Steuben County Court Records

Steuben County court records consist of official documents generated or filed during the adjudication of civil, criminal, probate, and other legal matters in the county's courts. These documents—generally referred to as "case records"—may include pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, affidavits, warrants, subpoenas, exhibits, and related administrative filings. By law, the Steuben County Clerk's Office is responsible for maintaining and disseminating these records.

Are Court Records Public in Steuben County?

In Indiana, including Steuben County, the general principle is that most court records are open to public inspection. Public access is governed by Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3, and the Indiana Supreme Court's Rules on Access to Court Records. Under these provisions, all records not expressly designated confidential or exempt are considered public.

However, some records are restricted by state statute, court order, or federal law. Some examples of nonpublic records in Steuben County include, but are not limited to:

• Records designated confidential by an Indiana statute
• Court records sealed by a judge's order.
• Juvenile court proceedings and records
• Mental health and addiction treatment records
• Pre-sentence investigation reports
• Adoption case records
• Child custody evaluation reports.
• Complete Social Security numbers and certain personal identifiers.

Steuben County Court Records Search

Individuals seeking court records in Steuben County can access them through several official channels:

• Steuben County Clerk's Office:
• Visit or send a written request to the Clerk's Office. Requesters should provide as much identifying information as possible, such as case numbers, party names, or case types. Requests may be addressed to:

Steuben County Clerk's Office
317 S. Wayne Street,
Suite 2H
Angola, IN 46703
Phone: (260) 668-1000 ext. 1500

• Online Case Searches:
• Use Indiana's online case search platform, "mycase.IN.gov," to look up public records by party names or case numbers. Under Indiana Administrative Rule 9, remote public access to non-confidential records is generally permitted.
• Third-Party Aggregators:
• Non-governmental websites compile court data; however, these may charge fees and cannot guarantee accuracy.

Steuben County Courts

Steuben County's judicial system consists of a Circuit Court and a Superior Court, both located in the county seat of Angola. These courts share general jurisdiction over civil, criminal, probate, family law, and other matters. The addresses and contact information of the county's courthouses are as follows:

Steuben County Circuit Court
55 S Public Square,
Angola, IN 46703
Phone: (260) 668-1000 ext. 2240
Fax: (260) 668-3702

Steuben County Superior Court
55 S Public Square,
Angola, IN 46703
Phone: (260) 668-1000 ext. 2240
Fax: (260) 668-3702

Fremont Town Court
205 N Tolford St,
P.O. Box 669,
Fremont, IN 46737
Phone: (260) 495-9849

Steuben County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal court records document the prosecution of individuals charged with crimes. On the other hand, civil court records capture disputes between private parties, including but not limited to contract matters, personal injury claims, property disputes, and family law cases. Members of the public may request copies of these records from the Clerk's Office. Fees often apply—commonly $1 per page and an additional fee (e.g., $3) for certification if needed. For current fee schedules, contact the Steuben County Clerk's Office or consult official county websites.

Individuals can use the mycase.IN.gov portal at no cost to view these records remotely. While the portal typically provides access to filings, docket entries, and some court orders, certain restricted or sealed information remains unavailable online.

It is important to note the difference between court records and criminal history records. While court records pertain to what transpires within the judicial process, a criminal record is a more comprehensive compilation of an individual's arrests, charges, convictions, and related law enforcement data. Criminal history information is primarily maintained by the Indiana State Police (see IC 10-13-3) and can be obtained through a Limited Criminal History Search. The Steuben County Sheriff's Office also maintains local arrest records and incident reports. Criminal or arrest record requests to the Sheriff's office may be addressed to:

Steuben County Sheriff's Office
206 E. Gale St.
Angola, IN 46703
Phone: (260) 668-1000 ext. 5000
Fax: (260) 665-9476

Steuben County Marriage Records

The Steuben County Clerk's Office maintains marriage records. Individuals seeking certified or plain copies should submit a written request or visit in person. Steuben County marriage records are also recorded with the Indiana State Library and can be searched through the Indiana Courts Marriage License Public Lookup website for marriages post-1993. Historical marriage indexes are accessible through the Indiana State Library's online databases.

Steuben County Divorce Records

Divorce records generated from the dissolution of marriage proceedings in the county's courts can be requested from the Clerk's Office using a standard request form. These records may also be searched through mycase.IN.gov by entering a case number or party name. Remote access may display filings, orders, and judgments unless sealed or restricted.

Steuben County Birth Records

Certified birth certificates are available from the Steuben County Health Department. Under IC 16-37, the county health department serves as a local registrar, issuing birth certificates to individuals with a direct interest (the registrant, immediate family, or persons with legal authorization).

Steuben County Health Department
317 S. Wayne Street,
Suite 3-L
Angola, IN 46703
Phone: (260) 668-1000 ext. 1500

Requesters must complete a birth certificate application form, provide acceptable identification, and pay the required fee. The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) also provides statewide birth record services.

Steuben County Death Records

Death records, similarly maintained by the Steuben County Health Department, require an application form, valid identification, and payment of applicable fees. Eligibility criteria under IC 16-37-1-10 mandate that the requester demonstrate a direct interest, such as familial or legal/financial involvement in the decedent's affairs. The IDOH also offers certified death certificates statewide for qualifying individuals.

Steuben County Probate Court Records

Probate matters involve estate administration, guardianships, trusts, and other issues the county courts handle. Interested parties can obtain probate records by filing a request with the Steuben County Clerk's Office or using mycase.IN.gov. Some records, especially those concerning mental health guardianships, may be confidential.

Steuben County Property Records

The Steuben County Recorder's Office maintains land and real property records, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. These records are essential for verifying property ownership and interests.

Steuben County Recorder's Office
317 S. Wayne Street
Angola, IN 46703
Phone: (260) 668-1000 ext. 1600

Fees vary depending on the type and number of pages requested. The Recorder's Office may offer online property search services through partnered platforms.

Steuben County Court Records Online

Besides official sources, commercial vendors like Indianacourtrecords.us compile and host Steuben County public records. While these services can be convenient, requesters should verify the information's accuracy by cross-referencing official governmental repositories. Third-party sites may also impose search or copy fees and are not regulated by Indiana's records statutes.