Fountain County Court Records
Fountain County court records are held at the Clerk of Courts office in Covington. The clerk handles administrative duties for the circuit court as well as various state and federal government functions. You can search Fountain County court records online for free through the state's MyCase system or visit the courthouse in person. Indiana court records are generally public, and the Fountain County clerk's office is the starting point for copies, filings, and case lookups.
Fountain County Quick Facts
Fountain County Clerk of Courts
Paula K. Copenhaver is the Clerk of Courts in Fountain County. The clerk's office is at 301 4th Street, P.O. Box 183, in Covington, IN 47932. You can reach the office by phone at (765) 793-6230 or by fax at 765-793-6209. The email is psmith@fountaincounty.in.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The clerk handles a number of administrative duties for the circuit court in Fountain County. This includes filing new cases, managing court records, collecting fees, and processing payments. If you need a copy of a case filing, an order, or any other court document, the clerk's office is where you go. Staff can search for records by case number or party name. Bring your case details with you to speed up the process in Fountain County.
| Clerk | Paula K. Copenhaver |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 4th Street, P.O. Box 183, Covington, IN 47932 |
| Phone | (765) 793-6230 |
| Fax | 765-793-6209 |
| psmith@fountaincounty.in.gov | |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Website | fountaincounty.net |
Search Fountain County Cases Online
The state's free case search portal at MyCase.in.gov is the best way to look up Fountain County court records from home. You can search by party name, case number, or citation number. Results show the case type, status, filing dates, and parties. Some court documents are available to view or download at no charge.
The Fountain County Clerk court records page also has information on how to access records. The clerk's website notes that in Indiana, court records are generally considered public and accessible to anyone. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) under IC 5-14-3 provides that most court records, including documents, case files, and judicial proceeding records, are open to public inspection. This applies to all courts in Fountain County.
There are exceptions to public access. The Indiana Supreme Court's Rules on Access to Court Records exclude certain types of records from public view. Juvenile cases, adoptions, mental health proceedings, and records with sensitive personal data are all restricted. If you need a record that is not available to the public in Fountain County, you can file a request with the court under Rule 9.
Note: Online records may lag behind actual filings by at least 24 hours, and financial info may not reflect recent payments.
Fountain County Court Directory
The Indiana Judicial Branch directory for Fountain County lists courts, judges, and the clerk's contact information.
This state page is a quick reference for anyone who needs to find the right court or get in touch with the Fountain County clerk's office. It also links to statewide court tools and e-filing.
Public Access to Fountain County Records
Under IC 5-14-3-3, any person can inspect and copy public records during the regular business hours of the agency. In Fountain County, that means you can walk into the clerk's office and ask to see any public court file. The clerk may charge a fee for copies, but they cannot deny you the right to view a public record. This right extends to civil cases, criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims, and most family law filings.
The clerk's office also handles record requests by mail and fax. If you cannot visit Covington in person, you can send a written request with the case details and a check for the copy fees. Include the case number, party names, and what specific documents you need. The staff will pull the records and mail them to you. Response times can vary, but under IC 5-14-3-8, agencies must respond within a reasonable time, which is usually seven business days in Fountain County.
Filing Court Cases in Fountain County
New cases can be filed at the clerk's office in Covington or through the Indiana E-Filing System. E-filing is available for most case types. Attorneys are expected to file electronically. Self-represented parties can also use the system. Filing fees are collected at the time of filing and vary by case type.
If you need legal forms, Indiana Legal Help has free forms and guides for common legal matters. The Indiana Courts website has links to court rules, directories, and other resources that apply to all courts in Fountain County and across the state.
Nearby Counties
Fountain County is in west-central Indiana. These are the neighboring counties. Make sure you file in the county where you live or where the case took place.