Vanderburgh County Court Records Search
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Vanderburgh County sits in southwestern Indiana along the Ohio River, with Evansville serving as the county seat and the state’s third-largest city. The county’s judicial system operates through two trial-level courts — the Circuit Court and the Superior Court — both headquartered in the Civic Center Complex in downtown Evansville. The Vanderburgh County Clerk of the Circuit Court functions as the official custodian for virtually all court records generated across both courts, spanning criminal, civil, family, and probate proceedings. Understanding which court and which office handles a particular record type is the key to an efficient search.
Indiana court records can be researched through a combination of in-person visits to the Clerk’s office, written requests, and digital tools. The state judiciary operates myCase, a free online case management system that indexes non-confidential case filings across all Indiana counties. For additional statewide court information and resources, IndianaStateCourts.us may help users identify courts and locate publicly available case data. Within Vanderburgh County, the Clerk’s office accepts walk-in inquiries, mail and fax requests, and provides access to electronic court records during regular business hours.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Vanderburgh County?
There are several practical ways to search for a Vanderburgh County court case, depending on whether you need to view basic case information or obtain official copies of documents.
Online Search via myCase
The fastest method for locating a case is the Indiana myCase portal. This free system allows anyone to search by party name, case number, or attorney name. To narrow results to Vanderburgh County, select the county from the court dropdown menu. Users can filter by case type (criminal, civil, domestic relations, probate), case status (open or closed), and filing date range. The system displays docket entries, scheduled hearings, and — for many cases — electronic images of filed documents. Note that myCase provides view-only access; certified or official copies must still be obtained from the Clerk.
In-Person and Written Requests
For certified copies or documents not available electronically, the Vanderburgh County Clerk’s office accepts requests in person, by mail, or by fax. The Clerk provides a downloadable public records request form that should be completed and submitted with the case number, party names, and a description of the records sought.
Vanderburgh County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Address: 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Room S240, Evansville, IN 47708
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3356, Evansville, IN 47732
Phone: (812) 435-5160
Fax: (812) 435-5849
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Cashier window closes at 4:00 p.m.)
Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies of public records | $1.00 per page |
| Certification of a document | $3.00 per document |
Payment may be made by cash, cashier’s check, money order, or credit card ($1.50 convenience fee applies to credit card transactions). Personal checks are not accepted.
Are Court Records Public in Vanderburgh County?
Vanderburgh County court records are presumed public under Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code 5-14-3. APRA requires government agencies, including courts, to make records available for inspection and copying within a reasonable time. Any person may submit a request without demonstrating a specific interest or purpose.
Despite this broad presumption of openness, certain categories of court records are shielded from disclosure under Indiana statute, court rule, or judicial order:
- Adoption and paternity records — Confidential under Indiana Code 31-19-19.
- Juvenile proceedings — Case files involving minors are restricted from public access.
- Sealed and expunged records — Once a court grants a sealing or expungement order, the affected records are removed from public view.
- Mental health case records — Proceedings involving involuntary commitment or competency evaluations are confidential.
- Protective personal information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and home addresses of certain individuals are redacted from publicly available documents.
- Attorney-client privileged materials — Records subject to privilege are exempt from disclosure.
- Law enforcement investigatory records — Materials that could endanger informants or compromise ongoing investigations may be withheld.
When records are available, the Clerk’s office will provide copies at the standard per-page fee. If a records request is denied, the agency must cite the specific statutory exemption and provide a written explanation upon request.
Vanderburgh County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Vanderburgh County are handled primarily by the Circuit Court, which devotes roughly two-thirds of its docket to felony matters. The Circuit Court also manages Adult Felony Drug Court and Grand Jury proceedings. The Superior Court presides over misdemeanors, traffic violations, and infractions, and operates specialty divisions including Treatment Court and Mental Health Court.
Vanderburgh County Circuit Court
Address: 825 Sycamore Street, Civic Center Courts Building, Evansville, IN 47708
Phone: (812) 435-5192 or (812) 435-5235
Vanderburgh County Superior Court
Address: 825 Sycamore Street, Civic Center Courts Building, Evansville, IN 47708
Phone: (812) 435-5000
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case dockets, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions can be searched at no cost through the myCase portal. Select Vanderburgh County, limit the case type to criminal matters, and search by defendant name or case number. For official copies, submit the Clerk’s public records request form in person, by mail, or by fax.
Arrest and Booking Records
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest, booking, warrant, and inmate records independently of the court system. The Sheriff provides several online tools:
- Recent bookings — Viewable on the Sheriff’s website.
- Warrant search — Publicly accessible lookup.
- Inmate lookup — Current inmate roster.
- Incident report requests — Submit the Sheriff’s form in person or by mail.
Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 3500 North Harlan Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711
Phone: (812) 421-6203
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For a formal background check beyond local court records, the Indiana State Police offers two options:
- By mail — Complete the criminal history information application and send it with a $7.00 check to: Indiana State Police, Criminal History Limited Check, P.O. Box 6188, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188.
- Online — Use the Limited Criminal History Search portal. Fees are $15.00 for subscribers and $16.32 for non-subscribers.
Vanderburgh County Civil Court Records
General civil litigation — including contract disputes, tort claims, property actions, mortgage foreclosures, and name changes — is filed in either the Circuit Court or the Superior Court. Small claims cases (up to $10,000) are handled exclusively by the Superior Court’s Small Claims Division. The Clerk of the Circuit Court is the official records custodian for all civil filings across both courts.
