Hendricks County Public Records /Hendricks County Court Records

Hendricks County Court Records

What Is Hendricks County Court Records

Court records in Hendricks County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. Pursuant to Indiana Access to Public Records Act § 5-14-3, these records constitute official government documents maintained by judicial authorities for administrative and historical purposes.

Hendricks County court records typically include:

Case files containing pleadings, motions, and other filed documents
Court dockets listing scheduled hearings and case status information
Judicial orders and final judgments
Hearing and trial transcripts
Evidence and exhibits admitted during proceedings
Sentencing and disposition records in criminal matters
Marriage and divorce decrees
Probate and estate documentation

These records are distinct from other public records such as property deeds, birth certificates, and tax documents, which are maintained by separate county departments. The Hendricks County Courts operate within Indiana's Judicial District 16 and maintain records for proceedings conducted in:

Hendricks Circuit Court
Hendricks Superior Courts (Divisions 1-5)
Hendricks County Small Claims Court
Probate Court matters
Family Court proceedings
Traffic and ordinance violation cases

Court records encompass documentation from civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, family law matters, probate proceedings, and traffic cases. The Indiana Supreme Court, through Administrative Rule 9, establishes guidelines for court record management and public access throughout the state court system.

Are Court Records Public In Hendricks County

Court records in Hendricks County are presumptively open to public inspection under Indiana law. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act § 5-14-3 establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access government records, while Indiana Administrative Rule 9 specifically governs access to court records.

The following court records are generally available for public inspection:

Civil case files (with certain exceptions for sensitive matters)
Criminal case files after formal charges have been filed
Court judgments, orders, and decrees
Docket sheets and case indices
Court calendars and hearing schedules
Final disposition records

However, certain records may be restricted from public access pursuant to Administrative Rule 9(G), including:

Juvenile court records
Adoption proceedings
Mental health commitment records
Grand jury proceedings
Records sealed by judicial order
Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers
Pre-sentence investigation reports
Records where confidentiality is required by state or federal law

It is important to note that Hendricks County courts operate within the state judicial system, and access policies differ from federal courts, which maintain separate record systems. The Indiana Judicial Branch provides comprehensive guidance on public record access policies applicable to all state courts, including those in Hendricks County.

How To Find Court Records in Hendricks County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Hendricks County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain these documents. The county provides multiple access points for record retrieval:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the appropriate court clerk's office during regular business hours
Complete a record request form specifying the case number or party names
Present valid identification if required
Pay applicable copy fees (currently $1.00 per page for standard copies)
Wait for staff to retrieve the requested documents

Online Access:

Navigate to the myCase portal
Select Hendricks County from the jurisdiction dropdown
Search by case number, party name, or attorney
View publicly available case information and documents
Download or print available records

Written Requests:

Submit a public records request form to the Hendricks County Clerk
Include specific case information and document details
Provide contact information and preferred delivery method
Enclose payment for applicable fees
Allow 7-10 business days for processing

For specialized records such as marriage certificates or divorce decrees, requestors must contact the Hendricks County Clerk's Office directly:

Hendricks County Clerk's Office
355 S. Washington Street, #218
Danville, IN 46122
(317) 745-9231
Hendricks County Clerk

For historical court records predating current electronic systems, researchers may need to contact the Hendricks County Archives:

Hendricks County Archives
355 S. Washington Street
Danville, IN 46122
(317) 745-9411
Hendricks County Archives

How To Look Up Court Records in Hendricks County Online?

Hendricks County provides comprehensive online access to court records through several digital platforms. The primary resource for electronic court record access is the Indiana myCase public portal, which contains records from all Hendricks County courts.

To search for court records online:

Visit the myCase portal
Select "Public Access" from the login options
Choose "Hendricks" from the county selection menu
Enter search criteria in one of the following fields:
- Case number (most precise search method)
- Party name (last name, first name format)
- Attorney name or bar number
- Date range of case filing
Review search results showing basic case information
Select a specific case to view detailed information including:
- Case summary
- Party information
- Chronological case summary (docket)
- Scheduled hearings
- Financial information
- Publicly available documents

For criminal case information, users may also access the Indiana Offender Database, which provides information on current inmates and those on probation or parole.

