Miami County Court Records Search

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    Miami County, Indiana, sits at the heart of north-central Indiana, with its county seat in Peru. The county’s court system handles thousands of civil, criminal, family, and probate matters each year through a network of courts operating from the historic Miami County Courthouse. Whether you are researching a pending lawsuit, verifying a criminal disposition, tracing estate records, or confirming a marriage, understanding how the courts are organized and where records are kept is the essential first step.

    Court records in Indiana are maintained at both the county and state level. Residents and researchers can locate publicly available case information through official clerk offices, public-access terminals at the courthouse, and the state judiciary’s online resources. IndianaStateCourts.us serves as a reference point for navigating Indiana’s court system, and the Indiana Supreme Court’s mycase.in.gov portal provides free, searchable docket information for most non-confidential cases across the state, including those filed in Miami County.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Miami County?

    The most direct route to locating a Miami County court case is through the Indiana judiciary’s statewide case search tool. MyCase aggregates docket data from Indiana’s courts of record and allows anyone to search without creating an account or paying a fee. Once a case is found, the portal typically displays party names, attorneys of record, case type, filing dates, scheduled hearings, and case events. Some orders and public pleadings are viewable directly within the system; others must be requested from the Clerk’s Office.

    Steps for an online case search:

    1. Navigate to mycase.in.gov.
    2. Select a search method: party name, attorney name, case number, or citation number.
    3. Apply optional filters such as case type, filing date range, or court location.
    4. Identify the relevant case from the results list and review the available docket entries.
    5. For documents not available online, contact or visit the Miami County Clerk’s Office for copies.

    For court calendar searches — to find scheduled hearings and trial dates — the Indiana Court Calendar is also publicly accessible. Note that only hearings tied to non-confidential cases appear in this system.

    For in-person access or certified copies, the Miami County Clerk’s Office is the central repository for all court filings in the Circuit and Superior Courts:

    Miami County Clerk’s Office
    Address: 25 N Broadway, Miami County Courthouse, Peru, IN 46970
    Phone: (765) 472-3901

    The Clerk’s Office hours follow the general courthouse schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding county-designated holidays. Clerk’s deputies are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice, but they can assist with locating case files, explaining filing procedures, and processing copy requests.

    For individuals who prefer a subscription-based research tool, Doxpop offers access to current and historical Indiana court cases, including Miami County records, and is available around the clock from any internet-connected device.

    Are Court Records Public in Miami County?

    Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3 et seq., establishes that government records — including court records — are presumed open to the public unless a specific statute, court rule, or judicial order directs otherwise. Under IC § 5-14-3-3, record custodians must make accessible records available for inspection and copying. Requests may be denied in full or granted only with redactions when the requested materials fall within a recognized exemption.

    Categories of restricted or confidential records include:

    • Juvenile case files, including records from Child in Need of Services (CHINS) proceedings and Juvenile Delinquency matters
    • Records sealed or expunged under Indiana Code § 35-38-9, which allows qualifying individuals to petition for the sealing or expungement of criminal conviction records
    • Adoption proceedings and related documents
    • Personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, financial account information, and medical records embedded in court filings
    • Records sealed by judicial order in the interest of personal safety or privacy
    • Termination of Parental Rights case files

    Where a court file contains both public and restricted information, clerks may produce a redacted version of the document for public inspection. Parties with a direct legal interest — such as the named individuals, their attorneys, or authorized government agencies — may petition for access to sealed or expunged materials through appropriate legal channels.

    The Miami County Local Rules of Court, effective January 1, 2025, further govern procedural matters within the county’s courts, including case allocation among divisions and filing requirements. The Indiana Supreme Court’s local rules publication page maintains current and proposed amendments.

    Miami County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Miami County are distributed between the Circuit Court and the two Superior Courts based on a case allocation plan. The Miami Circuit Court handles murder charges and Level 1, 2, 3, and 4 felony cases, which represent the most serious offenses under Indiana’s sentencing framework. Miami Superior Court II handles non-driving misdemeanor charges and non-driving Level 5 and Level 6 felony charges, which include a wide range of intermediate offenses.

    Miami County Circuit Court
    Address: Third Floor, Miami County Courthouse, 25 N Broadway, Peru, IN 46970
    Phone: (765) 472-3901, Ext. 1235
    Fax: (765) 472-2189
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

    Miami County Superior Court I
    Address: 25 N Broadway, Room 300, Peru, IN 46970
    Phone: (765) 472-2428
    Fax: (765) 472-8590
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (night session Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m.)

    Miami County Superior Court II
    Address: 25 N Broadway, Room 303B, Peru, IN 46970
    Phone: (765) 472-2448
    Fax: (765) 472-0216

    The MyCase portal provides free access to criminal case dockets, including charge descriptions, bond information, hearing dates, and case outcomes for non-confidential matters. For arrest records, warrant information, and current inmate custody status, the Miami County Sheriff’s Office maintains those records separately:

    Miami County Sheriff’s Office
    Phone: (765) 472-1322
    Jail: (765) 472-1322
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (on duty 24 hours a day)

    For employment background checks or formal criminal history verification, the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search provides name-based searches covering felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests statewide. This service carries a per-search fee, which as of late 2025 was approximately $15.70 for standard users. Fingerprint-based background checks offer a more comprehensive record for licensing and employment purposes.

