Lake County, Indiana Court Records Search

Lake County, Indiana, sits at the northwestern tip of the state along Lake Michigan and encompasses one of Indiana’s largest and most active court systems. The county seat is Crown Point, where the principal court complex is located, though multiple courthouses and city courts serve communities across the county — from Gary and Hammond to East Chicago and Merrillville. Court records generated within this system document the full range of civil, criminal, family, and probate proceedings handled by Lake County’s Circuit and Superior Courts. These documents serve essential purposes: they establish legal precedent, support due process, enable research, and provide a mechanism for public accountability over the judicial process.

How to Locate Lake County Court Records:

Indiana residents and researchers looking for court case information have several paths available. The Indiana Judicial Branch administers a statewide public access system, and the state’s court records portal at IndianaStateCourts.us can help users identify publicly available case information across all 92 counties, including Lake. Records may also be located through the Lake County Clerk’s Office, courthouse public access terminals, and the official Indiana Courts case search system. For cases not available online, contacting the appropriate clerk’s office directly remains the most reliable approach.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Lake County?

The primary tool for searching Lake County court cases online is mycase.in.gov, Indiana’s statewide Odyssey Public Access portal operated by the Office of Judicial Administration. Any member of the public may search this system free of charge for non-confidential case information and documents. Searches can be conducted by party name, case number, or attorney name.

Steps to search online via MyCase:

Navigate to mycase.in.gov
Select “Lake” as the county
Enter the party’s name or case number in the search fields
Review results and select the relevant case
View available documents and case status information

For records not available through the online portal, requesters may contact or visit the Lake County Clerk’s Office directly:

Clerk’s Main Office
Address: 2293 N. Main Street, Courts Building, 1st Floor, Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: (219) 755-3533
Fax: (219) 755-3337
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

The Clerk of the Lake Circuit/Superior Court serves as the official custodian of all court records, accepts filings, enters judgments and court orders, issues certified copies, and maintains probate and trust records. The office accepts major credit cards for in-person transactions, though a 3% convenience fee applies; American Express is not accepted.

For mail requests, written inquiries should be directed to the Clerk’s Main Office at the address above and should include the case number or party names, the type of record needed, and a return address. Copy fees under Indiana Code §§ 33-37-5-1 and 33-37-5-3 are generally $1.00 per page plus $3.00 per document for certified copies. Standard photocopies may be available at lower rates depending on the specific division. The Indiana Judicial Branch directory of courts and clerks can help identify the correct division to contact.

Additionally, the Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides guidance on how to request records, request bulk court data, and navigate the statewide online systems.

Are Court Records Public in Lake County?

Yes, the majority of court records in Lake County are public under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code Title 5, Article 14, Chapter 3). Specifically, IC § 5-14-3-2 establishes that the public has the right to inspect and copy public records, which includes court records maintained by Lake County courts and clerks. Indiana’s Rules on Access to Court Records further govern what is accessible, how confidentiality is maintained, and the procedures for excluding certain records from public view.

Records excluded from public access in Lake County include:

Adoption records and related proceedings
Juvenile delinquency and child in need of services (CHINS) records
Mental health commitment records
Sealed and expunged criminal records
Records barred from disclosure by federal or state statute
Sensitive personal identifiers, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and medical information
Records related to ongoing investigations
Attorney-client privileged communications

Under Access to Court Records Rule 5, a court may exclude an entire case from public access when all associated records have been declared confidential, or individual documents within a case may be sealed by court order. Redaction is commonly applied to protect personal identifiers while keeping the remainder of a record available for public inspection. The Indiana Office of Court Services maintains a regularly updated list of the specific case types and record categories excluded from public access statewide.

Lake County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Lake County are handled by both the Circuit and Superior Courts, depending on the nature and location of the offense. Felony and misdemeanor matters are filed through the Clerk’s Office and proceed through the assigned court division. Case records — including charging documents, motions, hearing transcripts, and judgments — are generally accessible through mycase.in.gov for cases that have been adjudicated and are not subject to confidentiality restrictions.

