Marion County Court Records
What Is Marion County Court Records
Court records in Marion County encompass the full body of official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records include case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, sentencing records, and any other documents filed with or produced by a court of law. Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained in Marion County, such as property records (held by the Marion County Assessor), vital records (held by the Indiana Department of Health), or law enforcement records (held by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department).
The Marion County Courts — part of Indiana Judicial District 13 — maintain records across multiple court divisions, each responsible for a defined category of legal matters:
- Marion Superior Court — the primary trial court handling the majority of civil, criminal, family, and probate matters
- Marion Circuit Court — the constitutionally established court of general jurisdiction
- Small Claims Courts — handling disputes involving limited monetary amounts
- Probate Division — overseeing estates, guardianships, and trusts
- Family Division — addressing dissolution of marriage, child custody, and support matters
- Criminal Division — maintaining records for felony and misdemeanor prosecutions
- Civil Division — maintaining records for civil litigation, including tort and contract matters
- Traffic/Infractions Division — maintaining records for traffic violations and infractions
Pursuant to Indiana Code § 29-1-1-1 and related provisions of the Indiana Code governing court administration, all documents filed with a court of record become part of the official court record and are subject to the state's public access framework.
Are Court Records Public In Marion County
Under Indiana law, the vast majority of court records maintained in Marion County are presumptively open to public inspection. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), Indiana Code § 5-14-3, establishes the general right of members of the public to inspect and copy public records, including those held by judicial agencies. Additionally, the Indiana Supreme Court's Administrative Rule 9 governs access to court records specifically, affirming that court records are open to the public unless a specific exception applies.
Records that are currently available for public inspection include:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Final judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets reflecting all filings and proceedings in a case
- Hearing schedules and trial calendars
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Administrative Rule 9 and related statutes. These include records in juvenile delinquency and child in need of services (CHINS) proceedings, adoption records, mental health commitment records, and documents sealed by court order. Members of the public should note that federal court records — maintained by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana — are governed by federal rules and are accessible through the PACER system, separate from Indiana state court records.
How To Find Court Records in Marion County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Marion County court records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and whether the requester needs certified copies or simple inspection.
In-Person Access: Individuals may visit the Marion County Clerk's Office, which serves as the official custodian of court records for the Marion Superior and Circuit Courts. Public counter staff are available to assist with record searches and copy requests during regular business hours.
By Mail: Written requests for copies of court records may be submitted by mail to the Marion County Clerk's Office. Requests should include the case number (if known), the names of the parties, the approximate filing date, and the type of record sought. Applicable copy fees must be included or arrangements made for payment.
Online: Members of the public may search case information and access available documents through the Indiana Courts' online portal without visiting a courthouse in person.
Certified Copies: Requests for certified copies of judgments, orders, or other court documents must be submitted to the Clerk's Office either in person or by mail, accompanied by the applicable fee as established under Indiana Code.
How To Look Up Court Records in Marion County Online?
The Indiana Judicial Branch provides online access to court records through its statewide case management portal. Members of the public may use MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search to search for case information across all Indiana courts, including Marion County's Superior and Circuit Courts.
Steps to search using MyCase:
- Navigate to the MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov
- Select the search type: by party name, case number, or attorney
- Enter the relevant search criteria (last name, first name, or case number)
- Filter results by county — select "Marion" from the county dropdown menu
- Select the relevant case from the results list to view the docket and available documents
- To obtain copies of documents not available for download, note the case number and contact the Marion County Clerk's Office
The MyCase portal currently provides access to docket entries, case summaries, party information, and, for many cases, scanned images of filed documents. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides additional guidance on accessing court documents online and identifies which document types are available through the portal versus those that must be obtained directly from the clerk.
How To Search Marion County Court Records for Free?
Indiana law guarantees members of the public the right to inspect court records at no charge. Under Administrative Rule 9 of the Indiana Supreme Court, public inspection of court records — whether in person at the courthouse or through the state's online portal — does not require payment of a fee. Fees are assessed only when copies are requested.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- MyCase portal (mycase.in.gov) — free case searches and docket viewing statewide, including all Marion County courts
- In-person inspection at the Marion County Clerk's Office — members of the public may review physical case files at the public counter without charge
- Marion County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website — provides free access to court calendars, general case information, and links to court-specific resources
Fees apply when requesting printed or certified copies of documents. The Marion County Clerk's Office publishes its current fee schedule, which is established pursuant to Indiana Code governing clerk's fees.
What's Included in a Marion County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but Marion County court records generally contain the following categories of documents:
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint and summons
- Defendant's answer and counterclaims
- Motions and supporting briefs
- Court orders and rulings
- Final judgment
- Notices of appeal
Criminal Case Records:
- Charging information or indictment
- Arrest and initial hearing records
- Bail and bond orders
- Plea agreements
- Trial transcripts
- Sentencing orders and probation terms
Family Court Records:
- Petitions for dissolution of marriage
- Child custody and parenting time orders
- Child support orders and modification records
- Domestic violence protective orders (where not sealed)
Probate Records:
- Petitions to open an estate
- Inventory and appraisement of assets
- Orders appointing personal representatives or guardians
- Final accounting and order of distribution
Small Claims Records:
- Claim forms and defendant notices
- Judgment entries
- Garnishment and collection orders
Traffic and Infraction Records:
- Citation information
- Hearing notices
- Judgment of conviction or dismissal
How Long Does Marion County Keep Court Records?
