Jennings County Court Records Search

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    Jennings County, Indiana sits in the southeastern corner of the state, with the county seat in Vernon. Two trial courts serve the county — the Circuit Court and the Superior Court — and both are located at the Jennings County Courthouse. Together, they handle the full range of civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters. The Clerk of the Circuit Courts maintains records from both courts and handles most public records requests, whether in person or by mail.

    You can search Indiana court records, including those from Jennings County, through official judicial tools, the clerk's office, and courthouse terminals. IndianaStateCourts.us is a useful hub for finding publicly available case information and court contact details across Indiana's trial courts. Keep in mind that some record categories are restricted under Indiana law and won't appear in online search results.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Jennings County?

    Start with the Indiana MyCase portal, the free online case search tool run by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration. It pulls together case information from both the Circuit and Superior Courts and lets you search by case number, party name, or attorney name and bar number. From there, you can view case summaries, hearing schedules, docket entries, and download non-confidential documents directly.

    If you need certified copies, records from confidential case types, or anything not available online, contact the Clerk's Office directly:

    Jennings County Clerk of the Circuit Courts
    Address: 24 North Pike Street, P.O. Box 385, Vernon, Indiana 47282
    Phone: (812) 352-3070
    Fax: (812) 352-3076

    Courthouse hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. When making a request in person or by mail, include the party's name, the case number if you have it, and the approximate filing year. Copy fees may apply, so it's worth calling ahead to confirm current rates before submitting anything by mail.

    Jennings County Courts — Directory

    CourtAddressPhoneFloor
    Jennings County Circuit Court200 East Brown St., P.O. Box 386, Vernon, IN 47282(812) 352-3082Second Floor
    Jennings County Superior Court24 North Pike St., P.O. Box 490, Vernon, IN 47282(812) 352-3087First Floor
    Jennings County Clerk of Courts24 North Pike St., P.O. Box 385, Vernon, IN 47282(812) 352-3070First Floor

    The Circuit Court is presided over by the Honorable Murielle S. Bright, who was elected in 2020. The Superior Court is presided over by the Honorable Gary L. Smith. Both courts serve the 86th Judicial Circuit, which covers Jennings County alone.

    Are Court Records Public in Jennings County?

    Court records in Jennings County are generally presumed public under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), I.C. § 5-14-3, and the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records, which took effect January 1, 2020, and were most recently updated July 1, 2026. Anyone may inspect or copy court records that are not declared confidential by statute, rule, or court order.

    Under Rule 5 of the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records, the following categories are excluded from public access:

    • Mental health records and related proceedings
    • Medical records and protected health information
    • Drug or substance abuse records
    • Adoption records and sealed adoption-related proceedings
    • Paternity records created after July 1, 1941, and before July 1, 2014
    • Custody evaluation reports
    • Complete Social Security Numbers of living persons
    • Unexecuted search warrants
    • Records declared confidential by statute, court rule, or individual court order

    When a document contains a mix of public and confidential information, the custodian must redact the restricted portions and release the rest. If you believe records have been improperly withheld, you may seek review under Rule 9 of the Access to Court Records rules.

    Jennings County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal jurisdiction in Jennings County is shared between both courts. By local rule, the Jennings County Superior Court handles misdemeanor cases, felony operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OMVWI) charges, and infractions. The Jennings County Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all felony matters and more serious criminal proceedings under I.C. § 33-28-1-2.

    To search criminal case records online, use the Indiana MyCase portal and enter the defendant's name or case number. MyCase shows docket entries, hearing dates, and charge information for cases that aren't excluded from public access. For criminal filings and certified court documents, visit the Clerk's Office at the courthouse during regular hours.

    If you need a complete statewide criminal history, the Indiana State Police (ISP) offers a Limited Criminal History Search through its online portal. The LCH contains felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests reported to the ISP from across Indiana, including Jennings County. The online fee is $15.00 per record for subscribers, with a slight surcharge for non-subscribers. Searches are name-based and require the subject's date of birth, race, and gender.

    One important distinction worth knowing: criminal court records (case filings and judgments) and criminal history records (arrest and conviction data compiled by law enforcement) are kept separately. Arrest records held by local agencies — including the Jennings County Sheriff's Office — may be requested under the APRA.

    Jennings County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Jennings County are split between both courts. By local rule, the Superior Court handles all small claims cases and general civil claims, making it the primary venue for disputes involving money, property damage, and contract enforcement at a more accessible level. The Circuit Court has concurrent original jurisdiction over all civil matters under I.C. § 33-28-1-2, including more complex litigation.

    Here's how to access civil case records:

    • Search the Indiana MyCase portal using a party name, case number, or attorney information to view docket entries and downloadable documents at no cost.
    • For cases not appearing online or for certified copies, contact the Clerk's Office at (812) 352-3070 during courthouse hours.
    • Provide the full names of the parties, the approximate filing year, and the case number when known to speed up the search.

    Small claims forms and civil procedure guides for self-represented litigants are available through the Indiana Courts self-service resources. The Clerk's Office also accepts filings for small claims cases, protective orders, and divorce petitions as part of its standard services.

    Property records connected to civil disputes — including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements — are held by the Jennings County Recorder's Office, directed by Mary Kilgore. The office is at 200 East Brown Street, P.O. Box 397, Vernon, IN 47282 (Phone: (812) 352-3053). It uses Simplifile, CSC iRecord, and Doxpop for electronic document submission and retrieval. Recorded documents are back-indexed 30 years for deeds, mortgages, and mortgage releases. The Recorder's Office fee schedule is available as a downloadable PDF from the office's website.

    Jennings County Family Court Records

    Family law proceedings in Jennings County — covering divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, and protective orders — are handled through both trial courts depending on the case type. By local rule, the Superior Court has jurisdiction over all protective orders, so emergency protection order petitions go there. Divorce and dissolution of marriage cases are filed with the Clerk, with a mandatory waiting period of at least 60 days from the filing date before a divorce can be finalized.

    To apply for an Emergency Protection Order, get the "Petition for Exparte Order for Protection and Request for Hearing" form from the County Clerk's Office, which will direct you to the appropriate court. The Jennings County Council on Domestic Violence provides local support resources through its dedicated website.

    Marriage records are issued and kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Courts. Two online tools are available for researching marriage licenses:

    Divorce records are searchable through the Indiana MyCase portal or in person at the Clerk's Office. Bring the party names or a case number. Fees apply for certified copies.

    Birth and death records are held separately from court records by the Jennings County Health Department. Certified birth certificates cost $10.00 per copy; death certificates are $15.00 per copy. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order. Mail applications for birth records must be notarized. The birth certificate application form and death record request form are both available for download from the Health Department's website. Access to certified copies is restricted to immediate family members, legal guardians, and authorized representatives. Online orders can also be processed through VitalChek, the department's approved vendor, for an additional convenience fee.

    Jennings County Probate Court Records

    The Jennings County Circuit Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over all probate, estate, trust, and guardianship matters in the county under Indiana law. Judge Murielle S. Bright presides over these proceedings, which are filed on the second floor of the Jennings County Courthouse at 200 East Brown Street, Vernon, Indiana 47282.

    Probate proceedings handled by the Circuit Court include:

    • Administration of decedent estates (testate and intestate)
    • Establishment and oversight of trusts
    • Guardianship and conservatorship of adults and minors
    • Mental health civil commitment hearings
    • Juvenile matters (also exclusively under Circuit Court jurisdiction)

    Probate records are generally public unless sealed by court order. You can search them through the Indiana MyCase portal by entering the decedent's or ward's name or a case number. For older probate records or cases not indexed online, contact the Clerk of the Circuit Courts at (812) 352-3070 or visit the courthouse in person between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM on weekdays.

    When requesting probate records at the courthouse, be prepared to provide:

    • Full legal name of the decedent or person subject to guardianship
    • Approximate year the case was filed
    • Case number, if available
    • A valid form of identification

    Certified copies of probate orders, letters of administration, and other court-issued documents are available through the Clerk's Office for a fee. Call ahead to confirm current certification and copy costs before sending a mail request. The Indiana Courts' public records information page offers additional guidance on accessing court documents, including probate filings, through official state resources.