Henry County Court Records Search

Henry County, Indiana maintains a structured court system centered in New Castle, the county seat. Legal proceedings spanning criminal felonies, civil disputes, family matters, and estate administration are handled across three Circuit Courts, each with a defined jurisdictional scope. The county’s Clerk of Courts, operating under Indiana Code, serves as the custodian of most court-related records and acts as the primary point of contact for members of the public seeking copies of case files, judgments, and official documents.

Court records in Indiana are governed by the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), which broadly ensures public access to government records while carving out specific categories for protection. Understanding how the county’s court system is organized, which records are accessible, and how requests must be submitted will save considerable time when researching legal proceedings.

Finding Court Records in Henry County:

Indiana residents and researchers can search publicly available case information through mycase.in.gov, the official statewide court records portal operated by the Indiana Judicial Branch. This tool allows anyone to look up case summaries, party names, court dates, and filing histories across most Indiana courts without charge. For cases not reflected in the online system or when certified copies are needed, the Henry County Clerk of Courts handles in-person and mail requests directly. Additional guidance on navigating Indiana court records is available at IndianaStateCourts.us.

Henry County Courts — At a Glance:

Court	Address	Phone	Hours
Circuit Court 1	1215 Race St, Suite 350, New Castle, IN 47362	(765) 529-1403	Mon–Fri, 8 AM–4 PM
Circuit Court 2	1215 Race St, Suite 320, New Castle, IN 47362	(765) 529-6408	Mon–Fri, 8 AM–4 PM (closed noon–1 PM)
Circuit Court 3	1215 Race St, Suite 220, New Castle, IN 47362	(765) 521-2554	Mon–Fri, 8 AM–4 PM
Clerk of Courts	1215 Race St, Suite 120, New Castle, IN 47362	(765) 529-6401	Mon–Fri, 8 AM–4 PM

How to Look Up a Court Case in Henry County?

The most accessible method for searching Henry County court cases is through mycase.in.gov, the Indiana Judicial Branch’s free public portal. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney of record and view dockets, scheduled hearings, and case summaries. Many filings and orders are available at no cost directly through the portal. For older or archived matters, results may be incomplete, and direct contact with the Clerk’s office is recommended.

For those who prefer in-person research, public access terminals are available during business hours at the Clerk of Courts office:

Henry County Clerk of Courts
1215 Race Street, Suite 120
New Castle, IN 47362
Phone: (765) 529-6401
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM
Clerk: Jenny Grubbs

To request copies of documents by mail, include the following information with your written request:

Full names of all parties involved
Approximate filing date or year
Case number (if known)
Specific document(s) requested
Payment for copy fees (if certified copies are needed)
A self-addressed, stamped envelope for return correspondence

The Henry County local rules of civil and criminal practice, updated effective January 1, 2025, govern procedures in all three Circuit Courts, including how documents are filed, how appearances are made, and how discovery must be conducted. Researchers navigating complex case files or attorneys handling filings in the county should consult these rules for procedural requirements. The Indiana Judicial Branch also publishes all local court rules by county for convenient reference.

For civil e-filing and electronic service of documents, Henry County courts use the Indiana e-filing system, and case management is maintained through the Odyssey platform, which feeds into the public-facing mycase portal.

Are Court Records Public in Henry County?

Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA) establishes the baseline right of any member of the public to inspect and copy records held by public agencies, including court records maintained by the Clerk of Courts. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, court records are generally available without requiring requesters to provide identification or state a reason for the request. Agencies may not charge for the time spent retrieving or redacting records, only for the actual cost of reproduction.

However, several categories of records are either confidential by statute or subject to restricted access:

Juvenile records — Access is restricted under IC 31-39-2-10 to protect the privacy of minors involved in delinquency or CHINS proceedings.
Adoption records — Sealed by statute under IC 31-19-19-1, accessible only by court order or through specific statutory procedures.
Mental health and medical records — Confidential under IC 16-39-3-10, available only to authorized individuals.
Protective orders and domestic violence matters — Certain details in these cases may be restricted to protect victim safety under IC 34-26-5-11.
Expunged records — Once a court grants expungement under IC 35-38-9, the underlying records are sealed and no longer accessible through public channels.

