LaPorte County Court Records Search
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LaPorte County is located in northwestern Indiana and encompasses the cities of La Porte and Michigan City, both of which serve as courthouse locations. The county’s judicial system is part of Indiana’s Judicial District 3 and consists of a Circuit Court and four Superior Courts, each handling distinct categories of cases across criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and probate matters. The Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the official custodian of court records, responsible for accepting filings, entering judgments, issuing process, and maintaining certified copies of all records across these courts.
Individuals looking to find court case records in Indiana can take advantage of several official resources. The MyCase search tool, operated by the Indiana Judicial Branch, provides free online access to case docket information from courts statewide, including all LaPorte County courts. Records may also be obtained by visiting clerk offices in person, using public access terminals at the courthouse, or submitting written requests by mail. The Indiana courts website at IndianaStateCourts.us can help users identify publicly available court case information and connect with relevant judicial resources across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in LaPorte County?
Determining which court handled a specific matter is the starting point for any records search. LaPorte County’s Circuit Court exercises general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, high-value civil disputes, probate, and certain family law matters. Superior Court 1 in Michigan City adjudicates criminal and civil cases. Superior Court 2 handles family law matters. Superior Court 3 in La Porte processes small claims, civil plenary cases, and misdemeanor criminal matters. Superior Court 4 in Michigan City handles additional civil and criminal caseloads.
Online Case Search
The most direct way to look up a case is through MyCase, Indiana’s statewide case information portal. Users can search by:
- Party name (plaintiff or defendant)
- Case number
- Filing date range
- Court location
- Case status
MyCase displays docket entries, hearing dates, case outcomes, and attorney information at no charge. Some documents may also be viewable through the system, though records classified as confidential under Indiana Administrative Rule 9 will not appear.
Live-Streamed Hearings
LaPorte Superior Court No. 3 live-streams its public hearings, including civil and criminal calls. These can be viewed at the Indiana Courts livestream portal by selecting Superior Court 3.
In-Person Searches
A public access computer is available at the Guntersville-style Clerk’s office in the La Porte courthouse for on-site case lookups. Visitors may also inspect records in person at either courthouse location during office hours.
Court Locations and Contact Information
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court | 813 Lincolnway, 3rd Floor, La Porte, IN 46350 | (219) 326-6808 (La Porte) / (219) 874-5611 ext. 2385 (Michigan City) |
| Superior Court 1 | 300 Washington Street, Michigan City, IN 46360 | (219) 874-5611 |
| Superior Court 2 | 809 State Street, Suite 104A, La Porte, IN 46350 | (219) 874-5611 ext. 7734 |
| Superior Court 3 | 813 Lincolnway, Suite 105, La Porte, IN 46350 | (219) 326-6808 |
| Superior Court 4 | 300 Washington Street, Michigan City, IN 46360 | (219) 874-5611 |
Office Hours
The Circuit Court Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Superior Court 3 observes the same schedule but extends hours on Wednesdays until 5:30 p.m. and closes at 12:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Copy Fees
When requesting copies from the Clerk’s office, the standard charges are:
- Plain copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $2.00 per document
Requesters visiting in person should bring valid identification such as a driver’s license or passport.
Are Court Records Public in LaPorte County?
Indiana law establishes a strong presumption that court records are open to the public. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3) broadly requires government agencies to make records available for inspection and copying. Court-specific access rules are governed by Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which provides that court records that are publicly accessible must be available during regular business hours at the courthouse.
Under Administrative Rule 9, the following categories of records are excluded from public access:
- Juvenile court proceedings and records
- Adoption records
- Mental health proceedings
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Certain personal identifiers, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth in specific contexts
- Grand jury materials
- Pre-sentence investigation reports
When restricted information appears in an otherwise public document, the clerk may redact the confidential portions before providing access. Individuals seeking records that fall into a restricted category must demonstrate a legal right to access — typically through a court order, subpoena, or proof that they are a party to the case.
Records available through MyCase are subject to the same access rules. Confidential records will not appear in online search results. For records that are public but not available electronically, an in-person visit to the appropriate clerk office or a written request remains necessary.
LaPorte County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in LaPorte County are distributed across multiple courts based on offense severity. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over the most serious felony charges, including murder and Level 1 through Level 5 felonies. Level 6 felonies and misdemeanors are handled by Superior Court 3 in La Porte and by the Michigan City-based courts. Superior Court 1 also maintains a criminal division that processes felony and misdemeanor matters prosecuted by the County Prosecutor’s Office.
Court Schedules for Criminal Matters
| Court/Division | Criminal Hearing Day |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court – Level 6/D Felonies | Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. |
| Circuit Court – Murder, Level 1–5 Felonies | Friday at 8:30 a.m. |
| Superior Court 1 – Arraignments | Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. |
| Superior Court 1 – Criminal Court | Thursday at 8:30 a.m. (until 12:00 p.m.) |
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records can be accessed through the following methods:
- MyCase — Search the online case portal by defendant name, case number, or other criteria. Docket entries, hearing dates, and disposition information are available for public cases.
- In-Person Request — Visit the Clerk’s office at 813 Lincolnway, Suite 105, La Porte, IN 46350, or at 300 Washington Street, Michigan City, IN 46360, during regular business hours. Bring case details (names, case numbers, approximate dates) and valid identification.
- Mail Request — Send a written request to the Clerk’s office with relevant case details and payment for applicable copy fees.
