Scott County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Scott County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents, case filings, property data, and other official materials will find that ScottINRecords.org aggregates publicly available information related to Scott County, Indiana records. The site may assist users in locating data across multiple record categories, though completeness and currency of information may vary depending on the source agency and the nature of the request.
Records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Tax and financial documents
- 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 in Scott County can be searched through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access: Members of the public may search Indiana court case information through MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search, the official statewide portal maintained by the Indiana Judicial Branch. This tool provides access to civil, criminal, and probate case information filed in Scott County courts. No registration is required for basic case searches. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records portal provides additional guidance on locating court records by county.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Scott County Clerk's Office to inspect or request copies of court records, vital records, and other county documents. The office is located at:
Scott County Clerk's Office
1 East McClain Avenue, Suite 130, Scottsburg, IN 47170
(812) 752-8420
Scott County Government
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and be prepared to specify the record type and relevant identifying information such as case number, party name, or date range.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Scott County Clerk's Office at the address listed above. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a 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 seven days for most requests.
Phone/Email: The Scott County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (812) 752-8420 during regular business hours. Email inquiries may be directed through the county's official website contact form.
What Are Public Records in Scott County?
Public records in Scott 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 and is generated on public funds. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, the term "public record" encompasses a broad range of documents held by government bodies at the state and local level.
The following record types are maintained by Scott County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Scott County Circuit and Superior Courts |
| Probate and family law records | Scott County Circuit Court |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Scott County Recorder's Office |
| Property tax assessments | Scott County Assessor's Office |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Scott County Clerk's Office / Indiana Department of Health |
| Business licenses and permits | Scott County Clerk's Office |
| Voting and election records | Scott County Clerk's Office |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Scott County Auditor's Office |
| Budget and financial documents | Scott County Auditor's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Scott County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Scott County Plan Commission |
The Scott County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website provides direct contact information for local courts and guidance on accessing court-specific records.
Is Scott County an Open Records County?
Scott County operates in full compliance with Indiana's statewide open records framework. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3-1 et seq., all public agencies in the state, including those in Scott County, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying by any person, subject to specific statutory exemptions.
The Indiana Public Access Counselor, an office established to assist the public and government agencies in understanding open records obligations, states: "It is the public 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 as public officials and employees."
Scott County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the county's obligations are governed entirely by state law. The Indiana Attorney General's office provides supplemental guidance on APRA compliance, and the Public Access Counselor issues advisory opinions that apply statewide, including to Scott County agencies.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Scott County?
The current fee structure for public records in Scott County is governed by Indiana state law and individual agency fee schedules. Members of the public are not charged a fee to inspect records in person; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Item | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page (black and white) |
| Certified copies of court records | Varies by document type; set by court |
| Certified copies of vital records | $8.00 per copy (Indiana Department of Health rate) |
| Electronic copies | May be provided at no charge or at cost of reproduction |
| Search fees | Not permitted for standard public records requests under APRA |
Accepted payment methods at the Scott County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods prior to visiting.
Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge only the actual cost of copying and are prohibited from charging fees for the time spent locating or reviewing records. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to serve a significant public interest, at the discretion of the agency.
Does Scott County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Scott County. Indiana law requires that public agencies permit any person to inspect public records during regular business hours at no charge. The right to inspect does not include the right to receive free copies; fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to Scott County records:
- MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search — Members of the public may search court case information at no cost through the Indiana Courts online case search tool, which includes case filings, hearing dates, and disposition information for Scott County courts.
- Scott County Clerk's Office — In-person inspection of court records, election records, and other county documents is available at no charge during office hours.
- Scott County Assessor's Office — Property assessment records and tax information may be inspected in person at no cost.
- Indiana Judicial Branch Public Records — The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides guidance on accessing court records statewide, including those filed in Scott County, at no cost for online searches.
Who Can Request Public Records in Scott County?
Any person may request public records in Scott County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or reason for the request. Requestors are not required to be Indiana residents, and agencies may not demand that a requestor explain why they are seeking a particular record.
Requestors are not required to provide identification for most public records requests, though identification may be required when requesting certain sensitive records, such as certified copies of vital records, where the requestor's identity is relevant to eligibility. Under Indiana law, individuals requesting their own records are subject to the same access rights as any other member of the public, with the additional ability to request correction of inaccurate personal information held by a government agency.
Certain record types carry additional eligibility requirements. Adoption records, sealed court records, and juvenile records are restricted by statute and may only be accessed by parties with a demonstrated legal interest or by court order. Non-residents retain the same general access rights as Indiana residents for all non-restricted public records.
What Records Are Confidential in Scott County?
Not all government records in Scott County are available for public inspection. Indiana law establishes specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, the following categories are among those exempted from mandatory public disclosure:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records and child welfare records
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information
- Medical records and health information protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records (accessible only by court order or eligible parties)
- Personnel files of public employees (with limited exceptions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
- Attorney-client privileged communications involving government agencies
The Indiana Public Access Counselor has noted: "The exemptions to disclosure are to be construed narrowly, and any doubt about whether a record is subject to disclosure should be resolved in favor of disclosure." Agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies before withholding a requested record.
Scott County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Scott County Recorder's Office
1 East McClain Avenue, Suite 120, Scottsburg, IN 47170
(812) 752-8408
Scott County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Additional Offices:
Scott County Assessor's Office
1 East McClain Avenue, Suite 130, Scottsburg, IN 47170
(812) 752-8420
Scott County Assessor
Scott County Auditor's Office
1 East McClain Avenue, Suite 130, Scottsburg, IN 47170
(812) 752-8408
Scott County Auditor
Scott County Sheriff's Office
85 East Wardell Street, Scottsburg, IN 47170
(812) 752-8400
Scott County Sheriff
Scott County Circuit Court
1 East McClain Avenue, Scottsburg, IN 47170
(812) 752-8420
Scott County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch