Lake County Court Records
Lake County court records are handled by the Clerk of the Lake Circuit and Superior Court in Crown Point, Indiana. Michael A. Brown serves as the clerk, with Shawn Miller as Executive Chief Deputy. The clerk is a ministerial officer and the custodian of the court's record and seal. Lake County is the second most populous county in Indiana and its courts process a very high volume of cases each year. You can search court records online through MyCase or visit the clerk office in Crown Point to get copies of case filings and court documents.
Lake County Quick Facts
Lake County Clerk of Courts
Michael A. Brown is the Clerk of the Lake Circuit and Superior Court. Shawn Miller serves as Executive Chief Deputy. The Clerk of the Lake Circuit/Superior Court is a ministerial officer who is the custodian of the Clerk's record and seal. The clerk handles all filings, collects court fees, and issues copies of court documents. With nearly half a million residents, Lake County has one of the busiest court systems in Indiana.
The Clerk's Office is now accepting major credit cards as form of payment at the counter for face to face transactions only. There is a 3% convenience fee when using a credit card. American Express is not accepted. You can also pay with cash, check, or money order. These payment options cover filing fees, copy fees, and certified document charges at the Lake County clerk office.
The Lake County Clerk's Office page on the county website has contact details and service info.
| County Seat | Crown Point, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Michael A. Brown |
| Chief Deputy | Shawn Miller |
| Payment | Cash, check, money order, major credit cards (3% fee, no AmEx) |
| Website | lakecountyin.gov |
Search Lake County Court Records Online
The MyCase portal is the main online tool for searching Lake County court records. All 92 Indiana counties are on the Odyssey Case Management System. You can search by name or case number at no charge. The system shows basic case data like filing dates, parties, charges, and case status. Some documents can be viewed on the site. Others may need to be picked up from the clerk office in Crown Point.
Lake County processes a very large number of cases each year given its population. The MyCase system handles the load well, but there can be a delay between the time a case is filed and when it shows up on the portal. Under IC 5-14-3, any person may inspect and copy public records during regular business hours. This covers Lake County court records. Juvenile cases, adoption files, and sealed records are not available for public review.
The Indiana Courts Lake County page links to local court details, judges, and search tools.
Note: Online records may lag behind actual court filings by a day or more, so contact the clerk for urgent matters.
Court Records in Lake County
Lake County courts handle every major case type. Civil cases cover contract disputes, debt collection, property matters, personal injury, and small claims. Criminal cases range from misdemeanors to serious felonies. The clerk keeps all charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing records, and post-conviction filings. Family law cases include divorce, child custody, child support, and paternity matters. Probate handles wills, estates, and guardianships.
Traffic cases and ordinance violations also create court records when they go beyond a simple fine. Lake County has multiple superior courts in addition to the circuit court, which means cases are spread across several divisions. Each one feeds records into the same clerk system. Under IC 5-14-3-3, most of these records are open to the public. Sealed cases and juvenile records are the main exceptions.
Given the size of Lake County, the courts handle thousands of filings every year. The clerk office keeps all of these on file and available for public review, subject to court access rules.
Lake County Court Record Fees
The Lake County clerk charges fees for copies and certified documents. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Under IC 5-14-3-9, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying records. The clerk now accepts major credit cards at the counter with a 3% convenience fee. American Express is not accepted. Cash, check, and money order are also fine.
Filing fees for new cases depend on the type. Small claims fees are lower than civil suit costs, and criminal case fees follow state law. If you have limited income, you may file a form asking the court to waive your fees. A judge will review your request based on your financial situation. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page explains how record requests work.
Legal Help in Lake County
Indiana Legal Help is a free resource with forms and guides for many case types. The site covers civil, family, small claims, and other matters. It connects you to legal aid groups serving Lake County. With a large population, Lake County has many private attorneys who handle court filings and can help with record requests.
The statewide court directory lists all trial courts and clerks across Indiana. Court staff in Lake County are happy to help with basic filing questions, but they cannot give legal advice. If you have a complicated matter, talk to a lawyer before you file anything.
Note: Credit card payments are only accepted at the counter for in-person transactions at the Lake County clerk office.
Cities in Lake County
Lake County is one of the most populated counties in Indiana with many cities and towns. Crown Point is the county seat. Several cities in Lake County have populations over 25,000 and are major communities in the northwest part of the state. All court records for the county are filed through the Lake County clerk in Crown Point.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lake County. Court records are kept in the county where the case was filed. Check the address of the parties to find which county had jurisdiction.