Marriage and divorce records are not available through online portals. As noted by the Indiana Judicial Branch, these records must be requested directly from the Hendricks County Clerk's Office.

Users should be aware that online access may be limited for:

Cases filed before electronic filing implementation
Confidential cases or documents
Sealed records
Expunged cases

How To Search Hendricks County Court Records for Free?

Indiana law provides for free public inspection of court records at courthouse facilities. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, while copying fees may apply, viewing public records in person incurs no charge.

Free access options include:

In-Person Inspection:

Visit the Hendricks County Courthouse during regular business hours
Request to view specific case files at the appropriate clerk's counter
Examine records under staff supervision
Take notes as needed (photography may be restricted)

Public Access Terminals:

Use computer terminals located in the Hendricks County Courthouse
Access the same myCase system available online
Search and view case information without fees
Print documents for standard copy fees

Online Resources:

The myCase public portal provides free access to basic case information
Hendricks County Courts website offers free access to court calendars and general information
Indiana Courts Online Docket Search allows free searching of case status information

For indigent individuals seeking copies of their own case records, fee waivers may be available upon filing an affidavit of indigency with the court. Law libraries at public institutions may also provide free access to court record databases for research purposes.

What's Included in a Hendricks County Court Record?

Hendricks County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type but typically include:

Case Initiation Documents:

Complaints or petitions in civil cases
Charging documents in criminal cases (information or indictment)
Summonses and service of process documentation
Initial hearing records

Procedural Documents:

Motions filed by parties
Responses and replies to motions
Court orders and rulings
Scheduling notices and continuances
Proof of service documents

Evidentiary Materials:

Affidavits and sworn statements
Exhibits admitted into evidence
Deposition transcripts (when filed)
Expert witness reports
Documentary evidence

Disposition Documents:

Final judgments and decrees
Settlement agreements (when filed)
Jury verdicts
Sentencing orders in criminal cases
Dismissal orders

Post-Judgment Materials:

Appeals documentation
Satisfaction of judgment notices
Probation reports (non-confidential portions)
Enforcement proceedings
Modification requests

Administrative Records:

Chronological case summary (docket sheet)
Attorney appearance forms
Judicial assignment information
Court reporter logs
Financial records (fees, fines, restitution)

Pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 9(G), certain sensitive information may be redacted or excluded from public access, including Social Security numbers, account numbers, and personal identifying information.

How Long Does Hendricks County Keep Court Records?

Hendricks County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Indiana Supreme Court under Administrative Rule 7. These schedules specify minimum retention periods based on case type and document classification.

Key retention periods include:

Criminal Cases:

Capital felony cases: Permanent retention
Non-capital felonies: 55 years after final disposition
Misdemeanors: 10 years after final disposition
Infractions: 5 years after final disposition
Expunged records: Removed according to expungement order

Civil Cases:

Judgments: 20 years after final disposition
General civil litigation: 10 years after final disposition
Small claims: 5 years after final disposition
Protective orders: 5 years after expiration

Family Law:

Divorce decrees: Permanent retention
Child custody and support orders: Until youngest child reaches 21
Paternity determinations: Permanent retention
Adoption records: Permanent retention

Probate Matters:

Wills: Permanent retention
Estate administration: 20 years after closing
Guardianships: 3 years after termination

Court Administration:

Docket books: Permanent retention
Case indices: Permanent retention
Court calendars: 3 years
Financial records: 7 years

After the required retention period expires, records may be transferred to the Indiana State Archives, microfilmed, or destroyed according to approved procedures. Historical records of significant value may be preserved indefinitely regardless of standard retention schedules.

Types of Courts In Hendricks County

Hendricks County's judicial system consists of several courts with distinct jurisdictions and functions:

Hendricks Circuit Court
355 S. Washington Street, Room 307
Danville, IN 46122
(317) 745-9231
Hendricks Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Hendricks Superior Court 1
51 W. Main Street, Room 210
Danville, IN 46122
(317) 745-9231
Hendricks Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Hendricks Superior Court 2
51 W. Main Street, Room 309
Danville, IN 46122
(317) 745-9231
Hendricks Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Hendricks Superior Court 3
51 W. Main Street, Room 312
Danville, IN 46122
(317) 745-9231
Hendricks Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Hendricks Superior Court 4
51 W. Main Street, Room 208
Danville, IN 46122
(317) 745-9231
Hendricks Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Hendricks Superior Court 5
51 W. Main Street, Room 206
Danville, IN 46122
(317) 745-9231
Hendricks Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Hendricks County Small Claims Court
355 S. Washington Street, Room 218
Danville, IN 46122
(317) 745-9231
Hendricks County Small Claims Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Indiana court system hierarchy proceeds from these local courts to the Indiana Court of Appeals and ultimately to the Indiana Supreme Court for appellate review.

What Types of Cases Do Hendricks County Courts Hear?

Hendricks County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their respective jurisdictions:

Hendricks Circuit Court:

Major felony criminal cases
Complex civil litigation
Juvenile delinquency proceedings
Child in Need of Services (CHINS) cases
Adoptions
Mental health commitments
Probate matters including estates and guardianships

Hendricks Superior Court 1:

Civil cases with unlimited monetary jurisdiction
Domestic relations (divorce, custody, support)
Protective orders
Mortgage foreclosures
Collections above small claims limits
Tort claims

Hendricks Superior Court 2:

Criminal cases (felonies and misdemeanors)
Civil cases
Protective orders
Specialized drug court proceedings

Hendricks Superior Court 3:

Criminal cases (primarily misdemeanors)
Traffic violations
Ordinance violations
Civil cases
Small claims matters

Hendricks Superior Court 4:

Criminal cases
Civil litigation
Family law matters
Protective orders
Evictions

Hendricks Superior Court 5:

Criminal cases
Civil litigation
Family law matters
Protective orders
Evictions

Hendricks County Small Claims Court:

Civil disputes with claims up to $10,000
Landlord-tenant matters
Consumer disputes
Minor contract disputes
Property damage claims below jurisdictional limit

Case assignments may vary based on court workload, specialized dockets, and judicial rotation schedules. The Hendricks County Courts website provides current information on specific court assignments and specialized dockets.

How To Find a Court Docket In Hendricks County

Court dockets in Hendricks County provide chronological listings of scheduled hearings and case activities. Members of the public can access docket information through several methods:

Online Docket Access:

Visit the myCase portal
Select "Public Access" from the login options
Choose "Hendricks" from the county selection menu
Search by case number, party name, or date range
View the chronological case summary (docket) for specific cases
Check upcoming hearing dates on the court calendar

Courthouse Electronic Displays:

Electronic monitors in courthouse lobbies display daily dockets
Information includes courtroom assignments, case numbers, and scheduled times
Updated daily for current proceedings

Clerk's Office Inquiry:

Visit the Hendricks County Clerk's Office during business hours
Request docket information for specific cases or court divisions
Staff can provide printed docket sheets upon request (fees may apply)

Telephone Information:

Call the Hendricks County Clerk's Office at (317) 745-9231
Provide case number or party name information
Basic docket information may be provided by phone

For specialized dockets such as grand jury proceedings or juvenile matters, access may be restricted according to confidentiality rules. The Indiana Courts Online Docket Search provides additional guidance on accessing docket information throughout the state court system.

Which Courts in Hendricks County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Indiana's judicial system, "courts of record" maintain complete, verbatim transcripts of proceedings and follow formal rules of procedure. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 33-33-32, all Hendricks County courts are designated as courts of record, including:

Hendricks Circuit Court
Hendricks Superior Courts (Divisions 1-5)
Hendricks County Small Claims Court (as part of Superior Court jurisdiction)

Unlike some Indiana counties, Hendricks County does not maintain:

City Courts
Town Courts
Marion Township Small Claims Courts

These non-record courts, which exist in other jurisdictions, typically handle minor offenses and small claims with simplified procedures. In such courts, proceedings may not be recorded verbatim, and appeals are often handled as trials de novo (completely new trials) rather than reviews of the record.

All Hendricks County judicial proceedings are formally recorded, with court reporters maintaining verbatim records that can be transcribed for appeals or other purposes. Appeals from Hendricks County courts proceed to the Indiana Court of Appeals based on the official court record rather than requiring new trials.

This uniform status as courts of record ensures consistent procedural standards and complete documentation of all judicial proceedings within Hendricks County.