Fayette County Court Records Search
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Fayette County, Indiana sits in the east-central part of the state, with Connersville serving as the county seat and the center of its judicial operations. The county's court system is built around two trial courts — the Circuit Court and the Superior Court — both housed in the historic courthouse on North Central Avenue. Together, these courts produce records spanning criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, domestic relations matters, probate proceedings, and juvenile cases. Anyone looking to examine or obtain those records needs to know which court handled the case, how to use the available online tools, and what procedures apply to in-person or mail requests.
If you're just beginning a records search in Indiana, IndianaStateCourts.us offers a useful orientation to how the state's court system is organized and where publicly available case information can be found. Fayette County court records may be accessed through the Clerk of Courts, public access terminals at the courthouse, the statewide online case search portal, or by submitting written requests directly to the appropriate court office.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Fayette County?
Start with Indiana's MyCase portal, officially known as Odyssey Public Access and maintained by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration. Access is free. You can search by party name, case number, or hearing date, and the system returns case summaries, docket entries, and in many instances viewable electronic filings.
The Indiana Judicial Branch also maintains a dedicated public records page that explains how to access court documents online, how to request records from the clerk's office, and how to request records from the court itself. The Fayette County page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website points to local court contact information and the county's official website.
For in-person or mail requests, all records for both courts are processed through the Fayette County Clerk of Courts:
Fayette County Clerk of Courts — Dawn Hughes
Address: Courthouse, 2nd Floor North End, 401 N. Central Avenue, Connersville, IN 47331
Phone: (765) 825-1813
Fax: (765) 827-4902
Email: clerk@co.fayette.in.us
Hours: Monday–Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (closed daily for lunch 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.)
When submitting a mail request, include the full names of the parties involved, the approximate date of filing, and the case number if you have it. The clerk can advise on copy fees when you inquire.
Are Court Records Public in Fayette County?
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), Ind. Code § 5-14-3-3, establishes that all persons have the right to inspect and copy public records of Indiana government agencies, including courts. Custodians must respond to records requests within a reasonable time and may charge fees to recover the cost of reproduction.
That said, not all court records are open to unrestricted inspection. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, certain records are either confidential by statute or may be withheld at agency discretion. Categories routinely restricted in Fayette County courts include:
- Juvenile records — Cases involving minors in delinquency and child in need of services (CHINS) proceedings are confidential and not publicly accessible.
- Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed under Indiana law and require a court order to access.
- Investigatory records — Law enforcement materials compiled during active investigations are typically withheld pending case resolution.
- Mental health proceedings — Records of involuntary commitment hearings carry heightened privacy protections.
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers — Specific personal identifiers are routinely redacted from public documents.
- Records sealed by court order — Judges may seal specific filings upon motion, including certain expunged criminal records.
Indiana's expungement statute, if successfully invoked, allows qualifying individuals to have arrest and conviction records restricted from public view. If you're not sure whether a particular record has been sealed or expunged, contact the Clerk of Courts directly.
Fayette County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Fayette County is divided by offense severity. Felony charges are handled exclusively in the Fayette County Circuit Court, presided over by the Honorable Hubert Branstetter. Misdemeanor offenses, traffic-related felonies, and ordinance violations fall under the Fayette County Superior Court, presided over by the Honorable Paul L. Freed.
Fayette County Circuit Court
Address: Courthouse, 2nd Floor, 401 North Central Avenue, Connersville, IN 47331-1981
Phone: (765) 825-1331
Fax: (765) 825-0308
Hours: Monday–Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch noon–1:00 p.m.)
Fayette County Superior Court
Address: Courthouse, 2nd Floor, 401 North Central Avenue, Connersville, IN 47331-1981
Phone: (765) 825-1775
Fax: (765) 222-1730
Hours: Weekdays, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Thursday, in office 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (not open to the public on Thursday afternoons)
Criminal case records include charging documents, arraignment orders, plea entries, sentencing orders, and related motions. These can be searched through the MyCase portal by name or case number. Filings are available as electronic images for cases processed through Indiana's Odyssey Case Management System.
Arrest Records and Inmate Information
The Fayette County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Zacharia Jones, maintains booking records and operates the county jail. Current inmates can be searched through the Fayette County Jail inmate list, which is publicly accessible online and allows searches by full name. The jail is located at 123 West 4th Street, Connersville, IN 47331.
