Owen County Court Records Search

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    Owen County, Indiana sits in the south-central part of the state, with Spencer as its county seat. Court records here cover a wide range of legal documentation — criminal prosecution files, civil case filings, probate estates, family law proceedings, traffic matters, and more. A record is created when a case is filed, and it grows as the proceeding advances, ultimately capturing motions, orders, exhibits, judgments, and other documents that form the permanent legal record of each case.

    Residents and researchers have several practical options for finding court records — in person, by mail, or online. IndianaStateCourts.us can help you identify publicly available court case information and navigate Indiana's court record resources. For Owen County specifically, records are searchable through official clerk resources, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Owen County?

    All Owen County court records are maintained by the Owen County Clerk of the Circuit Court — the official keeper of judicial records for all county-level cases, including civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and juvenile matters. The Clerk's Office is led by Diane Stutsman and handles filing fees, fines, restitution, child support disbursements, and marriage licenses in addition to records management.

    Owen County Clerk of the Circuit Court
    Address: 60 S. Main Street, Room 100, Spencer, IN 47460
    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 146, Spencer, IN 47460
    Phone: (812) 829-5015

    Online Search — MyCase

    The best place to start online is the Indiana Courts MyCase portal. Anyone can search MyCase at no charge for non-confidential case information and documents. You can search by:

    • Party name
    • Case number
    • Attorney name
    • Other available criteria

    When searching, select Owen County from the Court menu to filter results to local cases. Many documents are available to view and download directly through the portal.

    Additional Online and In-Person Options:

    • Doxpop Court Cases — a subscription-based service with access to Indiana court cases and judgment records, including historical Owen County filings
    • In-person review at the Clerk's Office, Room 100, during regular business hours
    • Written mail requests submitted to the Clerk's P.O. Box 146, Spencer, IN 47460

    Copy Fees (Clerk's Office):

    • Standard copies: $1.00 per page
    • Certified copies: $2.00 per page

    Court fines and fees may be paid online through PayGov.US or through the Clerk's Office directly. Child support payments are accepted through childsupportbillpay.com.

    Are Court Records Public in Owen County?

    Court records in Owen County are generally open to the public under Indiana law. Access is governed by § 5-14-3 of the Indiana Code (the Access to Public Records Act) and the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records, which replaced former Administrative Rule 9. These rules establish a strong presumption in favor of openness while defining specific categories of records that must be withheld to protect privacy and safety.

    Records Restricted from Public Access:

    • Juvenile court records (delinquency, CHINS, and child welfare matters)
    • Adoption proceedings
    • Mental health commitment records
    • Guardianship of minors
    • Sealed search warrants and confidential informant information
    • Certain protective order details
    • Portions of family law cases involving sensitive personal data, including Social Security numbers, tax returns, financial statements, and child-related information

    Records sealed by court order are not accessible through MyCase or the Clerk's Office without a court order authorizing disclosure. The Indiana Judicial Branch's public records guidance explains the framework for requesting both public and restricted records.

    Owen County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Owen County fall under Circuit Court I, presided over by the Honorable Donald R. VanDerMoere II. The court has jurisdiction over all criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment, including felonies and misdemeanors. Initial criminal hearings are held on Mondays and Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. in the Circuit Court I courtroom. Jury trials are scheduled one Tuesday per month.

    Owen County Circuit Court I
    Address: 60 S. Main Street, 3rd Floor, Spencer, IN 47460
    Phone: (812) 829-5030
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
    Thursday Evening Traffic Court: 4:00 p.m.

    How to Search Criminal Records:

    • Visit the MyCase portal and search by defendant name or case number, filtering by Owen County.
    • Appear in person at the Clerk's Office (Room 100) to review physical case files or request certified copies.
    • Contact the Criminal Division of Circuit Court I at (812) 829-5030 for case-specific information.

    Arrest Records and Sheriff's Office

    Arrest records and incident reports in Owen County are maintained by the Owen County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Ryan White. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), citizens may inspect and copy public records, but requests for Sheriff's Office records — including accident reports — must be submitted in person at the Security Center. Online submissions are not accepted for these records.

    Owen County Sheriff's Office
    Address: 291 Vandalia Avenue, Spencer, IN 47460
    Phone: (812) 829-5757
    Email: ryan.white@owencounty.in.gov
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

    Written requests must identify records with reasonable particularity and be accompanied by applicable fees. The Sheriff's Office also maintains a Sex Offender Registry accessible to the public online.

    Owen County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Owen County are handled by Circuit Court II, presided over by the Honorable Kelsey B. Hanlon. Court II has jurisdiction over a broad range of non-criminal disputes, including:

    • Civil tort claims and personal injury cases
    • Civil plenary and collections matters
    • Mortgage foreclosure proceedings
    • Protective orders
    • Small claims cases (up to the statutory limit)
    • Evictions

    Owen County Circuit Court II
    Address: 60 S. Main Street, 2nd Floor, Spencer, IN 47460
    Phone: (812) 829-5046
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
    Jury Trials: One Wednesday per month, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

    All civil cases are initiated through the Clerk's Office, which collects and distributes filing fees and manages case records from filing through final judgment.

