Kosciusko County Court Records
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Kosciusko County sits in north-central Indiana, with its county seat in Warsaw. Its court system includes five courts: the Circuit Court and Superior Courts 1 through 4. All five operate out of the Kosciusko County Courthouse. The Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts maintains case files across all courts, covering criminal, civil, family, probate, and traffic proceedings. These records typically document case descriptions, party names, charges, filing dates, motions, orders, dispositions, and evidence.
Indiana offers several ways to access court records tied to Kosciusko County—through clerk offices, the state judiciary's online case search tools, and public records requests. IndianaStateCourts.us can help you find publicly available court case information and navigate the state's judicial resources. The Kosciusko County Clerk's Office also accepts in-person visits, written requests, and online public records requests.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Kosciusko County?
Start by figuring out which court handled the case. Under local court rules, case assignments are split among the five courts based on offense type and severity. Homicide cases go exclusively 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 |
The Clerk's Office and all courts are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (the county building stays open until 4:30 PM). Court holidays are posted on the court information page.
Online Case Search
The Indiana judiciary's MyCase portal is the go-to tool for searching Kosciusko County court cases online. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The advanced search feature lets you filter by case type, case status, and filing date. Results show party names, court, case number, case type, and a timeline of case events. For criminal cases, the portal also shows charges, bond information, citation numbers, and offense descriptions.
Requesting Records from the Clerk
You can request case documents through several channels:
- 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. Email requests won't be processed until payment is received. Court fines and judgments can be paid online through the county's payment portal.
If you need court forms as a self-represented litigant, the Indiana Legal Help website has them. Attorneys and litigants can file electronically through the Indiana E-Filing system.
Are Court Records Public in Kosciusko County?
Indiana law gives the public a broad right to inspect government records, including court files. Under IC 5-14-3-3, anyone may inspect and copy records created or maintained as part of official court business. In plain terms, this means most case files are open to the public—though the Kosciusko County Clerk's Office follows confidentiality guidelines and retention schedules set by the Indiana Supreme Court when managing and microfilming those records.
Certain categories of records are restricted from public access:
- Sealed records – Cases a judge has ordered sealed 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
For any public record held by the Clerk, you can file a request through the online public records form or visit the office in person.
Kosciusko County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Kosciusko County are distributed across the Circuit Court and Superior Courts depending 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
Use the MyCase portal to search criminal cases by defendant name or case number. Criminal results include charges, prosecutor case numbers, bond details, citation numbers, and offense descriptions.
Arrest Records and Jail Information
The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records within the county and oversees the county jail. The public can look up current inmates by name through the Sheriff's online inmate search portal. Results include the inmate's facility location, age, visitation schedule, bail and charge information, and next court appearance. For direct inquiries, use 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 maintains arrest records for incidents within city limits. The public can 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 an $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
To expunge a criminal record in Kosciusko County, you 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 writs, judgments, and certified copies.
Searching Civil Records
Search civil case records through the MyCase portal by party name, case number, or attorney. The advanced search function lets you filter 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 applies for each additional defendant named or added beyond the first. Sheriff service of process costs $28.00 per case, with a separate one-time post-judgment service fee of $28.00.
Obtaining Copies
Certified court documents cost $1.00 per page plus $3.00 for certification. You can request copies 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 spread across several county offices. The Kosciusko County Recorder preserves all recorded real estate documents—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 include 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—both with and without children—carries a filing fee of $177.00. You can search divorce proceedings 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, and can be requested 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. Both applicants must appear in person at the Clerk's Office during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM). The fee is $29.00 for Indiana residents and $69.00 for out-of-state residents, each including one certified copy. You'll need 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, 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 through the Indiana Courts marriage application page. The Marriage License Public Lookup portal lets the public search statewide marriage license issuance details.
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 back to 1882. Certificates cost $10.00 each, plus $1.00 postage for mail orders. Under IC 16-37-1-8, requesters must show a legitimate reason for obtaining certificates.
Request applications are available online and in printable format:
Mail requests should go 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 divided equally between the Circuit Court and Superior Court 1 under local rules. These cases cover supervised and unsupervised estate administration, trust matters, and estate miscellaneous proceedings. The legal framework comes from IC 29, which governs the settlement of a deceased resident's 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. Use the advanced search function to filter specifically by probate case type, then narrow results further by status and filing date.
Requesting Copies
Copies of probate records—including wills, estate inventories, accountings, and distribution orders—cost $1.00 per page, with certification adding $3.00 per document. You can request them in person at 121 North Lake Street, Warsaw, IN 46580, by mail, or through the Clerk's online request form.
A typical probate file contains 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 the final order closing the estate. Guardianship files include the petition, the appointment order, and required periodic reports to the court. Trust records document the creation, administration, or dispute of trust instruments. Unless specifically sealed by court order, all probate records maintained by the Clerk are generally open to public inspection.