Kosciusko County Court Records Search
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Kosciusko County, situated in north-central Indiana with its county seat in Warsaw, maintains a five-court system consisting of the Circuit Court and Superior Courts 1 through 4. All courts operate from the Kosciusko County Courthouse. The Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts serves as the central custodian of case files across all five courts, managing records for criminal, civil, family, probate, and traffic proceedings. Court records generated in these courts contain case descriptions, parties’ names, charges, filing dates, motions, orders, dispositions, and evidence.
Indiana provides several ways to locate court records tied to Kosciusko County. Official clerk offices, the state judiciary’s online case search tools, and public records request processes all serve as access points. IndianaStateCourts.us can help users navigate the state’s judicial resources and find publicly available court case information. The Kosciusko County Clerk’s Office also accepts in-person visits and written requests, and maintains an online public records request option.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Kosciusko County?
Searching for a case in Kosciusko County starts with identifying the correct court. Under local court rules, case assignments are split among the five courts based on case type. Homicide cases are exclusively assigned to the Circuit Court. Other serious felonies alternate between the Circuit Court and Superior Court 1. Lower-level felonies (D, C, F4, F5, and F6) are shared among the circuit and superior courts. Misdemeanor cases fall under Superior Court 2. Most juvenile matters are assigned to Superior Court 1.
Kosciusko County Courthouse
Address: 121 North Lake Street, Warsaw, IN 46580
| Court | Phone |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court & Superior Court 1 | (574) 372-2402 |
| Superior Court 2 | (574) 372-2376 |
| Superior Court 3 | (574) 372-2394 |
| Superior Court 4 | (574) 265-2910 |
| Traffic Court Clerk | (574) 372-2451 |
| Clerk of Courts (general) | (574) 372-2331 |
Office hours for the Clerk and Courts are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (the county building operates until 4:30 PM). Courts and the Clerk’s Office are closed on designated holidays, which are posted on the court information page.
Online Case Search
The Indiana judiciary’s MyCase portal is the primary online tool for looking up Kosciusko County court cases. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The advanced search feature allows filtering by case type, case status, and filing date. Search results display case party names, court, case number, case type, and a chronological summary of case events. For criminal cases, the portal also shows charges, bond information, citation numbers, and offense descriptions.
Requesting Records from the Clerk
Members of the public can request case documents through several methods:
- In person: Visit the Clerk’s Office at 121 North Lake Street, Warsaw, during business hours
- Online: Submit a request through the Clerk’s online public records request form
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk of Kosciusko Circuit & Superior Courts, 121 N Lake Street, Warsaw, IN 46580
Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $3.00 per copy |
| Chronological Case Summary (CCS) | $1.00 per summary |
| Support payment history | $1.00 each |
The Clerk’s Office does not accept personal checks. Requests submitted by email will not be processed until payment is received. Court fines and judgments can be paid online through the county’s payment portal.
Court forms for self-represented litigants are available through the Indiana Legal Help website. E-filing is available for attorneys and litigants through the Indiana E-Filing system.
Are Court Records Public in Kosciusko County?
Indiana law grants the public a broad right to inspect government records, including court files. Under IC 5-14-3-3, individuals may inspect and copy records created or maintained as part of the official business of the courts. The Kosciusko County Clerk’s Office is responsible for maintaining and microfilming court records in accordance with confidentiality guidelines and retention schedules established by the Indiana Supreme Court.
However, certain records are restricted from public access:
- Sealed records — Cases ordered sealed by a judge are removed from public inspection
- Expunged criminal records — Successfully expunged records are no longer publicly available
- Juvenile case records — Proceedings involving minors are generally confidential
- Certain family law records — Protective order petitions and sensitive domestic relations filings may be restricted
- Social Security numbers and personal identifiers — Redacted from publicly available documents
- Police investigation data — Active law enforcement investigation files may be withheld
Any public record held by the Clerk is available under Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act. Individuals can file a request using the Clerk’s online public records form or visit the office during business hours.
Kosciusko County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Kosciusko County are prosecuted across the Circuit Court and Superior Courts, with case assignment governed by local rules based on offense severity. The Clerk’s Office maintains all criminal case records, and the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office initiates felony and misdemeanor charges.
Searching Criminal Court Records
The MyCase portal allows users to search criminal cases by defendant name or case number. Criminal search results include charges, prosecutor case numbers, bond details, citation numbers, and offense descriptions.
Arrest Records and Jail Information
The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency maintaining arrest records within the county. The office oversees the county jail and provides an online inmate search portal where the public can look up current inmates by name. Results include the inmate’s facility location, age, visitation schedule, bail and charge information, and next court appearance. For direct inquiries, contact the AIS Direct Access Number at (866) 322-5857 or the non-emergency line at (574) 267-5667.
Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 221 West Main Street, Warsaw, IN 46580
Phone: (574) 267-5667
The Warsaw Police Department also maintains arrest records for incidents within city limits. The department allows the public to request copies of police reports they filed at no charge.
Indiana State Police Background Checks
The Indiana State Police offers two types of criminal history reports:
- Limited Criminal History: A name-based search covering felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests, charges, and dispositions in Indiana. The fee is $7.00 by mail or $16.32 online (includes processing fee). Mail requests require a certified check or money order sent to: Indiana State Police, Criminal History Administration Unit, 100 N. Senate Avenue, Suite N302, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
- Full Criminal History (Challenge Report): A fingerprint-based search showing all arrests, dispositions, charges, and indictments within Indiana. Requires submission of fingerprints and personal information. The state fee is $10.00 plus a $11.95 fingerprint processing fee.
The ISP also facilitates national criminal history checks through the FBI database for qualifying applicants, at a total cost of $38.20 (applicant employees) or $36.20 (volunteers).