Records not falling within a recognized exception are presumptively open. If a request is denied, the custodian must specify the statutory basis for the denial. Written denial requests must receive written responses.

Henry County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Henry County are divided among the three Circuit Courts according to the Henry County Local Rules of Criminal Procedure, last updated January 1, 2025. The assignment rules are as follows:

All misdemeanor cases are filed in Henry Circuit Court 3 (Suite 220, 1215 Race Street; (765) 521-2554).
Level 6 felonies (with several exceptions) are filed in Henry Circuit Court 2 (Suite 320; (765) 529-6408). Specific Level 6 offenses — including battery, theft, OWI, domestic battery, and resisting law enforcement — are assigned to Circuit Court 3 instead.
Level 1 through Level 5 felonies are randomly assigned between Henry Circuit Court 1 (Suite 350; (765) 529-1403) and Circuit Court 2. Homicide cases alternate between the two courts.

The county’s bail bond schedule, incorporated into the local rules, establishes standard bond amounts for pre-July 2014 offenses by felony level and misdemeanor class. Examples include: Level 1 Felony — $4,000 cash plus $75,000 surety; Level 6 Felony — $350 cash plus $5,000 surety; A Misdemeanor — $300 cash plus $4,000 surety. Out-of-state defendants are subject to double the standard bond amount. Sex offenses and certain domestic violence charges require a hearing within 48 hours before bond conditions are set, with a mandatory 12-hour hold applied upon arrest.

Automatic criminal discovery in Henry County does not require a written motion. Upon entry of appearance by defense counsel, the State must disclose all relevant materials within 30 days, and the defense must reciprocate within 10 days of receiving the State’s disclosure.

Criminal court records, including charge information, case histories, and disposition records, are searchable through mycase.in.gov or by contacting the Clerk of Courts. Arrest and custody information for current inmates can be checked through the Indiana SAVIN statewide notification system or via VineLink. The Henry County Jail, a 130-bed secure facility managed by the Sheriff’s Office, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. The Sheriff’s Office is located at 1033 Ron Lampe Way, New Castle, IN 47362, and can be reached at (765) 529-5201 (Jail Division) or (765) 521-7032 (Law Enforcement Division).

For individuals seeking to have criminal records sealed or expunged, Indiana Code IC 35-38-9 provides the statutory framework. Petitions for expungement must be filed in the circuit court of the county where the conviction occurred. Eligibility depends on the level of the offense, the time elapsed since the conviction or completion of sentence, and whether the petitioner has any subsequent convictions.

Henry County Civil Court Records

Civil jurisdiction in Henry County is shared across the three Circuit Courts. Major civil cases — including personal injury, property disputes, contract claims, and foreclosures — are generally handled in Henry Circuit Court 1 and Henry Circuit Court 2. Small claims cases and civil matters within the lower jurisdictional threshold are handled by Henry Circuit Court 3, consistent with Indiana’s statutory scheme under IC 33-28-1-1 and IC 33-29-1-1.

Indiana small claims proceedings allow individuals to pursue claims without the full formality of standard civil litigation. Filing fees in Indiana courts vary by county; general Indiana civil filing information is available through Indiana Legal Help. For out-of-state civil process, the Henry County Sheriff charges $60 per person per address, payable to the Henry County Clerk at 1215 Race Street, New Castle, IN 47362.

Civil case filings and dockets are accessible through the MyCase portal using party names or cause numbers. Civil records maintained by the Clerk of Courts include complaints, answers, motions, orders, and judgments. Certified copies of civil judgments are available at the Clerk’s office for a fee, and copy requests may be submitted in person or by mail.

The Henry County local civil rules impose specific procedural requirements on parties, including limitations on interrogatories (no more than 25 per side with no more than four subparts each), requirements for pre-trial conference orders, and rules governing motions to compel discovery. Summary judgment motions must be accompanied by a brief, with the opposing party given 30 days to respond. Attorneys seeking to withdraw from a case must give their client at least 10 days’ written notice before filing a petition for withdrawal.

Property-related records, including deeds, mortgages, and land transfers, are maintained by the Henry County Recorder’s Office. The Recorder’s office provides online access through Tapestry for occasional users or Laredo Anywhere for title insurance and real estate professionals requiring frequent access. The Henry County Assessor’s Office handles property valuation and tax records, accessible via the Henry County official website.