Filing Fees for Criminal Matters (Superior Court 3)
- Misdemeanor criminal: $185.00 plus fine
- OWI criminal: $385.50 plus fine
Sheriff’s Office and Arrest Records
The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and related law enforcement documentation. The Sheriff’s office has locations at:
La Porte County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 809 State Street, Suite 202A, La Porte, IN 46350
Phone: (La Porte): (219) 326-7700
Phone: (Michigan City): (219) 879-3530
The Sheriff’s office provides access to inmate information online, including charges, bond amounts, court dates, and release dates. The office also handles criminal history checks and directs users to MyCase for public records inquiries related to court case information.
Specialty courts within the county include a Drug Court and a Veterans Treatment Court, both of which process cases that may also generate criminal court records.
LaPorte County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in LaPorte County are adjudicated by the Circuit Court and Superior Courts depending on the nature and monetary value of the claim. The Circuit Court handles high-value civil cases, while Superior Court 3 processes small claims and civil plenary matters. Superior Courts 1 and 4 in Michigan City also handle civil case dockets.
Filing Fees for Civil Cases (Superior Court 3)
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Small claims (under $10,000) | $97.00 + $10.00 service fee per defendant + $28.00 Sheriff service fee |
| Civil plenary | $157.00 + $10.00 service fee per additional defendant + $28.00 Sheriff service fee |
A Plaintiff’s Manual for Small Claims Court is available from the county website and provides step-by-step instructions on how to file and pursue a small claims case. Claims may be filed between 8:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Accessing Civil Court Records
Civil case records are available through MyCase, which displays docket entries, case status, hearing schedules, and sometimes filed documents for publicly accessible cases. In-person requests can be made at the Clerk’s office in La Porte or Michigan City. When requesting copies by mail, include a detailed description of the case, the case number if known, party names, and a check or money order for the applicable copy fees ($1.00 per plain page, $2.00 per certified copy).
Pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 9, most civil court records are publicly accessible. Exceptions include records involving trade secrets, certain financial information in dissolution proceedings, and matters involving sealed settlements.
The County Recorder’s Office maintains recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, and liens that frequently intersect with civil litigation. The Recorder makes all recorded documents a matter of public record and provides access to recorded data that can be searched by name, document number, or document type.
LaPorte County Family Court Records
Family law cases in LaPorte County are primarily handled by Superior Court 2, which addresses divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, guardianship, adoption, domestic violence protection orders, and name changes. The Circuit Court also exercises jurisdiction over certain family matters. The local family law rules set out specific procedures and requirements for family cases filed in LaPorte County courts.
Types of Family Court Records
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce) petitions, decrees, and property settlement agreements
- Child custody and parenting time orders
- Child support orders and modifications
- Paternity determinations
- Domestic violence protective orders
- Adoption decrees (confidential)
- Guardianship petitions and orders
- Name change petitions
Obtaining Family Court Records
Family court records that are classified as public under Indiana Administrative Rule 9 can be searched through MyCase or requested from the Clerk’s office. To request copies in person, visit:
Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
Address: 813 Lincolnway, Suite 105, La Porte, IN 46350
Phone: (219) 326-6808 ext. 2471
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Requesters should provide the case number, names of the parties, and the specific document needed. Copy fees of $1.00 per page (plain) or $2.00 per document (certified) apply. Valid identification is required.
Adoption records and juvenile dependency proceedings (CHINS cases) are confidential and not available to the general public. Access to these records typically requires a court order or proof of direct legal interest.
Self-Help Resources
The LaPorte County Self Help Center provides court forms and instructions for individuals representing themselves in family law matters. Available form packets include dissolution of marriage, modification of child support, contempt motions related to parenting time, and emancipation petitions. The Indiana Judicial Branch also publishes standardized court forms for family law cases.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued through the Circuit Clerk’s office. The cost for a resident of Indiana is $25.00. Out-of-state residents pay $65.00. These fees became effective July 1, 2021.
Vital Records
Birth and death records are managed by the LaPorte County Health Department and the Indiana Department of Health rather than the courts. These records carry access restrictions — only the record subject, their immediate family, legal guardians, or authorized legal representatives may obtain certified copies. Individuals without a direct connection to the record subject must obtain a court-issued subpoena.
La Porte Vital Records Office
Address: 809 State Street, Suite 401A, La Porte, IN 46350
Phone: (219) 326-6808 ext. 2200
Fax: (219) 325-8628
LaPorte County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in LaPorte County fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court, which oversees estate administration, will contests, trust administration, guardianship proceedings, and conservatorships. The Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains all probate case files and processes requests for copies of probate records.
Types of Probate Records
- Last wills and testaments filed with the court
- Petitions for estate administration (testate and intestate)
- Letters testamentary and letters of administration
- Estate inventories and accountings
- Guardianship petitions and orders for incapacitated adults
- Conservatorship proceedings
- Trust-related filings
How to Search Probate Records
Probate case information can be searched on MyCase using the decedent’s name or the case number. The system displays docket entries and case status for publicly accessible probate matters.
For records that are not available electronically or when certified copies are needed, contact the Clerk’s office:
- Identify the relevant case by gathering the decedent’s full name, approximate date of death, and estate case number if available.
- Visit the Clerk’s office at 813 Lincolnway, Suite 105, La Porte, IN 46350, or call (219) 326-6808.
- Submit a request specifying the documents needed.
- Pay applicable copy fees — $1.00 per plain page or $2.00 for certified copies.
Mail requests should be directed to the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the La Porte courthouse address and must include sufficient case details along with a check or money order for the applicable fees.
Probate records are generally public under Indiana law. However, certain filings within guardianship proceedings — particularly those involving medical evaluations or mental health assessments — may be restricted from public access. The court may also seal specific documents in contested estate or trust litigation upon motion of a party.
The County Assessor’s Office maintains property assessment records that are often relevant during estate administration for valuation purposes. Property data can be searched by parcel number, owner name, or address through the assessor’s online portal.