How to Search Indiana Court Records Online (Step-by-Step)

If you've been sued in Indiana, your first move is finding the actual case. You need the case number, the court location, and the status. Without these, you can't respond, you can't negotiate, and you can't plan.

Indiana makes this easier than most states. The state's centralized search tool covers 80+ counties, and most records are free. Here's how to find yours.

Start with Mycase.in.gov (Indiana's Statewide Tool)

Mycase.in.gov is Indiana's official case management system. It pulls from every county that uses the Odyssey platform. That includes most Indiana courts, from Marion County to rural circuit courts.

Go to mycase.in.gov and click "Case Search." You'll see four search options:

• Case Number – The fastest method if you have the number from your summons.
• Party Name – Use your last name and first initial. The system searches defendants, plaintiffs, and third parties.
• Business Name – If you're searching for a case involving an LLC or corporation.
• Attorney Name – Useful if you know the lawyer representing the creditor or debt collector.

The system caps results at 1,000 per search. If you have a common name, add your middle initial or filter by county to narrow it down.

What You'll See in Your Search Results

Once you find your case, click the case number. You'll get:

• Case status (active, dismissed, judgment entered)
• Filing date and court location
• List of documents filed (complaint, motions, orders)
• Hearing dates and outcomes
• Judgment amounts, if any

Most documents are viewable for free. Some counties charge a small fee to download PDFs. If a document isn't available online, the clerk's office can provide a copy.

If Your Case Isn't on Mycase.in.gov

Not every Indiana court uses Odyssey. Small claims in some counties, older cases, and certain specialty courts may not appear on the statewide system.

In that case, contact the county clerk's office where you were served. You'll find their contact information on the summons or by searching "[County Name] Indiana Clerk of Courts."

Call or visit in person. Give them your name and approximate filing date. They can pull the case number and provide copies of the complaint and docket.

How to Use Wildcard Searches

Wildcards let you search with incomplete information. If you know your last name but not how the creditor spelled your first name, use an asterisk.

Example: Search "Smith, J*" to find all cases where the defendant is Smith with a first name starting with J. This catches John Smith, Jane Smith, and James Smith in one go.

Wildcards only work at the end of your search term. You can't search "*son" to find people whose last names end in "son." Start from the left and expand right.

Similar-Sounding Name Searches

Indiana's system includes a phonetic search option. If you're not sure how your name was recorded, check the "similar-sounding names" box.

This helps if:

• Your name has multiple spellings (Smith vs. Smyth)
• The creditor misspelled your name on the complaint
• You go by a nickname and aren't sure what's on file

The search will return anything phonetically close. Expect more results, but you'll catch cases you might have missed.

What to Do Once You Find Your Case

Download or screenshot everything: the complaint, the summons, any motions filed. You need these to respond.

Check the filing date. Indiana gives you 20 days to file an Answer in small claims, and 30 days in most civil cases (including debt collection lawsuits). If you're past that deadline, you may already have a default judgment against you.

If a judgment was entered, look for the amount and the date. You have options even with a judgment in place, but they depend on timing. Learn more about filing bankruptcy to stop collection or check if you qualify for debt relief.

Understanding Case Status Codes

Indiana cases move through stages. Here's what the status codes mean:

• Active – Case is open. You can still file a response or motion.
• Judgment Entered – Court ruled against you. The creditor can now collect via wage garnishment or bank levy.
• Dismissed – Case was closed without a judgment. You likely won or the creditor withdrew.
• Pending – Waiting on a hearing, motion, or response.

If your status is "Judgment Entered," act fast. The creditor has 20 years to collect in Indiana. That's one of the longest enforcement periods in the country.

Requesting Court Transcripts or Additional Documents

Sometimes the online docket doesn't include every document. Sealed records, exhibits, and transcripts usually require a formal request.

To get a transcript from a hearing or trial, contact the court reporter listed on the docket. Transcripts aren't free. Expect to pay $3 to $5 per page, depending on the court.

For other documents, file a request for public records with the clerk's office. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act requires most court records to be available. There are narrow exceptions for sealed cases, adoption records, and juvenile matters.

Searching by Attorney or Creditor

If you know the law firm or debt collector suing you, search by attorney name. This shows you their entire case history in Indiana, which can be useful.

For example, if Midland Funding sues you through the same local attorney they always use, you can see how many cases they've filed, how many go to judgment, and whether they tend to settle.

To search by attorney, you'll need their bar number or full name. Find this on the Indiana State Bar Association website at inbar.org.

What Happens If You Ignore the Lawsuit

Let's be clear: ignoring a lawsuit in Indiana is a mistake. If you don't respond, the court enters a default judgment. The creditor wins by forfeit.

Once they have a judgment, they can:

• Garnish up to 25% of your disposable income
• Freeze and levy your bank account
• Place a lien on your property
• Add post-judgment interest (typically 8% per year in Indiana)

Even if you can't pay the debt, filing an Answer buys you time and leverage. You force the creditor to prove they own the debt and that the amount is correct. Many debt buyers can't do this. A significant percentage of collection cases are dismissed once the defendant fights back.

How Bankruptcy Affects Indiana Court Cases

If you're facing multiple lawsuits or a judgment you can't pay, bankruptcy may stop everything. Filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 triggers an automatic stay, which halts all collection activity.

That includes:

• Wage garnishments
• Bank levies
• Pending lawsuits
• Harassment from creditors

In Chapter 7, most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) are discharged within 3 to 4 months. The judgment disappears. The creditor gets nothing.

In Chapter 13, you repay a portion of your debts over 3 to 5 years. The court sets the payment plan based on your income and expenses. Once you complete the plan, remaining unsecured debts are discharged.

If you're considering bankruptcy, start by checking whether you qualify. Use our free bankruptcy screener to see your options in under two minutes.

Key Resources for Indiana Court Searches

Here are the main tools you'll need:

• Mycase.in.gov – Statewide case search
• Indiana Courts website – Court contact information and self-help resources
• County clerk offices – For cases not on Odyssey or older records
• Indiana State Bar Association – Attorney lookup

Bookmark these. If you're dealing with a lawsuit, you'll be checking your case status regularly.

Common Mistakes When Searching Indiana Court Records

First, people search too narrowly. If you search "John A. Smith" but the case lists you as "John Smith," you'll get no results. Start broad. Use last name only, then filter.

Second, they assume "not found" means "no case." The case may be in a county that doesn't use Odyssey, or it may be filed under a misspelled name. Always follow up with the clerk if you can't find what you're looking for online.

Third, they wait too long. By the time some people search for their case, the deadline to respond has passed. If you were served with a summons, search immediately. Don't wait for a reminder that won't come.

The Bottom Line

Finding your Indiana court case takes five minutes if you know where to look. Start with Mycase.in.gov, use wildcards if needed, and call the clerk's office if the case doesn't appear online.

Once you find it, read the complaint and check your deadlines. If you've been sued for debt and don't know what to do next, Talk About Debt can help you explore your options—including whether bankruptcy makes sense for your situation.