Indiana Background Check Records
Indiana background check records are kept by state and county offices across all 92 counties. The Indiana State Police runs the main criminal history database for the whole state. County clerk offices and sheriff departments hold local records too. You can search these records online through MyCase, the state court records system, or use the Indiana State Police criminal history portal. Many local police departments in Indiana cities also offer limited background checks at their records divisions. This guide covers every way to find and search background check records in Indiana, from state databases to county and city office resources.
Indiana Background Check Quick Facts
How to Run an Indiana Background Check
The Indiana State Police is the main source for statewide criminal history checks in Indiana. Their Criminal History Services page lets you start a background check online. You pick the type of check you need and pay the fee. The ISP keeps records from all 92 counties in one place. This makes it the best first stop for a background check in Indiana.
The ISP offers a few types of background checks. A limited criminal history check shows arrests and court cases tied to a name. It pulls data from law enforcement agencies across Indiana. You can run this check through the ISP website or by mail. The online method is faster and gives you results in less time. A full fingerprint-based check is also an option for those who need a more complete Indiana background check. The fingerprint check matches against both state and FBI records, which covers cases outside Indiana too.
You can start a limited criminal history search at the ISP Limited Criminal History page. The search uses name and date of birth. Keep in mind that a name-based search cannot guarantee a perfect match. Two people may share the same name.
Note: The ISP limited criminal history only includes Indiana records and does not cover other states.
Background Check Fees in Indiana
Fees for a background check in Indiana vary by method and source. The Indiana State Police charges $16.32 for a non-subscriber limited criminal history check online. Subscribers pay $15 per check. If you send your request by mail, the fee drops to $7 for processing. These fees cover the cost of searching the state criminal history database. The ISP fee schedule has the full list of costs for each type of background check in Indiana.
Local police departments charge their own fees for background checks too. South Bend charges $7 for a local check. Greenwood also charges $7. Hobart charges $20. Michigan City charges $30. Some cities like Fishers, Noblesville, and Westfield offer free limited background checks for residents. Fees at county sheriff offices vary as well. Most accept cash, and some take credit cards with a service fee. Call ahead to check the exact cost for a background check at your local Indiana office.
Under Indiana Code 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act, agencies can charge fees for copies of records. They cannot charge you just to view a record in Indiana. The law sets rules on what agencies can bill for when you request a background check or any public record. The Indiana Courts Public Records portal has more details on how to request records and what fees apply.
Search Court Records in Indiana
MyCase is Indiana's free statewide court records system. It covers over 400 trial courts across all 92 counties. You can search by case number, party name, attorney, or business name. The system runs on the Odyssey case management platform. Most Indiana courts use it. Go to public.courts.in.gov/mycase to start a search. It costs nothing to look up basic case info. This is a key tool for any background check in Indiana since it shows criminal cases, civil cases, and traffic matters.
The data on MyCase is not the official court record. It may have errors or lag behind real-time updates. For an official copy of a court record in Indiana, you still need to contact the county clerk office where the case was filed. But for a quick background check, MyCase gives you a solid starting point. You can see case types, filing dates, and case status for free. The MyCase help page shows how to use the search tools and what each field means.
Doxpop is another option for court records in Indiana. It is a third-party service that pulls data from Indiana courts, clerks, recorders, and the Department of Revenue. Doxpop requires a subscription. It offers deeper search tools than MyCase and covers recorded documents like deeds and liens too. Many Indiana counties use Doxpop for their public records access.
Indiana Background Check Databases
Indiana runs several online databases that can be part of a full background check. Each one covers a different type of record. Together, they give a wide view of someone's history in Indiana.
The Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry lists people who must register under Indiana law. You can search by name, county, or zip code. The registry shows photos, addresses, and offense details. It is run by the Indiana Department of Correction. This is a free tool and a common part of any Indiana background check.
The IDOC Offender Locator tracks people who are in state prison or on parole in Indiana. You can look up current inmates and see their charges, sentence length, and release dates. This database is also run by the Indiana Department of Correction. It is free to use and does not need an account.
The Indiana Protection Order Registry is a statewide database of active protection orders. Courts across Indiana file these orders when someone gets a protective order granted. This registry helps law enforcement and the public check for active orders. It is another piece of a thorough Indiana background check.
Other Public Record Resources
The Indiana Child Abuse Registry is a separate database that tracks findings of child abuse or neglect in Indiana. Access to this registry is limited. It is mainly used by agencies and organizations that work with children. You cannot run a self-check on this one. But it is part of the broader background check system in Indiana.
The Indiana Department of Child Services runs its own background check process for people who provide care for children in Indiana. This covers foster parents, group home staff, and others in the child welfare system. The DCS check pulls from multiple state and federal databases. It is one of the most thorough background checks available in Indiana.
For crash reports in Indiana, BuyCrash.com is the main source. Most Indiana law enforcement agencies upload reports there. You can buy a copy online with a credit card. Crash reports are not part of a criminal background check, but they are public records in Indiana. The Indiana Courts public records request page explains how to get other types of court documents too.
Under Indiana Code 5-14-3, agencies must respond to written requests within seven days. They must respond to verbal or in-person requests within 24 hours. If a request is denied, the agency must cite the specific law that allows the denial. You can contact the Public Access Counselor at 317-234-0906 if you think a background check or records request was wrongly denied in Indiana.
Note: Some records in Indiana are sealed or restricted by court order, including certain family court matters and juvenile records.
Browse Indiana Background Check Records by County
Each of Indiana's 92 counties has its own sheriff office and clerk of courts. These offices handle local background check records and court files. Pick a county below to find contact info and local resources for running a background check in that area.
Background Check in Indiana Cities
Many Indiana cities have their own police records divisions that handle local background checks. Pick a city below to find out how to get background check records in that area.