Marion County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Indiana Commission on Public Records and the Indiana Supreme Court. Retention periods vary by record type and court division.
Under Indiana's court records retention framework, the following general periods currently apply:
- Felony criminal case files — retained permanently
- Misdemeanor criminal case files — retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure
- Civil case files (general) — retained for a minimum of 10 years following final judgment
- Probate case files — retained permanently
- Small claims case files — retained for a minimum of 10 years
- Juvenile records — subject to special retention and confidentiality rules; many are sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood
- Traffic infraction records — retained for a minimum of 5 years
The Indiana Commission on Public Records establishes mandatory minimum retention periods for all government records, including court records, pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-15-6. Courts may retain records beyond the minimum period at their discretion. Members of the public seeking records from older cases should contact the Marion County Clerk's Office directly to confirm availability.
Types of Courts In Marion County
Marion County's court system operates within Indiana Judicial District 13 and consists of multiple divisions of the Marion Superior Court, along with the Marion Circuit Court. The court hierarchy in Indiana proceeds from the trial court level upward through the Indiana Court of Appeals to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Marion County Clerk's Office 200 E. Washington St., Suite W122 Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 327-4740 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Marion County Clerk's Office
Marion Superior Court / Marion Circuit Court 200 E. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 327-4740 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Marion County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch
Indiana Court of Appeals 315 W. Ohio St. Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317) 232-1420 Indiana Court of Appeals
Indiana Supreme Court 315 W. Ohio St. Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317) 232-2540 Indiana Supreme Court
The Marion Superior Court currently operates numerous numbered divisions, each assigned to specific subject matter areas including criminal, civil, family, probate, and environmental/small claims matters. The Marion Circuit Court serves as the constitutionally established court of general jurisdiction for the county.
What Types of Cases Do Marion County Courts Hear?
Marion County courts exercise jurisdiction over a broad range of civil and criminal matters. The assignment of cases to specific divisions is governed by local court rules and Indiana Supreme Court administrative orders.
Marion Superior Court — Criminal Divisions:
- Felony prosecutions (Levels 1 through 6)
- Class A, B, and C misdemeanor prosecutions
- Habitual offender enhancements
- Post-conviction relief petitions
Marion Superior Court — Civil Divisions:
- Contract and commercial disputes
- Personal injury and tort claims
- Property disputes
- Civil rights actions under state law
Marion Superior Court — Family Divisions:
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce)
- Legal separation
- Child custody and parenting time
- Child support establishment and modification
- Paternity actions
- Domestic violence protective orders
Marion Superior Court — Probate Division:
- Decedent estates (testate and intestate)
- Guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults
- Trust administration matters
- Mental health commitment proceedings
Marion Superior Court — Small Claims / Environmental Division:
- Monetary claims up to $10,000
- Environmental code enforcement matters
- Landlord-tenant disputes within jurisdictional limits
Marion Circuit Court:
- General civil and criminal jurisdiction
- Appeals from certain administrative proceedings
How To Find a Court Docket In Marion County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders in a given case. Members of the public may access Marion County court dockets through the following methods:
Online via MyCase: The Indiana Courts Case Search portal provides free public access to docket entries for cases filed in Marion County courts. Users may search by party name or case number and view the full docket history, including filing dates, document types, and hearing information.
In Person at the Clerk's Office: Members of the public may request docket sheets at the Marion County Clerk's Office public counter during regular business hours. Staff can retrieve docket information by case number or party name.
Court Calendar: The Marion County trial court calendar, which lists scheduled hearings and proceedings, is available through the court records and copies request page on Indy.gov. This resource allows members of the public to identify upcoming hearing dates for specific cases.
Steps to locate a docket online:
- Access the MyCase portal
- Enter the party's name or case number in the search fields
- Select "Marion" as the county
- Open the case record to view the full docket sheet
- Select individual docket entries to view associated documents where available
Which Courts in Marion County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, whose acts and judicial proceedings are enrolled in permanent records, and whose judgments carry a presumption of validity. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and their judgments may be subject to trial de novo (a new trial) upon appeal rather than appellate review of the record.
Under Indiana law, specifically Indiana Code § 33-29-2 governing small claims courts, Marion County's small claims divisions are currently designated as courts not of record for purposes of certain proceedings. Appeals from small claims judgments in Indiana are heard as trials de novo in the Superior Court, meaning the case is reheard entirely rather than reviewed on a written record.
Marion County's small claims courts — operating as divisions of the Marion Superior Court — handle disputes involving amounts up to the statutory limit and conduct informal proceedings without the full evidentiary formalities of courts of record. Parties appearing in small claims proceedings should be aware that the absence of a verbatim record affects the nature of any appeal. All other divisions of the Marion Superior Court and the Marion Circuit Court are courts of record whose proceedings are transcribed and preserved as part of the official court record.