Fayette County Sheriff's Office
Address: 123 W. 4th Street, Connersville, IN 47331
Phone: (765) 825-1110
Fax: (765) 825-6423
Email: zjones@co.fayette.in.us
Hours: Weekdays, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Statewide Criminal History Records
For formal background checks, the Indiana State Police administers the Limited Criminal History (LCH) search system. A limited criminal history contains felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests within Indiana. Searches are name-based and use date of birth, race, and gender. Employers and individuals can access this service through the Indiana State Police Criminal History Services page.
Fayette County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Fayette County is distributed between the Circuit Court and the Superior Court. The Superior Court handles general civil cases, including debt disputes and property matters. The Circuit Court also handles general civil cases as part of its broader jurisdiction. All civil filings are recorded by the Clerk of Courts and searchable through the MyCase portal.
Property Records
Real estate instruments — including deeds, mortgages, and liens — are recorded with and maintained by the Fayette County Recorder's Office, located on the first floor of the courthouse.
Fayette County Recorder
Address: Courthouse, 1st Floor, 401 Central Avenue, Connersville, IN 47331
Phone: (765) 825-3051
Email: recorder@co.fayette.in.us
Key recording fees include:
| Instrument Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mortgages and re-recorded mortgages | $55.00 |
| Deeds and all other instruments | $55.00 |
| Mechanic's Lien | $5.00 additional |
| Copies (11"x17" or smaller, per page) | $1.00 |
| Copies (larger than 11"x17", per page) | $5.00 |
The recorder's office also provides access to online recording and document lookup services; call (800) 460-5657 for remote access information.
For civil court documents rather than land records, copy fees are assessed by the Clerk of Courts. Contact the clerk at (765) 825-1813 to confirm current per-page reproduction and certification fees before submitting a request.
Fayette County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Fayette County — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, paternity, and child support — are handled within the Superior Court's family division. All corresponding records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts.
Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage
Divorce proceedings are filed and heard in the Superior Court. Records of dissolution cases — including decrees, property settlement agreements, and custody orders — are generally public under APRA, with limited exceptions. To obtain copies, you can visit the Clerk of Courts office in person or search for case filings online through the MyCase case search portal by case number, party name, or filing date. Certified copies require an in-person or mail request to the clerk's office.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Fayette County Clerk of Courts. Under Indiana law, marriage records are public and accessible to both residents and non-residents. You can view marriage records or obtain a marriage license in person at the clerk's office. Searches can also be conducted through the MyCase portal for marriages documented within court records.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for Fayette County residents are maintained by the Indiana State Department of Health, not at the county level. A certified birth certificate costs $10.00, with additional copies available for $4.00 each. Death certificates cost $8.00 per copy. Requests may be submitted to:
Indiana State Department of Health — Vital Records
2 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Mail requests should include the completed application, a copy of valid government-issued photo ID, and payment by check or money order made payable to the Indiana State Department of Health. In-person visits and online ordering options are also available through the state health department.
Child Support
Child support orders are established and enforced through the Fayette County courts. Case information related to active child support matters can be searched through the MyCase portal. For enforcement inquiries, the Fayette County Prosecutor's Office handles Title IV-D child support cases in cooperation with the Indiana Child Support Bureau.
Domestic Violence and Protective Orders
Protective order petitions can be filed in the Fayette County Superior Court. Indiana law provides for emergency protective orders (EPOs) and civil protective orders (CPOs) for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and harassment. There is no filing fee for protective order petitions. All related paperwork is processed through the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse.
Fayette County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Fayette County belongs to the Circuit Court, which handles administration of decedents' estates, probate of wills, appointment of personal representatives, guardianships for incapacitated adults, conservatorships, and related trust matters. The Clerk of Courts maintains all probate records.
Probate records are generally public under APRA, with the exception of sealed mental health-related filings. To locate and request a probate record, you can:
- Search online through the MyCase case search portal using the decedent's or ward's name.
- Visit the Clerk of Courts office in person at 401 N. Central Avenue, 2nd Floor North End, Connersville, IN 47331.
- Submit a written mail request to the clerk with the name of the decedent or ward, the approximate year the case was opened, and the nature of the records sought.
Including the case number whenever possible will significantly speed up the clerk's response. Certified copies of probate orders, letters testamentary, and will instruments are available for a fee; contact the clerk at (765) 825-1813 for current copy and certification charges.
The Circuit Court's probate docket also covers guardianship proceedings for both adults and minors. Petitions to establish a guardianship or conservatorship are filed in the Circuit Court and proceed through hearings before the judge. Related records — including inventories, accountings, and annual reports filed by guardians — are part of the public probate file unless specifically sealed by court order.