Carroll County Court Records

Court records, as defined by the Indiana Court Rules, encompass both case and administrative records maintained by the judicial branch. This article focuses on the Carroll County case records, which are documentary materials originating from legal proceedings brought to the county's judicial system. Also known as court case records, or simply court records, these documents are vital for promoting judicial transparency and accountability.

Carroll County court records comprise a wide array of documents filed, created, collected, or received during court proceedings. These records may include Carroll County arrest records generated by the police following a suspect's arrest, as well as motions, complaints, briefs, orders, and judgments.

Are Court Records Public in Carroll County?

Yes. The authority to view or duplicate case records maintained by the Carroll County courts is established under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA) and Access to Court Records Rules. Pursuant to these regulations, any member of the public is permitted to request and receive access to a Carroll County court record, irrespective of their citizenship or residency.

Nevertheless, this right to access court records in Carroll is not absolute. Specific entities, such as case parties or their legal representatives, court staff, and government officials, may have greater access. This distinction is important because, while general access may be restricted by statute or regulation—often to protect sensitive information, ensure due process, or for other legal reasons—these parties may be granted access even when a member of the public unconnected to the case is denied.

Nonpublic/confidential court case records in Carroll County include:

• Mental health records
• Paternity records
• Records proclaimed confidential by statute or court rule
• Sealed records
• Drug or substance abuse records

Carroll County Court Records Search

To locate Carroll County court records, it is often necessary to reach out to the official custodian of court records in Carroll County—the clerk of the court where the case was filed or heard. This office typically facilitates records access through various means, commonly in-person visits, mail-in applications, and online search services. Other than querying the official custodian, individuals may explore third-party databases, which may offer broader access to such information.

Carroll County Courts

Legal actions arising in Carroll County are managed by a judicial system composed of two trial courts: the Carroll County Circuit Court and the Carroll County Superior Court. Although these courts possess distinct jurisdictions, they collectively address all legal matters within the county. The Carroll County courts are situated at the following location:

Carroll County Courthouse
101 West Main Street
Delphi, IN 46923
Phone: (765) 564-4485
Fax: (765) 564-1835

Carroll County Criminal and Civil Records

Courts in Carroll County handle two primary categories of cases: civil and criminal. A civil case refers to a lawsuit initiated by individuals or organizations to seek financial compensation for an injury or enforce a right. Meanwhile, a criminal case is a lawsuit brought by the government against an individual suspected of violating Indiana's criminal laws. The records produced from these cases are titled "civil court records" and "criminal court records", respectively.

To obtain either type of record, individuals can contact the Carroll County Circuit Clerk's Office (also called the County Clerk's Office). Per Rule 77(A) of the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure, this office acts as the official custodian for all circuit, superior, and probate courts in the county. Access may also be obtained through the Indiana MyCase portal. When searching court records, it is essential to have at least a case number or the name of a case party to facilitate record retrieval.

Notably, while certain Carroll County arrest records may be included in the official court file, the circuit clerk is not the primary custodian of these documents. For such records, requests may be submitted to the arresting police department, the Indiana State Police, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Carroll County Marriage Records

The Carroll County Clerk's Office issues certified copies of marriage records for $4 each. These records certify the existence of a marital union between two people and are useful for genealogical research, supporting legal proceedings, and updating government documents. To request records, individuals can stop by the county courthouse or contact the clerk at (765) 564-4485 during regular business hours. The spouses' names or the date of marriage are typically required to process orders.

Additionally, Indiana allows members of the public to search marriage record information online via the Indiana Courts Marriage License Public Lookup site (records from 1993 to the present) and the Indiana State Library's Online Marriage Indexes (records from before 1850 and from 1958 onwards). It is worth noting that certified copies cannot be obtained using these online tools; those are sourced directly from the clerk's office.

Carroll County Divorce Records

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Carroll County is the principal repository for all local court documents, including divorce records. These records confirm the official termination of a marriage. Anyone can obtain these records by submitting a direct request to the clerk's office and paying any assessed copy fees. Alternatively, divorce case searches are available for free through the Indiana MyCase portal. Only non-confidential cases can be accessed via the MyCase portal.

Carroll Birth Records

Certified copies of birth certificates for Carroll County, Indiana, are available from the Carroll County Health Department. These records are issued to eligible requesters and are used for various administrative, personal, and legal purposes, particularly as proof of a person's citizenship, age, and parentage.

To obtain a Carroll County birth certificate, one must be the registrant (if 18 years or older), a parent listed on the certificate, or another qualified applicant. Such parties will need to submit a Birth Certificate Application to the local health department, along with proper identification and the $15 certified copy fee (or $2.50 for genealogy purposes). Standard and long-form birth certificates are available.

Carroll birth records can also be obtained from the Indiana Department of Health's Vital Records Division.

Carroll Death Records

Death records document the incident of a death. In Carroll County, Indiana, these records are disseminated by the local health department or Indiana Department of Health – Vital Records Division to the decedent's next of kin, legal representatives, and others deemed eligible by law.

Each death certificate ordered through the local health department costs $15 per copy ($2.50 for genealogy uses), and valid identification is necessary to process an application. Death records may be needed for probate and estate administration, claiming insurance benefits, closing financial accounts, and updating government records after a person's demise.

Carroll County Probate Court Records

Probate court records in Carroll County originate from probate cases filed with the local circuit court. The circuit court's probate jurisdiction encompasses the administration of the decedents' estates, guardianships, and mental health hearings.

To examine a probate court record, individuals can submit a clear description of their desired record(s), including the case party's name or case number, to the Carroll County Circuit Clerk's Office. Individuals may also review these cases on the Indiana MyCase portal by inputting a case party's name or case number in the relevant fields. Nominal fees may apply to duplicate court records, usually $1 per page.

Carroll County Property Records

Property records document important information related to real estate situated within a specific jurisdiction. These records include legal descriptions, ownership details, assessed values, property characteristics, encumbrances (such as liens or easements), and sales histories.

To access property records in Carroll County, inquiries can be made at the Recorder's Office, the Assessor's Office, the Treasurer's Office, or the Auditor's Office. When requesting a record, the requester will need to provide basic information about the property/record to facilitate retrieval, which typically includes a name, file/instrument/parcel number, date/date range, or property address. Fees may be incurred for copies of documents.

Carroll County Court Records Online

In addition to state-run databases, the public can utilize third-party online resources to search for Carroll County court records online. One such example is Indianacourtrecords.us. Leveraging independent websites for court records searches has several advantages, including round-the-clock accessibility, extensive data coverage, and instant results. Nevertheless, users are advised to verify any data obtained through official sources due to potential limitations in information accuracy and completeness.