Adams County Court Records

Adams County court records (or court case records) encompass various materials or items preserved by local courts regarding a legal matter. These records may include motions, pleadings, exhibits, orders, and judgments, and they serve to promote transparency and accountability within the judicial branch. Court records are also useful for uncovering legal precedents, tracking cases, and conducting background checks.

Are Court Records Public in Adams County?

Yes. A majority of court records created in Adams County are open to members of the public under IC 5-14-3 (the Indiana Access to Public Records Act or APRA) and the Rules on Access to Court Records. Certain records, however, are deemed nonpublic and can only be released to legally authorized persons. Some of these confidential records include:

• Mental health records
• Juvenile records
• Sealed court records
• Drug or substance abuse records
• Paternity records

Adams County Court Records Search

Individuals can perform an Adams court records search in different ways. They can approach the Clerk of the court who heard a case with a public records search request or access the online case search system featured on the Indiana Judicial Branch's website. One can also access third-party public records websites to find available court records.

Adams County Courts

Adams County is part of Indiana's Judicial District 9, along with Huntington, Wabash, and Wells counties. The county has a Superior Court and a Circuit Court that hear legal disputes or actions brought to the local judicial system. These courts are located at the following addresses:

Adams County Circuit Court
112 South 2nd Street C
Decatur, IN 46733
Phone: (260) 724-5307
Fax: (260) 724-5308

Adams County Superior Court
122 South 3rd Street
Decatur, IN 46733
Phone: (260) 724-5347

Adams County Criminal and Civil Records

Civil court records are generated from noncriminal actions where one party seeks financial compensation or another remedy/relief from a civil court. On the other hand, criminal court records originate from criminal prosecutions initiated to determine a person's guilt or innocence regarding a crime.

To obtain criminal or civil records, an individual can visit the Clerk of the court that adjudicated a case in Adams County. Although the sitting court may be the Superior or Circuit Court, the Clerk of Courts office (i.e., the Circuit and Superior Court Clerk's office) handles all Adams court records requests.

Parties can fill out and download the Clerk's Court Records Request Form and submit it in person during regular working hours, by email at clerksoffice@co.adams.in.us, or via mail. Below is the Clerk's physical and mailing address:

Adams County Clerk's Office
112 South 2nd Street
Room A
Decatur, IN 46733

Each requester is liable for a fee to collect a record's copy. Per IC 33-37-5-1 and 33-37-5-3, the Clerk charges $1 for each plain copy and $3 per document where certification is required.

Another way to view criminal and civil court records in Adams County is via the Indiana MyCase system. This system allows members of the public to look up non-confidential case records using a case party's name, attorney's name/bar number, or case number. The database is provided as a free service to the public.

Admittedly, the Adams County criminal records maintained by the local judicial system only detail the legal proceedings of a case tried in criminal court. Those seeking comprehensive criminal records can query the Indiana State Police (ISP), which offers extensive criminal history check services. A criminal records check through the State Police may reveal Adams County arrest records and other offender data received from local law enforcement and other criminal justice departments in Indiana.

Adams County Marriage Records

The Clerk of Courts is the primary keeper of marriage records in Adams County. Thus, members of the public can request certified copies of Adams County marriage records from this office. A requester will need to complete the Marriage License Copies Request Form and submit it in person, by email, or via mail to the Clerk of Courts office. Each Adams County marriage certificate costs $1 for an uncertified copy and $3 for a certified copy.

Interested individuals can also look up Adams County marriage records since 1993 through the Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup site or access marriage indexes through 1850 and from 1958-2022 on the Indiana State Library's website.

Adams County Divorce Records

When any dissolution of marriage case (divorce) is filed in Adams County, a court file is created to document case activity, including any orders entered by the court, motions filed by parties, and transcripts of court proceedings. These records are accessible through the Adams County Clerk of Courts office for a nominal fee.

Requesters can fill out the Court Records Request Form and submit it in person, via mail, or by email to the Clerk's office (the relevant addresses are indicated on the form). The Clerk's office charges $1 to obtain a plain copy of a divorce case record and $3 for certification.

Members of the public can also look up Adams County divorce case proceedings through the Indiana MyCase portal.

Adams County Birth Records

Records of birth events in Adams are considered part of the Adams County vital records. These records are used for different legal purposes, including passport applications, school enrollments, travel, and insurance. The Adams County Health Department (the local vital records office) maintains and disseminates birth records.

However, under Indiana law, not everyone can obtain a certified copy of an Adams County birth certificate from the local health department. These records are limited to persons with a "direct interest" in a record, such as the registrant and their immediate family members. Such parties should complete the Application for Birth Certificate and submit it to the health department in person or via mail.

313 West Jefferson Street
Room 314
Decatur, IN 46733-1660
Phone: (260) 724-5326
Fax: (260) 724-5328

Proper identification, like a valid driver's license, state ID card, or passport, is needed to request Adams County birth records. One Adams County birth certificate costs $15 to order.

Adams County Death Records

The Adams County Vital Records office (i.e., the local health department) issues records of deaths that occurred in Adams County. Death records are frequently used to settle estates, claim pensionary or life insurance benefits, and cancel accounts.

To obtain an Adams County death certificate, the requester must be an entity with a "direct interest" as determined by law. This means that the party should be one of the following:

• Immediate family members of the deceased (spouse, parents, siblings, grandparents, children) or
• Non-family members with a direct interest, such as legal guardians, individuals with a court order directing a record's release, and legal representatives.

Eligible parties can submit a completed Application for Death Certificate via mail or in person at the local health department. Each applicant should include a picture ID, a $15 fee per certified certificate, and a stamped, self-addressed envelope (for mail-in requests).

Adams County Probate Court Records

Probate court proceedings in Adams County involve wills, guardianships, estates, trusts, adoptions, and other similar matters heard in the Circuit Court. To obtain Adams County probate court records, an individual can complete the Court Records Request Form. This form is available on the Clerk of Courts website and can be hand-delivered, mailed, or emailed to the Clerk's office. A $1 fee applies to obtain a regular copy of a probate record, plus an additional $3 to certify a document.

Individuals can also visit the Indiana MyCase portal to look up probate cases heard in the Adams Circuit Court.

Adams County Property Records

Property records encompass a wide array of documents or information related to real estate. These documents are typically filed into the Adams County public records by the local Recorder's office and display a particular property or land's ownership, assessments, encumbrances, zoning/use restrictions, and more.

An individual can stop by the local Recorder's office during business hours to find Adams County property records. Each visitor will need to have a name, document number, document type, or other pertinent recording information to retrieve records from the Recorder's office. The Recorder assesses the following copy fees:

• $1 per page for copies 11" x 17" or smaller
• $5 per page for copies larger than 11" x 17"
• $5 for certification of a document

Those who cannot appear in person can access the online document search system on the Adams County Recorder's website.

It should be noted that the Recorder's office cannot look up a property or land by street address or parcel number. If possessing only that information, one can approach the Assessor's office or access the Adams County Public GIS system for online property information.

Adams County Court Records Online

Adams County court records can be accessed through official government repositories (as explained previously) and third-party aggregator websites. These third-party sites are operated by independent companies that gather public records from various sources, including courts. An example is Indianacourtrecords.us.

Besides simplified navigation, third-party sites offer users the advantage of obtaining other public records, such as the Adams arrest records, property information, and mugshots, from the same location. Users may find limited information for free on such websites, but a fee usually applies to see detailed records. However, there is no guarantee of record accuracy or completeness.