    Small Claims

    Small claims matters are heard in Circuit Court II and offer a simplified process for lower-value disputes. The Owen Circuit Small Claims Manual (PDF) is available through the Clerk's Office and provides guidance on filing procedures and required forms.

    Searching Civil Records:

    Civil case records can be searched through the MyCase portal or via Doxpop for more comprehensive historical access. In-person review and certified copy requests are handled through the Clerk's Office (Room 100) at the standard copy fee rate of $1.00 per page or $2.00 per certified page. Indiana courts require attorneys to e-file in Owen County; self-represented litigants should confirm current e-filing requirements with the Clerk's Office.

    Owen County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Owen County are primarily adjudicated in Circuit Court II, which handles domestic relations, paternity, child welfare, and termination of parental rights cases. Circuit Court I handles adoptions, juvenile delinquency, and guardianships. Together, the two courts cover the full range of family-related legal proceedings in the county.

    Case Types Handled in Family Proceedings:

    • Dissolution of marriage (divorce)
    • Legal separation
    • Paternity establishment
    • Child custody and parenting time
    • Child support and reciprocal support actions
    • Juvenile CHINS (Children in Need of Services) and child welfare matters
    • Termination of parental rights
    • Adoptions (Circuit Court I)
    • Protective/restraining orders
    • Guardianship of minors (Circuit Court I)

    Divorce records in Owen County are generally public, though certain sensitive portions of divorce files — such as Social Security numbers, financial statements, tax returns, mental health assessments, and child-related data — are excluded from public access and will be redacted by the Clerk before disclosure. To search divorce case records, use the MyCase portal and filter by Owen County, or visit the Clerk's Office for full file access.

    Marriage Licenses

    Marriage licenses are issued by the Owen County Clerk's Office. Start your application online in advance and complete it in person. Processing takes place between 8:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Fees are $25.00 for Owen County residents and $65.00 for out-of-state residents. Bring a driver's license, state ID, or passport; if you've been previously divorced, bring your most recent divorce decree. Licenses are valid for 60 days. Historical marriage records dating to 1819 are maintained through the Clerk's Office and in archives.

    Historical marriage license records from 1933 to the present may also be searched using the Indiana Courts Marriage License Public Lookup Portal.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death records are maintained separately from court records. Birth records less than 100 years old are restricted to eligible parties — the subject (if 18 or older), parents listed on the record, legal guardians, and authorized legal representatives. To request a certified birth certificate, complete State Form 49607 and submit it with a copy of valid photo ID and a fee of $10.00 for the first copy ($4.00 for each additional copy) to the Owen County Health Department/Vital Records Office at 751 E. Franklin Street, Spencer, IN 47460 — Phone: (812) 829-5017 — or to the Indiana Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 7125, Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125. Birth certificates may also be ordered online through the Indiana Department of Health vital records portal.

    Death records less than 50 years old are confidential under Indiana Code § 16-37-1-10, accessible only to immediate family, authorized representatives, and those with court orders. Certified copies of death records cost $8.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy. Requests use Form 49606 and may be submitted to the same offices listed above for birth records. Historical vital records may also be located through the Owen County Public Library at 10 South Montgomery Street, Spencer, IN 47460, Phone: (812) 829-3392

    Owen County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Owen County are handled by Circuit Court I under the Honorable Donald R. VanDerMoere II. The court oversees estate administration, will contests, guardianships for incapacitated adults, conservatorships, and financial supervision for minors. The Owen County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains all probate case records and is the official filing point for wills, petitions, inventories, and related estate documents.

    Probate proceedings in Owen County include:

    • Administration of decedent estates
    • Probate and contest of wills
    • Appointment of personal representatives and administrators
    • Guardianships for incapacitated persons
    • Conservatorships
    • Trust administration matters
    • Financial supervision of minors

    How to Access Probate Records:

    • Search case information online through the MyCase portal using the decedent's name or assigned case number.
    • Visit the Clerk's Office in person at 60 S. Main Street, Room 100, Spencer, IN 47460, to review probate files or request copies.
    • Submit a written mail request to P.O. Box 146, Spencer, IN 47460, with the decedent's name, case number (if known), and a description of the documents needed.

    Probate records are generally public unless sealed by court order. Standard copy fees of $1.00 per page (or $2.00 per certified page) apply to all records provided by the Clerk. Owen County's probate records date back to at least 1833, with historical files also accessible through genealogical archives. If you're navigating probate proceedings without an attorney, guidance and self-help forms are available through Indiana Legal Help.

    Owen County Circuit Court I (Probate)
    Address: 60 S. Main Street, 3rd Floor, Spencer, IN 47460
    Phone: (812) 829-5030

    Owen County Clerk of the Circuit Court
    Address: 60 S. Main Street, Room 100, Spencer, IN 47460
    Phone: (812) 829-5015