Lake County Sheriff’s Department — Bureau of Identification

For arrest records, criminal history information, gun permits, accident reports, offense reports, and sex and violent offender registrations, the primary point of contact is the Bureau of Identification:

Address: 2293 N Main Street, Building-C, Door J-2, Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: (219) 755-3316

The Lake County Sheriff’s Department can also be reached at (219) 755-3400 for general inquiries. The Bureau of Identification maintains the county’s centralized criminal records, and requests may be made in person or by following procedures outlined on the Sheriff’s website.

Key considerations for criminal records requests:

Arrest records are public, but certain personal details (home address, SSN) may be redacted
Expunged records are not accessible to the public under Indiana law
Criminal history background checks involving conviction records may have separate requirements
Warrants information may be accessible through the statewide public courts search portal

The Superior Courts in Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago also handle criminal matters in their respective service areas. Court-specific contact information is listed in the Lake County courts section below.

Lake County Civil Court Records

Civil proceedings in Lake County — including breach of contract disputes, personal injury cases, commercial litigation, administrative reviews, and small claims matters — are administered through the Circuit and Superior Court civil divisions. The Lake County Clerk’s Office serves as the official repository for civil court filings and maintains records of all civil judgments, motions, and orders.

How to access civil court records:

Search mycase.in.gov by party name or case number for electronic records
Visit the Clerk’s Main Office (2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point) during business hours
Contact the specific civil division handling the case
Use the Indiana Judicial Branch public records portal for guidance

Civil Division Locations:

Court Division	Address	Phone
Circuit Court – Civil Division	2293 N. Main St., Courtroom B203, Crown Point, IN 46307	(219) 755-3488
Circuit Court – Civil Magistrate	2293 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN 46307	(219) 755-3429
Lake County Superior Court – East Chicago	3711 Main Street, East Chicago, IN 46312	(219) 398-2442
Lake County Superior Court – Gary	15 W. Fourth Ave., Gary, IN 46402	(219) 881-6065
Lake County Superior Court – Hammond	232 Russell St., Hammond, IN 46320	(219) 933-2857

When requesting civil records in person, requesters should bring valid government-issued identification and be prepared to provide the case number or names of the parties involved. Fees of $1.00 per page plus $3.00 per document for certified copies apply under Indiana Code §§ 33-37-5-1 and 33-37-5-3. Some information may be redacted to protect personal identifiers under applicable court rules.

Lake County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Lake County are handled primarily through the Circuit Court – Domestic Relations Division, located at 2293 N. Main Street, Courtroom B206, Crown Point, IN 46307 (Phone: (219) 755-3681). The Circuit Courts have jurisdiction over a broad range of family cases, and the Superior Court divisions in Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago also adjudicate family matters in their respective jurisdictions.

Types of family court cases in Lake County:

Divorce and dissolution of marriage
Legal separation
Child custody and parenting time disputes
Child support establishment and modification
Paternity proceedings
Domestic violence and protective orders
Adoption (records are sealed and not publicly accessible)
Juvenile dependency proceedings
Guardianship of minors
Name changes
Enforcement and contempt proceedings

Accessing family court records: Most non-confidential family court records are searchable through mycase.in.gov. Divorce decrees, custody orders, and support judgments that are not sealed are generally available. The Lake County Clerk’s Office processes certified copy requests for dissolution of marriage and related domestic records. Requesters should identify the specific court that handled the case — particularly whether it was filed in Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, or East Chicago — as this determines which division to contact.

Marriage and divorce records in Lake County are part of the county’s vital records system. Marriage certificates and divorce decrees on record with the Clerk may be requested with case-specific details and applicable fees. For birth and death records, which are maintained separately by the health department and are not court records, contact the Lake County Health Department:

Address: 2900 West 93rd Ave., Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: (219) 755-3655

Birth and death certificates are not public records in Indiana and are restricted to individuals with a direct and tangible interest, though exceptions exist for historical research, genealogical inquiry, statistical purposes, or compliance with a court order.

