null
How to Find Public Records in Monroe County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Indiana will find that MonroeINRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by county and state agencies. Monroe County, Indiana maintains a broad range of official documents that are accessible to the public through multiple channels, subject to applicable state law. Records that may be available through official sources include:
- Court filings and case records
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access: Members of the public may use the Indiana Courts Case Search portal to search court case information statewide, including Monroe County. The Monroe County Circuit Court also provides a Find My Case tool for locating pending and closed cases through the Odyssey case management system. Property records are searchable through the Monroe County Recorder's office portal. No registration is required to conduct basic searches on most public portals.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Monroe County Clerk of Court's office to inspect records in person. The Clerk's office is located at 100 W. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47404. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought; staff will assist in locating responsive documents.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Monroe County Clerk of Court at 100 W. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47404. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a specific description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. 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.
Phone/Email: The Monroe County Clerk of Court may be reached by phone at (812) 349-2614. The Monroe County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website provides additional contact details for individual court divisions.
What Are Public Records in Monroe County?
Public records in Monroe County are defined by Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3, 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. The following record types are maintained by Monroe County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records | Monroe County Clerk of Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, and liens | Monroe County Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) | Monroe County Health Department / State Dept. of Health |
| Business licenses and permits | Monroe County Clerk / relevant licensing authority |
| Property tax and assessment records | Monroe County Assessor / Auditor |
| Voting and election records | Monroe County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Monroe County Clerk / individual boards |
| Budget and financial documents | Monroe County Auditor |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Monroe County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Monroe County Planning Department |
The Monroe County Clerk of Court's records request page provides guidance on accessing case information through MyCase Indiana and submitting formal records requests.
Is Monroe County an Open Records County?
Monroe County operates in full compliance with Indiana's statewide open records framework. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, § 5-14-3-3, any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency. The statute establishes a presumption of openness: all public records are accessible unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
As the Indiana Public Access Counselor has stated, "The Access to Public Records Act reflects Indiana's commitment to open government and the public's right to know how their government operates." Monroe County agencies are bound by this standard and do not impose residency requirements or purpose-of-request conditions on most public records requests. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state law governs all access determinations. Indiana's Sunshine Laws further require that public meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions, under Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Monroe County?
The fee structure for public records in Monroe County is governed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which sets limits on what agencies may charge for providing copies of public records. Current standard fees are as follows:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page |
| Certified copies (court records) | Varies by document type |
| Electronic copies | No charge if already in electronic format |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Certification fee | Set by individual office |
- Inspection of public records is provided at no charge during regular business hours.
- Copies of standard paper documents are assessed at $0.10 per page under state law.
- Certified copies of court documents carry fees established by the Indiana Supreme Court's schedule.
- Electronic records that are already maintained in digital format are provided without a copying fee.
- Accepted payment methods at the Monroe County Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in circumstances where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the agency.
Fees for vital records obtained through the Monroe County Health Department or the Indiana State Department of Health are set separately and are subject to change.
Does Monroe County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Monroe County government offices during regular business hours. Under Indiana law, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting a public record. Members of the public may review documents in person without incurring any cost.
The following free resources are currently available:
- MyCase Indiana: The Indiana Courts Case Search portal provides free online access to court case information, including Monroe County civil, criminal, and probate cases, without registration.
- Monroe County Circuit Court: The Find My Case tool allows free online lookup of pending and closed cases through the Odyssey system.
- Monroe County Recorder: Property records and recorded instruments may be searched at no cost through the Recorder's office online portal.
- In-Person Inspection: All Monroe County offices permit free in-person inspection of non-exempt public records during business hours.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Monroe County?
Any person may request public records from Monroe County agencies. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, the right to inspect and copy public records extends to all persons, without regard to residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Requestors are not required to:
- Be a resident of Indiana or Monroe County
- Provide government-issued identification for most requests
- State the reason or purpose for the request
Certain record types carry additional access conditions. Requests for records containing personal identifying information, sealed documents, or records subject to statutory exemptions may require the requestor to demonstrate a qualifying interest or legal entitlement. Individuals requesting their own records—such as personal court filings or arrest records—follow the same process as any other public records request, though additional verification of identity may be required for records containing sensitive personal data. Non-residents retain the same access rights as Indiana residents for all non-exempt public records.
What Records Are Confidential in Monroe County?
Not all government records in Monroe County 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:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records: As noted on the Monroe County records requests page, juvenile and mental health matters are not available through MyCase Indiana, per Rules on Access to Court Records Rule 5.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement investigative records compiled for the purpose of detecting or investigating violations of law are exempt while the investigation is active.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
- 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 through court order or specific statutory procedures.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as 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 public agency under a claim of confidentiality.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.
Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 provides the complete list of mandatory and discretionary exemptions. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder.
Monroe County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Monroe County Recorder's Office
100 W. Kirkwood Avenue, Room 204
Bloomington, IN 47404
(812) 349-2523
Monroe County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
As stated on the official county website, "It is the primary duty of County Recorders to record instruments submitted for recording and maintain those records in perpetuity." The Recorder's office processes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property in Monroe County.
Monroe County Clerk of Court
100 W. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404
(812) 349-2614
Monroe County Clerk of Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Monroe County Circuit Court
100 W. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47404
(812) 349-2610
Monroe County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Monroe County Assessor's Office
100 W. Kirkwood Avenue, Room 104
Bloomington, IN 47404
(812) 349-2523
Monroe County Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays