Evansville Court Records Search
Evansville court records are kept by the Vanderburgh County Clerk of Courts, which serves as the official record keeper for all trial cases in the county. As the county seat and the third largest city in Indiana with about 116,000 residents, Evansville is home to Vanderburgh County's entire court system. You can access public case records for free by searching the statewide MyCase portal. For certified copies or documents not available online, the clerk's office at 825 Sycamore Street handles requests in person and by mail.
Evansville Quick Facts
Where Evansville Court Records Are Filed
The Office of Clerk of the Circuit Court in Vanderburgh County is established by the Indiana State Constitution to serve as the record keeper for the constitutionally created court. Dottie Thomas serves as the current clerk. The office handles all court record filings, processes documents, and issues certified copies for Evansville cases.
| Clerk | Dottie Thomas |
|---|---|
| Address | 825 Sycamore St, P.O. Box 3356, Evansville, IN 47708 |
| Phone | (812) 435-5160 |
| Fax | (812) 435-7023 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Central) |
| dthomas@vanderburghgov.org |
Vanderburgh County is part of Judicial District 26, which also covers Gibson, Posey, and Warrick counties. Evansville court records are filed in the Vanderburgh County system only. If a case involves parties from neighboring counties in the district, separate filings may exist in those county courts as well.
Note: The clerk's office opens at 7:30 AM Central Time, which is earlier than many other county clerk offices in Indiana.
Searching Evansville Court Records Online
To access public case records for free, follow this link: mycase.in.gov. The statewide portal lets you search by name, case number, or other details. Results from Vanderburgh County will include Evansville cases. The system covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases.
The Vanderburgh County page on in.gov has local court information specific to Evansville. You can find details on court divisions, local rules, judges, and contact info. The City of Evansville website also links to local government services.
Keep in mind that not all records show up online. Juvenile records, mental health records, and adoption files are excluded under the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records. There is also a delay between when something gets filed in Evansville and when it appears on MyCase. The delay is at least 24 hours but can be longer. If you need an official record, contact the clerk at (812) 435-5160 for a certified copy.
Court Records Access Laws in Evansville
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3 gives the public the right to inspect and copy public records during regular business hours. Court records in Evansville fall under this law. The clerk must respond to records requests within a reasonable time, usually about seven business days.
Some records are not public. IC 5-14-3-4 lists the exceptions, including records made confidential by state or federal law, law enforcement records, and personal information that could put someone at risk. The Indiana Supreme Court's Rules on Access to Court Records add more specifics for court files. Rule 5 excludes juvenile and mental health matters, adoption records, and records with sensitive personal data. Protection order cases hide the protected person's identity from online access.
The clerk can charge reasonable fees for copying records in Evansville. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call (812) 435-5160 to check current rates. If you need a record that is excluded from public access, you can file a motion under Rule 9 to request it from the court.
Filing Court Cases in Evansville
To file a new case in Evansville, you bring your papers to the Vanderburgh County Clerk at 825 Sycamore Street. Filing fees depend on the type of case. Civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters, and small claims all have different fee amounts. The clerk's office can tell you the exact cost when you call or visit.
E-filing is available and encouraged in Vanderburgh County. Attorneys can file through the Indiana e-filing system. Documents filed electronically become part of the court record and appear on MyCase after processing. For court payments, you can pay online at public.courts.in.gov/pay or in person at the clerk's office.
Free legal forms for common court matters in Evansville are available at indianalegalhelp.org. The site has forms for family law, small claims, and other case types. If you need help with forms or procedures, the Indiana Supreme Court Law Library can assist.
Note: Attorneys are encouraged to e-file in Vanderburgh County, and many document types can be submitted through the state portal.
Vanderburgh County Court Records
Evansville is the county seat of Vanderburgh County. All court filings for the city go through the Vanderburgh County court system. The county serves as part of Judicial District 26 along with Gibson, Posey, and Warrick counties. For full details on court divisions, fees, and record access in Vanderburgh County, see the county page.
Nearby Indiana Cities
Other cities in southern Indiana with searchable court records include these locations.