Lake County Probate Court Records

Probate jurisdiction in Lake County rests with the Circuit Court, specifically the Circuit Court – Probate Division, located at 2293 N. Main Street, Courtroom B203, Crown Point, IN 46307, reachable at (219) 755-3488. This division operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Matters handled by the Lake County Probate Court include:

Deceased estates and estate administration
Will contests and admission of wills to probate
Intestate succession proceedings
Guardianship of incapacitated adults and minors
Conservatorship proceedings
Trust administration matters
Mental health commitments

How to obtain Lake County Probate records:

Identify the specific estate or proceeding by decedent name or case number
Search mycase.in.gov for probate case records available online
Contact the Circuit Court Probate Division at (219) 755-3488 to confirm record availability and request instructions
Visit the Clerk’s Office at 2293 N. Main Street during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM)
Submit a written request if visiting in person is not feasible, including the case name, approximate filing date, and nature of the records requested
Pay applicable copy fees upon retrieval

Wills that have been filed with the Clerk but not yet admitted to probate, as well as wills from completed estates, are maintained in the Clerk’s records. The Lake County Courts’ local rules applicable to estates, guardianships, and related matters provide additional procedural guidance for probate filings and required forms. Guardianship proceedings require submission of a Guardian’s Information Sheet in compliance with local court rules.

Lake County Courts — Full Directory

The following courts serve Lake County residents. All Circuit and Superior Courts are located within or adjacent to the Lake County Government Complex in Crown Point unless otherwise noted.

Circuit Courts:

Court	Address	Phone
Lake County Circuit Court	2293 N Main St, Crown Point, IN 46307	(219) 755-3460
Circuit Court – Civil Division	2293 N. Main St., Courtroom B203, Crown Point, IN 46307	(219) 755-3488
Circuit Court – Civil Magistrate	2293 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN 46307	(219) 755-3429
Circuit Court – Domestic Relations	2293 N. Main St., Courtroom B206, Crown Point, IN 46307	(219) 755-3681
Circuit Court – Probate	2293 N. Main St., Courtroom B203, Crown Point, IN 46307	(219) 755-3488

Superior Courts:

Court	Address	Phone
Lake County Superior Court	2293 N Main St, Crown Point, IN 46307	(219) 755-3460
Superior Court – East Chicago	3711 Main Street, East Chicago, IN 46312	(219) 398-2442
Superior Court – Gary	15 W Fourth Ave, Gary, IN 46402	(219) 881-6065
Superior Court – Hammond	232 Russell St, Hammond, IN 46320	(219) 933-2857
Superior Court – Juvenile Division	2293 N Main St, Crown Point, IN 46307	(219) 755-3460

City and Town Courts:

Court	Address	Phone
Crown Point City Court	223 S Main St, Crown Point, IN 46308	(219) 662-3243
East Chicago City Court	2301 E Columbus Dr, East Chicago, IN 46312	(219) 391-8491
Gary City Court	555 Polk St, Gary, IN 46402	(219) 881-1354
Hammond City Court	5925 Calumet Ave, Hammond, IN 46320	(219) 853-6346
Hobart City Court	705 E 4th St, Suite C, Hobart, IN 46342	(219) 942-8218
Lake Station City Court	1969 Central Ave, Lake Station, IN 46405	(219) 962-2145
Lowell Town Court	501 E Main St, Lowell, IN 46356	(219) 696-4077
Merrillville Town Court	7820 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410	(219) 756-6185
Schererville Town Court	25 E Joliet St, Schererville, IN 46375	(219) 865-5579
Whiting City Court	1443 119th St, Whiting, IN 46394	(219) 659-4688

The Lake County Courts department page provides updated contact information, court forms, and local rules. Attorneys practicing in Lake County are required to e-file through the Indiana e-filing system; members of the public are encouraged to use it as well. Local court rules currently in effect for Lake County govern procedural requirements for filings and hearings across all court divisions.