The court records of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, are maintained by the county clerk's office and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the clerk's office. VanderburghCourt.us will help you find publicly available information about the court records of this county. Additional sources include the Vanderburgh County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch portal, the MyCase.IN.gov system, and the County Court Document Center.
Vanderburgh Court System Overview
Vanderburgh County is located in the southwestern part of Indiana, with Evansville as its administrative center. The county's court system includes the Vanderburgh Superior Court and the Vanderburgh Circuit Court, which together handle criminal, civil, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The courts operate under the general supervision of the Indiana Supreme Court and are subject to the rules established by the Indiana Rules of Court. The county is exclusively served by its own courts — the Circuit Court and several divisions of the Superior Court, each with defined jurisdiction.
The courts typically operate Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It is recommended to confirm the hours of operation before visiting by calling the court directly.
Courts Serving Vanderburgh
The residents of the county are served by several state and federal courts.
Indiana State Courts
Vanderburgh Circuit Court
Vanderburgh Superior Court (several divisions)
Federal Court
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana — Evansville Division
City Court
Evansville City Court — handles violations of city ordinances and minor offenses within Evansville.
What Types of Cases Vanderburgh Courts Hear
The county courts hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Criminal cases: felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
- Civil lawsuits, including large claims and small claims cases
- Family law: divorce, child custody, child support, paternity
- Probate cases: estate administration, guardianship, conservatorship
- Juvenile cases: juvenile offenses, child protection, adoption
- Traffic violations and DUI-related cases
The specific court division that will hear a case depends on its category and claim amount.
District Court Cases in Vanderburgh
In Indiana's system, the term "district court" is not used at the state level — instead, there are Circuit Court and Superior Court. The Vanderburgh Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction and handles the county's most serious cases. Felonies, large civil disputes, and appeals from lower divisions are directed here. Cases are assigned to judges according to internal court rules. A criminal case typically begins with an arrest or prosecutor's indictment, followed by preliminary hearings, motions, and, if necessary, a jury trial. Post-conviction proceedings — such as motions for sentence review — also fall under this court's jurisdiction.
Magistrate Court Cases in Vanderburgh
Indiana does not have a separate magistrate system as some other states do. However, the Superior Court in Vanderburgh performs a similar role, hearing cases that in other jurisdictions would fall to a magistrate. These include misdemeanors, traffic violations, preliminary hearings in felony cases, and smaller civil claims. Small claims cases in Indiana are heard for disputes up to $10,000. Superior Court judges often specialize in certain categories of cases — one division may focus on criminal cases, another on civil or family matters. DUI cases begin with an initial hearing in the appropriate division of the Superior Court.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Vanderburgh
Family Law
Divorce, custody determinations, child support enforcement, paternity establishment, and protective orders are handled by divisions of the Superior Court. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate or divorce decree, you should contact the county court clerk's office where the marriage was registered. The Indiana Vital Records Division also issues certain documents.
Probate
Estate administration of deceased persons, appointment of guardians and conservators, and trust matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court or a designated division of the Superior Court. Probate cases are initiated by filing a petition with the court clerk's office.
Juvenile Matters
Juvenile cases — offenses, child protection, adoption — are handled by a separate court division. Juvenile case records are confidential under Indiana law. For inquiries regarding juvenile cases, contact the Vanderburgh County Court directly.
How Cases Move Through the Vanderburgh Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with the filing of a prosecutor's indictment; a civil case starts with the filing of a complaint or petition with the court clerk's office.
- Judge Assignment. The case is assigned to a specific judge or division based on its category.
- Initial Hearing. In criminal cases, this is the arraignment; in civil cases, it is the scheduling conference.
- Pre-trial Stage. Motions are filed, and discovery is conducted. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or Resolution. The case may conclude with a jury trial, plea agreement, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment. Sentencing occurs in criminal cases. Any party may file an appeal. In civil cases, the court's judgment is enforced.
Electronic filing (e-filing) can be done through the Indiana E-Filing System portal, available on the court's page.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Vanderburgh
The administration of the county courts is conducted by the court administrator under the leadership of the chief judge. Local court rules regulate procedural matters — from filing deadlines to hearing procedures.
According to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act and the administrative rules of the Indiana Supreme Court, most court records are publicly accessible. However, certain categories — juvenile cases, sealed records, mental health cases — have restricted access. The Indiana Judicial Branch Public Records page explains how to submit a request and what restrictions exist.
Hearings are generally open to the public. For remote participation, contact the specific judge's office — some divisions use video conferencing. Court contact information:
Vanderburgh County Departments also maintain public records, including financial and property documents.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Vanderburgh
- Online Case Search. The MyCase.IN.gov system allows searching for cases by party name or case number. The link is available on the Court Document Center page, where courts store nearly two decades of electronic records.
- Court Hearing Calendar. The hearing schedule is published through the court portal — check the official county court page.
- Forms and Self-Help Resources. The Indiana Judicial Branch provides standard court forms for self-representation. E-filing is also available through the court portal.
- Court Records Request. Certified copies can be obtained by contacting the court clerk's office in person or by mail. Detailed instructions are provided on the public records request page.
- County Recorder's Office. The Vanderburgh County Recorder maintains records of property deeds, mortgages, and other real estate documents. Searches can be conducted on public computers at the office or electronically.
- Inmate Search. The Indiana Department of Correction database allows finding information about individuals serving sentences by last name.
- Sex Offender Registry. The Indiana state registry is available on the Indiana Sheriff's Sex Offender Registry website.
- Tax Records and Property Assessment. Tax bill search and assessed value search are available through the Department of Local Government Finance. The County Treasurer's Office is responsible for collecting property taxes.
- Sheriff's Office. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff maintains law and order and provides arrest information. Phone: (812) 421-6200.