Kosciusko County Court Records

Files and documents related to legal proceedings filed with the Kosciusko County Clerk's office are called Kosciusko County court records. Like other Indiana court records, these records generally contain case descriptions, names of participating parties, criminal charges, prosecutors, case events, filing dates, orders, and dispositions. Witness testimonies, evidence, and filed motions are also part of court records generated within the county.

Case information and recorded data are used by members of the public, courts, and legal professionals for research, court administration, and legal reference. Interested parties can inspect and order court documents through the clerk's office or using available online resources.

Are Court Records Public in Kosciusko County?

Yes. Individuals are permitted in IC 5-14-3-3 to inspect Kosciusko's court records and order copies of case documents. The law codifies the public's right to access files and data created or collected as part of the official businesses of courts within the county. However, specific regulations and restrictions are put in place to prevent potential indiscriminate circulations of sensitive information, such as sealed and expunged Kosciusko criminal records, police investigation data, juvenile criminal records, social security numbers, and certain family law court records.

Kosciusko County Court Records Search

Anyone seeking Kosciusko County court records has to use resources and methods dedicated to the circuit and superior courts. The county clerk generally maintains these records, but it helps to know the court with jurisdiction over the case that one wants to research.

The Kosciusko County Circuit Court and 4 Superior Courts have shared and exclusive jurisdictions over specific cases as outlined in the Kosciusko County local court rules. For example, homicide cases are exclusively handled in the circuit court, while other serious felony matters will alternate between Superior Court 1 and the circuit court. However, certain felony cases (D, C, F4, F5, and F6) are shared between the circuit and superior courts. Misdemeanor cases fall under Superior Court 2, and most juvenile cases are handled by Superior Court 1.

Related records can be obtained by visiting the courthouse. Alternatively, members of the public can use online resources provided by the county and state's judicial branch.

The judiciary's Case Search portal (MyCase) holds case details for court proceedings in circuit and superior courts. The tool allows site visitors to search by case details, party names, and attorney information. Users can also limit their search results according to case type, status, and filing date if they are searching by name or attorney. Case results display the names of case parties, type of court case, court where the case was handled, case number, and case events. For criminal cases, users can review charges, prosecutor case numbers, bond details, citation numbers, and offense descriptions.

The county clerk allows the public to request available records through its online public records request webpage. As mentioned, interested parties can also visit the clerk's office to view and inspect case files. They should keep the following fees in mind:

• Plain copies: $1 per page
• Certification: $3 per copy
• Chronological case summary: $1 per summary
• Support payment history: $1 each

Kosciusko County Courts

Kosciusko County's court system comprises the superior courts (No. 1 to 4) and circuit court. Individuals can contact or visit the courts using the following details:

Kosciusko County Courthouse
121 North Lake Street
Warsaw, IN 46580
Phone numbers:
Circuit and Superior Court 1: (574) 372-2402
Superior Court 2: (574) 372-2376
Superior Court 3: (574) 372-2394
Superior Court 4: (574) 265-2910

Kosciusko County Criminal Records

Kosciusko County criminal records are primarily generated in the county's superior and circuit courts. However, Kosciusko County arrest records, which are generated by law enforcement agencies, are also considered criminal records.

Individuals seeking arrest records generally want to know why and how a person was taken into custody, the suspect's location, and bail information to secure the release of recent arrestees. Interested parties can contact the arresting agency, such as the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office and the Warsaw Police Department, for such details. The Warsaw PD allows members of the public to request copies of police reports they filed for free. Individuals can also contact the department concerning recently created Kosciusko arrest records in the custody of its records division.

The Sheriff's Office oversees the county jail and keeps records of inmates awaiting their next court appointments. Interested parties can search its inmate portal by name to find such individuals. The database displays the facility where a person is being held, inmate age, visitation schedule, bail and charge information, and next court appearance. Members of the public can also contact the office directly for more details about people in its custody.

Criminal court records are generally created for people charged by the prosecutor's office after their arrest or those who were indicted before their apprehension. These records can be obtained through the clerk's office or using the case information portal of the state's judiciary. However, knowing the court where the case was handled can help one locate the records they seek faster.

Additionally, one can request a criminal background check through the Indiana State Police. The check provides details of a person's previous and current convictions, charges, and arrests. The ISP offers two types of background checks:

• Limited Criminal History: Can be conducted using a subject's name and other details, such as gender, race, date of birth, and social security number. It only provides information on felony and class A misdemeanor arrests, charges, and dispositions.
• Full Criminal History: This report can only be requested by submitting the subject's fingerprints and other personal information. It shows complete details of all arrests, dispositions, charges, and indictments within Indiana.

The state police also helps eligible parties to conduct national criminal history checks. The process involves querying the FBI database for possible crimes recorded throughout the country, including Indiana.

