Find Public Records in Washington County

Washington County public records are maintained by the county clerk and recorder in Salem, Indiana, covering court filings, land documents, marriage licenses, and other official files. This page explains how to search those records online, by mail, or in person at the courthouse on Public Square.

Washington County Clerk of Courts

The Washington County Clerk of Courts is at 99 Public Square, Salem, IN 47167. Phone: (812) 883-5748. The clerk handles all court filings in the county. That includes civil, criminal, family, probate, and small claims cases. Marriage licenses are issued and stored here too. If you need a certified copy of any court document, the clerk's office is the right contact.

Court copies are typically $1 per page in Indiana. Certified copies carry an added fee. Staff can search by name or case number and pull documents on request. For anything time-sensitive, call ahead to confirm hours and any specific procedures for ordering copies at this office.

Indiana's free MyCase portal at public.courts.in.gov/mycase lets you search Washington County court cases by name or case number at no cost. No login is required. The portal shows filing dates, party names, case status, and scheduled hearings. It covers the Circuit and Superior Courts in Salem.

Indiana's free MyCase court search portal at public.courts.in.gov/mycase covers Washington County cases and lets residents search by name or case number without paying a fee.

MyCase is updated regularly and indexes most case types filed in Washington County Circuit and Superior Courts in Salem.

Property and Land Records

The Washington County Recorder is at 99 Public Square, Salem, IN 47167. Phone: (812) 883-5746. The recorder files and indexes all land documents recorded in the county. That covers deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, easements, and plats. These documents track who owns what and what claims exist against each property.

Doxpop at doxpop.com provides online access to Washington County recorder documents, plus court records and tax warrant data. Free index searches show document type, recording date, party names, and recording number. Full document images require a paid account. For property owners who want to watch for deed fraud or unexpected liens, Doxpop's free Property Watch service sends email alerts when any document is recorded in your name.

For assessor and tax records, contact the Washington County Assessor's office, also at the Public Square courthouse. Property assessments and tax records are public under Indiana law and must be provided when requested.

Marriage Records

Marriage licenses issued in Washington County are filed with the Clerk of Courts. The Indiana Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL covers licenses from 1993 to the present at no charge. Search by name to see if a license was issued. For a certified copy or for records before 1993, call the clerk at (812) 883-5748. Older records may also be available through local genealogical societies that have indexed Washington County historical documents.

Vital Records: Birth and Death Certificates

Birth and death certificates for Washington County are issued by the Indiana Department of Health. They are not held at the county level. Order at in.gov/health/vital-records by mail or online. Birth certificates cost $10. Death certificates are $8. You will need a government ID and, for some records, proof of your relationship to the named individual.

Divorce records are held by the Washington County Clerk, since those are court proceedings. Search through MyCase or call (812) 883-5748 to ask about certified copies. For events that predate the state's digital system, the Indiana State Archives holds older vital records that may fill gaps in the online database.

How to Request Public Records

Indiana's Access to Public Records Act is at IC 5-14-3-1 and IC 5-14-3-3. It gives any person the right to request and receive most Washington County public records. No reason is required. Agencies must respond to written requests within seven calendar days. In-person and verbal requests get a 24-hour response standard.

There is no special form. Write a short description of what you need and send it to the right office. Include the record type, the names and dates involved, and any case or document numbers you already have. For denied requests, the agency must cite a specific legal exemption. If your request is ignored or improperly denied, the Indiana Public Access Counselor at in.gov/pac handles complaints at no cost. You can also call 317-234-0906. The PAC can issue advisory opinions and help resolve disputes with county offices.

Business Records and State Police

Indiana business entity records are free to search at inbiz.in.gov. Look up LLCs, corporations, and other entities by name. For local assumed name (DBA) filings in Washington County, contact the recorder's office in Salem.

Indiana State Police records can be requested at in.accessgov.com/isp-apra. These statewide background checks cover all Indiana counties and are used for employment and licensing. For Washington County Sheriff records, contact that agency directly. The sheriff's office handles local law enforcement records that are not part of the court filing system.

Cities in Washington County

Salem is the county seat of Washington County. Campbellsburg, Hardinsburg, and Pekin are other communities in the county. No cities in Washington County meet the 25,000 population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All court and property records for Washington County residents are handled through the county offices in Salem.

Nearby Counties

Washington County sits in southern Indiana and borders several neighboring counties. Each has its own clerk, recorder, and court system for local filings.