Henry County Family Court Records

Family law proceedings in Henry County — including divorce, dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, parenting time, and related post-decree matters — are handled within the Circuit Courts, with jurisdiction structured under Indiana Code Title 31. Divorce records are filed with and maintained by the Henry County Clerk of Courts and are generally accessible as public records unless sealed by court order, per IC 31-15-2-6.

To search for or obtain divorce records, contact the Clerk of Courts with the full names of both parties and, if known, the approximate filing date or cause number. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available through the Clerk’s office for a fee; general copy requests may be submitted in person or by mail.

Marriage licenses in Henry County are issued by the Clerk of Courts and are governed by IC 31-11-5-12. Key requirements and fees include:

Indiana residents: $25 license fee
Out-of-state residents: $65 license fee
Both parties must appear in person at the Clerk’s office between 8 AM and 3:30 PM
Both parties must present certified birth certificates in English (or a valid driver’s license as a substitute)
Previously divorced applicants must provide a certified copy of the most recent divorce decree
The license is valid for 60 days with no waiting period after issuance
Certified copies of issued licenses are available for $4.00 each

For more information or to apply, visit the Henry County Marriage License page or contact the Clerk’s office at (765) 529-6401. Payment is accepted in cash, money order, or credit card (a 3% convenience fee applies to card transactions).

Birth and death certificates for Henry County are maintained by the Henry County Health Department’s Vital Records Office, not the court system. These records are restricted by statute to the individual named, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives under IC 16-37-1-8. The fee is $20 per copy, with a 3% convenience fee for credit/debit card payments. Requests are accepted in person, by mail, email, or fax:

Henry County Health Department — Vital Records
216 S. 12th Street
New Castle, IN 47362
Phone: (765) 521-7059, Option 1
Fax: (765) 521-7057
Email: vitalrecords@henrycounty.in.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM (closed noon–1 PM)

Completed request forms for birth certificates and death certificates are available on the Health Department’s website and must be submitted with a valid photo ID and appropriate payment.

Protective orders and domestic violence proceedings are also filed through the Circuit Courts. Certain identifying details in these cases may be restricted to safeguard victims under IC 34-26-5-11. Standard forms for protection orders are available through the Indiana Judicial Branch’s court forms library.

Henry County Probate Court Records

Probate jurisdiction in Henry County rests with the Circuit Courts under Indiana Code IC 29-1-17-12 and related provisions of Indiana’s probate statutes. The Circuit Courts handle estate administration, the probating of wills, appointment of personal representatives, guardianships for incapacitated adults and minors, conservatorships, and related trust matters. Because Indiana does not have separate standalone probate courts in most counties, these matters are assigned to the general circuit court docket and are accessible through the standard Indiana courts case search portal.

To open a probate estate or file a related petition in Henry County, the process generally involves:

Filing a petition with the Clerk of Courts at 1215 Race Street, Suite 120, New Castle, IN 47362
Presenting the original will (if applicable) and a certified copy of the death certificate
Paying applicable filing fees at the time of submission
Receiving a cause number and court assignment for the proceedings

Probate filings and case dockets are accessible through the MyCase portal using the deceased individual’s name or the assigned cause number. Certified copies of letters testamentary, court orders, and inventory documents are available from the Clerk’s office. Researchers and heirs seeking to confirm whether a will has been filed, or to review estate inventories or accountings, may request these materials in person or by mail from the Clerk of Courts.

Guardianship matters — whether for a minor child or an incapacitated adult — are similarly filed in the Circuit Courts. Petitions for guardianship must establish the need for court oversight and propose a qualified guardian. The court may require background checks, financial disclosures, and periodic reporting from the appointed guardian. Conservatorships, which govern the financial affairs of an incapacitated person separately from their personal care, follow similar procedural requirements.

For complex estate or probate matters, the Indiana Judicial Branch’s public records page provides guidance on requesting court documents and navigating the online case search system. The Henry County official website contains contact information for all county departments and courts, including the Clerk of Courts, and offers a centralized starting point for anyone researching court records in the county.