Civil Filing Fees
Fees are subject to annual adjustment on July 1. Current filing fees for common civil case types:
| Case Type | Filing Fee | With Sheriff Service |
|---|---|---|
| Small claims (one defendant) | $97.00 | $125.00 |
| Standard civil / civil plenary | $157.00 | $185.00 |
| Mortgage foreclosure | $157.00 + $50.00 surcharge | $185.00 + $50.00 surcharge |
| Civil name change | $157.00 (plus newspaper publication costs) | $185.00 |
| Foreign judgment collection | $157.00 | $185.00 |
| Recording a foreign judgment | $3.00 | — |
| Each additional defendant | $10.00 | — |
| Post-judgment sheriff service | $28.00 (one-time) | — |
Small Claims Procedures
The Small Claims Division office is located on the second floor of the County Courts Building. Filing hours for pro se (unrepresented) litigants are 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Key procedural details include:
- Fill-in-the-blank forms are available in the office and must be signed in the deputy’s presence unless notarized.
- Statements of claim are scheduled for hearing at least 15 days from filing; evictions at least 10 days out; proceedings supplemental at least 20 days out.
- After receiving a judgment, a party must wait at least 10 days before filing a proceeding supplemental and at least 6 months between subsequent filings unless new information arises.
- Venue is proper in the county where the transaction occurred, where the obligation was incurred or is to be performed, or where the defendant resides or works.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case information is fully searchable through myCase. To obtain official copies, submit a request to the Clerk. Pro se litigants seeking blank court forms can access them through the Indiana Judicial Branch Forms page.
Vanderburgh County Family Court Records
Domestic relations and juvenile paternity matters are adjudicated in the Superior Court’s Family Court Division. Domestic Relations cases (divorce, legal separation, dissolution) are heard Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. in Courtroom 126B. Juvenile Paternity cases are scheduled at 9:30 a.m. in the same courtroom. Summary hearings take place on Fridays in Courtroom 110.
Family Court Filing Fees
| Case Type | Filing Fee | With Sheriff Service |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Relations (DC/DN) | $177.00 | $205.00 |
| Juvenile Paternity (JP) | $196.00 | $224.00 |
| Post-judgment sheriff service | $28.00 (one-time) | — |
For questions about initiating a case, contact the Clerk’s Office at (812) 435-5160. For questions about an existing case, contact the Family Court Reporter at (812) 435-5729.
Protective Orders
Protective order (PO) cases are filed through the Superior Court. There is no filing fee for a petition for a protective order. These records may be partially restricted to protect the safety of the petitioner.
Adoption Cases
Adoption filings cost $157.00 (or $185.00 with sheriff service). Adoption records are confidential under Indiana law and are not accessible to the general public.
Marriage Records
The Clerk’s Office issues marriage licenses and maintains Vanderburgh County marriage records dating back to 1835. Both applicants must appear together in person at Room S240 of the Civic Center Complex between 7:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. to complete the application. The online portion of the application can be started in advance at the Indiana Courts marriage portal.
Marriage license fees:
- $25.00 — at least one applicant is a Vanderburgh County resident
- $65.00 — both applicants are out-of-state residents marrying in Vanderburgh County
Regular copies of marriage records cost $1.00 each; certified copies cost $4.00 each. Copies can be ordered in person, by mail (with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope sent to P.O. Box 3356, Evansville, IN 47732), or online through the Official Records Online system. Marriage records can also be searched for free using the Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup portal. For questions, contact the Marriage Desk directly at (812) 435-5188.
Divorce Records
Divorce and dissolution decrees are maintained by the Clerk’s Office and can be searched through myCase or requested using the public records request form. Certified copies of divorce decrees are also available through the Official Records Online system.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are not court records; they are vital records maintained by the Vanderburgh County Health Department. Eligible requesters — generally the individual named on the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives — can apply in person or by mail using the department’s birth certificate application or death certificate application. Current pricing is listed on the Health Department’s birth certificate and death certificate pages.
Vanderburgh County Health Department
Address: 420 Mulberry Street, Evansville, IN 47713
Phone: (812) 435-2400
Email: vitalrecords@vanderburghcounty.in.gov
Vanderburgh County Probate Court Records
Indiana does not operate a separate probate court. In Vanderburgh County, probate matters — including estate administration, will validation, trust disputes, guardianship, and conservatorship — are filed in the Superior Court. The Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the records custodian for all probate filings.
Probate Filing Fees
Estate, guardianship, and trust cases carry an initial filing fee of $177.00. This fee is subject to annual adjustment on July 1.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched through myCase by selecting the probate case type filter and entering the decedent’s name, the ward’s name (for guardianship matters), or the case number. The system will return docket entries, filing dates, and any electronically available documents.
For certified copies or records not available online, submit the public records request form to the Clerk’s office in person, by mail, or by fax. Include the case number if known, the names of the parties, and a description of the specific documents needed.
Guardianship Proceedings
Guardianship petitions for incapacitated adults and minors are filed in the Superior Court. The court oversees the appointment of guardians, reviews accountings, and monitors the welfare of protected persons. Guardianship case files are generally part of the public record, although specific medical or financial information contained within individual filings may be restricted.
Estate Administration
When an estate enters probate, the court appoints a personal representative (executor or administrator) who is responsible for inventorying assets, notifying creditors, and distributing property according to the will or Indiana’s intestacy laws. Inventories, accountings, and distribution reports filed with the court are accessible to the public through the Clerk’s office. The court maintains these records indefinitely, and historical probate files may be accessed through the Clerk’s archive division.
For all Vanderburgh County court record inquiries, the most reliable approach is to begin with a free search on myCase, identify the case number and court division, and then contact the Clerk’s office if certified copies or physical documents are required. The Clerk’s staff can assist with locating records, confirming availability, and explaining any applicable fees or restrictions.