Johnson County Court Records Search
IndianaStateCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on IndianaStateCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Johnson County, situated in central Indiana with its county seat in Franklin, maintains an extensive collection of court records spanning criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. The county’s court system includes a Circuit Court, multiple Superior Courts, and city courts in Franklin and Greenwood, all of which generate case files that may be of interest to attorneys, researchers, and members of the public. Whether you need to verify a pending lawsuit, review a divorce decree, or look into a probate filing, understanding how Johnson County’s courts and clerk offices operate is essential to obtaining the records you need.
Residents and non-residents searching for court records in Indiana can begin by consulting official clerk offices, visiting courthouses in person, or using electronic case-lookup tools maintained by the state judiciary. The statewide court system, accessible through IndianaStateCourts.us, can help users identify courts, locate forms, and understand filing procedures. Indiana’s online case management portal, county clerk websites, and law enforcement agencies each play a role in making records available to the public, subject to certain legal restrictions.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Johnson County?
Johnson County offers several avenues for locating court case information, ranging from free online searches to in-person visits at the courthouse.
Online Through MyCase
The Indiana judiciary operates the MyCase portal, a free public-access system that allows anyone to search for case records filed in Johnson County courts. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system covers criminal, civil, family, and other case types, displaying docket entries, hearing dates, party information, and the status of pending matters. Not every document in a case file is available electronically — sealed, confidential, or restricted filings will not appear — but MyCase remains the most efficient starting point for a records search.
Through the Clerk of the Courts
The Johnson County Clerk of the Courts serves as the official custodian of all records generated by the Circuit Court and Superior Courts. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or by phone during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
Johnson County Clerk of the Courts
86 W. Court St., Franklin, IN 46131
Phone: (317) 346-4300
To request records by mail, send a written request to the Clerk’s office that includes the full names of the parties involved, the case number (if known), and the type of record needed. Include payment for any applicable copy fees. Standard copy costs in Indiana courts are $1.00 per page, with an additional fee of $3.00 for certification.
In-Person at the Courthouse
Visitors may use public-access terminals or request assistance from clerk staff at the main courthouse. Bring a valid photo identification and as much identifying information about the case as possible — the more detail you provide, the faster staff can retrieve the record.
Court Locations
Johnson County’s courts are spread across several facilities in Franklin and Greenwood:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court | 5 E. Court St., Franklin, IN 46131 | (317) 346-4400 |
| Superior Court 1 | 86 W. Court St., Franklin, IN 46131 | (317) 346-4525 |
| Superior Court 2 | 86 W. Court St., Franklin, IN 46131 | (317) 346-4300 |
| Superior Court 3 | 18 W. Jefferson St., Franklin, IN 46131 | (317) 346-4432 |
| Juvenile & Family Division | 1121 Hospital Rd., Franklin, IN 46131 | (317) 346-4691 |
| Franklin City Court | 1 Caisson Dr., Franklin, IN 46131 | (317) 736-3619 |
| Greenwood City Court | 186 Surina Way, Greenwood, IN 46143 | (317) 882-5129 |
Are Court Records Public in Johnson County?
Indiana operates under a strong presumption that court records belong to the public. Two key legal frameworks govern access in Johnson County.
Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA)
The Access to Public Records Act, codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3, requires government agencies — including courts and clerks — to make records available upon request unless a specific statutory exception applies. Any person may submit a records request; no explanation of purpose is required.
Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records
The Administrative Rules on Access to Court Records, most recently updated effective February 2, 2026, provide detailed guidance on what is and is not available for public inspection. Under Rule 4, court records are presumptively open. Rule 5 enumerates categories of information that must be excluded from public access, including:
- Cases declared wholly confidential by statute (e.g., certain mental-health proceedings filed under IC 12-26)
- Sealed investigative records unrelated to a pending criminal case, such as search-warrant applications before execution
- Paternity records created between July 1, 1941, and July 1, 2014
- Drug and alcohol treatment records protected by 42 CFR Part 2
- Medical examination reports ordered under Trial Rule 35
- Guardian ad litem, parenting coordinator, and custody-evaluation reports
- Images depicting genitalia or sexual conduct submitted as evidence
Personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, PINs, and passwords — must be redacted from publicly accessible filings. In criminal and juvenile cases, the addresses, dates of birth, and phone numbers of victims and witnesses are also excluded from public view.
