Access White County Court Records
White County court records are filed and stored at the Clerk of Circuit Court office in Monticello, Indiana. The clerk serves as the official record keeper for all cases heard in White County courts. You can search these court records online through Indiana's statewide MyCase portal or contact the clerk office in Monticello for help. Whether you need civil case details, criminal filings, or copies of court documents, the White County clerk office has what you need. Monticello is the county seat and the center for all court activity in White County.
White County Quick Facts
White County Clerk of Courts
Lori Austin serves as the Clerk of Courts for White County. The office is in the White County Courthouse in Monticello. As a constitutional officer, the clerk is the official record keeper for the White County Circuit Court. Staff handle all filings, record requests, and court-related payments. The clerk also oversees elections as a member of the county Election Board, which is a duty set by Indiana law.
The clerk collects filing fees, court costs, and judgment monies. Child support payments ordered by the court go through this office as well. White County is a smaller county in northwest Indiana, and the courthouse handles all case types for the area. If you need to file a new case or look up an old one, the clerk office is the place to start. Staff can help you find what you need and explain the process for getting copies of court records.
The Indiana Courts page for White County lists court details, judges, and contact information.
| Address | White County Courthouse, Monticello, IN |
|---|---|
| Phone | 574-583-7032 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, regular business hours |
Search White County Records Online
The statewide MyCase portal covers White County court records. 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 White County cases.
Some court documents are available online at no cost. Orders in civil cases, final orders and judgments in criminal cases, and documents from appellate cases can all be viewed through MyCase. If you cannot find what you need online, contact the White County clerk office at 574-583-7032. Under IC 5-14-3, any person may inspect and copy public records during regular business hours. New filings may take at least 24 hours to show up on MyCase, and sometimes the delay is longer.
Note: MyCase is not an official court record source and may have errors or omissions.
Court Records in White County
The White County Circuit Court handles the full range of case types. Civil cases include contract disputes, property claims, small claims, and debt collection matters. Criminal cases range from misdemeanors to felonies. The clerk keeps records of all charges, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and post-conviction filings for each criminal case in the system.
Family law cases are another key area. Divorce, custody, child support, and paternity matters all produce court records in White County. Probate cases involving estates, guardianships, and wills also go through this court. Traffic violations that go past a basic fine create court files too. Under the Indiana Rules on Access to Court Records, most records are accessible to the public. Juvenile records, adoption files, mental health records, and sealed cases are among those that remain closed to public access under Rule 5.
If you need a record that is not available online, call the clerk. Staff can pull old case files from the physical archives.
White County Court Record Fees
White County 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. You can pay at the clerk office in Monticello. Call ahead to check current rates.
Filing fees for new cases vary by type. Small claims filings are the cheapest. Civil suits cost more. Criminal case fees follow state law. If you have limited income, you can file a petition with the court requesting a fee waiver. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page gives more detail on how to request records and what to expect in terms of cost across Indiana.
Legal Help in White County
Indiana Legal Help is a free website with legal forms, guides, and information on many topics. You can find forms for civil, criminal, family, and small claims cases. The site connects people to legal aid groups that serve White County and northwest Indiana.
The statewide court directory lists all trial courts and clerks in Indiana. Local attorneys in Monticello handle court filings and can assist with record requests when you need certified copies. If you are doing your own legal research, the Indiana Supreme Court Law Library can help with questions about court records and case law.
Note: Always talk to a lawyer before filing documents with the court.
Cities in White County
White County has several small communities. Monticello is the county seat and the largest city. Other towns include Brookston, Burnettsville, Chalmers, Reynolds, and Wolcott. All court cases from these communities are filed through the White County Circuit Court in Monticello. None of the cities in White County meet the 25,000 population threshold, so all court business goes through the single county-level clerk office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border White County in northwest Indiana. If you need records from a neighboring county, check where the parties lived when the case was filed.