Henry County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Henry County in 2026
HenryINRecords.us provides publicly available information and data related to public records maintained by government agencies in Henry County, Indiana. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or law enforcement reports may access these materials through official county offices, state-administered online portals, and designated public access terminals. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the document, and applicable state law.
Records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access: Members of the public may search Indiana court case information through MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search, the official statewide portal maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court. As noted on the portal, "official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record." The Henry County Court page on the Indiana Judicial Branch provides additional local court information and links to applicable local rules. Land records maintained by the Recorder's Office are accessible through the Laredo online platform, which is designed for title insurance firms and other real estate-related entities requiring regular access to Henry County land records.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Henry County Clerk's Office or the Recorder's Office during regular business hours to inspect records in person. The Henry County Clerk's Office maintains court-related documents and provides access to the Indiana Courts Public Access terminal on-site. Requestors should bring sufficient identifying information to assist staff in locating the relevant record.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate county office. Requests should include the requestor's name, a description of the record sought, the preferred format for delivery, and contact information. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond to written requests within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email: The Henry County Sheriff's Department accepts public records requests via the official public records request form, which may be submitted by mail, email, or fax at 765-521-3745.
What Are Public Records in Henry County?
Public records in Henry County are defined under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3, as any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, card, tape recording, or other material that is created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency. The following record types are currently maintained by Henry County government offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Henry County Clerk's Office / Circuit Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Henry County Recorder's Office |
| Property tax and assessment records | Henry County Assessor / Auditor |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) | Henry County Health Department / Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | Henry County Clerk's Office |
| Voting and election records | Henry County Clerk's Office |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Henry County Auditor / respective boards |
| Budget and financial documents | Henry County Auditor |
| Law enforcement records | Henry County Sheriff's Department |
| Land use and zoning records | Henry County Plan Commission |
The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides guidance on accessing court records at the county level, including information on which court maintains specific case types.
Is Henry County an Open Records County?
Henry County operates in full compliance with Indiana's statewide open records framework. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that all public records are accessible unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
The Indiana Public Access Counselor, an office established to assist the public and government agencies in understanding open records obligations, has stated that "the Access to Public Records Act reflects Indiana's commitment to open and transparent government." Henry County agencies are bound by this statute and may not impose additional restrictions beyond those authorized by state law. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; the state APRA governs all public records requests submitted to county offices.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Henry County?
The fee structure for public records in Henry County is governed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which sets limits on the amounts agencies may charge for inspection and reproduction of public records. Current standard fees are as follows:
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Photocopies (paper, per page) | $0.10 per page (standard) |
| Certified copies | Varies by record type and office |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state law |
- Inspection of public records during regular business hours is provided at no charge.
- Copy fees may vary by office; the Recorder's Office and Clerk's Office each maintain their own fee schedules consistent with state law.
- Certification fees for court documents are set by the Indiana Supreme Court and applied uniformly at the county level.
- Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards.
- Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as when records are requested for indigent individuals or when the public interest in disclosure is demonstrated.
Does Henry County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Henry County government offices during regular business hours, as required by state law. Members of the public are not charged a fee to view records in person. The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- MyCase Indiana: The Indiana Courts Case Search portal provides free online access to court case information statewide, including Henry County cases.
- Henry County Clerk's Office: Members of the public may inspect court filings, election records, and related documents at no cost during office hours.
- Henry County Recorder's Office: Land records may be inspected in person at no charge; the Laredo online subscription service is available for entities requiring frequent remote access.
- Indiana Judicial Branch: The public records section of the Indiana Judicial Branch provides free guidance and links to court record resources.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the reproduction fees described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Henry County?
Any person may request public records from Henry County agencies. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, there is no residency requirement, and requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most record types. Identification is not mandated for general public records requests, though some offices may ask for identifying information to assist in locating specific records.
Specific provisions apply in the following circumstances:
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Indiana retain the same rights to access public records as Indiana residents.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure.
- Requesting records about others: Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same general access rules, except where specific exemptions apply (see confidential records section below).
- Restricted record types: Certain categories of records, such as juvenile court records or sealed case files, are subject to additional access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity or purpose.
The Henry County Court page provides information on local court rules that may affect access to specific case types.
What Records Are Confidential in Henry County?
Not all records maintained by Henry County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 enumerates categories of records that are either confidential by law or discretionarily exempt from disclosure. The following records are currently withheld from public access:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information embedded in public documents
- Medical records and health information protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel files of public employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary records)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and related materials
Agencies applying a discretionary exemption are required to conduct a balancing test, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the potential harm of release. The Indiana Public Access Counselor is available to review disputes regarding the application of exemptions. Members of the public who believe a record has been improperly withheld may file a complaint with the Public Access Counselor or seek judicial review.
Henry County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Henry County Recorder's Office
101 S. Main Street, New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 529-4044
Recorder's Office | Henry County, IN
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
The Recorder's Office maintains land records, deeds, mortgages, liens, and related real property documents. The Laredo online platform is available for title insurance firms and real estate professionals requiring regular remote access to Henry County land records.
Henry County Clerk's Office
101 S. Main Street, New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 529-6401
Clerk's Office | Henry County, IN
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
The Clerk's Office maintains court records, election records, business filings, and related documents. On-site access to the Indiana Courts Public Access terminal is available during regular business hours.
Henry County Sheriff's Department
1215 Race Street, New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 529-1560
Members of the public seeking law enforcement records, including incident reports and arrest logs, may submit a public records request form to the Sheriff's Department by mail, email, or fax at 765-521-3745.
Henry County Health Department
1201 Race Street, New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7029
The Health Department maintains vital records including birth and death certificates for events occurring within Henry County.