Delaware County Court Records
What Is Delaware County Court Records
Court records in Delaware County, Indiana, are the official documentary materials generated, received, and maintained by the judicial branch in connection with legal proceedings. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, sentencing records, and warrant information. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, a "public record" is defined as any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, tape, or other material created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency, which includes courts of the state.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained by Delaware County agencies. Property records, for instance, are held by the Delaware County Assessor and Recorder, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered by the Indiana Department of Health. Court records, by contrast, document the formal exercise of judicial authority and are custodied by the clerk of the court in which the matter was filed.
The following courts currently maintain court records in Delaware County:
- Delaware County Circuit Court — handles felony criminal cases, civil matters, and appeals from lower courts
- Delaware County Superior Courts (Superior Court 1 through Superior Court 6) — exercise concurrent jurisdiction over civil, criminal, family, and probate matters
- Delaware County Small Claims Court — adjudicates civil disputes involving limited monetary amounts
- Delaware County Probate Division — maintains records related to estates, guardianships, and trusts
- Delaware County Family Court Division — retains records pertaining to dissolution of marriage, child custody, and juvenile matters
- Delaware County Traffic Division — holds records for infractions and traffic-related violations
Records maintained across these courts cover civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, family law proceedings, probate administration, small claims disputes, and traffic matters. The Delaware County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch page provides current contact and jurisdictional information for each court.
Are Court Records Public In Delaware County
Court records in Delaware County are presumptively open to the public under Indiana law. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act, codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, establishes that all persons are entitled to inspect and copy the public records of any public agency, including judicial bodies, during regular business hours. This statutory presumption of openness applies broadly to most court filings and proceedings.
The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection:
- 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 the procedural history of a case
- Hearing schedules and calendars
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
Members of the public should note that Indiana state courts and federal courts operate under separate legal frameworks. Records from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, which has jurisdiction over certain federal matters arising in the region, are governed by federal rules and are accessible through the federal PACER system rather than through Indiana's state court portals.
The Indiana Supreme Court has promulgated Administrative Rule 9, which governs access to court records statewide and identifies specific categories of information that are excluded from public access, including certain juvenile records, mental health records, and information protected by other statutes. The Indiana Judicial Branch: Public Records page provides a comprehensive overview of the state's access framework and applicable exclusions.
How To Find Court Records in Delaware County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Delaware County may access them through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the court in which the matter was filed.
In-Person Requests
The Delaware County Clerk of Courts maintains physical case files and accepts in-person inspection requests during regular business hours. Requestors should present the case number, party name, or other identifying information to facilitate retrieval.
Written Requests Under APRA
Pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, any person may submit a written request to the custodial court. The Indiana Judicial Branch provides a standardized APRA Request form for submitting public records requests to courts. Requests should identify the records sought with reasonable specificity and include the requestor's contact information.
Online Search
Indiana's statewide case management portal allows members of the public to search court records remotely without visiting a courthouse. Detailed guidance on how to request public records from Indiana courts is available through the Indiana Judicial Branch website.
Steps to locate records:
- Identify the court in which the case was filed (Circuit, Superior, Small Claims, etc.)
- Gather available identifying information: party name, case number, or approximate filing date
- Search the online portal or contact the Clerk of Courts directly
- Submit a written APRA request if records are not available online
- Pay any applicable copying or certification fees at the time of retrieval
How To Look Up Court Records in Delaware County Online?
Indiana provides a centralized online portal through which members of the public may search court records across most of the state's courts, including those in Delaware County. The primary tool is MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search, maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court under its public access mandate.
Using MyCase:
- Navigate to the MyCase portal at mycase.in.gov
- Select the search type: by party name, case number, or attorney
- Enter the county as "Delaware" to filter results to local courts
- Review the case summary, which includes the case type, filing date, parties, and docket entries
- Select individual docket entries to view associated documents where available
MyCase currently includes records from the Delaware County Circuit Court and Superior Courts. The portal displays case information including party names, case status, hearing dates, and filed documents. Users should note that official certified copies of court records may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining the particular record, as stated in the MyCase terms of use.
The Indiana Judicial Branch also maintains court-specific pages, including the Delaware County Courts page, which provides direct links to case search tools, e-filing access, and court statistics.
How To Search Delaware County Court Records for Free?
Indiana law guarantees the right of public inspection of court records at no charge. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, a public agency may not charge a fee for the inspection of public records; fees may only be assessed for the reproduction of records. This means that members of the public may review court records in person at the Clerk's office without incurring any cost.
The following resources are currently available at no charge:
- MyCase portal (mycase.in.gov) — free online search of case information for most Indiana courts, including Delaware County
- In-person inspection at the Delaware County Clerk of Courts — no fee for viewing records during business hours
- Indiana Judicial Branch public records page — provides free guidance and access to request forms
Fees may apply when requesting printed copies or certified copies of documents. The Delaware County Clerk of Courts sets its copying fee schedule in accordance with state law. Members of the public who require assistance locating records may also utilize the Indiana State Library or the Indiana Supreme Court Law Library, both of which offer research support at no cost, as noted on the Indiana Judicial Branch: Public Records page.
