Vanderburgh County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Vanderburgh County?
Public records in Vanderburgh County are defined according to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), specifically under Indiana Code § 5-14-3. This statute defines public records as any material that is "created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency."
Vanderburgh County maintains numerous types of public records that are accessible to citizens, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate case files maintained by the Vanderburgh County Courts
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax sale listings
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records from County Commission meetings and other public boards
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, budgets, and financial reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans
The Vanderburgh County Recorder's Office maintains property records, while the County Clerk maintains court records and vital statistics. The County Auditor maintains tax and assessment records, and various other departments maintain records specific to their functions.
Is Vanderburgh County an Open Records County?
Vanderburgh County fully complies with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) as codified in Indiana Code § 5-14-3. This state law establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law.
Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-1, the General Assembly has declared that "it is the public policy of the state that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees."
Vanderburgh County has implemented this policy through its various departments and offices, each maintaining specific types of public records. The county adheres to the state-mandated response times for public records requests, which generally require acknowledgment within 24 hours for requests made in person or within seven days for requests received by mail or facsimile.
The county follows the state's sunshine laws regarding public meetings as well, as outlined in the Indiana Open Door Law (Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5), ensuring transparency in government operations beyond just record access.
How to Find Public Records in Vanderburgh County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Vanderburgh County may follow these steps to access various types of public information:
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Identify the appropriate department: Determine which county office maintains the records you seek. The Vanderburgh County departments directory provides a comprehensive list of offices and their functions.
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Submit a formal request: While some records are available online, others require a formal request. Requests may be submitted:
- In person at the appropriate county office
- By mail to the relevant department
- By email or fax where accepted
- Through online portals for certain record types
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Access court records: Court records can be accessed through:
- The Vanderburgh County Courts for local records
- MyCase.IN.gov for online access to court case information
- The Vanderburgh County Judicial System Document Center for various court documents
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Search property records: Property records can be accessed through:
- The Recorder's Office public terminals
- Online property record databases maintained by the county
- Formal requests to the Recorder's Office for certified copies
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Request vital records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records can be obtained through:
- The Vanderburgh County Health Department for birth and death certificates
- The County Clerk's Office for marriage licenses and divorce decrees
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Review public meeting information: County Commission and other board meeting minutes and agendas are typically available:
- On the county website
- At the County Clerk's Office
- Through formal public records requests
When making formal requests, be specific about the records sought and provide relevant information such as names, dates, and case numbers when applicable.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Vanderburgh County?
Vanderburgh County charges fees for public records in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for copying and certification. Current standard fees include:
- Copies of standard documents: $0.10 per page for black and white copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
- Certified copies: Additional $1.00 per document for certification
- Large format documents: Variable fees based on size and complexity
- Electronic records: May include costs for media (CD/DVD) or actual cost of reproduction
Specific record types have statutorily set fees:
- Recorded documents (deeds, mortgages, etc.): $1.00 per page
- Marriage licenses: $18.00
- Birth certificates: $10.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time
- Death certificates: $8.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time
- Court records: Variable fees depending on document type and certification requirements
Payment methods accepted by most county offices include:
- Cash (in-person requests only)
- Check or money order
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly for indigent persons seeking court records related to their own cases. Additionally, pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-6, public agencies must allow inspection of public records at no charge during regular business hours.
Does Vanderburgh County Have Free Public Records?
Vanderburgh County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Indiana public records laws. The following records are available for free inspection:
- All non-confidential public records: Available for in-person inspection at no cost during regular business hours at the appropriate county office, as guaranteed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-6
- Online court case information: Basic case information is available at no cost through MyCase.IN.gov
- Property ownership information: Basic property information can be viewed online through the county's GIS portal
- County Commission meeting minutes and agendas: Available on the county website
- Voter registration status: Individuals can check their own voter registration status online at no cost
- County budget documents: Published online as required by transparency laws
The Vanderburgh County Recorder's Office provides free public access terminals for searching recorded documents, though printing copies incurs standard fees. Similarly, the Clerk's Office provides public access terminals for searching court records.
While inspection is free, obtaining copies (physical or electronic) typically incurs the standard fees outlined in the previous section. Additionally, records requiring extensive research or compilation by county staff may incur labor charges as permitted by state law.
Who Can Request Public Records in Vanderburgh County?
Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), specifically Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during regular business hours. Vanderburgh County follows these provisions with the following considerations:
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Residency requirements: There is no residency requirement to request public records in Vanderburgh County. Both Indiana residents and non-residents have equal access rights under state law.
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Identification requirements:
- For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification
- For certain sensitive records, such as vital records, proper identification is required
- Requests for one's own records typically require identity verification
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Purpose disclosure:
- Requestors generally do not need to state the purpose of their request
- The county cannot deny a request based on the requestor's purpose, except in limited circumstances specified by law
- Commercial use of certain records may be subject to additional restrictions or fees
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Special considerations for specific records:
- Vital records (birth, death certificates): Limited to immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct interest as defined by law
- Adoption records: Subject to strict confidentiality laws with limited access
- Juvenile records: Generally confidential with limited access
- Medical records: Protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
Requests may be made in person, by mail, by email, or by fax to the appropriate county department. The Indiana Public Access Counselor provides guidance on public records access rights and can assist with resolving disputes regarding record requests.
What Records Are Confidential in Vanderburgh County?
Vanderburgh County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, which specifies records that are exempt from disclosure. These confidential records include:
- Personal information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifying information
- Medical records: Health records protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
- Juvenile records: Court records involving minors, except in specific circumstances
- Adoption records: Sealed adoption proceedings and related documents
- Child welfare records: Department of Child Services investigations and case files
- Mental health records: Psychological evaluations and treatment records
- Law enforcement investigatory records: Active investigation materials that would interfere with enforcement proceedings if released
- Attorney-client privileged communications: Legal advice and strategy documents
- Trade secrets and confidential financial information: Proprietary business information submitted to the county
- Security and infrastructure records: Information that would jeopardize public safety if disclosed
- Sealed court records: Records ordered sealed by a judge
- Personnel records: Certain employee information, though basic employment information remains public
- Educational records: Student records protected under FERPA
- Victim information: In certain cases, information that would identify victims of crimes
When a record contains both public and confidential information, the county will redact the confidential portions and provide access to the remainder of the record, as required by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-6(a).
The county applies a balancing test in certain cases where disclosure might constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests, consistent with state law and guidance from the Indiana Public Access Counselor.
Vanderburgh County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Vanderburgh County Recorder's Office
1 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 231
Civic Center Complex
Evansville, IN 47708
(812) 435-5215
Vanderburgh County Recorder's Office
Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
- Maintaining public land records
- Issuing copies of recorded documents
- Providing public access terminals for record searches
- Processing military discharge records (DD-214)
- Recording mechanic's liens and releases
The Recorder's Office accepts documents for recording in person, by mail, and through electronic recording services for authorized submitters. Public search terminals are available during regular business hours for those wishing to research property records at no cost, though printing fees apply.
Lookup Public Records in Vanderburgh County
Indiana Judicial Branch: Vanderburgh County
Vanderburgh County Recorder's Office