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How to Find Public Records in Montgomery County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through MontgomeryCountyRecords.us, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by county and state agencies. Individuals researching property ownership, court proceedings, vital statistics, or business filings in Montgomery County, Indiana, may locate relevant records through official government offices, online portals, and public access terminals. The availability and completeness of records varies by record type, custodial office, and applicable state law.
Record categories that members of the public may search include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement 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:
- The Indiana Courts Case Search portal (MyCase) provides online access to court case information statewide, including cases filed in Montgomery County. No registration is required for basic case searches, though the portal notes that results "may contain errors or omissions" and that official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court.
- Property records maintained by the Montgomery County Recorder's Office are accessible through the county recorder's public records search, which includes scanned deeds dating from 1823 to the present.
- The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides guidance on locating court records, submitting public information requests, and identifying the appropriate county court.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Montgomery County Recorder's Office or the Circuit Court Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. Staff at each office can assist with locating documents and processing copy requests. Visitors should bring a valid photo identification and, where applicable, case numbers or parcel identification numbers to expedite the search.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests should include the requester's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and any identifying information such as case numbers, parcel numbers, or date ranges. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, and in no case later than seven days after receipt of the request.
Phone/Email:
- Montgomery County Recorder's Office: (765) 364-6420
- Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk: (765) 364-6430
What Are Public Records in Montgomery County?
Public records in Montgomery County are defined under Indiana law 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 generated on public funds. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, a "public record" encompasses documents in any format, including electronic records, maintained by a government body in the course of its official functions.
The following record types are currently maintained by Montgomery County agencies:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, and liens | Recorder's Office |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Indiana Department of Health / County Health Department |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk / State agencies |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Assessor / Auditor |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Auditor |
| Budget and financial documents | County Auditor |
| Law enforcement records | Sheriff's Office (where permitted) |
| Land use and zoning records | Area Plan Commission |
Court case information may be searched through the Montgomery County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website, which provides direct contact information for local courts and guidance on obtaining copies of case documents.
Is Montgomery County an Open Records County?
Montgomery 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 county offices, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that records are presumed to be public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
The Indiana Public Access Counselor, an office established to assist the public and government agencies in understanding and complying with APRA, has stated that "the policy of the state is that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees." This principle governs the conduct of all Montgomery County offices in responding to public records requests.
The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance governing public records access; state law controls all aspects of the request and response process. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may file a complaint with the Indiana Public Access Counselor at pac.in.gov.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Montgomery County?
The current fee structure for public records in Montgomery County varies by record type and the office maintaining the records. Indiana law permits agencies to charge fees that do not exceed the actual cost of reproducing the records.
Standard Copy Fees (Recorder's Office):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard document copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy of recorded document | $5.00 per document |
| Recording a new document (first page) | $25.00 |
| Each additional page | $5.00 |
The Montgomery County Recorder's fee schedule provides a complete listing of recording and copy fees applicable to deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments. Accepted payment methods at the Recorder's Office include cash, check, and money order; credit card acceptance may vary.
For court records, copy fees are set by the Indiana Supreme Court and applied uniformly across all county courts. Inspection of records at a public counter does not require payment of a copy fee. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Indiana law, though indigent litigants may petition the court for waiver of certain court-related fees in active cases.
Does Montgomery County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Montgomery County government offices during regular business hours. Members of the public may review documents at the public counter of the Recorder's Office, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and other county agencies without charge. The obligation to pay a fee arises only when copies are requested.
Several categories of records are accessible at no cost through official online portals:
- Court case information is searchable at no charge through the Indiana Courts Case Search (MyCase) portal, which provides case status, party names, hearing dates, and docket entries for cases filed in Montgomery County courts.
- Property and deed records maintained by the Recorder's Office are searchable online through the county's public records search tool at no cost for viewing; fees apply only when certified copies are ordered.
- The Indiana Judicial Branch public records resource provides free guidance and links to court record search tools across all Indiana counties.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while the law guarantees the right to inspect public records without charge, reproduction of those records is subject to the applicable fee schedule.
Who Can Request Public Records in Montgomery County?
Any person may request public records from Montgomery County agencies. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, there is no residency requirement, and requesters are not required to state the purpose of their request or provide identification as a condition of access to non-restricted records. This right extends equally to Indiana residents, non-residents, businesses, journalists, and researchers.
Certain record types carry additional access requirements:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) are restricted to authorized individuals, including the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest, pursuant to Indiana Code governing vital statistics.
- Juvenile court records are restricted by statute and are not available to the general public.
- Sealed court records require a court order for access regardless of the requester's identity.
Individuals requesting their own records are subject to the same general procedures as any other requester, though they may be required to provide identification to verify identity before accessing records containing personal information. Requests on behalf of another person may require written authorization or legal documentation establishing the requester's authority.
What Records Are Confidential in Montgomery County?
Not all government records in Montgomery County are available for public inspection. Indiana law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. The following records are confidential under state law:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records and child welfare records
- Ongoing law enforcement investigation records
- Records containing Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other personal identifying information
- Medical and mental health records (protected under both state law and federal HIPAA regulations)
- Adoption records
- Personnel files of public employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary records)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details
- Attorney-client privileged communications involving government attorneys
Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 enumerates the categories of records that agencies may or must withhold from public disclosure. The statute distinguishes between records that are discretionarily exempt (which agencies may withhold) and those that are mandatorily confidential (which agencies must withhold). When a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.
Montgomery County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Montgomery County Recorder's Office
100 E Main St, Crawfordsville, IN 47933
(765) 364-6420
Montgomery County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
The Recorder's Office maintains all land records, deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments. According to the office, "all deeds have been scanned from 1823 to present" and "all recordings are public information and are available to the public for a fee."
Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk
100 E Main St, Crawfordsville, IN 47933
(765) 364-6430
Montgomery County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
The Circuit Court Clerk maintains all court case files for civil, criminal, probate, and family matters filed in Montgomery County. Members of the public with questions about an upcoming court date, jury duty, or obtaining a copy of a document in a case are directed to contact the court clerk directly.
Montgomery County Assessor's Office
100 E Main St, Crawfordsville, IN 47933
(765) 364-6440
Montgomery County, Indiana – Official Website
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Assessor's Office maintains property assessment records, tax records, and related land use data for all parcels within the county.