Court records in Dearborn County, Indiana can be searched through several channels. DearbornCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also search records through the state's official MyCase portal, contact the Clerk of Court's office directly, or use public terminals at the courthouse in Lawrenceburg. Additional details on each access point are outlined below.
Dearborn Court System & Jurisdictions
Dearborn County is part of Judicial District 22 in Indiana's trial court system. The county operates two main courts:
Dearborn Circuit Court
The Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction. It handles:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases (including tort, contract, and real-property disputes)
- Domestic relations matters (divorce, custody, paternity, protective orders)
- Probate and estate proceedings (wills, guardianships, trusts)
- Juvenile delinquency and status-offense cases
- Appeals from lower courts and administrative agencies
Notably, the Dearborn-Ohio Circuit Court shares jurisdiction with neighboring Ohio County under the same judge.
Dearborn Superior Court
The Superior Court has overlapping general jurisdiction and typically manages:
- Class A misdemeanor and lower-level criminal cases
- Small claims (civil disputes up to $10,000 under Indiana Trial Rule 75)
- Traffic and ordinance violations
- Infractions
- Civil collections and landlord-tenant matters
If you are unsure which court holds a particular case, search by party name or case number on MyCase — results will indicate whether the case is in Circuit or Superior Court.
Dearborn Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's court schedule in Dearborn County, use the following resources:
- MyCase — Visit mycase.in.gov, search for a specific case, and check the "Events" or "Hearings" tab for scheduled dates. The Indiana Judicial Branch MyCase help page explains how to search effectively.
- Dearborn County's official website — The Dearborn County government site lists contact information for county offices. You can call the Clerk's office to confirm upcoming hearing dates.
- Courthouse postings — Daily dockets are typically posted at the Dearborn County Courthouse in Lawrenceburg. Public terminals inside the courthouse may also display current calendars.
Indiana does not maintain a single statewide daily-calendar portal for all counties. If you need a full day's docket rather than a single case schedule, contact the court directly:
How to Get a Copy of a Dearborn Court Document
The Dearborn County Clerk of Court is the custodian of court records for both Circuit and Superior Court. You can request copies through three channels:
Online
Some case documents — such as chronological case summaries and select filings — are viewable through MyCase. However, official certified copies must be obtained directly from the Clerk's office. Not all documents are available online; sealed, confidential, and restricted records are excluded under Indiana Code 5-14-3 and Indiana Supreme Court Administrative Rule 9.
In Person
- Visit the Clerk's office at the Dearborn County Courthouse (address above).
- Provide the case number or the full names of the parties involved.
- Specify whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
- Pay the applicable fee at the counter. The Clerk's office accepts payment at the time of the request.
By Mail
Send a written request to:
Include:
- Case number (if known) or party names and approximate filing date
- Description of the document(s) requested
- Whether you need certified or uncertified copies
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
- A check or money order payable to the Dearborn County Clerk for the estimated fees
Certified vs. uncertified: A certified copy carries the Clerk's seal and signature, making it suitable for legal proceedings, background checks, and filings with other agencies. An uncertified copy is for informational use only and costs less.
Restricted records: Juvenile cases, adoption files, certain mental-health proceedings, and records sealed by court order are not available to the general public. Ask the Clerk whether a specific record is accessible before submitting payment.
For historical Dearborn County records — particularly those predating the 1826 courthouse fire — the Indiana State Library's Dearborn County research guide and the Indiana State Archives may have surviving materials.
Dearborn Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court records in Indiana are set by statute (primarily Indiana Code § 33-37). The table below reflects standard fees that apply in Dearborn County. Contact the Clerk's office to confirm current amounts, as fees may be updated by administrative order.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $5.00 (first page) + $1.00 each additional page |
| Certificate and seal (certification fee) | $5.00 |
| Court record search (per name) | Contact Clerk for current fee |
| Limited criminal history check (state level) | Free via Indiana State Police online search |
Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, or money order. Ask the Clerk's office whether credit or debit cards are accepted.
- By mail: Check or money order payable to "Dearborn County Clerk."
If you are searching for incarceration status rather than court records, the Indiana Department of Correction offender search is available at no cost. For statewide criminal history beyond what MyCase shows, the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History tool covers felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests across Indiana.