LaPorte County, Indiana court records are available through several channels. LaPorteCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the state's official case search system, directly at the clerk's office, or through public terminals located in court buildings.
LaPorte Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in LaPorte County, each handling specific categories of cases.
Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles criminal felony cases, civil lawsuits, as well as family law and probate cases. The Circuit Court also manages cases related to guardianship, divorces, and adoptions through its Family Law and Probate Division.
Superior Court 1 operates in Michigan City and handles a wide range of cases:
- Civil cases, including claims for damages
- Criminal cases — both felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic violation cases
- Small claims
More detailed information about Superior Court 1 can be found on the county's official website.
Additionally, Superior Court 2 and other divisions operate in the county, distributing the workload according to the case distribution plan. The Indiana Judicial Branch page for LaPorte County contains contact information and a directory of all local courts.
Cases involving juveniles, protective orders, and certain categories of criminal cases may have limited public access according to Rule 5 on Records Excluded from Public Access.
LaPorte Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the MyCase system — the official case search portal for the state of Indiana. Once you find a specific case, the system will show scheduled hearings with dates and times.
Here's how to find information about hearings:
- Go to MyCase and enter the case number or party's last name.
- Select LaPorte County from the list.
- In the case card, view the section with scheduled events.
Note: MyCase does not display all types of hearings. Some closed hearings — for example, in juvenile cases — are not published online.
If you need a complete calendar for a specific court, call the office directly. For Superior Court 1, the contact number is (219) 874-5611. The Clerk of the Circuit Court can also confirm the date and time of the hearing.
How to Get a Copy of a LaPorte Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — suitable for personal review.
- Certified copy — bears the clerk's seal and has legal force; usually required for submission to other institutions.
How to obtain a copy:
- In person — visit the clerk's office in the courthouse. You will need the case number or the full name of the party.
- By mail — send a written request with case details and payment to the clerk's address.
- Online — some documents are available for viewing through MyCase, but downloading a certified copy through the portal is usually not possible.
Clerk of the Circuit Court
To obtain court hearing transcripts, contact the official court reporter of the respective court directly — contacts are available in the Circuit Court staff directory or Superior Court 1.
Marriage and divorce certificates are also issued by the clerk of the county where the event was registered. Additional information about the procedure can be found on the IN.gov page regarding marriage and divorce certificates.
LaPorte Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees for court documents in Indiana are determined by state law (Indiana Code). Below are the approximate fees applicable in LaPorte County:
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Uncertified document copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 and up (depending on the document) |
| Signature certification / clerk's seal | $5.00 |
| Criminal history search (Indiana State Police) | $16.32 |
Specific fees may vary depending on the type of document and court. Confirm current rates directly with the clerk's office.
Payment methods:
- Cash or money order — for in-person requests
- Online payments for some services (fines, probation fees) are accepted through the LaPorte County online payment portal
To check criminal history at the state level, use the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Search service. The result is provided in PDF format and is valid for 14 days. This service covers only felonies and Class A misdemeanors within the state of Indiana.