Jennings County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Jennings County in 2026
JenningsRecords.us aggregates publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Jennings County, Indiana. Members of the public seeking official documentation — including court filings, property records, vital records, and government meeting minutes — may locate and request those materials through the channels described below. Available record categories include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Land use, zoning, and building permit records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
- The Jennings County Government website provides access to GIS mapping, online tax payment, and links to county department pages where certain records are posted.
- The Indiana Courts case search portal (MyCase) allows members of the public to search court case information statewide, including Jennings County Circuit and Superior Court filings, at no charge.
- Property assessment data is accessible through the Jennings County Assessor's online portal linked from the county website.
- No registration is required to conduct basic searches on MyCase or the county GIS system.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Jennings County Courthouse. The County Clerk's Office maintains court records, while the Recorder's Office holds property documents. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the record sought, provide identification if required for restricted record types, and complete any applicable request form provided by staff.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be addressed to the appropriate office (Clerk, Recorder, or Assessor) at the Jennings County Courthouse, 5 East Cross Street, Vernon, IN 47282. Requests must identify the record with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond within a reasonable time, and denial must be provided in writing with the legal basis stated.
Phone/Email:
- Jennings County Clerk: (812) 352-3070
- Jennings County Recorder: (812) 352-3060
- Jennings County Assessor: (812) 352-3015
What Are Public Records in Jennings County?
Public records in Jennings County are defined under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3, 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. The following record types are currently maintained by Jennings County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Jennings County Circuit/Superior Court Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Jennings County Recorder |
| Property tax and assessment records | Jennings County Assessor / Treasurer |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) | Jennings County Health Department / Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | Jennings County Clerk / Plan Commission |
| Voting and election records | Jennings County Election Board |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Jennings County Auditor |
| Budget and financial documents | Jennings County Auditor |
| Law enforcement records (where permitted) | Jennings County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Jennings County Plan Commission |
The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides additional guidance on locating court-specific records, including instructions for requesting documents from the county where a case was heard.
Is Jennings County an Open Records County?
Jennings County operates in full compliance with Indiana's statewide open records framework. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, all public agencies — including county offices — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying by any person. The Act establishes a presumption of openness: records are public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
As stated by the Indiana Public Access Counselor, "The Access to Public Records Act provides that any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency." This principle applies to all Jennings County departments, boards, and commissions.
The Indiana Public Access Counselor's office issues advisory opinions and formal opinions interpreting APRA, which county agencies are expected to follow. Jennings County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; state law governs all public records access within the county. Indiana's Open Door Law, codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5, further requires that meetings of public agencies be open to the public, and that meeting notices, agendas, and minutes be made available.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Jennings County?
The current fee structure for public records in Jennings County is governed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which sets limits on what agencies may charge for copies and related services. Standard fees are as follows:
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page |
| Certified copies (court records) | Varies by document type |
| Electronic copies (where available) | No charge or minimal fee |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Certification fee (Recorder documents) | Set by state statute |
- Inspection fees: Members of the public may inspect records at no charge during regular business hours.
- Copy fees: Paper copies are charged at the rate established by state law, not to exceed $0.10 per page for standard documents.
- Certification fees: Certified copies of court records and recorded documents carry fees set by the Indiana General Assembly and may vary by document type.
- Electronic format: Agencies that provide records in electronic format may charge the actual cost of the medium (e.g., a USB drive) but not additional labor costs.
- Search fees: Indiana law does not permit agencies to charge a search fee for locating records.
- Fee waivers: Agencies have discretion to waive fees, particularly for indigent requestors or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.
Accepted payment methods at Jennings County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request.
Does Jennings County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Jennings County government offices during regular business hours. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, no fee may be charged solely for inspecting a record — charges apply only when copies are made or certification is requested.
The following free resources are currently available:
- MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search: The Indiana Courts online case search provides free public access to court case information for Jennings County Circuit and Superior Court proceedings. As noted on the MyCase portal, "Official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record," but case index information is available at no cost.
- Jennings County GIS and Property Data: The county's online GIS system, accessible through the Jennings County Government website, provides free access to parcel maps, property ownership data, and assessment information.
- Public Access Terminals: The Jennings County Courthouse provides public access terminals where members of the public may search and inspect electronic records at no charge.
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County commission meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents posted on the county website are available for free download.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no cost, obtaining paper or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Jennings County?
Any person may request public records from Jennings County agencies under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Eligibility is not limited to Indiana residents; non-residents retain the same right of access as county or state residents.
Key provisions regarding requestor eligibility include:
- Residency: Requestors are not required to be Indiana residents or Jennings County residents to access public records.
- Identification: Agencies may not require a requestor to provide identification as a condition of accessing public records, except for certain restricted record types (e.g., records containing personal identifying information accessible only to the subject of the record).
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a reason or purpose for their request for most public records. Agencies may not deny access based on the requestor's intended use of the record.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking their own records (e.g., personal court records, vital records) may be required to provide identification to verify identity before restricted personal information is released.
- Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records — such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files — are accessible only to authorized parties as defined by statute.
The Indiana Judicial Branch public records guidance provides specific instructions for individuals seeking their own court records or records pertaining to family members.
What Records Are Confidential in Jennings County?
Not all government records in Jennings County are subject to public disclosure. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 enumerates categories of records that are either mandatory or discretionary exemptions from public access. The following record types are currently exempt from disclosure:
- 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 criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled as part of an active investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed or charges are filed.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data embedded in otherwise public records must be redacted prior to disclosure.
- Medical records: Patient health information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to public employees' compensation and job titles.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a public agency is exempt from disclosure.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Records describing security systems, vulnerabilities, or critical infrastructure are exempt to protect public safety.
Agencies applying a discretionary exemption must weigh the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure may cause — a balancing standard recognized in Indiana's APRA framework.
Jennings County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Jennings County Recorder's Office
5 East Cross Street, Vernon, IN 47282
(812) 352-3060
Jennings County Government
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Jennings County Clerk's Office
5 East Cross Street, Vernon, IN 47282
(812) 352-3070
Jennings County Government
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Jennings County Circuit and Superior Court
5 East Cross Street, Vernon, IN 47282
(812) 352-3070
Jennings County Court – Indiana Judicial Branch
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Jennings County Assessor's Office
5 East Cross Street, Vernon, IN 47282
(812) 352-3015
Jennings County Government
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Jennings County Sheriff's Office
600 Walnut Street, Vernon, IN 47282
(812) 346-5977
Jennings County Government