LaPorte County, Indiana State Court Records
LaPorte County court records are the official documents, filings, and case information generated by the county's courts during legal proceedings. The records detail legal matters from the initial filing to the final resolutions and may include petitions, pleadings, motions, court orders, testimony, responses, judgments, and dockets.
In LaPorte County, these records are generated by the local Circuit and Superior Courts. The LaPorte County Circuit Court Clerk serves as the official custodian of records, maintaining records and information for both circuit and superior courts. The Indiana Judicial Branch also provides online access to court records through its statewide case record database.
Court records often connect to other types of government records maintained by different government agencies. For example, family court cases concerning guardianship, custody, or divorce may reference vital records, such as birth and marriage certificates. Probate matters may require access to death records and estate-related information, and civil claims cases may be connected to contracts, liens, and property records. Finally, arrest records, booking documents, and charging information maintained by law enforcement are usually cited during criminal court cases.
Are LaPorte County Court Records Public?
Normally, LaPorte County court records are considered public under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) codified as Indiana Code 5-14-3, and Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records. These laws establish the presumption that court records are public information unless exempted by a specific law, court order, or rule. Record seekers can typically access court records maintained by the local court clerk, including motions, petitions, court orders, dockets, and judgments.
However, as stated, not all court records are available to the public. The laws allow some records to be excluded from public access under certain conditions, such as juvenile records, adoption records, medical records, sealed/expunged documents, and certain records concerning domestic violence or protection orders. In addition, records may be unavailable or restricted while a case is under review or until the case has been resolved.
What Information is Available in LaPorte County Court Records?
LaPorte County court records typically contain a wide variety of information depending on the type of case. Typical court records for the county may include the following.
- Names of the parties involved
- Case number
- Case type and classifications
- Names of lawyers and attorneys involved
- Filing dates
- Chronological docket entries
- Filed criminal charges
- Petitions and complaints
- Answers and responses
- Decrees and judgments
- Transcripts
- Probation details where applicable
- Jury verdicts and sentencing information
LaPorte County Court Records Search
LaPorte County provides record seekers several options for searching and requesting court records.
Online Access
Requesters may access LaPorte County court records online using the Indiana Judiciary online database. The MyCase Search database allows users to search for non-confidential court cases statewide. Users may search the database using criteria such as case number, citation number, court location, case type, filing date, case status, party names, and attorney names. Only non-confidential cases appear in the online database; restricted files or other sensitive information may only be available through a visit to the courthouse or circuit court clerk.
In-Person Access
To request court records in person from LaPorte County, record seekers may visit the LaPorte County Clerk of the Circuit Court. This office is responsible for maintaining records of court cases for the Circuit and Superior Courts in LaPorte County. The clerk's office also answers requests for standard and certified copies of court records. When making requests, it is helpful to provide information about the record, such as case numbers, names of involved parties, the type of case, and an approximate filing date. While viewing a record may be free, standard and certified copies will require fees.
These requests can be made at the clerk's office located at:
LaPorte County Circuit Court Clerk
813 Lincolnway Suite 105
La Porte, IN 46350
Mail and Phone Requests
Any requester who is unable to visit the circuit clerk's office in person may request records by mail and seek information by phone. A written request containing details of the record (party names, case number, etc.), the requester's name, and accurate contact information can be mailed to the LaPorte Circuit Court Clerk at:
LaPorte County Circuit Court Clerk
813 Lincolnway Suite 105
La Porte, IN 46350
Processing times will vary depending on several factors, including record availability, request complexity, and staff workload, but requests are typically completed within a few business days. Payment for requests may also vary; mailed requests are usually paid for using checks or money orders included in the mailed package, and cash and cards are accepted during in-person requests.
For information about requests, including processes and required fees, record seekers may call the clerk's office on the following numbers.
- 219-326-6808 Ext. 2471 (LaPorte Office)
- 219-874-5611 Ext. 7729 (Michigan City Office)
Fees for Court Records in LaPorte County
Although just inspecting court records is free, copies of records typically incur copy and certification fees, depending on the type of record. The required fees for LaPorte County court records are as follows.
- $1 per page for standard copies
- $3 to $5 for a certified court document, depending on the court and record type, regardless of the page count.
LaPorte County Courthouse Locations
Listed below are all the courts operating in LaPorte County, Indiana.
LaPorte County Circuit Court
813 Lincolnway, Suite 105,
LaPorte, IN 46350
Phone: (219) 326-6808 (LaPorte)
Fax: (219) 326-6626 (LaPorte)
Phone: (219) 874-5611 ext. 2385 (Michigan City)
LaPorte County Superior Court No. 1
300 Washington Street
Michigan City, IN 46360
Phone: (219) 874-5611 Ext. 7710
LaPorte County Superior Court No. 2
300 Washington Street
Michigan City, IN 46360
Phone: (219) 874-5611 Ext. 7736
LaPorte County Superior Court No. 3
813 Lincolnway
La Porte, Indiana 46350
Phone (LaPorte): (219) 326-6808
Phone (Michigan City): (219) 874-5611
Fax: (219) 326-6626
LaPorte County Superior Court No. 4
300 Washington Street
Michigan City, IN 46360
Phone: (219) 874-5611 Ext. 7839
Fax: (219) 878-9523
Criminal Records Access in LaPorte County
Statewide criminal history checks or background checks in Indiana are conducted through the Indiana State Police (ISP). The ISP provides access to an online search database for Limited Criminal History Records. This search returns only results for felonies and Class A misdemeanor arrests within the state. Users are required to pay a per-search fee or create an account and pay a subscription fee for the service. For a strictly county-wide search, record seekers may contact the Records Division of the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office.
Conversely, criminal case records for LaPorte County are maintained by the county circuit court clerk. The clerk's office bears responsibility for responding to court record requests and providing copies. Public court records may also be obtained online from the MYCase Search statewide database.
LaPorte County Probate Records
LaPorte County probate records are the court records that document probate matters, including the administration of the deceased estates and the protection of individuals unable to manage their affairs. These cases are generally maintained by the Laporte Clerk of the Circuit Court after the cases are heard at the local Circuit and Superior Courts. Probate records typically include wills, trusts, estate administration files, executor appointment documents, estate inventories, creditor claims, guardianship files, final accountings, and distributions.
LaPorte County Family Court Records
LaPorte County family court records encompass divorce, custody, child/spousal support, and other family law filings. These cases are heard in the local circuit and superior courts, with the clerk of the circuit court being responsible for maintaining records and answering record requests.
Public access may vary based on the type of case. Although many divorce, support, and custody case records, such as case status, dockets, party names, and other basic case information, may be searched online through the state's MyCase Search portal, not all documents are available online. Certain family court records, including adoption records, juvenile matters, and information concerning minors, are classified as confidential by law. Such restricted records require a visit to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in person to access them.
To obtain certified copies of family court records, record seekers may contact the LaPorte County Clerk of the Circuit Court. They must indicate that they require a certified copy of the record and provide identifying information such as a case number or the names of parties involved. Lastly, certified records with the clerk's office seal and certification incur a certification fee that must be paid before the record is issued.
Federal Court Records in LaPorte County
Federal court records for cases originating in LaPorte County are different from LaPorte County court records. These records are filed within the federal judicial system and involve cases of bankruptcy, civil lawsuits under federal law, federal crimes, constitutional claims, and cases handled by federal agencies.
In LaPorte County, federal cases are under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. The records generated by these cases are maintained by the federal courts rather than the county clerk or state court. The primary source for obtaining or viewing these federal case files is the Public Access to Court Electronic Records database (PACER). This is the federal judiciary database and record system where users can search for and view cases filed in federal courts.
