DeKalb County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in DeKalb County in 2026

DeKalbINRecords.us aggregates publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in DeKalb County, Indiana. Members of the public seeking court filings, property documents, vital records, law enforcement data, and other official documents may access these materials through a combination of online portals, in-person visits, and written requests directed to the appropriate custodial offices.

Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access:

The Indiana Courts case search portal provides online access to civil, criminal, and probate case information for DeKalb County courts. No registration is required for basic case lookups, though certain document images may require a registered account.
The DeKalb County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch provides contact information and guidance for obtaining court documents not available through the online portal.
The DeKalb County Assessor and Recorder maintain property record databases accessible through the county's official website.
Indiana driver history records are available through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles driver record request system using State Form 53789.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources maintains a water well record database for properties with registered wells in DeKalb County.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant custodial office. The DeKalb County Clerk's Office, located at 100 S. Main Street, Auburn, IN 46706, accepts walk-in requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and be prepared to complete a written request form if required by the office.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate custodial office by mail. Each request must identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed seven calendar days.

Phone/Email:

DeKalb County Clerk: (260) 925-0912
DeKalb County Recorder: (260) 925-0912 (main county line)
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office: (260) 925-3060

What Are Public Records in DeKalb County?

Public records in DeKalb 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 related to the agency's official activities. The following record types are currently maintained by DeKalb County agencies:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the DeKalb County Circuit and Superior Courts; accessible through the Indiana Courts case search portal
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments maintained by the DeKalb County Recorder and Assessor
Vital records — birth and death certificates maintained by the Indiana Department of Health; marriage and divorce records maintained by the DeKalb County Clerk
Business records — assumed business name registrations, licenses, and permits maintained by the County Clerk and relevant municipal offices
Tax records — property tax assessments and payment histories maintained by the DeKalb County Auditor and Treasurer
Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results maintained by the DeKalb County Election Board
Meeting minutes and agendas — records of county commission, board, and council meetings maintained by the County Auditor
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records maintained by the County Auditor
Law enforcement records — arrest logs, incident reports, and inmate information maintained by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — permits, variances, and zoning maps maintained by the DeKalb County Plan Commission

Is DeKalb County an Open Records County?

DeKalb County operates in full compliance with Indiana's statewide open records framework. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), Indiana Code § 5-14-3-1 et seq., all public agencies in the state, including those in DeKalb County, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request.

The Indiana Public Access Counselor, the state office responsible for interpreting and enforcing APRA, has stated: "Any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency." This provision applies to county residents and non-residents alike.

Indiana's Sunshine Laws further require that meetings of public agencies be open to the public, with advance notice provided, and that minutes of those meetings be made available as public records. DeKalb County agencies are bound by these requirements under Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5, the Open Door Law.

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

The current fee structure for public records in DeKalb County is governed by state law and individual agency schedules. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:

Record Type	Standard Fee
Paper copies (letter/legal size)	$0.10 per page
Certified copies (court records)	$1.00 per page + $5.00 certification
Certified vital records (birth/death)	$10.00 per certified copy
Certified marriage records	$2.00 per certified copy
Electronic copies	Varies by agency; inspection is free
Driver record (BMV)	$4.00 per record

Inspection of records at a public agency is free of charge; fees apply only to copies.
Certification fees vary by office and record type.
The DeKalb County Recorder charges recording fees per instrument as set by state statute.
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit cards.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records requested for specific public interest purposes, at the discretion of the custodial agency.

Does DeKalb County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at DeKalb County government offices during regular business hours. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, no fee may be charged for the inspection of records; charges apply only when copies are requested.

The following free resources are currently available:

Indiana Courts case search — The MyCase portal provides free online access to case index information for DeKalb County courts. As noted on the portal, "the information on this site is not the official court record and may contain errors or omissions."
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office — The Sheriff's Office website provides free access to inmate search and warrant information.
Indiana DNR Water Well Records — The water well record database is freely accessible online for property research.
Public access terminals — The DeKalb County Recorder and Assessor offices maintain public access terminals where members of the public may inspect property records at no charge during office hours.

Who Can Request Public Records in DeKalb County?

Any person may request public records from DeKalb County agencies under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Eligibility is not restricted to Indiana residents; non-residents retain the same right of access as county residents.

Requestors are not required to provide identification for most public records requests, though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types.
Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most records.
No special status, professional license, or organizational affiliation is required.
Individuals requesting their own records (such as personal court filings or their own driver history through the Indiana BMV driver record system) may be required to provide proof of identity.
Certain restricted record categories — such as juvenile records, adoption records, and sealed court files — require a demonstrated legal interest or court order for access, regardless of the requestor's identity.
Attorneys, title companies, and other professional users may access records under the same general framework, with additional access available through registered accounts on state portals.

What Records Are Confidential in DeKalb County?

Not all records maintained by DeKalb County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 enumerates categories of records that are confidential and exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following record types are currently withheld from public access:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile court records and child welfare case files
Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
Adoption records (accessible only by court order or to parties with a legal interest)
Child protective services records
Personnel files of public employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary records)
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols

Agencies applying exemptions are required to segregate and release any non-exempt portions of a requested record. The Indiana Public Access Counselor has noted that "the burden is on the agency to demonstrate that a record falls within a specific statutory exemption."

DeKalb County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

DeKalb County Recorder
100 S. Main Street, Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 925-0912
DeKalb County official website

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

DeKalb County Clerk's Office
100 S. Main Street, Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 925-0912
DeKalb County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
215 E. 9th Street, Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 925-3060
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (administrative services)
Dispatch and jail services operate 24 hours, 7 days per week

DeKalb County Assessor's Office
100 S. Main Street, Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 925-0912
DeKalb County official website