Terre Haute Public Records

Public records in Terre Haute, Indiana are maintained by multiple offices at the city and county level. The city clerk holds city government documents, Vigo County handles court cases and property records, and the Terre Haute Police Department keeps its own records. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act requires government agencies at all levels to respond to records requests within seven days.

Terre Haute City Clerk

The Terre Haute City Clerk's office handles official city government documents. You can reach the city clerk by phone at 812-244-2103. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clerk keeps city council meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and records of city-issued licenses and permits.

To request city records, contact the clerk's office in writing. Describe the record type, the department that likely holds it, and the relevant dates. The city must respond within seven calendar days under Indiana APRA. Electronic copies of many records can be provided by email if you prefer that format.

City department records beyond what the clerk holds, such as those from public works, parks, or city utilities, require a request directed to the relevant department. The clerk can help direct you to the right office if you're not sure where a specific record lives.

Terre Haute Police Records

The Terre Haute Police Department handles its own records. The THPD Records Unit can be reached at 812-244-2560. Accident reports, incident reports, and other police documents can be requested by contacting the records unit directly. Some reports require payment of a copy fee before release.

Active investigation files and records involving juveniles are generally exempt from release under APRA. For reports involving personal injury or property damage, you typically need to provide the report number, the date, and your name or connection to the incident. THPD can tell you by phone whether a specific report is available and what the copy fee is.

If a records request to THPD is denied, the department must give you a written reason. Disputes about police records can be taken to the Indiana Public Access Counselor, whose contact information is listed at the bottom of this page.

Court Records Through Vigo County

Court filings for Terre Haute cases are processed at the Vigo County level. The Vigo County Circuit and Superior Courts handle civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. The Vigo County Clerk maintains the records. Terre Haute is the Vigo County seat, so the courthouse is in town.

Indiana's free MyCase portal covers Vigo County cases. Search by name or case number at public.courts.in.gov/mycase to find hearing dates, filed documents, and case status for civil, criminal, and family matters.

Certified copies and full document images require contact with the Vigo County Clerk. Visit the Vigo County public records page for clerk address, phone number, hours, and copy fees. Document fees vary by type and page count. Marriage and dissolution records also come from the Vigo County Clerk.

Property Records in Terre Haute

Real estate documents for Terre Haute are filed at the Vigo County Recorder's office. Deeds, liens, mortgages, and other instruments are part of the public record. The Vigo County Recorder is in the same courthouse complex, which makes it convenient to visit in person.

Doxpop at doxpop.com/prod/recorder provides online access to the Vigo County recorder index. Search by party name or parcel. The free Property Watch service alerts you when documents are recorded against a property. Full document images require a Doxpop account in most counties.

Property tax and assessment records are at the Vigo County Assessor. Assessed values, exemptions, and parcel information are public records. In-person access at the assessor's office is free.

Vital Records and Marriage Licenses

Birth and death records for Terre Haute and Vigo County are available from the Indiana Department of Health. A certified birth copy costs $10 and a certified death copy costs $8. You can order at in.gov/health/vital-records by mail, online, or in person at the state office.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Vigo County Clerk. Search for marriage records statewide using the free Indiana marriage lookup tool at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL. Divorce records are in the Vigo County Clerk's court files and also appear in MyCase for cases filed in Vigo County courts.

APRA Rights and How to Request Records

Indiana Code IC 5-14-3-1 and IC 5-14-3-3 give you the right to inspect and copy public records held by any government agency in Indiana. This includes Terre Haute city departments, Vigo County offices, and state agencies. Requests must get a response within seven days.

For state law enforcement records, the Indiana State Police APRA portal is at in.accessgov.com/isp-apra/. Business entity records for Indiana companies are at inbiz.in.gov at no charge.

If you run into trouble with a records request, the Indiana Public Access Counselor at in.gov/pac reviews disputes for free. The PAC can be reached at (317) 234-0906. Most agencies comply after a PAC advisory opinion, even though opinions are not court orders. It is a free and usually effective option when a denial seems improper.

Nearby Indiana Cities

Other qualifying Indiana cities near Terre Haute are listed below.