What's Included in a Delaware County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents and information:
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint and summons
- Defendant's answer and counterclaims
- Motions and supporting briefs
- Court orders and rulings
- Final judgment
- Docket sheet reflecting all filings and hearings
Criminal Case Records:
- Charging information or indictment
- Arrest and booking records (where filed with the court)
- Bail and bond orders
- Plea agreements
- Trial transcripts
- Sentencing orders and probation terms
Family Law Records:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Custody and parenting time orders
- Child support orders and modifications
- Protective orders
Probate Records:
- Petition for probate of will
- Inventory of estate assets
- Orders of distribution
- Guardianship and conservatorship filings
Small Claims Records:
- Claim form and notice to defendant
- Judgment for plaintiff or defendant
- Payment plan orders
Traffic Records:
- Citation information
- Hearing notices
- Judgments and fines assessed
How Long Does Delaware County Keep Court Records?
Delaware 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.
Current retention periods for common record categories include:
- Felony criminal case files — retained permanently
- Misdemeanor criminal case files — retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure
- Civil case files — retained for a minimum of 10 years following final judgment
- Probate records — retained permanently
- Juvenile records — subject to restricted access and specific retention rules under Indiana Code
- Small claims records — retained for a minimum of 5 years
- Traffic infraction records — retained for a minimum of 5 years
The Indiana Commission on Public Records establishes statewide retention schedules applicable to all county courts. Courts are required to maintain records in a manner that ensures their accessibility and integrity throughout the applicable retention period. After the retention period expires, records may be destroyed in accordance with approved disposal procedures unless the records are subject to a litigation hold or other preservation requirement.
Types of Courts In Delaware County
Delaware County's court system operates within the Indiana unified trial court structure. The courts are organized hierarchically, with appeals flowing from trial courts to the Indiana Court of Appeals and ultimately to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Delaware County Circuit Court
Delaware County Circuit Court 100 W. Main Street, Muncie, IN 47305 (765) 747-7726 Delaware County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch
The Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction and handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding the jurisdictional limits of other courts, and appeals from lower courts. Public counter hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Delaware County Superior Courts (Superior Court 1 through Superior Court 6)
Delaware County Superior Courts 100 W. Main Street, Muncie, IN 47305 (765) 747-7726 Delaware County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch
The Superior Courts exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court over civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Individual Superior Court divisions are assigned specific case types by local court rule. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Court Hierarchy in Indiana:
- Municipal/Magistrate Courts — limited jurisdiction over infractions and small claims
- Circuit and Superior Courts — trial courts of general jurisdiction (Delaware County level)
- Indiana Court of Appeals — intermediate appellate court
- Indiana Supreme Court — court of last resort
What Types of Cases Do Delaware County Courts Hear?
Each court within Delaware County's judicial system is assigned jurisdiction over specific categories of cases.
Delaware County Circuit Court:
- Class A, B, C, and D felony criminal prosecutions
- Major civil litigation
- Appeals from lower courts and administrative agencies
Delaware County Superior Courts:
- Criminal Division — misdemeanor and felony criminal matters
- Civil Division — civil disputes, contract claims, tort actions
- Family Division — dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity
- Probate Division — estate administration, wills, guardianships, trusts, mental health commitments
- Juvenile Division — delinquency proceedings, child in need of services (CHINS) cases, termination of parental rights
Small Claims Court:
- Civil monetary disputes up to the statutory limit (currently $10,000 under Indiana law)
- Landlord-tenant disputes within the monetary threshold
Traffic Division:
- Moving violations and traffic infractions
- Suspended license matters
- Certain misdemeanor traffic offenses
How To Find a Court Docket In Delaware 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 Delaware County court dockets through the following methods:
Online Search via MyCase:
- Visit the Indiana Courts Case Search portal
- Enter the party name or case number in the search fields
- Select "Delaware" as the county
- Open the case summary to view the full docket, including filing dates, document types, and hearing information
In-Person at the Clerk's Office: Members of the public may request to inspect the docket sheet for any case at the Delaware County Clerk of Courts during regular business hours. Staff can retrieve docket information by case number or party name.
Written Request: Docket sheets may be requested in writing pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act. The Indiana Judicial Branch's APRA Request form may be used to submit formal requests to the court.
Docket entries typically include the date of each filing, the type of document filed, the name of the filing party, and any court orders or rulings issued. Docket sheets do not always include the full text of filed documents, which may require a separate request for the underlying case file.
Which Courts in Delaware County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, and whose judgments carry the full force of law with the right of appeal. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and generally have limited jurisdiction over minor matters.
Under Indiana law, the distinction between courts of record and courts not of record is governed by Indiana Code § 33-29-1-1 and related provisions of Title 33. Courts of record in Indiana include the Circuit Courts, Superior Courts, and the Indiana Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. These courts maintain official records of all proceedings.
In Delaware County, courts not of record historically included certain township-level small claims courts and justice of the peace courts. At present, Indiana has largely consolidated its lower court structure, and most active courts in Delaware County operate as courts of record under the unified trial court system established by the Indiana General Assembly. Matters originally heard in a court not of record may be appealed to a court of record for a trial de novo, meaning the case is reheard in its entirety rather than reviewed on the existing record.
Members of the public seeking to determine whether a specific court maintains an official record of proceedings should consult the Indiana Judicial Branch: Public Records page or contact the Delaware County Clerk of Courts directly.