Expungements
Individuals seeking to expunge criminal records in Kosciusko County file through the court system. The filing fee for a conviction-based expungement is $157.00. Expungements for non-conviction cases carry no filing fee.
Kosciusko County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Kosciusko County — including contract actions, tort claims, mortgage foreclosures, collections matters, and small claims — are heard across the Circuit and Superior Courts based on local case assignment rules. The Clerk of Courts maintains all civil case files and issues related documents such as writs, judgments, and certified copies.
Searching Civil Records
The MyCase portal allows users to search civil case records by party name, case number, or attorney. The advanced search function permits filtering by civil case type and status. The Kosciusko County public records service provides access to court records beginning from October 1, 1993.
Filing Fees for Civil Cases
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil Collections (CC) | $157.00 |
| Mortgage Foreclosure (MF) | $157.00 |
| Civil Plenary (PL) | $232.00 |
| Civil Tort (CT) | $232.00 |
| Small Claims (SC) | $87.00 |
| Miscellaneous (MI) | $157.00 |
A $10.00 service fee is charged for each additional defendant named or added beyond the first. Sheriff service of process costs $28.00 per case, with an additional one-time post-judgment service fee of $28.00.
Obtaining Copies
Certified court documents cost $1.00 per page plus $3.00 for certification. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through the online request form. The Clerk’s Office does not accept personal checks.
Property Records
Property-related records are maintained by several county offices. The Kosciusko County Recorder preserves all recorded real estate documents, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, and provides an online records search tool. The County Assessor handles property valuations, and the County Treasurer collects property taxes and maintains tax payment histories.
Kosciusko County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Kosciusko County encompass dissolution of marriage, child custody and support, paternity, adoption, guardianship, and protective order proceedings. These cases are distributed among the Circuit Court and Superior Courts under local rules, and all records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts.
Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage cases — both with and without children — carry a filing fee of $177.00. Records of divorce proceedings can be searched through the MyCase portal by party name or case number. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available from the Clerk’s Office at $1.00 per page plus $3.00 for certification. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through the online records request form.
Marriage Records
The Kosciusko County Clerk’s Office issues marriage licenses and maintains all county marriage records. To apply for a license, both applicants must appear in person at the Clerk’s Office during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM). Fees are $29.00 for Indiana residents and $69.00 for out-of-state residents, each including one certified copy. Required documents include a valid photo ID, passport, certified birth certificate, or military ID. A marriage license expires 60 days after issuance and is valid only in Indiana.
To obtain a copy of a marriage license previously issued in the county, individuals can visit the office or mail a request to:
Clerk of Kosciusko Circuit & Superior Courts
Attn: Marriage Records
121 N Lake Street, Room D162
Warsaw, IN 46580
Phone: (574) 372-2331 ext. 2639
An online pre-application is available at the Indiana Courts marriage application page. The Marriage License Public Lookup portal allows the public to search for details of issued marriage licenses statewide.
Child Support, Custody, and Paternity
The Clerk’s Office collects and distributes child support payments and maintains support payment records ($1.00 per history printout). Juvenile paternity cases carry a filing fee of $196.00. Custody, visitation, and support matters are part of the family law case record and can be searched through MyCase.
Adoption and Guardianship
Adoption filings carry a fee of $157.00, and guardianship filings cost $177.00. Adoption records are confidential once finalized and are not available for public inspection without a court order. Guardianship records are generally accessible, though certain details may be restricted to protect the ward’s privacy.
Birth and Death Records
Vital records for Kosciusko County are maintained by the Kosciusko County Health Department, which holds birth and death records dating from 1882. Certificates cost $10.00 each, plus $1.00 postage for mail orders. Per IC 16-37-1-8, requesters must demonstrate a legitimate reason for obtaining certificates.
Request applications are available online and in printable format:
- Birth Certificate Application — Online | Printable
- Death Certificate Application — Online | Printable
Mail requests should be sent to:
Kosciusko County Health Department
100 West Center Street, Room 318
Warsaw, IN 46580
The Indiana Department of Health also issues statewide birth records (from 1907) and death records (from 1900), available through its online ordering system, by mail, or by phone at (866) 601-0891. Mail-in requests use the state’s birth application or death application form and should be sent to: Indiana State Department of Health, Vital Records, 2 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
For apostille authentication of birth or death certificates, contact the Indiana Secretary of State at 302 W. Washington Street, Room E-018, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Kosciusko County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Kosciusko County are shared equally between the Circuit Court and Superior Court 1 under local rules. These cases involve estate supervised and unsupervised administration, trust matters, and estate miscellaneous proceedings. The legal framework for probate is established under IC 29, which governs the settlement of deceased residents’ real and personal property.
Filing Fees for Probate Cases
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Estates (ES/EU) | $177.00 |
| Trust (TR) | $177.00 |
| Guardianship (GU) | $177.00 |
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information is searchable through the MyCase portal. Users can filter searches specifically to probate case types using the advanced search function, narrowing results by case type, status, and filing date.
Requesting Copies
Copies of probate records — including wills, estate inventories, accountings, and distribution orders — can be obtained from the Clerk’s Office at $1.00 per page, with certification costing $3.00 per document. Requests can be submitted in person at 121 North Lake Street, Warsaw, IN 46580, by mail, or through the Clerk’s online request form.
Probate records typically include the petition to open the estate, the will (if one exists), letters testamentary or of administration, creditor notices, inventories, accountings filed by the personal representative, and final orders closing the estate. Guardianship files contain the petition for guardianship, the appointment order, and required periodic reports to the court. Trust records document the creation, administration, or dispute of trust instruments. All probate records maintained by the Clerk are generally open to public inspection unless specifically sealed by court order.