LaPorte County Public Records
What Are Public Records in LaPorte County?
Public records in LaPorte County are defined as information or documents created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency as specified under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), Indiana Code § 5-14-3. These records document government activities and are generally accessible to the public for inspection and copying.
LaPorte County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate case files maintained by the LaPorte County Circuit and Superior Courts
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers recorded by the LaPorte County Recorder's Office
- Vital Records: Birth certificates (limited access), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax sale listings
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans
The Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains court records, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. Property records, including deeds and mortgages, are maintained by the County Recorder. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are available through the LaPorte County Health Department. Tax and assessment records are maintained by the County Assessor and Treasurer offices.
Is LaPorte County an Open Records County?
LaPorte County adheres to Indiana's open records laws, specifically the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), Indiana Code § 5-14-3. This statute establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access and review public records maintained by government agencies.
Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3(a), "Any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency, except as provided in section 4 of this chapter." This provision establishes the presumption that government records are open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.
LaPorte County government offices comply with these state requirements and have implemented procedures for responding to public records requests in accordance with statutory timelines. The county follows the Indiana Open Door Law (Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5), which requires public meetings to be open and accessible to the public.
The county's compliance with these transparency laws is overseen by the Indiana Public Access Counselor, who provides guidance on open records and open meetings issues. LaPorte County agencies are required to acknowledge records requests within 24 hours (or the next business day) and provide a substantive response within reasonable timeframes as defined by state law.
How to Find Public Records in LaPorte County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in LaPorte County may follow these procedures to access various document types:
For Court Records:
- Identify the specific case or document needed
- Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court to request records
- Submit a written request form if required
- Pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents
- For case information, utilize the mycase.in.gov portal for online access to court records
For Property Records:
- Visit the LaPorte County Recorder's Office in person
- Provide specific information about the property or document
- Request copies of deeds, mortgages, or other recorded documents
- Pay the required fees for document reproduction
- Utilize online property record search tools if available
For Vital Records:
- For birth or death certificates, contact the LaPorte County Health Department
- For marriage licenses or divorce decrees, contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Complete the appropriate application form
- Provide required identification and proof of relationship if necessary
- Pay the established fees for certificate copies
For Meeting Minutes and Government Documents:
- Contact the specific department or board that maintains the records
- Submit a written public records request
- Specify the documents needed with reasonable particularity
- Allow time for the agency to respond within statutory timeframes
- Arrange for inspection or copying of responsive documents
For general records requests, individuals may submit a written request to the appropriate county department. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9(c), agencies must acknowledge receipt of requests within 24 hours or the next business day. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the relevant department.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in LaPorte County?
LaPorte County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for document reproduction. Current fee structures for various record types include:
Standard Copy Fees:
- Black and white copies: $0.10 per page (standard letter/legal size)
- Color copies: $0.25 per page (when available)
- Large format documents: Varies based on size and complexity
Specialized Document Fees:
- Certified copies of court records: $1.00 per document plus copy fees
- Recorded documents (deeds, mortgages): $1.00 per page
- Marriage licenses: $18.00 for application, $10.00 for certified copy
- Birth certificates: $10.00 for first copy, $4.00 for additional copies
- Death certificates: $8.00 for first copy, $4.00 for additional copies
- Court transcripts: Rates set by court reporters (typically $3.50-$5.00 per page)
Electronic Records:
- CD/DVD: $10.00 per disc
- Electronic transmission: May be provided at no cost for small files
- Database extracts: Fees based on actual cost of production
Payment methods accepted by most LaPorte County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some departments may accept credit or debit cards, though convenience fees may apply for card transactions.
Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8(d), agencies may waive fees when doing so is in the public interest. Fee waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis and are at the discretion of the record custodian.
Does LaPorte County Have Free Public Records?
LaPorte County provides free inspection of most public records in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8(a), which states that "a public agency may not charge any fee under this chapter to inspect a public record." Members of the public may examine non-exempt records during regular business hours without charge, though fees apply for copies or certified documents.
