Starke County Court Records

Stark County court records are comprehensive collections of documents from the Starke County Circuit Court and the Knox City Court. These records encompass case files, audio recordings, visual materials, and videos related to case trials within the county.

The primary purpose of Starke County court records is to uphold the accountability, fairness, and equity of the county's judicial system. Within Starke County court records, there is information relating to case filings and legal prosecutions, such as:

• Names of litigants
• Case numbers
• Filing dates
• Case types
• Petitions/complaints
• Exhibits/evidence
• Motions
• Answers
• Orders
• Judgments.

Additionally, Starke County arrest records are part of the criminal case files and may be accessible as part of the Starke County court records.

Are Court Records Public in Starke County?

Yes, court records are public in Starke County. According to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), custodian agencies must grant public access to Starke County court records (and other government documents). Furthermore, Indiana Administrative Rule 9 outlines the procedures for accessing court records (including Starke County court records). However, there is an exception to public access to some Starke County court records. For example, Starke County court records are not publicly accessible if they relate to:

• Minors
• Adoptions
• Mental health commitments
• Protective orders
• Expunged or sealed records
• Grand Jury proceedings
• Paternity cases.a

Starke County Court Records Search

Starke County court records are accessible online, in person, and by mail requests to the Starke County Clerk's Office. Inquirers may search for Starke County court records through the Indiana Odyssey Case Management System (MyCase Portal) using names and case numbers. Offline access through mail or in-person search is available through the Starke County Clerk's Office at:

53 East Washington Street,
P.O. Box 395,
Knox,
IN 46534
Phone: (574) 772-9128
Email: clerk75@starke.in.gov

Starke County Courts

In Starke County, the judiciary consists of the Starke County Circuit Court and the Knox City Court. The Starke County Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over civil and criminal trials. However, it oversees cases beyond the jurisdiction of the Knox City Court. The Circuit Court in Starke County has exclusive authority over cases relating to slander, libel, foreclosures, and disputes on real estate titles. It also handles most probate and family matter trials. The Knox City Court generally presides over ordinance violations, infractions, and some misdemeanor criminal cases.

Interested public members may reach out to Starke County courts using the following information:

Starke County Circuit Court
53 E Washington,
P.O. Box 395,
Knox,
IN 46534
Phone: (574) 772-9146
Fax: (574) 772-9169

Knox City Court
5435 East Indiana 8,
Knox,
Indiana 46534
Phone: (574) 772-3766 or Fax: (574) 772-7224

Starke County Criminal and Civil Records

In Starke County, the Clerk's Office handles criminal and civil court records from the Starke County Circuit Court, while the Knox City Court maintains its records.

For case files on felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, or civil trials such as personal injury cases, employment disputes, and landlord-tenant disagreements, identify the court responsible for the specific case and visit the Starke County Clerk's Office or the Knox City Court at the following addresses:

Starke County Clerk's Office
53 East Washington,
P.O. Box 396,
Knox,
IN 46534
Phone: (574) 772-9128
Fax: (574) 772-9169
Email: clerk75@starke.in.gov

Knox City Court
5435 East Indiana 8,
Knox,
Indiana 46534
Phone: (574) 772-3766 or Fax: (574) 772-7224.

Alternatively, log in to the Indiana Odyssey Case Management System. This online search tool offers access to case records from Indiana counties. Individuals seeking access to criminal case records, such as Starke County arrest records, incident reports, and other criminal court documents, may find them in Starke County court records or should contact the Starke County Sheriff's Office.

Starke County Marriage Records

Starke County marriage records are public and accessible to interested individuals through the Starke County Clerk's Office. For copies of Starke County marriage records, log in to the Starke County Official Records Online Portal, select Certified Marriage Certificate, and complete the form. Alternatively, visit or send a mail request to the Starke County Clerk's Office at:

53 East Washington,
P.O. Box 396,
Knox,
IN 46534.

Mail requests for Starke County marriage records should include the full names of the couple, date of marriage or approximate year, a self-addressed envelope, and a check or money order to cover applicable costs (the Clerk's Office charges $4.00 per copy of marriage records).

Starke County Divorce Records

Starke County divorce records are public. However, sensitive information, such as financial account information, child custody details, tax records, abuse allegations or protective orders, Social Security Numbers, and medical and mental health records, is exempt from public access.

