records Form from the Sheriff’s website and include a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment.

    Limited criminal history checks (producing results from DeKalb County convictions only) must be requested in person at the sheriff’s office with state-approved identification. State crash reports can also be purchased online at buycrash.com. The Sheriff’s website also hosts an inmate search tool and a warrant search for current warrants.

    For court-filed criminal records, submit a completed Request for Copies of Court Records to the Clerk’s Criminal Division at (260) 925-4575. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page; certified copies cost $3.00 per document plus the per-page fee.

    DeKalb County Civil Court Records

    Civil cases in DeKalb County are distributed among the Circuit Court and Superior Courts according to the local caseload allocation plan. The Circuit Court retains sole jurisdiction over civil equity matters, general civil cases with unlimited damages, and complex commercial litigation. Superior Courts share civil jurisdiction for many standard civil claims. Small claims cases — those involving amounts within the statutory small claims threshold — are handled through the Small Claims Division of the Clerk’s Office.

    Small claims filing and case information:

    Small Claims Division – DeKalb County Clerk
    Phone: (260) 925-1315 | Fax: (260) 927-1331
    Address: 100 S. Main Street, Auburn, IN 46706

    Small claims forms are available directly from the Clerk’s Office small claims page. The Indiana Judiciary also publishes a Small Claims Manual that walks self-represented parties through the process of filing and prosecuting a claim. Filing fees for small claims cases in Indiana generally range from $35 to $85 depending on the court and the amount of the claim.

    To request civil case records from the Clerk:

    1. Complete the Request for Copies of Court Records form.
    2. Specify the case number, party names, and the specific documents needed.
    3. Include payment: $1.00 per page for plain copies, $3.00 per document for certified copies, by check or money order payable to DeKalb County Clerk.
    4. Submit in person at 100 S. Main Street, or by mail to P.O. Box 230, Auburn, IN 46706.

    Civil case dockets are also searchable through MyCase for cases filed in the county’s courts.

    DeKalb County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in DeKalb County — including dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, paternity, protective orders, and adoptions — are handled by the Circuit and Superior Courts. The Clerk of Courts maintains the complete case file for each family law proceeding and provides copies upon request through the standard records request process.

    Dissolution of marriage (divorce): Forms for initiating and responding to divorce cases in DeKalb County are available from the Clerk’s Office dissolution of marriage forms page. To request copies of an existing divorce case file, submit a Request for Copies of Court Records to the Clerk’s Civil Division at (260) 925-0912. Copy fees apply: $1.00 per page for plain copies, $3.00 per document for certified copies.

    Protective orders: Forms for requesting civil protective orders are available from the Clerk’s protection order forms page.

    Marriage licenses: The DeKalb County Clerk’s Office issues all marriage licenses. Both applicants must appear in person — an appointment is recommended at (260) 925-0912. Starting the process online at the Indiana marriage license application portal can reduce time at the office. Key requirements and fees:

    • Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification showing a DeKalb County address (for Indiana residents)
    • Age: Both applicants must be 18 or older (see clerk for under-18 requirements)
    • Residency: At least one Indiana resident applicant must reside in DeKalb County; out-of-state residents may apply only if the ceremony is performed in DeKalb County
    • Fee: $25.00 for Indiana residents; $65.00 for out-of-state residents
    • Validity: 60 days from date of issue; valid only for ceremonies performed in Indiana
    • Certified copy fee: $4.00 per certified copy (required for name changes at the BMV and Social Security Administration)

    Birth and death records for family law or estate purposes are maintained by the DeKalb County Health Department. As of January 1, 2026, the fee for both birth and death certificates is $15.00 per certificate. Records are available from 1882 to present. Certificates can be ordered through the DeKalb County Vital Records online application system or in person:

    DeKalb County Health Department – Vital Records
    Address: 220 E. 7th Street, Suite 110, Auburn, IN 46706
    Phone: (260) 925-2220
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (last issuance at 4:15 p.m.)

    DeKalb County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in DeKalb County — including the administration of decedents’ estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and related proceedings — are heard by the DeKalb County Superior Court. The court’s address for probate matters is:

    DeKalb County Superior Court (Probate)
    Address: 100 South Main Street, Auburn, IN 46706
    Phone: (260) 925-4723 | Fax: (260) 927-4798

    The Clerk of Courts maintains all probate case files. To access probate records, submit a completed Request for Copies of Court Records form to the Clerk’s office with the decedent’s name, approximate year of filing, and any known case number. Plain copies are $1.00 per page; certified copies are $3.00 per document plus the per-page fee. Payment must be by check or money order payable to DeKalb County Clerk.

    Non-confidential probate records are also searchable through the Indiana MyCase portal. Enter the decedent’s name or assigned case number to locate the case and view publicly accessible docket entries and documents. Indiana also maintains a Guardianship Registry through the state courts portal, which can be used to search for active guardianships statewide.

    Death certificates — which are required to open most estate proceedings — can be obtained from the DeKalb County Health Department for $15.00 per certified copy, or ordered through the Indiana Department of Health Vital Records for $8.00 for the first certificate and $4.00 for each additional copy. Having the correct certified death certificate in hand before initiating a probate petition at the Superior Court will streamline the filing process.