Parties who believe a record should be restricted may file a motion under Rule 6 requesting a court order to exclude it. Conversely, anyone seeking access to a record that has been excluded may petition the court under Rule 9. The Indiana Office of Court Services maintains an updated list of excluded records for reference.
Johnson County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Johnson County are handled by the Circuit Court and Superior Courts for felonies and higher-level misdemeanors, while the Franklin and Greenwood city courts process lower-level misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic offenses. Records generated in criminal proceedings — charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and docket sheets — are maintained by the Clerk of the Courts and can be searched through MyCase.
Searching Criminal Case Records
On the MyCase portal, select the “Criminal & Citation” case type and enter the individual’s name or case number. Results will show the charges, case status, upcoming hearing dates, and available docket entries. Documents that are sealed or subject to an expungement order will not appear.
Criminal History Background Checks
A criminal case search on MyCase reflects only court docket information. For a formal criminal-history report, two primary options exist:
-
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office — The Records Division conducts local criminal-history checks. Requests can be made in person or by mail.
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office – Records Division
1091 Hospital Rd., Franklin, IN 46131
Phone: (317) 736-9155
Email: reports@johnsoncountysheriff.com
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PMIncident reports are available free of charge for the first four pages, with additional pages at $0.10 each. Crash reports cost $8.00 and can also be obtained online through BuyCrash.com. A completed “Request for Public Information” form is required per Indiana Code § 5-14-3-5.
-
Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History (LCH) — The ISP offers a statewide name-based check through its online portal. The fee is $15.00 plus a processing surcharge when paying by credit card. Mail requests can be submitted using the ISP LCH form with a money order payable to the State of Indiana, sent to:
Indiana State Police – Criminal History Limited Check
P.O. Box 6188, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188LCH results cover only Indiana arrests and are categorized as “On File”, “Inconclusive”, or “No Records Found”. For a comprehensive national check, a fingerprint-based search must be requested through IdentoGO or by contacting ISP directly.
Expungement
Indiana’s expungement statute, IC 35-38-9, allows eligible individuals to petition the court to seal certain criminal records. Misdemeanor convictions may be eligible after a waiting period, and non-conviction records may be expunged sooner. Filing fees apply, though courts may grant waivers for those who demonstrate financial hardship.
Johnson County Civil Court Records
Civil matters — including contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, landlord-tenant actions, and debt-collection cases — are filed in Johnson County’s Circuit Court or Superior Courts depending on the nature and amount in controversy. Small claims cases are handled at the city-court level or through the appropriate Superior Court division.
How to Search Civil Records
The MyCase system supports civil case searches by party name, case number, or attorney name. Select “Civil” as the case type and narrow results to Johnson County. Docket information, filing dates, and case outcomes are typically displayed.
For records that are not available electronically, contact the Clerk of the Courts at (317) 346-4300 to arrange an in-person review or a mailed copy request.
Filing Fees
Indiana’s Trial Court Fee Manual, published by the Office of Court Services, sets uniform filing fees statewide. Key civil fees include:
- New civil case filing: $157.00
- Civil filing with sheriff service: $185.00
- Small claims filing: $97.00 (or $87.00 when filed electronically)
- Additional defendant (small claims): $10.00 per defendant
Fee waivers are available to individuals who cannot afford filing costs. The court provides a standardized fee-waiver form, and self-represented litigants can find guidance on Indiana Legal Help.
Property-Related Records
Property disputes sometimes produce civil court filings, but underlying ownership records are held by the Johnson County Recorder’s Office:
Johnson County Recorder
86 W. Court St., Franklin, IN 46131
Phone: (317) 346-4385
The Recorder maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments. The Johnson County Assessor, reachable at (317) 346-4701, and the Auditor at (317) 346-4310, handle property tax assessments and payment records respectively. Online property-tax and assessment data may be accessed through the county’s public records portal.
