Vanderburgh County, Indiana State Court Records
Vanderburgh County court records are official paperwork that provide a comprehensive overview of criminal and civil proceedings and decisions handled by the county’s judicial system. In line with Indiana Code Title 5, Article 15-which mandates the maintenance of public records-court records are maintained alongside a variety of public agency records for the purpose of transparency in the conduct of public business. Their maintenance also reiterates the judiciary’s commitment to fairness, public transparency, and accountability.
The Vanderburgh County Clerk of the Courts is the county’s primary custodial agency for court records and is also responsible for their public dissemination in accordance with court rules, and state/federal law. Court records often intersect with other public records. For instance, divorce decrees link to vital records and criminal court dispositions relate to jail records.
Are Vanderburgh County Court Records Public?
Yes. Vanderburgh County court records are public under Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA), Indiana Code 5-14-3. This act grants the general public the right to view, inspect, or copy court records or other records maintained by public agencies within the state of Indiana. Note that the provisions of this act exempt records protected by attorney-client privilege, personnel files, calendars, and inter/intra-agency deliberative material, among others. In addition, the access restrictions may apply to the following:
- Juvenile records
- Information about confidential informants
- Social security numbers, active bank account numbers, driver’s license numbers, and other sensitive personal identification numbers
- Mental health proceeding records
- Information about confidential informants
- Adoption records
What Information is Available in Vanderburgh County Court Records?
The following are contents of typical Vanderburgh County Court records:
- Case information: type, filing date, case number, docket number, status, etc.
- Party information: case parties’ full names, date of birth, sex, etc.
- Case filings: petitions, orders, decrees, judgments, motions, pleas, subpoenas, etc.
Other contents include charges, claim amount, name of presiding judge(s), attorney names, presiding courthouse, court dates, and docket entries. Note that portions of case documents that contain sensitive or confidential information will be redacted before a record request is granted, as well as from public repositories.
Vanderburgh County Court Records Search
The first step to performing a Vanderburgh County court record search is identifying the specific court that handled the case of interest. In addition, a person needs to have sufficient information to aid identification and retrieval of the said records. With these in place, court records can be obtained through any of the following methods:
- Online Access: Vanderburgh County court records are available for free via the statewide Case Search system. People can search by case information, party information, or attorney information. To search using case information, a person needs the case number, citation number, or cross-reference number. To limit search results to Vanderburgh County, click "All Odyssey Courts" and select "Vanderburgh" from the dropdown.
- In-Person Access: In-person court record searches are done at the Vanderburgh County Clerk of the Court’s Office, located at 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Rm S240, Evansville, IN 47708. Visit this office during business hours with the case number or a party name. Sometimes, depending on the kind of record a person is requesting, they may need to present a valid means of identification.
- Mail and Phone Requests: To request records by mail, complete the record request form and send it by mail to
Vanderburgh County Clerk’s Office
825 Sycamore Street
Evansville, IN 47708
P.O. Box 3356, Evansville, IN 47732
The request form must carry sufficient descriptive information about the case of interest. For phone inquiries, call (812) 435-5160.
Fees for Court Records in Vanderburgh County
Interested individuals may view records for free online or at the clerk’s office. However, the following fees are required for copies:
- Not more than $1.00 per copy
- $1.00 per certified copy
- $3.00 per transcript of judgment
Vanderburgh County Courthouse Locations
Vanderburgh County’s court system is comprised mainly of the circuit court and the superior court. Both courts have shared jurisdiction over all civil and criminal case types, including domestic relations, juvenile paternity, misdemeanors, felonies, and traffic cases. See their contact information below:
Vanderburgh County Circuit Court
Civic Center Complex Courts Building
825 Sycamore Street, Suite 216
PO Box 3356
Evansville, IN 47711
Phone: (812) 435-5192
Fax: (812) 435-5235
Vanderburgh County Superior Court
Civic Center Complex Courts Building
825 Sycamore Street, Suite 216
PO Box 3356
Evansville, IN 47708
Phone: (812) 435-5000
Criminal Records Access in Vanderburgh County
Vanderburgh County criminal records are available through the clerk’s office or online, via the state’s Case Search portal. Case searches with the Vanderburgh County Clerk of the Courts often require the case number or the defendant’s name. Requests can be done in person or by mail. Note that these are local court case records and are different from criminal history records maintained by law enforcement agencies.
The latter are commonly used for criminal background checks. The Indiana State Police is responsible for statewide criminal background checks. Interested persons may conduct a limited criminal history check online using an individual’s name, date of birth, gender, race, and, in some cases, social security number.
Vanderburgh County Probate Records
In Vanderburgh County, probate matters, such as estate settlements, wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships, are heard in the Vanderburgh County Superior Court. While probate matters are generally assumed public, certain cases may involve sensitive health issues or minors-in which case, access to associated records may be restricted. The Vanderburgh County Clerk of the Courts is the official custodian of Vanderburgh County probate records.
Clerk of the Courts
County Clerk’s Office
1 NW Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Room S240
Evansville, IN 47708
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Contact this office for older records, complete case files, or certified copies of probate documents. Basic case information for non-confidential probate cases can be obtained online via the state’s Case Search portal. Interested persons can contact the courthouse at
County | Court Name | Address | Phone Number | Office Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vanderburgh County | Vanderburgh County Superior Court (Family Court Division) | Civic Center Complex Courts Building 825 Sycamore Street, #216, PO Box 3356, Evansville, IN 47708 | (812) 435-5000 | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Vanderburgh County Family Court Records
Family law cases, which include paternity, divorce, child custody, child/spousal support, and related matters, fall under the jurisdiction of the Family Court Division of the Vanderburgh County Superior Court. Case records arising from these matters are handled by the Vanderburgh County Clerk of the Courts. Note that some family case records, especially those related to minors (e.g., certain paternity or adoption cases), may require a court order for access.
Non-confidential family case records are available through the statewide Case Search portal. For full case files or official/certified copies of case filings, visit the clerk’s office in person at 825 Sycamore Street (Civic Center Complex), Evansville, IN 47708. For inquiries, call (812) 435-5160.
Federal Court Records in Vanderburgh County
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana handles federal cases in Vanderburgh County. Located in Evansville, this court serves 9 additional counties, including Daviess, Dubois, Posey, Pike, Gibson, and Warrick.
Winfield K. Denton Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse
101 Northwest Martin Luther King Boulevard
Evansville, IN 47708
Phone: (812) 434-6410
Cases within this court’s jurisdiction include federal task fraud, drug trafficking across state borders, firearms offenses under federal law, and civil rights violations. To view case records, visit PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Record access fees are $0.10 per page, $3.00 per document, and $2.40 per audio file.