Clinton County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Clinton County in 2026
ClintonINRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Clinton County, Indiana. Members of the public may find records pertaining to court proceedings, property transactions, vital statistics, business registrations, and other government-generated documents through this resource. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the document, and applicable state and federal law.
Records in Clinton County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
- The Indiana Courts case search portal allows members of the public to search civil, criminal, and probate case information statewide, including Clinton County. No registration is required for basic case lookups, though electronic access to certain case documents may be restricted under court rules.
- The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides guidance on locating court documents that are not available through the online portal.
- Property records, tax assessments, and recorder documents may be accessed through the Clinton County Assessor and Recorder offices, which maintain searchable databases at their respective public counters and, in some instances, through county-hosted online portals.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public wishing to inspect records in person may visit the Clinton County Clerk's Office or the appropriate maintaining agency. The Clinton County Clerk's Office is located at 265 Courthouse Square, Frankfort, Indiana 46041. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and any known case or document numbers to facilitate retrieval.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the relevant office. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed 24 hours on days the agency is open for business for a denial, and seven days for fulfillment or acknowledgment.
Phone/Email:
- Clinton County Clerk's Office: (765) 659-6335
- Clinton County Recorder's Office: (765) 659-6340
What Are Public Records in Clinton County?
Public records in Clinton County are defined under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2 as any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, card, 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 following categories of records are maintained by Clinton County agencies and are subject to public access under state law:
- Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files maintained by the Clinton County Circuit and Superior Courts
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements maintained by the Clinton County Recorder's Office
- Tax and assessment records — property tax records and parcel assessments maintained by the Clinton County Assessor's Office
- Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates maintained by the Clinton County Health Department and the Indiana Department of Health
- Business records — assumed business name registrations and certain licenses maintained by the Clinton County Clerk's Office
- Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results maintained by the Clinton County Clerk's Office
- Meeting minutes and agendas — records of the Clinton County Board of Commissioners and other public bodies
- Budget and financial documents — county appropriations, expenditures, and audit reports
- Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, subject to applicable exemptions, maintained by the Clinton County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Clinton County Plan Commission
Is Clinton County an Open Records County?
Clinton County operates in full compliance with Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3, which establishes the right of any person to inspect and copy public records of public agencies in the state. The Indiana Public Access Counselor, an office established to assist the public and government agencies in understanding open records obligations, has stated that "a fundamental philosophy of Indiana government is that the public is entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them."
Under current law, public agencies in Indiana are required to make records available for inspection and copying during regular business hours. The county does not impose residency requirements on requestors, and no statement of purpose is required for the inspection of most public records. The Indiana Public Access Counselor's office provides advisory opinions and informal guidance to assist both agencies and members of the public in resolving access disputes.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Clinton County?
The current fee structure for public records in Clinton County is governed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which sets limits on the fees agencies may charge for providing copies of public records. Standard fees applicable at Clinton County offices are as follows:
| Record Type | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page |
| Certified copies (court documents) | $1.00 per page + certification fee |
| Vital records (birth/death certificates) | $10.00 per certified copy |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Inspection only | No charge |
- Agencies may charge for the actual cost of reproducing records in formats other than standard paper copies.
- Certification fees for court documents vary by document type and are set by the Indiana Supreme Court.
- Vital records fees are established by the Indiana State Department of Health and are subject to periodic revision.
- Accepted payment methods at the Clinton County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards; requestors are advised to confirm accepted payment methods prior to visiting.
- Fee waivers are not broadly available under Indiana law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in limited circumstances.
Does Clinton County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Clinton County government offices during regular business hours. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, agencies may not charge a fee for the inspection of records; fees apply only when copies are requested. Members of the public may inspect records at no cost at the following locations:
- Clinton County Clerk's Office — court case files, election records, and business name registrations
- Clinton County Recorder's Office — deeds, mortgages, and land records
- Clinton County Assessor's Office — property assessment and tax records
- Clinton County Health Department — certain public health records
Online, the Indiana Courts case search tool provides free access to case index information for Clinton County court proceedings. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records portal also provides free guidance and links to available digital records. Free inspection differs from free copies; obtaining a physical or certified copy of a record is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Clinton County?
Any person may request public records from Clinton County agencies under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. The law does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect most public records, though identification may be required when requesting certain sensitive records, such as vital records, where the requestor's relationship to the subject must be established.
Non-residents of Indiana retain the same rights to access public records as Indiana residents. When requesting records about oneself, a requestor may be required to provide proof of identity to ensure that protected personal information is released only to the appropriate individual. Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same general access rules, except where specific exemptions apply to protect personal privacy or ongoing investigations.
Certain record types, such as certified copies of vital records, are restricted to eligible requestors — including the subject of the record, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives — as specified under Indiana law and the policies of the Clinton County Health Department.
What Records Are Confidential in Clinton County?
Not all records maintained by Clinton County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 enumerates categories of records that are either confidential by law or discretionarily exempt from disclosure. The following record types are currently withheld from public access in whole or in part:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order, including certain expungement records
- Juvenile records — records pertaining to juvenile delinquency and child in need of services (CHINS) proceedings
- Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement investigatory records compiled for the purpose of an active criminal investigation
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data embedded in otherwise public documents
- Medical and health records — protected under both Indiana law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or the Indiana Adoption History Registry
- Child welfare and protective services records — maintained by the Indiana Department of Child Services and exempt from public disclosure
- Personnel records — employee performance evaluations and certain disciplinary records, with exceptions for final disciplinary actions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to agencies in confidence
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety
When an agency withholds a record or portion of a record, it is required under current law to notify the requestor of the specific statutory basis for the denial.
Clinton County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Clinton County Recorder's Office
265 Courthouse Square
Frankfort, IN 46041
(765) 659-6340
Clinton County Recorder's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Clinton County Clerk's Office
265 Courthouse Square
Frankfort, IN 46041
(765) 659-6335
Clinton County Clerk's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Clinton County Health Department
1015 Michigan Avenue
Frankfort, IN 46041
(765) 659-3172
Clinton County Health Department
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Clinton County Assessor's Office
265 Courthouse Square
Frankfort, IN 46041
(765) 659-6330
Clinton County Assessor's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Clinton County Sheriff's Office
301 East Clinton Street
Frankfort, IN 46041
(765) 659-6021
Clinton County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (administrative); dispatch available 24 hours
As the Indiana Judicial Branch notes, "if the document you're looking for isn't available online, you'll need to contact the clerk's office in the county where the case is being heard." Members of the public seeking court records specific to Clinton County may also direct inquiries to the Clinton County local court page maintained by the Indiana Judicial Branch.