Jasper County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Jasper County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Jasper County, Indiana, may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state court systems, and online portals. JasperINRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating relevant records. The types of documents that may be available include court filings, property records, vital records, meeting minutes, and other materials maintained by county agencies. Availability and completeness of records vary by record type, custodial office, and applicable state law.
Online Access:
Members of the public may search court case information through the Indiana Courts case search portal, which provides access to civil, criminal, and probate case data statewide. The Jasper County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website provides direct contact information for local court divisions. Property and land records may be accessed through the Jasper County Recorder's office portal. No registration is required to conduct basic searches through these platforms, though certified copies must be obtained directly from the custodial office.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Jasper County Clerk's Office or the Recorder's Office during regular business hours to inspect or request copies of records. The Jasper County Clerk's office is located at 115 W. Washington Street, Rensselaer, IN 47978. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should be prepared to provide the name of the record subject, approximate date range, and record type when submitting an in-person request.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, 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:
- Jasper County Clerk's Office: (219) 866-4926
- Jasper County Recorder's Office: (219) 866-4930
What Are Public Records in Jasper County?
Public records in Jasper County are defined under Indiana law as any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, tape, recording, or other material created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by a public agency. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, a "public record" encompasses all documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristics that are created or received by a public agency in connection with the transaction of public business.
The following categories of records are currently maintained by Jasper County agencies:
- Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Jasper County Circuit and Superior Courts
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and land transfers maintained by the Jasper County Recorder
- Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates maintained by the County Clerk and the Indiana Department of Health
- Business records — assumed business name filings and licenses maintained by the County Clerk
- Tax and assessment records — property tax records and parcel assessments maintained by the County Assessor and Auditor
- Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results maintained by the County Clerk
- Meeting minutes and agendas — county council and board meeting documents, including county council agendas, maintained by the respective governing bodies
- Budget and financial documents — appropriations, expenditures, and audit reports maintained by the County Auditor
- Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, subject to applicable exemptions, maintained by the Jasper County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records — permits, variances, and zoning maps maintained by the County Plan Commission
Is Jasper County an Open Records County?
Jasper 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 by any person. The Indiana Public Access Counselor, an office established to assist the public and agencies in understanding APRA, 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."
Jasper County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the county's obligations are governed entirely by state statute. County agencies are required to designate a records custodian and to respond to requests in a timely manner. The Jasper County Clerk serves as the primary records custodian for court-related and administrative documents. Meeting records, including agendas and minutes, are posted publicly in accordance with Indiana's Open Door Law, which governs the transparency of governmental body proceedings.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Jasper County?
The standard fee structure for public records in Jasper County is governed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which sets limits on the amounts agencies may charge for copies and related services. Current fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:
| Record Type | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page |
| Certified copies (vital records) | $8.00–$10.00 per document |
| Certified court document copies | Varies by court; contact clerk |
| Electronic format copies | No charge if already in electronic form |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
- Inspection fees: Members of the public may inspect records at no charge during regular business hours.
- Copy fees: Paper copies are assessed at $0.10 per page for standard sizes. Oversized documents may be subject to actual cost of reproduction.
- Certification fees: Certified copies of vital records are subject to fees set by the Indiana State Department of Health and the County Clerk.
- Electronic format fees: Agencies may not charge for providing records already maintained in electronic format, beyond the actual cost of the medium.
- Search fees: Indiana law does not permit agencies to charge a search fee for locating records.
- Fee waivers: Agencies retain discretion to waive fees for indigent requestors or for requests determined to be in the public interest.
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted methods prior to submitting payment.
Does Jasper County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Jasper County government offices during regular business hours. Indiana law requires that agencies permit any person to inspect public records at no cost, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Indiana Courts case search tool provides free online access to court case information, including case numbers, party names, hearing dates, and case status. As noted on the portal, "MyCase is not the official court record and may contain errors or omissions. Accuracy of the information is not warranted. Official records of court proceedings may only be obtained from the court."
- The Jasper County Recorder's office provides online access to property records and recorded documents at no charge for basic searches.
- County council meeting agendas and minutes are posted publicly on the Jasper County website at no charge.
- The Indiana Secretary of State's office provides free online access to business entity filings.
Who Can Request Public Records in Jasper County?
Any person may request public records from Jasper County agencies under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Requestors are not required to be Indiana residents, and agencies may not require a requestor to state the purpose of the request as a condition of access. Identification is not required for inspection of records, though it may be requested for administrative purposes when obtaining certified copies.
Specific provisions apply to certain record categories:
- Vital records — Certified copies of birth and death certificates are restricted to the subject, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest, pursuant to Indiana Code governing vital statistics.
- Criminal history records — Certain criminal history information is subject to access restrictions based on the nature of the offense and the disposition of the case.
- Juvenile records — Access to juvenile court records is restricted by statute and requires a court order in most circumstances.
- Personal records requests — Individuals requesting their own records may be required to provide identification to verify identity before release of sensitive personal information.
Non-residents retain the same rights as Indiana residents to inspect and copy public records, with the exception of record categories that impose subject-specific access restrictions.
What Records Are Confidential in Jasper County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Indiana law. The Access to Public Records Act identifies both mandatory and discretionary exemptions. Mandatory exemptions require agencies to withhold specific information; discretionary exemptions permit agencies to withhold information but do not require it.
The following records are currently exempt from public disclosure in Jasper County:
- Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the public
- Juvenile records — Records of juvenile proceedings are confidential by statute
- Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes, where disclosure would interfere with enforcement proceedings
- 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
- Child welfare records — Records of the Department of Child Services are confidential
- Personnel records — Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to agencies in confidence
- Security plans and infrastructure details — Plans for the security of public facilities and critical infrastructure
Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 enumerates the specific categories of records that agencies must or may withhold. Agencies applying a discretionary exemption are required to balance the public interest in disclosure against the interest in confidentiality.
Jasper County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Jasper County Recorder's Office
115 W. Washington Street, Suite 201
Rensselaer, IN 47978
(219) 866-4930
Jasper County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Jasper County Clerk's Office
115 W. Washington Street
Rensselaer, IN 47978
(219) 866-4926
Jasper County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Jasper County Circuit and Superior Courts
115 W. Washington Street
Rensselaer, IN 47978
Jasper County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays