Bartholomew County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Bartholomew County?

Public records in Bartholomew County are defined according to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified under Indiana Code § 5-14-3. This statute establishes that public records include any material that is "created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency." These records document the business and functions of government and are maintained by various county departments.

Bartholomew County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the Bartholomew County Clerk's office. These include judgments, filings, and case dispositions.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are recorded and maintained by the Bartholomew County Recorder's Office.
Vital Records: Birth and death certificates from 1882 to present are available through the Bartholomew County Health Department, while marriage licenses and divorce decrees are handled by the County Clerk.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations (doing business as or DBA) are maintained by various county departments.
Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records are maintained by the Bartholomew County Treasurer and Assessor offices.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results are maintained by the County Clerk's Election Division.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of the County Commissioners, County Council, and various boards and commissions are maintained by the respective bodies and the County Archives Department.
Budget and Financial Documents: County financial records, budgets, and expenditure reports are maintained by the Auditor's Office.
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (where not exempt), and jail records are maintained by the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits are maintained by the Planning Department.

The Bartholomew County Archives Department serves as the central repository for many historical county records, preserving documents dating back to the county's formation in 1821.

Is Bartholomew County an Open Records County?

Bartholomew County fully complies with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) as codified in Indiana Code § 5-14-3. This state law establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law.

Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3(a), "Any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency, except as provided in section 4 of this chapter." This provision establishes the fundamental right of access that Bartholomew County observes.

The county has implemented procedures in accordance with state requirements that designate each department's records custodian and establish protocols for responding to public records requests. Per state law, Bartholomew County must respond to requests within specified timeframes—typically acknowledging requests within 24 hours (for requests made in person or by telephone) or seven days (for mailed, faxed, or emailed requests).

Bartholomew County government offices adhere to the transparency principles outlined in Indiana's sunshine laws, which include both the Access to Public Records Act and the Open Door Law governing public meetings. The Bartholomew County government website provides information about accessing various county records and services.

Each county department maintains its own records access policies within the framework of state law, with the County Commissioners serving as the ultimate policy-making authority for county-wide records management practices.

How to Find Public Records in Bartholomew County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Bartholomew County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county currently provides multiple access points for public records:

Visit the appropriate county office in person:
- Identify which department maintains the records you seek
- Visit during regular business hours (typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Bring identification and any relevant information to help locate specific records
- Be prepared to complete a public records request form
Submit a written request:
- Prepare a written request specifying the records sought
- Include contact information and preferred delivery method
- Submit to the appropriate department's records custodian
- The Bartholomew County Clerk and Recorder offices provide standardized request forms
Access online resources:
- The Bartholomew County website provides access to many digital records
- Court records can be searched through the Indiana Judicial Branch portal
- Property records are searchable through the Recorder's online database
- Meeting minutes and agendas are posted on department websites
Contact the Bartholomew County Archives:
- The Archives Department maintains historical records
- Research assistance is available for locating older county documents
- Special collections and historical materials require advance appointments
Submit requests by mail or email:
- Direct written requests to the specific department
- Include detailed description of records sought
- Provide return address or email for response

For court records specifically, the Bartholomew County Courts maintain case information through the state's online portal. Many recent court records are available through the state's public access system.

Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, agencies must respond to requests within specified timeframes and provide reasonable assistance in locating and retrieving requested records.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Bartholomew County?

Bartholomew County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which establishes guidelines for permissible charges. The current fee structure includes:

Standard copying fees: $0.10 per page for black and white copies (letter or legal size)
Color copies: $0.25 per page where available
Certified copies: Additional $1.00 certification fee per document
Large format documents: Variable rates based on size (maps, plats, blueprints)
Electronic records: May be provided at no cost if already in electronic format, or standard copying fees may apply for scanning paper records

Specific departmental fees include:

Recorder's Office: $1.00 per page for recorded documents as established by state statute
Vital Records: $15.00 for birth certificates, $8.00 for death certificates
Marriage Licenses: $18.00 for certified copies
Court Records: $1.00 per page for certified copies, $0.10 per page for non-certified copies

Accepted payment methods across county offices include:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks (made payable to the specific county office)
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees in some departments)

The county may waive fees when:

The request is made by another governmental agency
The request is specifically authorized for fee waiver by statute
The records are being provided in the public interest to a non-profit organization

For extensive searches requiring substantial staff time, additional labor costs may be assessed in accordance with state law. These fees are calculated based on the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the search.

All fees must be paid before records are released, and departments may require advance payment for requests exceeding $50.00.

Does Bartholomew County Have Free Public Records?

Bartholomew County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Indiana state law. The following records and services are available at no cost:

In-person inspection: Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8(c), all public records may be inspected at no charge during regular business hours. This right to free inspection applies even when copies would incur fees.
Online resources: The Bartholomew County website provides free access to:
- County Commission meeting agendas and minutes
- Budget documents and financial reports
- Property tax information (basic search functions)
- Election results and voter information
- County ordinances and regulations
Court case information: Basic case information is available through the Indiana Courts Online Portal at no cost, though document copies may incur fees.
Property ownership verification: Basic property ownership information can be verified at no cost through the Assessor's Office, though detailed reports may incur fees.
Voter registration verification: Voters may verify their registration status at no cost through the County Clerk's Election Division.
Public notices: Legal notices, bid announcements, and public hearing schedules are posted free of charge on county bulletin boards and the county website.

The Bartholomew County Archives Department also provides free research assistance for historical records, though copying fees may apply if documents are needed.

While inspection is free, standard copying fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested, as outlined in the county's fee schedule and in accordance with state law.

Who Can Request Public Records in Bartholomew County?

Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request and obtain public records from Bartholomew County. The law states that "any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency," establishing a broad right of access.

Key eligibility considerations include:

Residency requirements: No Indiana residency is required to request public records from Bartholomew County.
Identification: While basic identification may be requested for certain records, requestors are generally not required to show identification for standard public records. However, specific records such as vital records (birth/death certificates) and certain court documents may require proof of identity or demonstration of legitimate interest.
Purpose disclosure: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most public records. As specified in Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3(a), a public agency may not deny or condition access based on the requestor's refusal to state the purpose of the request.
Personal records access: Individuals seeking their own records (such as vital records or court documents) may need to provide identification to verify their identity.
Commercial use: While commercial use of public records is permitted, certain bulk data requests may be subject to additional restrictions or fees.
Attorney requests: Attorneys may request records on behalf of clients and may need to provide documentation of their representation.
Media requests: Members of the media have the same rights of access as any other person under Indiana law.
Incarcerated persons: Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3(g), incarcerated persons have limited rights to public records, with exceptions for certain personal records.

The Bartholomew County Clerk's Office and other county departments process requests in accordance with these statutory provisions, ensuring equal access to public information while protecting confidential information as required by law.

What Records Are Confidential in Bartholomew County?

Bartholomew County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, which establishes specific exemptions from public disclosure. These protected records include:

Sealed court records: Cases sealed by judicial order, including certain juvenile proceedings, adoption matters, and expunged criminal records.
Juvenile records: Records of juvenile delinquency proceedings are confidential under Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2, with limited exceptions for certain agencies and individuals.
Law enforcement investigatory records: Active investigation materials, intelligence information, and records that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings if released.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information are redacted from public records.
Medical records: Health records maintained by county agencies are protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are confidential under Indiana law, with access restricted to parties and their legal representatives.
Child welfare records: Department of Child Services records regarding abuse, neglect, and child welfare cases are confidential.
Personnel records: Certain information in county employee personnel files is exempt, including medical records, performance evaluations, and personal information.
Attorney-client privileged communications: Legal advice and communications between county officials and county attorneys.
Trade secrets and confidential financial information: Proprietary business information submitted to the county.
Security and infrastructure records: Information about security systems, emergency response protocols, and critical infrastructure.
Deliberative materials: Records that reflect the deliberative process of decision-making prior to final agency action.
Test questions and scoring keys: Examination materials used for employment or licensing purposes.
Library records: Information that identifies library patrons and their borrowing history.

The county applies a balancing test as required by law when determining whether discretionary exemptions should be invoked, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and potential harm from release.

Requests for exempt records are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and partial disclosure with appropriate redactions may be provided when possible.

Bartholomew County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Bartholomew County Recorder's Office
440 Third Street, Suite 101
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 379-1520
Bartholomew County Recorder

Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Recorder's Office maintains and provides access to various property and vital records, including:

Property deeds and transfers
Mortgages and liens
Military discharge records (DD-214)
Subdivision plats and surveys
Business certificates and assumed names
Tax liens and releases
Mechanic's liens
Power of attorney documents
Marriage licenses (historical)

For research assistance or questions about specific documents, members of the public may contact the office directly during business hours. The office maintains records dating back to the county's formation in 1821, with many historical records also available through the Bartholomew County Archives Department.

Additional county offices that maintain public records include:

Bartholomew County Clerk's Office
234 Washington Street
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 379-1600
Bartholomew County Clerk

Bartholomew County Archives Department
440 Third Street
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 379-1524
Bartholomew County Archives