Carroll County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Carroll County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Indiana may access a range of publicly available information through CarrollINRecords.us and through official county and state government offices. Carroll County maintains a variety of records that may be available for public inspection, including court filings, property documents, vital records, and law enforcement logs, subject to applicable state law exemptions. The categories of records that members of the public may find include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates)
- Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Business licenses and permits
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access: The Indiana Judicial Branch public records portal provides online access to court case information statewide. Members of the public may search case records using the mycase.in.gov portal without registration for basic searches. Certain document images may require in-person review or a formal request to the clerk's office.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Carroll County Clerk's Office to inspect records at the public counter. The office is located at 101 W Main St, Delphi, IN 46923. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and names of parties involved when submitting an in-person request.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Carroll County Clerk's Office at 101 W Main St, Delphi, IN 46923. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. 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.
Phone/Email: The Carroll County Clerk's Office may be reached by phone at (765) 564-3105. The Clerk-Treasurer's Office for the City of Delphi handles municipal court records, water billing, and related city documents and may be contacted through the City of Delphi's official website.
What Are Public Records in Carroll County?
Public records in Carroll County are defined under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2 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. The following record types are currently maintained by Carroll County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Carroll County Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Carroll County Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Carroll County Health Department |
| Property tax assessments | Carroll County Assessor |
| Business licenses and permits | Carroll County Clerk / City of Delphi |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Carroll County Auditor |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Carroll County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Carroll County Plan Commission |
The Carroll County Circuit Court maintains civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings. Vital records, including birth and death certificates, are administered through the Carroll County Health Department, where the Vital Records Administrator is currently Megan Smith, reachable at vitalrecords@carrollcountyin.gov.
Is Carroll County an Open Records County?
Carroll 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 Indiana, including those in Carroll County, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying by any person. The Indiana Public Access Counselor, the state office responsible for interpreting and enforcing APRA, states that "any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency."
Carroll County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state statute governs all public agency obligations within the county. The Indiana Attorney General's office provides guidance to agencies and requestors on compliance with APRA. Indiana's Sunshine Laws additionally require that meetings of public agencies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for executive sessions as defined under Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5-6.1.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Carroll County?
The current fee structure for public records in Carroll County is governed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which sets limits on the fees that public agencies may charge for providing copies of public records. Standard fees applicable at Carroll County offices are as follows:
- Inspection: No charge for in-person inspection of public records during regular business hours
- Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal size copies
- Certification: An additional fee may apply for certified copies of documents; the Carroll County Clerk charges a standard certification fee per document
- Electronic copies: Agencies may provide records in electronic format; fees for electronic copies may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction
- Search fees: Agencies may not charge a search fee unless the search requires more than two hours, in which case the agency may charge its actual cost
Vital records such as birth and death certificates carry separate statutory fees. The Carroll County Health Department currently charges fees established by the Indiana State Department of Health for certified vital record copies. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers are available in limited circumstances, such as when records are requested by a governmental entity or when the requestor demonstrates indigency.
Does Carroll County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Carroll County government offices during regular business hours, as required by Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Members of the public are not charged a fee to view records in person at the public counter. The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Indiana Judicial Branch's online case search tool (mycase.in.gov) allows free searches of court case information statewide, including Carroll County Circuit Court records
- The Indiana County Jail Public Portal provides free online access to current inmate information for Carroll County and other Indiana counties, searchable by name, date of birth, and county
- The Carroll County Assessor's office provides free online access to property assessment data through the county's GIS and assessment portals
- The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page offers guidance on accessing court documents at no cost
Free inspection differs from free copies: while inspection at a public counter carries no charge, obtaining paper or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Carroll County?
Any person may request public records from Carroll County agencies under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, which provides that "any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency." 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, except in limited circumstances involving certain law enforcement records.
Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect most public records, though identification may be required when requesting records that contain personal information about the requestor, such as vital records. Persons requesting their own records, such as their own criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of eligibility. Non-residents retain the same rights of access as Indiana residents under APRA. Certain record types, such as adoption records and juvenile court records, are subject to additional restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity or residency.
What Records Are Confidential in Carroll County?
Not all government records in Carroll County are available for public inspection. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 identifies categories of records that are either confidential by law or that agencies may, at their discretion, withhold from public disclosure. The Indiana Public Access Counselor notes that "the burden of proof is on the agency to demonstrate that a record falls within a recognized exemption." Confidential and restricted record categories include:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled as part of an active investigation may be withheld
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from public 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 under specific legal procedures
- Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Indiana Code § 31-33-18-1
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are confidential with limited exceptions for certain public employees
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt from disclosure when submitted to a public agency in confidence
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety
Agencies applying discretionary exemptions must weigh the public interest in disclosure against the potential harm of release.
Carroll County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Carroll County Recorder
101 W Main St, Delphi, IN 46923
(765) 564-3105
Carroll County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Carroll County Circuit Court Clerk
101 W Main St, Delphi, IN 46923
(765) 564-3105
Carroll County Circuit Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Carroll County Health Department – Vital Records
915 N East St, Delphi, IN 46923
(765) 564-3054
Carroll County Health Department
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
City of Delphi Clerk-Treasurer's Office
201 S Union St, Delphi, IN 46923
(765) 564-2380
City of Delphi Clerk-Treasurer
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM