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Dearborn County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Dearborn County?

Public records in Dearborn County are defined under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2 as any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, tape, recording, or other material that is created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency and is generated on public business or in pursuit of a public purpose. The Dearborn County, Indiana official government portal serves as the primary access point for residents and members of the public seeking county-maintained documents.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained by various Dearborn County offices:

  • Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Dearborn County Clerk of Courts and the Dearborn County Circuit and Superior Courts.
  • Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are held by the Dearborn County Recorder's Office; property assessments are maintained by the Dearborn County Assessor's Office.
  • Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued through the Indiana Department of Health; marriage licenses and divorce decrees are filed with the Dearborn County Clerk of Courts.
  • Business records — Fictitious business name registrations, licenses, and permits are processed through the Dearborn County Clerk and relevant municipal offices.
  • Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Dearborn County Auditor and Treasurer's offices.
  • Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Dearborn County Election Board and Clerk of Courts.
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of the Dearborn County Commissioners, County Council, and other boards are filed with the County Auditor and published on the county website.
  • Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements are maintained by the Dearborn County Auditor's Office.
  • Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office.
  • Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, variance applications, and planning documents are maintained by the Dearborn County Plan Commission.

Is Dearborn County an Open Records County?

Dearborn County fully complies with Indiana's statewide open records framework, which governs public access to government documents across all 92 counties. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during regular business hours, subject only to the exemptions enumerated in the statute. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA) establishes that public records are presumed open, and the burden of proof rests with the agency to demonstrate that a specific exemption applies.

Key provisions of Indiana's APRA currently in effect include:

  • Public agencies must respond to a records request within 24 hours if the request is made in person or by telephone, and within 7 days if submitted in writing.
  • Agencies may not require a requester to state the purpose of the request as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving certain restricted record categories.
  • The Indiana Public Access Counselor provides advisory opinions and mediates disputes between requesters and public agencies, offering an additional layer of accountability.

Dearborn County does not maintain a separate county-level public records ordinance that supersedes state law; all access rights and procedures are governed by Indiana's APRA. The county's compliance with Indiana's Open Door Law, codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5, further ensures that meetings of public agencies are open to the public and that related records, including agendas and minutes, are accessible.

How to Find Public Records in Dearborn County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Dearborn County records through several official channels, depending on the record type sought.

In-Person Requests Requesters may visit the relevant county office during public counter hours. The Dearborn County Courthouse, located in Lawrenceburg, houses the Clerk of Courts, Recorder, Auditor, Assessor, and Treasurer. Staff at each office are available to assist with locating and copying records.

Written Requests Written requests may be submitted by mail, fax, or email to the appropriate office. Requests should identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. No standardized statewide form is currently required, though individual offices may provide optional request forms.

Online Access

  • Court case information is searchable through Indiana's MyCase portal, which provides public access to court filings and case histories maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court.
  • Property and recorder records may be accessible through the county's online GIS and property search tools linked from the county website.
  • The Dearborn County judicial branch directory provides contact information and guidance for accessing court-specific records.

Genealogical and Historical Records Researchers seeking historical documents should note that the Dearborn County Courthouse experienced a fire in 1826, resulting in the loss of most early records. The Indiana State Library's Dearborn County research guide provides detailed guidance on surviving records, including marriage and will documents, and directs researchers to available microfilm and archival collections.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Dearborn County?

Standard fees for public records in Dearborn County are governed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which sets limits on the amounts public agencies may charge for copying and certifying records.

Current standard fees include:

  • Paper copies: Agencies may charge up to $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies on letter or legal-size paper.
  • Certified copies: Fees for certified copies of vital records and court documents vary by office; the Clerk of Courts currently charges a per-page certification fee in addition to the base copy cost.
  • Electronic records: When records are provided in electronic format, agencies may charge only the actual cost of the medium (e.g., a USB drive or CD) if applicable.
  • Inspection only: No fee may be charged solely for inspecting a public record; charges apply only when copies are made.
  • Postage and handling: Agencies may charge actual postage costs when records are mailed to the requester.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county office. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Indiana law, though individual agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances, such as for indigent requesters or requests serving a clear public interest.

Does Dearborn County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public are entitled under Indiana law to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The right to free inspection — without copying — is a core provision of Indiana's Access to Public Records Act and applies to all non-exempt records held by Dearborn County agencies.

The following free online resources are currently available:

Who Can Request Public Records in Dearborn County?

Any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — may request public records from Dearborn County agencies under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. The statute does not restrict access to Indiana residents, and non-residents retain the same rights as county or state residents.

Specific eligibility provisions currently in effect include:

  • Identification: Requesters are generally not required to provide identification as a condition of access to public records, except in limited circumstances where the record type itself carries access restrictions (e.g., certain law enforcement records).
  • Purpose: Agencies may not require a requester to state the reason for the request as a precondition to access, except where a specific statutory exemption makes purpose relevant.
  • Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access certain records that are otherwise restricted to third parties, such as sealed or confidential records in which they have a direct legal interest.
  • Requesting records about others: Access to records containing personal identifying information about third parties may be subject to redaction of exempt data, such as Social Security numbers or financial account information, prior to release.
  • Organizations and businesses: Corporations, nonprofit organizations, media entities, and other legal persons may submit public records requests on the same basis as individual requesters.

What Records Are Confidential in Dearborn County?

Certain categories of records held by Dearborn County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, which enumerates specific classes of confidential and restricted records. Agencies are required to segregate and redact exempt information from otherwise disclosable records rather than withholding entire documents where feasible.

Records currently exempt from public access include:

  • Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
  • Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Indiana law.
  • Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement investigatory records compiled for the purpose of an ongoing criminal investigation are exempt from disclosure.
  • Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are exempt and must be redacted prior to release.
  • Medical records — Patient health information is protected under both Indiana law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
  • Adoption records — Records related to adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions.
  • Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential.
  • Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public officials' compensation and disciplinary records.
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a public agency may be exempt from disclosure.
  • Security plans and infrastructure details — Records containing security assessments or vulnerability information for public facilities are exempt.

Indiana law applies a balancing framework in certain cases, requiring agencies to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or security interests served by nondisclosure.

Dearborn County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Dearborn County Recorder's Office is the principal repository for recorded land documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property in the county. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of recorded documents during regular public counter hours.

Dearborn County Recorder's Office 165 Mary St., Suite 2, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (812) 537-8867 Dearborn County, Indiana

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays. Requests for certified copies of recorded documents may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the county's online records portal where available.

Dearborn County Clerk of Courts 215 W. High St., Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (812) 537-8867 Dearborn County judicial branch information

Dearborn County Assessor's Office 165 Mary St., Suite 103, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (812) 537-8809 Dearborn County, Indiana

Dearborn County Sheriff's Office 301 W. High St., Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 (812) 537-8800 Dearborn County, Indiana

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