Jackson County Court Records Search
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Jackson County, Indiana, is anchored by its county seat in Brownstown and its largest city, Seymour. The county’s court system consists of one Circuit Court and two Superior Courts, each with distinct jurisdiction over different categories of legal matters. Records produced through these courts — including criminal case files, civil judgments, family law proceedings, and probate documents — are maintained by the Jackson County Clerk’s Office and the respective court clerks assigned to each division. Whether the goal is locating a case outcome, verifying a judgment, or obtaining certified copies of court documents, knowing which court handled a matter and which office maintains those files is the starting point for any records search.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Jackson County?
Court records in Indiana can be located through several channels. The statewide MyCase portal, administered by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration, allows anyone to search non-confidential case information and documents for Jackson County courts at no cost. The Indiana Judicial Branch’s Jackson County page provides direct links to court contacts and case search tools. Researchers can also use IndianaStateCourts.us to orient themselves within the state’s court structure and find publicly available case information. In-person access to records and public terminals is available at the Clerk’s Office during regular business hours, and written or mail requests are accepted by each court’s clerk division.
Are Court Records Public in Jackson County?
Indiana law presumes that court records are open to the public. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3, gives any person the right to inspect and copy public agency records. Complementing APRA, Indiana Administrative Rule 9 governs access to court records specifically, establishing that all court records are accessible to the public except in defined circumstances.
Records excluded from public access under Administrative Rule 9 and Indiana statute include:
- Juvenile case records — sealed by statute to protect the privacy of minors
- Adoption records — restricted to parties and their legal representatives
- Medical and psychiatric records — exempted under both APRA and Rule 9
- Privileged communications — including attorney-client correspondence
- Personnel records — exempt from disclosure
- Trade secrets and security information — withheld to prevent harm
- Student education records — protected under state and federal law
- Records sealed by court order — including certain criminal records following expungement proceedings
Even within publicly accessible documents, Indiana courts are required to redact confidential personal information — such as Social Security numbers and financial account details — before releasing records for inspection.
Jackson County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Jackson County is divided between the Circuit Court and Superior Court I based on offense type. The Circuit Court, presided over by the Honorable Richard Poynter, handles most felony matters and all operating while intoxicated (OWI) charges. Superior Court I, presided over by the Honorable Amy Marie Travis, covers most criminal misdemeanors (other than OWI), civil collections, mortgage foreclosures, and civil torts.
Jackson County Circuit Court
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 S. Main Street, P.O. Box 318, Brownstown, IN 47220 |
| Phone | (812) 358-6116 |
| Fax | (812) 358-6187 |
| Criminal Clerk Line | (812) 358-6118 |
Jackson County Superior Court I
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 1420 Corporate Way, P.O. Box 788, Seymour, IN 47274 |
| Phone | (812) 522-9677 |
| Fax | (812) 523-6065 |
Criminal case dockets for both courts are searchable through the Indiana MyCase portal by entering a party name or case number. Public docket entries — including charge descriptions, hearing dates, and dispositions — are available at no cost for non-confidential cases.
For a broader criminal history search beyond individual case records, the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History service provides name-based records containing felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests statewide. Fees are $15.00 per record for subscribers and $15.70 per record for non-subscribers using a credit card online. Mail requests require a money order made payable to the Indiana State Police.
Current inmate information for the Jackson County Jail is available through the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office inmate roster, which lists individuals currently in custody along with charges and booking dates. The Sheriff’s Office also maintains a Most Wanted list and a warrant database accessible through its public website. The Sheriff’s main contact number is (812) 358-2141. The county’s Jackson County Cuffs program shares information with the public about individuals with outstanding warrants to assist in locating them.
Jackson County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Jackson County are handled at different levels depending on the nature and value of the claim. Superior Court I processes small claims, civil collections, mortgage foreclosures, and civil torts. The Circuit Court handles larger civil disputes and matters not assigned to the Superior Courts. The Clerk’s Office maintains all civil case files and accepts requests in person, by mail, and by phone.
