Adams County Background Check
Adams County background check records are held at the courthouse in Decatur, Indiana. The Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps all case files and court documents for this rural county in the northeastern part of the state. You can search Adams County records through the statewide MyCase portal or visit the clerk's office in person. Criminal history checks are also available through the Indiana State Police. Adams County sits in Judicial District 9 alongside Huntington, Wabash, and Wells counties, and its court system handles both civil and criminal matters that show up in a background check.
Adams County Quick Facts
Adams County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of the Circuit Court in Adams County is the main record keeper for all court files. Shelly M. Brite serves as clerk. Her office stores case files, issues summonses, and handles all court payments. The clerk is elected by Adams County voters and can serve up to two terms in a row. This office is your first stop for a background check in Adams County.
The Adams County clerk also acts as the chief financial officer for the courts. Staff collect fines, fees, and child support payments that the court orders. They keep track of all money tied to court cases. If you need a copy of a court record for a background check in Adams County, the clerk's office charges $1.00 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost more. You can pay in person at the office, but call first to check what forms of payment they take since many Indiana courts do not accept personal checks.
The Adams County Clerk's Office website has basic info on services and hours. For more complex record requests or questions about a background check in Adams County, a phone call is the best way to get help fast.
| Clerk | Shelly M. Brite, Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
112 S. 2nd Street, Room A Decatur, IN 46733 |
| Phone | (260) 724-5309 |
| Fax | (260) 724-5313 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Eastern) |
| ssbrite@co.adams.in.us |
Adams County Sheriff Background Check Info
The Adams County Sheriff's Department is run by Sheriff Daniel Mawhorr. The office sits at 911 W. Peacekeepers Way in Decatur. This department handles law enforcement for the whole county, runs the E-911 system, and operates the multi-agency dispatch center. For a background check in Adams County, the sheriff's office can provide local arrest records and other law enforcement data.
The Adams County Sheriff's Department website gives contact info and details about services. If you need to check on someone who is in the county jail, use the Indiana VINE system by calling 866-959-VINE (8463). This toll-free service helps crime victims track an offender's custody status in Adams County and across the state. It runs around the clock.
You can reach the Adams County sheriff at (260) 724-5345 during business hours. The fax line is (260) 724-5346. For urgent matters, contact them through the dispatch center.
| Sheriff | Sheriff Daniel Mawhorr |
|---|---|
| Address |
911 W. Peacekeepers Way Decatur, IN 46733 |
| Phone | (260) 724-5345 |
| Fax | (260) 724-5346 |
Search Adams County Records Online
The fastest way to run a background check in Adams County is through the MyCase online portal. This is Indiana's statewide court records system. It covers over 400 trial courts in about 300 locations across all 92 counties. You can search by case number, party name, attorney name, or business name. Basic searches are free.
The screenshot below shows the Adams County Clerk's Office website where you can find contact info and learn about their services.
Adams County uses the Odyssey Case Management System, which feeds into MyCase. Keep in mind that the data on MyCase is not the official court record and may have errors. For a verified background check in Adams County, you should contact the clerk's office or get records straight from the court.
For a statewide criminal history check that goes beyond Adams County, use the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History portal. This costs $15 for subscribers or $16.32 for non-subscribers. You can also mail in a request for $7. This check pulls from the state's criminal database and is more thorough than a single-county search. Under Indiana Code Title 35, criminal records in Indiana follow specific rules about what can be shared and what stays sealed.
Note: MyCase data may have a delay of 24 hours or more between a court filing and when it shows up online.
Adams County Court Records for Background Checks
Court records in Adams County are public under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, found in Indiana Code 5-14-3. This means most case files, dockets, and judgments are open to anyone who asks. A background check in Adams County can pull from criminal cases, civil suits, traffic violations, and more.
The Adams County Circuit Court handles all types of cases. The Indiana Courts page for Adams County lists the judges and court info for the area. Adams County is part of Judicial District 9, which also covers Huntington, Wabash, and Wells counties. Some cases may cross county lines within this district, so a full background check should look at the whole district if needed.
The sheriff's department website shows info about law enforcement services in Adams County.
The sheriff's office works with the courts to serve legal papers and carry out warrants, so their records can add context to a background check in Adams County.
Some records are not public. Juvenile cases, adoption files, mental health proceedings, and sealed records are off limits. Protection order cases hide victim info under federal law. If a record has been expunged under Indiana's Second Chance Law (Indiana Code 35-38-9), it will not show up in a background check.
Background Check Fees in Adams County
Getting records from Adams County costs money. Court document copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an added fee on top of that. If you want the clerk's staff to search for records, there may be a search fee as well. Each county in Indiana sets its own local fees, so Adams County rates can differ from other parts of the state.
For a statewide criminal check through the Indiana State Police, you pay $15 to $16.32 depending on your account type. The mail-in option costs $7 for processing. Credit and debit card payments usually have a service fee of around 3.5% at most Indiana clerk offices. Cash, money orders, and cashier's checks are safe bets for payment in Adams County.
For legal help with records or court matters in Adams County, the Indiana Supreme Court website at in.gov/judiciary has resources. The Adams Public Library System can also point you to free legal aid options.
Cities in Adams County
Adams County includes the city of Decatur, which serves as the county seat, along with several smaller towns like Berne, Geneva, and Monroe. All criminal and civil cases in these communities go through the Adams County Circuit Court in Decatur. None of the cities in Adams County meet the 25,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page, but all background check records are handled through the county clerk's office listed above.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Adams County. If you are not sure where to look for a background check, confirm the address first. Cases are filed in the county where the event took place.