    The Miami Circuit Court is also the home of the Miami County Drug Court, a state-certified problem-solving court designed to address substance use disorders and reduce recidivism through supervised rehabilitation rather than incarceration.

    Miami County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Miami County — including contract disputes, personal injury cases, mortgage foreclosures, civil collections, and landlord-tenant matters — is handled across the Circuit Court and both Superior Courts. The case allocation plan determines which court receives a given filing, though both the Circuit Court and Superior Court II share jurisdiction over general civil litigation.

    Small claims eviction cases are filed exclusively in Miami Superior Court II as of January 1, 2023, per the county’s current case allocation plan. Eviction initial hearings are scheduled on Fridays at 10:00 a.m., with damages hearings at 11:00 a.m. A Small Claims Eviction Guide for Pro Se Litigants is available from Superior Court II, along with the required forms for new eviction filings.

    To access civil court records:

    • Use MyCase to search by party name or case number for publicly available docket entries and some viewable documents.
    • Visit the Miami County Clerk’s Office in person to inspect civil case files and request physical copies.
    • Use Doxpop for subscription-based access to historical and current case data.

    Self-filing forms for common civil matters — including name changes, driving suspension appeals, and civil collections responses — are available through Indiana Legal Help, the statewide resource maintained for self-represented litigants. All filings, whether submitted by attorneys or pro se parties, must be directed to the Miami County Clerk’s Office, not to the courts directly. Attorneys are required to use the state’s e-filing system for all submissions.

    Court fees and fines, including civil judgment payments, can be paid online through the MyCase payment portal. The Indiana judiciary’s public records page outlines the framework for accessing court documents statewide and clarifies which record types are available at no cost versus those that require a copy fee.

    Miami County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Miami County are distributed between the Circuit Court and Superior Court II. The Miami Circuit Court handles divorces, paternity cases, and a broad range of other family law proceedings. Superior Court II handles adoptions, divorces, paternity cases, and family law matters as well, along with all juvenile delinquency, juvenile status, and termination of parental rights cases.

    Family court records occupy a nuanced position under Indiana’s public records framework. While divorce decrees and paternity orders may be accessible through standard public channels, many supporting documents within these files — particularly those involving children, financial disclosures, or domestic violence allegations — are subject to confidentiality protections. Adoption records and termination of parental rights proceedings are sealed under Indiana law and are not available to the general public.

    Self-help forms for the most common family court matters are accessible through Indiana Legal Help, including forms for divorce, child custody, parenting time modifications, child support, paternity establishment, and relocation. These resources are particularly useful for parties who are navigating the court system without an attorney.

    Marriage records are issued and maintained by the Miami County Clerk’s Office. Under Indiana Code § 31-11, marriage licenses and the records of marriages solemnized in the county are generally part of the public record. To request a certified copy of a marriage record, contact the Clerk’s Office with the full names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. A valid photo ID and applicable fees will be required.

    Vital records — including birth and death certificates — are not maintained by the courts but are the responsibility of the Miami County Registrar’s Office, operating under the Miami County Health Department:

    Miami County Registrar’s Office (Vital Records)
    Address: 12 S Wabash St., Peru, IN 46970
    Phone: (765) 472-2343 / (765) 473-0283
    Fax: (765) 472-2659
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

    The Registrar maintains birth and death records dating back to October 1882. State-required filing of vital records did not begin until 1907, so records from the earlier period may be incomplete. Certified death certificates are available for a fee of $15.00 per copy. Birth certificate fees apply as well; both applications are available on the Miami County website as downloadable forms. Access to vital records is restricted by statute to the named individual (if 18 or older), parents, close relatives, and authorized legal representatives.

    Miami County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Miami County — including the administration of decedents’ estates, the appointment of personal representatives, the probate of wills, guardianships for minors, and conservatorships for incapacitated adults — are heard in both the Miami Circuit Court and Superior Court II. The Circuit Court’s probate jurisdiction includes estates, guardianship, and trust matters, and Superior Court II maintains concurrent jurisdiction over adoptions, estates, and guardianships as well.

    What probate records typically contain:

    • The original will or a certified copy submitted to the court
    • Petition for probate and letters testamentary or letters of administration
    • Inventories of estate assets
    • Claims filed by creditors
    • Final accountings showing distributions to heirs or beneficiaries
    • Guardianship orders and annual reports for ongoing guardianship matters

    Basic probate docket information is searchable through MyCase for non-confidential matters. Guardianship cases involving minors may be restricted from public view. To obtain certified copies of probate documents — such as letters of administration needed to access financial accounts or transfer property — contact the Miami County Clerk’s Office directly. Copy fees and certification charges apply; Indiana courts generally charge $1.00 per page for physical copies plus a certification fee.

    Self-filing forms for guardianship and estate proceedings are available through Indiana Legal Help, though probate proceedings can be procedurally complex, and consulting a licensed Indiana attorney is advisable for most estate matters.

    For property-related records that accompany estate administration — such as deeds transferring real estate from an estate to heirs — the Miami County Recorder’s Office maintains land records including deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, and assignments. Land records are now available online for a nominal fee through the Recorder’s Office digital platform. The Recorder is located at 25 N Broadway, Peru, IN 46970, within the Miami County Courthouse complex. Property assessment data is handled by the Miami County Assessor’s Office, also located at the courthouse, and additional property information is consolidated on the Miami County property information page.