Jackson County Clerk’s Office
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 109 S. Sugar St., Suite 130, Brownstown, IN 47220 |
| Clerk | Hope S. Cissna |
| Phone | (812) 358-6118 |
| hcissna@jacksoncounty.in.gov | |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Circuit Court Civil | (812) 358-6118 |
| Superior Court I Civil | (812) 522-9676 |
| Small Claims Clerk | (812) 358-6113 |
| Bookkeeper | (812) 358-6116 |
Indiana’s small claims docket allows claims up to $10,000. Filing fees for small claims vary by county, and parties should confirm the current fee schedule directly with the Clerk’s Office. Court forms for small claims, protective orders, and dissolution of marriage are available on the county’s official website, or can be picked up outside the Clerk’s Office in Brownstown.
Civil case information is searchable through MyCase and, for more extensive historical case records, through Doxpop, a subscription platform providing access to Indiana court cases across all counties. To request certified copies of civil case documents, provide the Clerk’s Office with the case number, party names, and the type of document needed.
Property records including deeds, mortgages, assignments, releases, powers of attorney, liens, and subdivision plats are recorded and preserved by the Jackson County Recorder’s Office. The Recorder maintains these records as permanent public archives and provides copies upon request. Electronic recording (e-recording) of real estate documents is available through the Recorder’s e-recording portal. Note that all financing statements involving personal property must be filed with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office, not the county Recorder, per a statutory change effective July 1, 2001.
Jackson County Family Court Records
Family law proceedings in Jackson County are concentrated in Superior Court II, presided over by the Honorable Bruce MacTavish. This court handles most family matters, including divorces and legal separations, adoptions, civil protection orders, juvenile matters (including child in need of services, paternity, delinquency, and parental rights termination cases).
Jackson County Superior Court II
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 220 E. Walnut Street, P.O. Box 318, Brownstown, IN 47220 |
| Phone | (812) 358-6803 |
| Fax | (812) 358-6817 |
| Superior Court II Clerk | (812) 358-6807 |
The Superior Court II Clerk’s Office specifically processes divorces and legal separations, protective orders, juvenile cases, and adoptions. Dissolution of marriage forms are available on the county website or outside the Clerk’s Office. Divorce records are generally public unless sealed by court order, with restricted access for certain confidential portions such as financial disclosures involving minors or sealed adoption records.
Child support payment processing runs through the Clerk’s Office at (812) 358-6119. Parties can verify child support payment status and case information through their respective Clerk division.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in Brownstown. Applicants must complete the online application through the Indiana Courts Marriage License portal before appearing in person. Marriage license hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m., closed on all federal holidays. Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $4.00 per copy and can be requested by calling the Clerk’s Office at (812) 358-6118. The public can also search marriage licenses through Indiana’s Marriage License Public Lookup system.
Birth and Death Records
Certified birth and death certificates are available from the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) Division of Vital Records. Ordering options include mail, phone, and online through VitalChek — the only IDOH-authorized online vendor.
| Record Type | First Copy | Each Additional Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $10.00 | $4.00 |
| Death Certificate | $8.00 | $4.00 |
Mail requests for birth certificates use State Form 49607, and death certificate mail requests use State Form 49606. Payment by check or money order should be made payable to the Indiana Department of Health. Phone orders can be placed through the IDOH toll-free number at (866) 601-0891, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Indiana Department of Health Vital Records page provides full instructions and access to order online. Certified copies are restricted to the person named on the record (age 18 or older), immediate family members, legal representatives, and other authorized parties.
Jackson County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Jackson County — including estate administration, wills, trusts, name changes, guardianships, conservatorships, and vital record corrections — fall primarily under the jurisdiction of the Jackson County Circuit Court. The Circuit Court handles probate alongside its felony and OWI docket, with probate-related inquiries directed to the Circuit Court clerk at (812) 358-6133.
Probate records that are generally available to the public include:
- Filed wills and related probate instruments
- Petitions for appointment of personal representatives and administrators
- Estate inventories and accountings
- Guardianship and conservatorship petitions and orders
- Name change petitions and orders
- Trust matters brought before the court
Adoption records are sealed under Indiana law and are accessible only to parties to the adoption or their legal representatives, or upon court order. Guardianship cases involving minors may carry additional confidentiality protections under Indiana’s juvenile statutes.
To search probate records, visit the MyCase portal for publicly accessible docket entries, or contact the Circuit Court Clerk directly with the decedent’s or ward’s name and the approximate filing year. Requests for certified copies of probate documents — such as letters testamentary or guardianship orders — are processed by the Clerk’s Office during regular business hours. The Jackson County Clerk’s Office can provide guidance on fees and the information required to retrieve specific probate files.