E-Filing
Indiana requires electronic filing in most case types. Attorneys and self-represented parties can file documents through the state’s e-filing system, which routes filings directly to the appropriate clerk’s office.
Johnson County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Johnson County — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, domestic violence protection orders, and juvenile delinquency — are handled primarily by the Juvenile and Family Division of the Circuit Court, located at the Dickinson Juvenile Justice Center.
Juvenile & Family Division
1121 Hospital Rd., Franklin, IN 46131
Phone: (317) 346-4691
Fax: (317) 736-9817
Divorce and Custody
Dissolution-of-marriage cases are filed with the Clerk of the Courts and tracked through MyCase. Basic docket information — filing date, case number, hearing schedule, and final decree date — is publicly available. However, financial declarations, parenting evaluations, and child-related exhibits may be restricted from public view under the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records.
Certified copies of dissolution decrees can be requested from the Clerk’s office. The Indiana State Department of Health also maintains an index of marriage and divorce records from 1958 to the present; requests can be directed to the ISDH Vital Records Division.
Marriage Licenses
The Clerk of the Courts issues marriage licenses in Johnson County. Under Indiana law, applicants must appear in person with valid government-issued identification, a Social Security number, and information about any prior marriages. The fee for Indiana residents is $25.00; out-of-state applicants pay $65.00, plus a $4.00 document fee. Certified copies of the license cost $4.00 each. The statewide Marriage License Public Lookup portal allows free searches of Indiana marriage records from 1993 forward. The online application process begins at MyCourts.
Adoption and Juvenile Records
Adoption records are confidential under Indiana law and are not available through MyCase or public-access terminals. Access is restricted to parties and their attorneys, and even post-adoption information is limited. The Indiana Adoption Matching Registry facilitates voluntary reunification searches. Juvenile delinquency records are likewise restricted; non-felony juvenile matters are not publicly accessible.
Vital Records
Although not court records, birth and death certificates frequently arise in family law proceedings. The Johnson County Health Department issues these documents locally. The Indiana State Department of Health processes requests statewide — birth certificates cost $10.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy, while death certificates are $8.00 for the initial copy and $4.00 per extra. State-level requests can be submitted using Form 49607 (birth) or Form 49606 (death), with payment by money order made out to the Indiana Department of Health.
Johnson County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Johnson County — including the administration of decedents’ estates, will contests, guardianships over incapacitated adults, and conservatorships — fall under the jurisdiction of Superior Court 1.
Superior Court 1 (Probate Division)
86 W. Court St., Franklin, IN 46131
Phone: (317) 346-4525
Searching Probate Records
Active and closed probate cases can be searched on MyCase using the decedent’s or ward’s name, or the assigned case number. Docket entries will reflect petitions filed, court orders, inventories, accountings, and distribution orders. Not every document in a probate file is scanned into the electronic system; for older or voluminous files, an in-person visit to the Clerk’s office may be necessary.
Filing a Probate Case
Opening a new estate in Johnson County requires filing a petition with the Clerk of the Courts along with the appropriate fee. The statewide probate filing fee is $177.00. If service of process by the sheriff is needed, the total rises to approximately $205.00. Payment may be made in person at the Clerk’s window; e-filing is also available through Indiana’s electronic filing portal.
Required Documents
A typical probate filing includes the original will (if one exists), a certified death certificate, a petition for probate or administration, and information identifying heirs and beneficiaries. The court will appoint a personal representative, who must post bond unless the will waives it or all heirs consent.
Guardianship and Conservatorship
Petitions for guardianship of an incapacitated adult or conservatorship of an individual’s assets are also heard by Superior Court 1. These filings are generally accessible to the public, though medical evaluations and certain psychological reports attached to the case may be excluded under the court’s access rules. Forms for guardianship and other probate matters can be found in the Johnson County Document Center.
Wills on File
Wills that have been admitted to probate become part of the court record and are available for public inspection. Wills that were deposited with the Clerk for safekeeping but never probated are not public records until a probate proceeding is opened. Certified copies of probated wills may be requested from the Clerk’s office at $1.00 per page plus $3.00 for the certification seal.