Indiana public records laws and regulations provide access to government records like budget reports and meeting minutes. They also allow public access to records on individuals, such as vital records and criminal records.

State of Indiana public records laws can be classified by the type of public records that they affect. These include the three following categories:

1. Laws on Indiana state public records that address the way in which these records can be accessed. These laws control issues such as the requirement for providing a reason for the information, specifying fees that an agency may charge and stating the length of time that the state is allowed to respond to a request for information.
2. Laws that specify an individual's information that may be considered public. These laws affect the way in which an individual may access their own information and how they may allow access by another party.
3. Laws that control the government records that the public may access. These laws may be intended to keep individuals informed on government decisions or allow journalists to report on government activity.
   

Action Steps
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Examine the laws that control access to an Indiana public record

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for Indiana is a law that typically guides access to Indiana court records and is usually handled by the attorney general's office. Indiana criminal records may also be obtained from municipal and county courts.

I recommend: The Indiana Commission on Public Records provides extensive information on the laws regarding public information in Indiana. The Indiana Coalition for Open Government offers resources for keeping updated on changes in public records laws in Indiana.

Study the laws that affect Indiana access to public records on individuals

Public records laws control access to Indiana bankruptcy records, criminal history and vital statistics. Some of these records may only be accessible to a designated individual or a party.

I recommend: State Archives and Libraries offers a public records search and provides information on the laws for accessing records on individuals in Indiana. CensusRecords.net provides the specific regulations for accessing each type of vital record in Indiana.

Review the Indiana public records laws that affect government records

Government records laws allow access to records such as real estate sales, budget reports and meeting minutes. Some government entities may specialize in one particular type of record, while others may provide access to many different types of government records.

I recommend: The Indiana General Assembly provides the laws that control the public's access to government records. Wayne County provides the regulations on accessing a variety of government records such as meeting minutes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Indiana public records law is generally guided by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This federal legislation was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. The FOIA was amended by the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments in 1996, which controls the electronic access the public has to these records.

Whether you're looking for information about a potential employee or researching facts on a property, you need to access Indiana public records. Public records are documents that have been filed or recorded by either public agencies or private individuals. Such records include birth and death records, marriage and divorce papers, criminal records, real estate documents, licenses, and so on.

Public records are held by the federal, state and local governments, who in turn determine their availability. Although Indiana state public records are accessible to the public, you may be expected to pay for some information; the fees will vary depending on the department. You can always visit state departments and offices for public records, though there's a breadth of information online.

When researching public records, remember the following:

1. When doing a background check on an individual, you may want to consider a nationwide search. This will cover information, not just in public records in Indiana, but in the country as a whole.

2. Make sure that the Indiana official records you get are up to date.

3. Get information from a credible source when searching Indiana online public records. You may be liable for turning someone down if you base a hiring decision on incorrect facts.

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Take advantage of Indiana access to public records when researching real estate options

Information on real estate is always available to the public. If you're looking for specific data on a particular property, such as zoning information, assessments or building requirements, you can find those on government sites, such as county offices. Additionally, you can research title and deed information, find out who owns a property and get tax information.

I recommend: Real Marketing is an online resource that provides links to Indiana county assessor's offices, county recorder's offices and county treasurer's offices. You can find comprehensive property information by visiting these online government resources.

Consider checking Indiana court records before you hire an employee

As a business owner, it's smart to run background checks on potential employees, especially if you're hiring child care providers and teachers. Background checks can range from verifying a person's Social Security number, to a detailed account of the person's history and acquaintances. Before doing a background check, you must get permission from the individual.

I recommend: The Indiana State Police can help you obtain limited criminal records with their criminal history search tool. Contact the department for a more extensive search. Additionally, public access to court records is available at Doxpop, a network of over 45 Indiana counties that provide access to current and historic cases from over 100 courts.

Track down anyone with a state of Indiana public records search

With the assistance of the Internet and the right data, you can track down any individual, living or deceased. If you already know the person's Social Security number, date of birth, or last known address, you can use these to research vital records. Less information than that makes your search a little more difficult, but still possible.

I recommend: You can find records of marriage, divorce, birth and death at the Indiana State Department of Health. People Search can help you track someone down using a variety of information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates how consumer credit information, such as Indiana bankruptcy records, is collected and used by outside companies-- not employers. The act also restricts reporting on records of arrest and other negative information after seven years, with the exception of criminal convictions.

Indiana public records applications and uses are becoming more common due to their increasing accessibility through the Internet. Increased access to public records has led to the growth of the information broker industry, which uses public records to build profiles on millions of people and provides information to anyone who pays a fee. Individuals who know where to look also may be able to search public records for free. Access to public records is controlled at the federal level by the Freedom of Information Act and Indiana has its own version of this legislation.

There are a variety of professionals who may have an interest in Indiana state public records. These include the following three general categories:

1. Genealogical research on state of Indiana public records. Researchers use older vital records to locate ancestors or other people of historical interest. These records may be available from genealogical societies, public libraries and government agencies.
2. Background checks. Employers are making more frequent use of criminal records to investigate the personal history of job applicants.
3. News reports. Reporters and other people with an interest in government activity may wish to access public records on meetings and voting records.
   

Action Steps
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Use an Indiana public record to research the founders of a business

Indiana vital records, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and death certificates, frequently are helpful for getting information about the early owners of a company and researching the history of a business. Vital records in Indiana become publicly available after a specified period of time and are of genealogical, rather than personal, interest.

I recommend: The Monroe County Health Department offers Illinois public records, such as birth and death certificates, specifically for genealogical purposes. St. Joseph County has two locations that offer older vital records in Illinois.

Search Indiana online public records to perform background checks

Law enforcement officials, private detectives and prospective employers may use Indiana bankruptcy records and criminal records to investigate an individual's background. Access to Indiana court records tends to be more restricted than access to other types of public records, and may require the subject's permission.

I recommend: The Indiana State Police provides a limited criminal history search of public records in Indiana. IndyGov.Biz provides criminal history searches for a nominal fee.

Obtain Indiana access to public records for the purpose of reporting on government activity

Reporters frequently use government records in Indiana, such as voting records and meeting minutes. Access to these types of public records is controlled by Indiana's Sunshine laws. There are organizations of journalists and ordinary citizens that work to keep government records in Indiana available to the public.

I recommend: The Indiana Coalition for Open Government has a form for requesting government records in Indiana. IN.gov provides specific instructions for obtaining each type of government record in Indiana.