Indiana Public Records: Learn About Access to Public Records in Indiana

Keeping in line with its promise to create a fair and just society for its residents, Indiana now offers digital and printed copies of all public records to citizens. Indiana State Records cover information from the 90+ counties in its regions, primarily in the form of documents, images, letters, newspapers, and maps. 

Due to the progressive laws embedded in the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, you can approach all government organizations and third-party agencies or websites for an opportunity to access and copy these records. 

While you prepare to take the first step to find relevant Indiana public records, here's a comprehensive article detailing the processes involved in accessing public records in the state. 

Why Indiana is digitizing its public records?

Indiana state government is on a mission to give all residents quick paths to access and obtain government-maintained public records. These paths can lead you directly to public court, vital, arrests, and criminal records held by different offices in the state. All state agencies have websites with a search function that leads people straight to public records databases. 

But why has the state taken this path of digitization? 

To preserve documents of historical importance 

Digitization of public records helps preserve centuries-old documents for future purposes. It eliminates the need for a massive filing space as these documents get stored in virtual folders online. It removes the risks of damage due to the frequent sorting of physical pages. Moreover, digitization keeps records safe from natural and manmade disasters like floods and fire accidents. 

To improve accessibility and make it easier to share public documents

Digitization of all public records makes it easier for interested persons to explore depths of non-confidential information about a person or business entity. Available government archives on the internet keep public offices less crowded and limit the number of individuals handling a vital record simultaneously. 

Why are Some Public Records in Indiana Exempted?

Record holders can refuse your requests to access their public records if:

● The state declares it confidential
● The agency declares it confidential based on their regulations
● The US federal laws classify it as sensitive information
● It reveals trade secrets
● It contains confidential financial reports
● It Includes a person's medical records and charts
● It shows social security numbers and other sensitive information

The Ind. Code §§ 5-14-3-4(a)(1)-(11) and Ind. Code §§ 5-14-3-4(b)(1)-(20) of the Indiana Public Records Act also grants the agency the discretion to deny request applications if the records have the following:

● Test questions and exam data used in state licensing exams
● Ongoing investigative reports of law enforcement agencies 
● Work details of public agency employees 
● Documents relating to ongoing negotiations 
● Information about security systems and record-keeping operations
● Codes, programs, and software details owned by the public record holder 
● Records that could identify a donor or patron of Indiana organizations
● Confidential documents that expose the state's vulnerability to terrorist attacks 
● Personal details of a witness or a complainant in law enforcement records

You must know that the reason for your request has no impact on whether or not your applications will be approved or denied. Moreover, most public agencies don't bother to ask why you want to access a public record; what matters is the record's content and how sensitive it is. 

Public Records and their Indiana Government Agencies

Every government agency in Indiana has its unique database of public records:

Indiana Vital Records 

These are maintained by the Indiana State Department of Health (IDOH):
Contact information of the IDOH
Address: 
2 N. Meridian St.,
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 1-800-457-8283
Email: [email protected],gov
Online request: Division of vital records

Indiana Criminal records 

These are maintained by the Indiana State Police.
Contact information of the state's police department
Address: 
Indiana Government Center North
100 N. Senate Avenue, Suite N340 (west elevators)
Indianapolis IN 46204
Phone: 317.232.8248
Email: Public Records
Online request: public records request

Indiana Court Records 

These are maintained by the  Indiana State Court Administration:
Contact information of Indiana's judicial branch: 
Address: 
251 N. Illinois Street, Suite 1600,
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-232-2542
Email: Court clerk's office
Online request: public records search

Indiana Driving Records 

These are maintained by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (IBMV)
Contact information of the IBMV
Address: 
Indiana Government Center North,
4th Floor,
100 North Senate Avenue,
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 1-800-457-8283
Email: Support 
Online request: Online services

How to Find Public Records in Indiana, Irrespective of the Agency 

As seen above, you can generally request individual public records via mail, telephone, and in person at the organization's state office. When making your request, describe the records as precisely as possible to make it easier for the record-holder to locate the files on time, especially when the documents aren't digitized. 

If you need help to discern the office holding your records at the beginning of your search, you can contact your local library or use the contact information here to request assistance from the State Information Center. 

Expect a response to your request within 24 hours if you submit your own via telephone or in person. However, you may have to wait seven working days for a response if you fax or mail your report. 

If your requests are approved, your response may include the requested information or details on where and how it plans to locate them. Meanwhile, if your requests are refused, the agency will reply with an acknowledgment mail stating why they can't provide the requested record.

The law regulates the proposed prices for each public record and ensures the specific fees are not more than the production costs of the document. Although the fees are affordable, you must pay before submitting your requests. 

Last Words: You May Reverse Denied Requests 

If you receive a denied application response, immediately contact the office of Indiana's public access counselor. This office will clarify the record keeper's response and let you know if you can reapply using specific documentation like a court order. You may also file a civil lawsuit with the state's judicial branch if the record is very important. 

If you need more time to go through all these, you may use the service of third-party public record search sites. We highly recommend Truepeoplesearch.io for its detailed and accurate results.