Clay County Court Records

Court records in Clay County, Indiana, are official records containing details of court cases heard by the county's courts. Case filings, judgments, motions, and court orders are all considered records under Indiana Administrative Rule 6. They cover civil, criminal, probate, and family law proceedings in various formats, including digital, audio, and hardcopy.

These documents are essential for maintaining openness, bolstering appeals, and confirming court decisions. They usually include the parties' names, accusations or allegations, case numbers, court rulings, and hearing dates. The public can generally access these records unless they are legally sealed for privacy or secrecy reasons.

Are Court Records Public in Clay County?

Under Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which encourages transparency by providing public access to court information, Clay County court records are generally public. The public may access most civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files in person or online.

However, access is restricted for certain records to preserve privacy and safeguard sensitive information. Confidential records include those sealed by court order, adoption cases, mental health processes, and juvenile records. Additionally, private identifiers like Social Security numbers, bank account information, and the identities of confidential informants are typically redacted. Access requests might be turned down if sharing a record may infringe on a person's right to privacy.

Clay County Court Records Search

A Clay County court records search may be performed through any of the following:

• The Originating Courthouse: Look up the records where the case was first filed.
• Clay County Clerk's Office: In-person requests and public access terminals are available.
• The Indiana Odyssey Case Management System: An online gateway offered by the Indiana judiciary.
• Third-Party Public Records Websites: Non-governmental platforms that provide search services.

Clay County Courts

The addresses and contact information of courthouses in Clay County, Indiana are as follows:

Clay County Circuit Court
609 E National Ave, #213
Brazil, IN 47834
Phone: (812) 448-9025
Fax: (812) 446-9602

Clay County Superior Court
609 E National Ave, #209
Brazil, IN 47834
Phone: (812) 448-9025
Fax: (812) 446-9602

Clay County Criminal and Civil Court Records

Court documents pertaining to small claims, contracts, personal injury, family law, probate, and property disputes are considered part of Clay county civil court records. Unless these records are sealed, they are subject to Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which allows public access.

The Clay County Clerk of Courts is the primary custodian of criminal and civil court records. To access them, record seekers may use the "Indiana Odyssey Case Management System" online tool, in person at the clerk's office, or send a written request to the custodian's office. Record seekers may utilize the parties' names, case numbers, filing dates, and related information. However, there may be fees for certified documents or hard copies.

According to Indiana Code § 5-14-3, the Indiana Access to Public Information Act, the public has access to basic criminal court information, including charges, case status, court decisions, and punishment. The Clay County Clerk's Office keeps this information up to date.

Meanwhile, full criminal history records, which contain information about arrests and contacts with law enforcement, are restricted. Only approved people or organizations can access these, which are run by the Indiana State Police (ISP). Usually, access needs:

• A background check using fingerprints through the ISP's Inkless Livescan technology,
• A legitimate ID, and
• Applicable fees, which typically range from $15 to $30 based on the mode of request.

Meanwhile, ISP also offers a limited criminal history search. This search does not require fingerprints and only offers some criminal history information on felonies and misdemeanor arrests. It is name-based and does not include results from states outside Indiana.

Clay County Marriage Records

Marriage records are official records that attest to two people's legal union in Clay County, Indiana. Per Indiana Code § 31-11-4, these include marriage licenses and certificates. The Clay County Clerk's Office does official custodianship. Those who wish to acquire a copy must fill out a request form, which may be found online or in person at the clerk's office, and include the names of the spouses and the date of marriage. A legitimate ID is necessary. Certified copies are $4 each. Public records are usually accessible, but access may be restricted if a request relates to private or updated data, like updated names or dates.

The Indiana State Judiciary also has an online "Marriage License Public Lookup (MLPL)" tool, where people can view licenses recorded from 1993 to the present. Search criteria are applicant name, marriage year range, and county.

Clay County Divorce Records

According to Indiana Code Section 31-15, divorce records in Clay County are court documents describing a marriage breakdown, such as divorce decrees and case files. The Clay County Clerk of Courts is in charge of keeping these documents. People can get copies by going to the clerk's office or sending a written request that includes both parties' names and the divorce date. Requester would need a legitimate ID. $1 per page plus $3 for certification is the price of certified copies. Although most divorce records are open to the public, sensitive information (such as financial affidavits or child custody details) might not be.

Clay County Birth Records

In Clay County, Indiana, birth records are official documents that serve as proof of birth, containing information such as name, date, place of birth, and parentage. The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and the Clay County Health Department (CCHD) are responsible for maintaining these records governed by Indiana Code § 16-37-1. When requesting from CCHD, applicants must fill out the relevant request form (print or online), submit a legitimate photo ID, and pay the required cost ($10 per copy) to receive a certified copy.

According to the most recent information, the IDOH charges $10 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy in the same order. Record requests can be submitted online through the department's official website, by mail, or via phone at (866) 601-0891. It's crucial to remember that these documents are usually only accessible by those with a direct interest, such as those listed on the record or their immediate family.

Clay County Death Records

In Clay County, Indiana, death records are official documents that attest to a person's passing and provide information about the cause, date, and location of death. These records are kept by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and the Clay County Health Department and are governed by Indiana Code § 16-37-1. To acquire a certified copy, candidates need to fill out the relevant request form (print or online), submit a legitimate photo ID, and pay ($10 each copy) the required amount.

According to the most recent information, the IDOH charges $4 for each additional copy in the same order and $8 for the first copy. Through the information available on the department's website system, record requests can be submitted online, by mail, or via phone at (866) 601-0891. Notably, these documents are usually only accessible to those who have a direct interest in them, such as immediate family members or legal representatives.

Clay County Probate Records

The legal administration of estates, including guardianships, conservatorships, and wills, as regulated by Indiana Code Section 29, is documented in Clay County, Indiana, probate records. These documents are kept by the Clay County Clerk of Courts. People can use the Indiana Odyssey Case Management System online or visit the clerk's office to obtain them. To obtain copies, it might be necessary to fill out a request form and pay fees, usually $1 per page plus $3 for certification.

According to the Indiana Trial Court Fee Manual, the cost of filing a probate case is $177, plus an extra $28 if sheriff service is required. Access to some records may be limited to safeguard sensitive data.

Clay County Property Records

Clay County property records include documents pertaining to real estate ownership, transfers, appraisals, and liens. These documents, which are regulated by the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3), comprise deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and surveys.

The Clay County Recorder's Office primarily maintains property records. To view the records in person, visit Room 111 on the Courthouse's first floor at 609 E. National Ave., Brazil, IN 47834, is where anyone can physically view these records. Documents like deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are kept in the office. In addition to a $5 certification cost per document, copy prices are $1 per page for documents up to 11" x 17" and $5 per page for bigger documents.

The Clay County Treasurer's Office provides information on property tax payments and rates, while the Clay County Assessor's Office provides market-value-in-use assessment data for property assessments, valuations, and tax information. In addition, users can see parcel data, such as property boundaries, zoning information, and other geographic characteristics, through the Clay County GIS Mapping System.

Clay County Court Records Online

Interested persons may access Clay County court records through third-party internet services like Indianacourtrecords.us, which enable users to search by name, case number, or filing date. These sites may be helpful for expedited searches, particularly for summaries of criminal and civil cases. However, the accuracy and validity of the information on this site may not be guaranteed since it operates independently of official custodians.