Search Washington County Court Records
Washington County court records are filed and stored at the Clerk of Circuit Court office in Salem, Indiana. The clerk serves as the official record keeper for all cases heard in Washington County courts. You can search these records online using Indiana's statewide MyCase portal or contact the clerk office in Salem for help. Whether you need to find a civil case, check on a criminal filing, or get copies of court documents, the Washington County clerk staff can assist you. Washington County is part of Judicial District 24, along with Crawford, Harrison, and Orange counties.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Clerk of Courts
Stephanie Rockey serves as the Clerk of Courts for Washington County. The office is in the Washington County Courthouse in Salem. As a constitutional officer, the clerk is the official record keeper for the Washington County Circuit Court. Staff handle all filings, record requests, and court-related payments. If you need to start a new case or look up an old one, the clerk office is your first stop.
The clerk collects filing fees, court costs, and judgment monies in civil cases. Child support payments ordered through the court also go through this office. Washington County is part of Judicial District 24, which also includes Crawford, Harrison, and Orange counties. This grouping is for judicial administration but does not change where you file your cases. All Washington County cases go through the clerk office in Salem. You can reach the office by phone during regular business hours.
The Indiana Courts page for Washington County lists local court details, judges, and contact info.
| Address | Washington County Courthouse, Salem, IN |
|---|---|
| Phone | 812-883-5748 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, regular business hours |
Search Washington County Records Online
The statewide MyCase portal is the best way to search Washington County court records from your computer. Indiana moved all 92 counties to the Odyssey Case Management System by late 2021. Anyone can search MyCase for public case information and documents free of charge. You can search by name or case number to see filing dates, parties, and case status for any public case.
Some court documents are available online at no cost. Orders in civil cases, final orders and judgments in criminal cases, and appellate documents can all be viewed. But not every record is online. If you need something that MyCase does not have, call the Washington County clerk office at 812-883-5748. Under IC 5-14-3, any person may inspect and copy public records during regular business hours. New filings take at least 24 hours to appear on MyCase, and the delay may be longer for some types of records.
Note: Information on MyCase is not to be used as an official court record and may contain errors.
Types of Washington County Court Records
The Washington County Circuit Court handles the full range of case types. Civil cases include contract disputes, property claims, small claims, and debt collection. Criminal cases cover everything from minor traffic offenses to serious felonies. The clerk maintains records of all charges, plea agreements, sentencing, and post-conviction filings for every case in the system.
Family law matters are another big part of the caseload. Divorce, custody, child support, and paternity all create court records in Washington County. Probate cases involving estates, guardianships, and wills go through this court as well. Under the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records, court records are generally open to the public. Records that are excluded from public access include juvenile cases, adoption files, mental health records, and any cases that a judge has ordered sealed.
If you cannot find what you need online, the clerk staff in Salem can pull older files from the system for you.
Washington County Court Record Fees
Washington County charges fees for copies and certified documents. Certified copies cost more than regular ones. Under IC 5-14-3-9, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying records. You can pay in person at the courthouse in Salem. Call ahead to ask about the current fee schedule so you know what to bring.
Filing fees for new cases vary by type. Small claims are the cheapest to file. Civil suits cost more. Criminal case fees are set by state law. If you have limited income, you can request a fee waiver by filing the right form. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides more detail on requesting records and understanding costs.
Legal Help for Washington County
If you need help with a court case in Washington County, Indiana Legal Help is a good starting point. This free website has legal forms, guides, and info for people handling court matters on their own. You can find forms for civil, criminal, family, and small claims cases. The site connects people to legal aid groups that serve the Salem area and Washington County.
The statewide court directory lists all trial courts and clerks in Indiana. Local attorneys in Salem handle court filings and can assist with record requests when you need certified copies for legal purposes. The Indiana Supreme Court Law Library can also help with research questions if you are trying to understand court records or case law.
Note: Filing a form with the court has legal consequences. Talk to a lawyer before you submit documents.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County has several small cities and towns. Salem serves as the county seat and the largest community. Other towns include Pekin, Campbellsburg, and Hardinsburg. All court cases from these communities are filed through the Washington County Circuit Court in Salem. None of the cities in Washington County meet the 25,000 population threshold, so all court business goes through the single county-level clerk office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Washington County in southern Indiana. If you need to search for court records in another county, check where the parties lived when the case was filed.