Several free public record resources are available to LaPorte County residents:
- Court Case Information: Basic case information is available at no charge through the mycase.in.gov portal
- Property Tax Information: Basic property assessment data can be viewed online through the county's GIS portal
- Meeting Agendas and Minutes: Often available on the LaPorte County website at no cost
- Voter Registration Status: Can be checked for free through the Indiana Voter Portal
- County Budgets and Financial Reports: Typically available for inspection at no charge
The LaPorte County Recorder's Office maintains public terminals for free on-site searching of recorded documents, though fees apply for printed copies. Similarly, the Clerk of the Circuit Court provides public access terminals for reviewing court records without charge.
For records not available online, individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect documents at no cost. Staff assistance for extensive research may incur fees based on time and resources required.
Who Can Request Public Records in LaPorte County?
Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person may inspect and copy the public records of LaPorte County agencies during regular business hours. The law does not restrict access based on citizenship or residency status, meaning that both Indiana residents and non-residents may request public records.
Requestors are not generally required to:
- State the purpose of their request
- Provide identification for most record types
- Demonstrate a particular interest in the records
- Explain how they intend to use the information
However, certain exceptions apply for specific record types:
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, and certain marriage records require the requestor to demonstrate a direct relationship or legitimate interest as defined by Indiana Code § 16-37-1-8
- Voter Registration Records: Commercial use of voter data is restricted under Indiana election laws
- Law Enforcement Records: Investigatory records may have restricted access under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b)(1)
- Personnel Records: Access to certain personnel file information is limited by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4(b)(8)
For records containing both public and confidential information, agencies may redact the confidential portions and provide access to the remainder. Requestors seeking their own records typically have broader access rights than those seeking records about other individuals.
When requesting records in person, individuals may be asked to complete a request form with contact information to facilitate communication about the request. This information is used solely for processing the request and is not used to determine eligibility for access.
What Records Are Confidential in LaPorte County?
LaPorte County maintains certain records that are confidential under Indiana law and exempt from public disclosure. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 establishes specific categories of records that agencies either may not or shall not disclose. These confidential records include:
Mandatory Exemptions (records that shall not be disclosed):
- Social Security numbers
- Patient medical records protected by HIPAA
- Student records protected by FERPA
- Trade secrets and confidential financial information
- Sealed or expunged court records
- Adoption records
- Records declared confidential by state statute, federal law, or court order
- Certain tax records with personal financial information
- School safety and security measures
Discretionary Exemptions (records that may be withheld):
- Law enforcement investigatory records
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Administrative or technical information that would jeopardize security
- Personnel file information (except for basic employment information)
- Deliberative materials that express opinions or formulate policy
- Diary, journal, or personal notes created for personal use
- Computer programs, codes, and systems
- Records that would interfere with negotiations or competitive bidding
Juvenile court records are generally confidential under Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2, with limited exceptions for certain parties and purposes. Child welfare records maintained by the Department of Child Services are protected under Indiana Code § 31-33-18.
When a record contains both public and confidential information, LaPorte County agencies will redact the confidential portions and provide access to the remainder, as required by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-6. Agencies must cite the specific statutory authority for any denial of access to records.
LaPorte County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
LaPorte County Recorder's Office
813 Lincolnway, Suite 301
LaPorte, IN 46350
(219) 326-6808 ext. 2560
LaPorte County Recorder
Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Michigan City Branch Office
302 Washington Street
Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 874-5211
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Maintenance of property records
- Issuance of certified copies of recorded documents
- Public access terminals for document research
- Military discharge recording (DD-214 forms)
The Recorder's Office maintains and preserves public records related to real property transactions in LaPorte County. Documents are indexed and available for public inspection during regular business hours. The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders for payment of recording fees and document copies.
Lookup Public Records in LaPorte County
LaPorte County Recorder's Office
LaPorte County Superior Court 1