Starke County divorce records are accessible by case number or name through the Indiana Judicial Branch MyCase Access System. For certified copies of Starke County divorce records, order them online through the Starke County Clerk's Office Official Records Online Portal. Alternatively, visit or mail the Starke County Clerk's Office at:

53 East Washington,
P.O. Box 396,
Knox,
IN 46534.

Starke Birth Records

In Starke County (and the rest of Indiana), birth records are confidential for the first 99 years after birth. Only the individuals whose names are on the birth records (if they are 18 years or older), their parents or legal guardians, and authorized legal representatives may access these documents during this time frame. After 99 years, Starke County birth records will become publicly accessible without restrictions.

Starke County birth records play multiple roles, including:

• Legal and identity functions, such as:

  • Proof of identity and citizenship
  • Eligibility for government benefits
  • Identification documents during legal trials relating to paternity, custody, adoption, and inheritance

• Administrative and civil purposes. For instance, school enrollment, employment, marriage license application, and applying for a driver's license and state ID

• Family and personal use, like genealogy research or personal documentation.

Eligible individuals seeking copies of Starke County birth records should:

• Download and complete the Starke County Health Department Birth Certificate Application Forms
• Include photocopies of valid government-issued photo identification documents, self-addressed stamped envelopes, and checks/money orders to cover applicable costs (a copy of a Starke County birth record costs $10.00)

• Mail the requests to the Starke County Health Department's Vital Records Division at:

  108 N Pearl Street,
  Knox,
  IN 46534.

Alternatively, visitors may visit the Starke County Health Department with valid identification between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Requesters may also order Starke County birth records through the Indiana Department of Health website.

Starke Death Records

Public access to Starke County death records is restricted. Under Indiana laws, there is a confidential period of 75 years after death. Within this time frame, only the immediate family of the deceased and authorized legal representatives have access to death records within the state.

Death records are official proof of death. These documents are crucial for life insurance, pension, and Social Security benefits, and they also provide data for epidemiological research, public health planning, and mortality analysis.

Individuals seeking copies of Starke County death records should visit the Starke County Department of Health's office with valid identification documents. Alternatively, download and complete Death Records Application Forms and mail them along with photocopies of valid government-issued photo identification, self-addressed stamped envelopes, and checks/money orders to cover applicable costs to:

Starke County Health Department
Vital Records Division
108 N Pearl Street,
Knox,
IN 46534.

Starke County Probate Court Records

Starke County probate court records are documents relating to probate trials within the Starke County Circuit Court. These include, but are not limited to, case files on Will contests, guardianships, escheats, intestate succession, trust administration, and conservatorships.

Starke County probate court records are accessible online through the Indiana Odyssey Case Management System. For walk-in or mail requests for Starke County probate court records, visit or send a mail request to the Starke County Clerk's Office during work hours at:

53 East Washington Street,
Knox,
IN 46534
Phone: (574) 772-9128

Starke County Property Records

Starke County property records are documents and information relating to real estate transactions and ownerships within Starke County, IN. These documents are for legal, taxation, and administrative purposes, and they include but are not limited to:

• Deeds
• Property tax records
• Plat Maps
• Zoning records
• Building permits
• Property sales histories
• Liens and Encumbrances.

Starke County property record seekers should subscribe to the Land Records Document Search Engine to search for documents or use the Tapestry Land Records via the Internet portal to access Starke County property records without subscriptions.

Alternatively, reach out to the Starke County Assessor's or Recorder's Offices at the following addresses:

Starke County Assessor's Office
53 East Mound Street,
Knox,
IN 46534
Phone: (574) 772-9107

Starke County Recorder's Office
53 East Mound Street,
Knox,
IN 46534
Phone: (574) 772-9109

Starke County Court Records Online

Inquirers may search for Starke County court records through the Indiana Odyssey Case Management System (MyCase Portal) using names and case numbers. Information seekers may also find Starke County court records through Indianacourtrecords.us and other private websites. As alternatives to government sources, these platforms aggregate documents from various courts across Indiana and make them accessible to interested persons in one place. Third-party online resources allow global access to court documents and information anytime. However, users of these platforms should note that they are independent and do not guarantee the accuracy of their records.