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How to Find Public Records in Shelby County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents, court filings, property data, or vital statistics in Shelby County, Indiana may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. ShelbyCountyRecords.org provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating relevant record categories. The Shelby County official government portal serves as a central starting point for navigating county departments and their respective record holdings.

Records that may be available through official channels include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax assessment and property tax records
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
Land use and zoning records

Online Access: The Indiana Judicial Branch operates MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search, a publicly accessible portal through which members of the public may search court case information by party name, case number, or attorney. As noted by the Indiana Judicial Branch, the portal "may contain errors or omissions" and "official records of court proceedings may only be" obtained through the clerk's office. Property and recorder records may be accessed through the Shelby County Recorder's office page.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Shelby County Clerk's Office or the Recorder's Office during regular business hours to inspect or request copies of records. The Shelby County Courthouse is located at 407 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN 46176. Staff at the public counter can assist with identifying the correct record custodian and initiating a formal request.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office by mail, identifying the record type, relevant names, dates, and case or document numbers where known. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable timeframe, and denial must be accompanied by a written explanation.

Phone/Email: The Shelby County Clerk's Office may be reached at (317) 392-6320. The Recorder's Office main line is (317) 392-6375. Email contact information is available through the Shelby County government website.

What Are Public Records in Shelby County?

Public records in Shelby County are defined by Indiana state law 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. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, a "public record" encompasses documents in any format that are prepared, owned, used, or retained by a public agency in the course of its official functions.

The following record types are maintained by Shelby County agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)	Shelby County Courts
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Shelby County Recorder
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)	Indiana Department of Health / County Clerk
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk / Plan Commission
Tax and assessment records	County Assessor / Auditor
Voting and election records	County Clerk / Election Board
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Auditor / individual boards
Budget and financial documents	County Auditor
Law enforcement records	Shelby County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Plan Commission

As stated by the Indiana Judicial Branch, "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." The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides additional guidance on accessing court-related documents statewide.

Is Shelby County an Open Records County?

Shelby 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 Indiana, including those in Shelby County, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying by any person. The Act establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that records are considered public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

The Indiana Public Access Counselor, an office established to assist the public and agencies in understanding APRA, has stated that the law reflects "the policy of the state that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them." County agencies are required to designate a public records coordinator and to respond to requests in a timely manner. Shelby County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance, as the state statute governs all public agencies uniformly.

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

The cost to obtain public records in Shelby County varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge fees for copies of public records, but the fee may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.

Standard fees currently in effect include:

Fee Type	Amount
Paper copies (standard)	$0.10 per page (state guideline)
Certified copies of court records	Varies; set by court rule
Certified copies of vital records	Set by Indiana State Department of Health
Electronic copies	Actual cost of reproduction
Inspection of records	No charge
Search fees	Not permitted under APRA for most requests

Inspection: Members of the public may inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours.
Copies: Fees for paper copies are subject to the statutory cap on actual reproduction costs.
Certification: Certified copies of deeds, court orders, and vital records carry additional fees set by the respective office.
Payment methods: The Shelby County Recorder's Office and Clerk's Office accept cash, check, and in many cases credit or debit card payments at the public counter.
Fee waivers: Agencies retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances, such as for indigent requestors or requests serving a clear public interest, though no automatic waiver is mandated by state law for most record types.

Does Shelby County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Shelby County. Indiana law requires that agencies permit any person to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The right to inspect does not extend to the right to receive free copies, but viewing records in person at the relevant office carries no fee.

Free online access to certain records is available through the following official resources:

Court case information: The Indiana Courts Case Search portal provides free online access to court case data, including case status, party names, and hearing dates, without registration.
Recorder documents: The Shelby County Recorder's office provides access to recorded land records and related documents through its online search tools.
County government information: Meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and other administrative documents are available at no cost through the Shelby County government website.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may view records without charge, but obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Shelby County?

Any person may request public records in Shelby County. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Requestors are not required to be Indiana residents, and agencies may not require a requestor to explain the reason for their request as a condition of access to non-exempt records.

Key eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents have the same right of access as Indiana residents.
Identification: Agencies may not require identification as a condition of inspecting public records, though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types or for certified copies.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most public records requests under APRA.
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may have access to certain records that are otherwise restricted, such as sealed or confidential records pertaining to their own case.
Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and law enforcement investigative files, carry access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.

Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public all hold equal standing under the Act when requesting non-exempt public records.

What Records Are Confidential in Shelby County?

Not all government records in Shelby County are available for public inspection. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 enumerates categories of records that are either confidential by law or discretionarily exempt from disclosure. Agencies are not required to disclose records falling within these categories, and in some cases disclosure is affirmatively prohibited.

Confidential and exempt record categories include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Indiana law.
Ongoing law enforcement investigations: Records compiled as part of an active investigation are exempt to the extent that disclosure would harm the investigation.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted or withheld.
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal procedures.
Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Indiana child protection statutes.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public employee information.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a government agency in confidence.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.

Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 provides the authoritative list of mandatory and discretionary exemptions. Agencies applying an exemption are required to notify the requestor in writing and identify the specific statutory basis for the denial.

Shelby County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Shelby County Recorder's Office
407 S. Harrison St., Room 104
Shelbyville, IN 46176
(317) 392-6375
Shelby County Recorder

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

As noted on the official recorder's page, "the county recorder's primary function is to maintain permanent public records submitted for recording. These records are the legal basis for determining ownership of real property."

Shelby County Clerk's Office
407 S. Harrison St.
Shelbyville, IN 46176
(317) 392-6320
Shelby County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch