Columbus Court Records
Columbus court records are maintained by the Bartholomew County Clerk's Office. Columbus is the county seat of Bartholomew County, and the courthouse is located in the heart of the city. You can search for court records in Columbus online through the statewide MyCase system or visit the clerk's office in person. The Bartholomew County clerk has "a wide range of duties covering areas including the collection of court payments and record keeping." All civil, criminal, family, and probate court records for the Columbus area are held at this office. The county uses the Odyssey Case Management System for all court filings.
Columbus Quick Facts
Bartholomew County Clerk in Columbus
Clerk Shari Lentz heads the Bartholomew County Clerk's Office in Columbus. The office handles all court filings, record keeping, and payment collection for the county courts. Chief Deputy Julie Robertson assists with daily operations. You can call 812-379-1600 to ask about Columbus court records or to request copies of case files.
| Office | Bartholomew County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Shari Lentz |
| Chief Deputy | Julie Robertson |
| Phone | 812-379-1600 |
| Website | bartholomew.in.gov/clerk |
The Bartholomew County Clerk's Office no longer does genealogy searches. If you need that kind of information, you will have to use other resources. For court record searches, the clerk's office can still help. You can request copies of Columbus case files in person or by mail. The Indiana Courts page for Bartholomew County has links to all court divisions and contact details.
Search Columbus Court Records Online
The MyCase search portal is the main tool for finding Columbus court records online. It is free. You search by name, case number, or attorney. The portal covers all 92 Indiana counties, so Columbus cases from the Bartholomew County courts show up alongside records from the rest of the state.
When you find a Columbus case on MyCase, you can view the docket, see party names and filing dates, and check the current case status. Some documents are posted online for free. Others are only available from the clerk's office. The system updates regularly, but there is always a delay of at least one business day between a filing and when it appears online.
Criminal and traffic payments for Columbus cases can be made online through MyCase or the state payment portal. Child support payments for Bartholomew County are cash only and must be made at the drop box. The clerk's office does not accept personal checks for child support.
Note: In August 2017, the clerk's office sent many old probate, civil, and criminal records to the Indiana State Archives at 6440 E. 30th St in Indianapolis.
Columbus Case Search Tools
The MyCase search page below is where you search for Columbus court records online.
Enter a party name or case number to find Columbus cases. Results show the full docket and any available court documents.
The Indiana Courts directory for Bartholomew County gives you contact information and links for all Columbus-area courts.
This page also has local court rules and e-filing requirements for Columbus cases.
Columbus Court Fees and Access
Court records in Columbus are public under Indiana law. The Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3) allows anyone to inspect and copy public records during business hours. Some records are excluded from public access under the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records, including juvenile matters, mental health cases, and adoption files.
Filing fees at the Columbus courthouse follow the statewide Indiana schedule. A civil case costs $157 to file. Divorce cases cost $157 to $177. Small claims filing costs $87 if e-filed or $97 in person. Certified copies run $1 to $3 per page. Cash, money orders, and credit cards are accepted for most payments. Credit card transactions carry a convenience fee.
Legal Resources in Columbus
Free court forms are available at indianalegalhelp.org for people handling their own Columbus court cases. The site has forms for divorce, protective orders, small claims, and other common matters. For historical court records from Bartholomew County, you can also check the Indiana State Archives. Marriage license services are available through the clerk's office by appointment only.
The clerk's staff can help with forms and filing procedures, but they cannot give legal advice. If you need a lawyer for a Columbus court case, the Indiana State Bar runs a referral service that covers Bartholomew County.
Bartholomew County Court Records
Columbus is the county seat of Bartholomew County. All court filings for the area are handled by the Bartholomew County courts. The county system covers civil, criminal, family law, and probate cases for Columbus and surrounding communities. For complete details on the county court system and record access, visit the Bartholomew County page.
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