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Indiana: Local History & Genealogy Resource Guide

Courthouse Records

County level research is essential in the pursuit of family and local history. The list below highlights the most common county courthouse records used by genealogists, but there are many more record sets available. Use the guides below and explore the specific resources for the counties of interest to assure that you locate all pertinent documents.

When requesting courthouse records, inquire about both docket books and paper files. Often both types of material exist for each record. While the two formats may merely repeat the data, one may be easier to read than the other. And, in many cases, there are further details, unique notations, over-sized pages such as maps, and so on, that are filed in only the docket book or in only the paper file. Seeing both will provide a more complete review of the record.

Timeline for County Courthouse Records

Birth Records
  • State Level: 1882 to present

Note: The Indiana Department of Public Health, Vital Records Office responds to requests via their website.

Also Note: For earlier records contact the county where the event occurred. Generally maintained by the Probate Court.

Also Note: Some early records are on microfilm and are available at the Indiana Archives.

(Also see the Vital Records section of this guide.)

Civil Lawsuits
  • Generally maintained by: Clerk of Superior Court
Coroner's Inquests
  • Generally maintained by: Indiana Bureau of Investigation Open Records Department
Criminal Court
  • Generally maintained by: Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts
Death Records
  • State Level: 1870 to present

Note: The Indiana Department of Public Health, Vital Records Office responds to requests via their website.

Also Note: For earlier records contact the county where the event occurred. Generally maintained by the Probate Court.

Also Note: Some early records are on microfilm and are available at the Indiana Archives.

(Also see the Vital Records section of this guide.)

Deeds
  • Generally maintained by: Clerk of Superior Court
Divorce Records
  • State Level: 1952-1996, Indiana Department of Public Health
  • County Level: Prior to 1952 and after 1996, available at the Clerk of Superior Court

(Also see the Vital Records section of this guide.)

Marriage Records
  • State Level: 1952-1996, Indiana Department of Public Health
  • County Level: 1805 to present, generally maintained by the Probate Court

Note: Earlier records may be available at the county where the event occurred.

(Also see the Vital Records section of this guide.)

Naturalizations
  • Generally maintained by: Clerk of Superior Court
Taxes
  • Generally maintained by: Tax Commissioner's Office
Will and Probate
  • Generally maintained by: Probate Court

Online Resources for Courthouse Records

The subscription resources marked with a padlock are available to researchers on-site at the Library of Congress. If you are unable to visit the Library, you may be able to access these resources through your local public or academic library.

Using Ancestry Library Edition for Indiana

Begin your search through Ancestry's vast collections, by viewing the list designated as Indiana records External.

Using FamilySearch for Indiana

FamilySearch provides useful state and county wikis that make excellent starting points for research. The Indiana Wiki External includes links to each of its counties.

FamilySearch has digitized many of its microfilms containing county courthouse records including birth, death, and marriage. Not all records have been indexed yet, so search engine results may NOT show you the full range of FamilySearch data. You must browse the FamilySearch catalog External listings for each county to view the full set of records available. The vast amount of accessible original records is well worth your time to explore.

There is no fee to use FamilySearch, but you must create a free, personal account to access the databases and digital records.

Published Courthouse Records

Below are selected print publications for statewide courthouse records. The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.

To locate additional published materials, go to the Print Resources section of this guide for search tips on locating published county courthouse records, abstracts, and indexes that may aide you in locating original records at the county level.