Get Kosciusko County Civil Court Records

Civil court cases are reserved for dispute resolution between members of the public, organizations, and public institutions. Anyone can start a civil action against another person or institution as long as they have grounds to do so. Such lawsuits are handled in the circuit and superior courts, and the county clerk's office maintains records.

Individuals can approach the clerk to obtain records or use the state judiciary's case search system. While using the system, one can narrow their search results by expanding the advanced search section and selecting the type of civil case they seek.

Kosciusko County Marriage Records

Kosciusko County marriage records, such as licenses, are issued by the office of the county clerk to approve marriage ceremonies within the county. A couple can request a copy of their license through the clerk's office, which can serve as their Kosciusko County marriage certificate. Interested parties can submit their requests in person or by mail to the following address:

Clerk of Kosciusko Circuit & Superior Courts
Attn: Marriage Records
121 N Lake Street, Room D162
Warsaw, IN 46580

Requesters can call (574) 372-2331 ext. 2639 to ask more questions about the process.

One can use this document as proof of marriage when filing joint tax returns or buying certain insurance packages. Marriage documents can also be used for inheritance and life insurance claims, change of name, and visa applications.

Additionally, members of the public can use the Marriage License Public Lookup web portal to find details of marriage licenses that have been issued.

Kosciusko County Divorce Records

Divorce records are created during dissolution of marriage cases, which are also shared between the circuit and superior courts. Thus, individuals can obtain records through the county clerk's office in person or by mail. Requesters can use the online public records request page or call the clerk's office for more information.

Individuals often need divorce records to prove they are no longer married to their ex-spouses when filing certain taxes, changing their names, or applying for new marriage licenses.

Kosciusko Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records are categorized as Kosciusko County vital records and are issued by county and state health departments. A Kosciusko County birth certificate is used to record a person's place and time of birth and can be used for the following:

• Marriage license applications
• Proof of citizenship
• Social security applications
• School enrollment
• Driver's license and passport applications
• Proof of parenthood

A death certificate is created to record a person's passing and is usually used for the following:

• Inheritance and probate settlements
• Claiming insurance and retirement benefits
• Law enforcement investigations
• Funeral arrangements

Per IC 16-37-1-8, Kosciusko County vital records can only be issued when the issuing authorities believe that requesters have legitimate reasons to obtain birth and death certificates.

One can obtain birth and death records created from 1882 through the Kosciusko County Health Department online or by mail. Obituaries published via local newspapers are available from 1972. Online requesters can submit applications to the health department's web platform. Mail-in requesters are required to print out the birth certificate or death certificate application form and mail it to:

100 West Center Street
Room 318
Warsaw, IN 46580

Each certificate costs $10 plus a $1 postage fee.

The Indiana Department of Health also issues Kosciusko County birth records from 1907 and death certificates from 1900. One can order either a long-form or standard birth certificate, depending on their needs. They can place their order online through the department's third-party provider, by mail, or by phone. The mail-in option involves completing the death or birth application and mailing it to:

Indiana State Department of Health, Vital Records
2 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone requesters can call (866) 601-0891

Individuals who want to authenticate birth and death certificates (apostille) can do so through the Secretary of State's office. They can visit or mail their requests to the following address:

Indiana Secretary of State
Authentication Department
302 W. Washington Street, Room E-018
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Kosciusko County Probate Court Records

Probate court cases produce probate records. Proceedings under Indiana probate law include estate unsupervised, estate supervised, trust, and estate miscellaneous matters. These cases are shared equally between the Kosciusko County Circuit Court and Kosciusko County Superior Court No. 1. They are used to settle deceased county residents' estate (real and personal property) under the laws established in IC 29.

Individuals can contact or visit the Kosciusko County clerk to order copies of probate court records. Interested parties can also visit the MyCase website and limit their search to probate cases to view details about such proceedings.

Kosciusko County Property Records

Property records are documents and data used to preserve official accounts of property transactions and dealings within the county. One can review these records to verify ownership information, transfer and sales histories, and tax status. Property documents also reveal outstanding liens, county assessment values, and other outstanding issues. Members of the public usually check real estate documents when they are interested in purchasing or selling property, understanding their tax obligations, or challenging assessment values.

One can obtain property records by approaching the following offices:

• Kosciusko County Recorder: Maintains every recorded document within the county related to real estate issues
• Kosciusko County Assessor: Responsible for evaluating property value for taxation.
• Kosciusko County Treasurer: Collects property taxes within the county and maintains records regarding tax histories, payments, and defaults.

Each office's website contains links to online databases where individuals can search property records to retrieve records.

Kosciusko County Court Records Online

Kosciusko County public records are also available through third-party vendors like Indianacourtrecords.us. Such online resources often prove more convenient and straightforward since they pool different types of documents from various agencies in one database. However, these websites are not owned and do not partner with government agencies. Hence, they cannot guarantee the accuracy or authenticity of the records they dispense.