Boone County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Boone County in 2026
Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to government documents, court filings, property transactions, and vital records may access a range of materials through official county and state channels. BooneINRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Boone County, Indiana. The records accessible through official sources may include, but are not limited to, the following categories:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax assessments)
- Vital records (marriage certificates and divorce decrees)
- Business licenses and permits
- Voter registration and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement records (where permitted by law)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
- The Boone County Recorder's records lookup portal allows members of the public to search recorded documents online. The document index extends back to January 1988 for deeds and January 1989 for all other recorded instruments.
- The MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search tool, maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court, provides public access to court case information statewide, including cases filed in Boone County courts.
- No registration is required to conduct basic searches on either platform.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Boone County Recorder's Office or the Boone County Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. Staff at each office can assist with locating documents and processing copy requests. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and, where applicable, case numbers or document reference numbers to expedite the search.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and any known reference numbers. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed 24 hours on days the agency is open for business for a denial, and seven days for fulfillment or acknowledgment.
Phone/Email:
- Boone County Recorder's Office: (765) 482-3510
- Boone County Clerk's Office: (765) 482-2940
What Are Public Records in Boone County?
Public records in Boone County are defined under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2) as any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, tape, recording, or other material that is created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency. The following record types are maintained by specific county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Boone County Circuit and Superior Courts |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Boone County Recorder's Office |
| Marriage certificates, divorce decrees | Boone County Clerk's Office |
| Birth and death certificates | Indiana Department of Health (state level) |
| Business licenses and permits | Boone County Clerk / relevant municipal offices |
| Property tax and assessment records | Boone County Assessor's Office |
| Voter registration and election records | Boone County Clerk's Office |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Boone County Auditor's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Boone County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Boone County Plan Commission |
As noted by the Boone County Recorder's Office, "the county recorder's primary function is to maintain permanent public records submitted for recording. These records are the legal basis for determining ownership of real property."
Is Boone County an Open Records County?
Boone County operates in full compliance with Indiana's statewide open records framework. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), Indiana Code § 5-14-3-1 et seq., all public agencies in the state, including county offices, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying by any person. The Act establishes a presumption of openness: records are public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
The Indiana Public Access Counselor, an office established to assist the public and government agencies in understanding and complying with APRA, has stated that "the Access to Public Records Act reflects Indiana's commitment to open and transparent government." County agencies are required to designate a public records coordinator and to respond to requests in a timely manner. Boone County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance, as the state statute governs all public agencies within its jurisdiction.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Boone County?
The fee structure for public records in Boone County is governed by state law and varies by record type and requesting office. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge fees for copies but may not charge for the inspection of records.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page (state maximum) |
| Certified copy of a document | Varies by office (recorder: $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification) |
| Electronic copies | Fees may apply; varies by agency |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state law for standard requests |
- The Boone County Recorder's Office charges recording fees and copy fees as established by Indiana statute.
- Certified copies of marriage certificates and divorce decrees obtained through the Clerk's Office carry a per-document fee set by the court.
- Payment methods accepted at county offices include cash, check, and credit/debit cards (where available).
- Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Indiana law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances.
Does Boone County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Boone County government offices during regular business hours. Indiana law prohibits agencies from charging a fee for the inspection of public records; only reproduction carries a cost. Members of the public may inspect records at no charge at the following locations:
- Boone County Recorder's Office — Free online access to recorded document indexes is available through the county's records lookup tool, which covers deeds from January 1988 and other recorded instruments from January 1989.
- Indiana Courts — The MyCase court case search platform provides free public access to court case information without registration.
- Boone County Courts — Members of the public may access court records through the Boone County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website.
Free inspection differs from free copies: while viewing records at a public terminal or office counter carries no charge, obtaining paper or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Boone County?
Any person may request public records in Boone County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act does not restrict access to Indiana residents; non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents. Under current law, requestors are not required to:
- Demonstrate Indiana residency
- Provide a government-issued identification (for inspection purposes)
- State the reason for the request
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. For example, individuals requesting their own criminal history records through the Indiana State Police must follow a separate process and may be required to provide identification and pay applicable fees. Requests for sealed records, juvenile records, or other restricted categories require a court order or demonstrated legal standing. Members of the public requesting records on behalf of another individual or organization may do so without restriction, subject to the same exemptions that apply to any requestor.
What Records Are Confidential in Boone County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 enumerates categories of records that are either confidential by law or discretionarily exempt from disclosure. The following record types are withheld from public access in Boone County:
- Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Indiana law.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — Law enforcement investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes are exempt while an investigation is active.
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly released documents.
- Medical records — Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only through a court petition process.
- Child welfare and protective services records — Maintained as confidential by the Indiana Department of Child Services.
- Personnel records — Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public employee information.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government agencies under a claim of confidentiality.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Exempt to protect public safety.
Agencies applying a discretionary exemption must balance the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure may cause, as contemplated by the APRA framework.
Boone County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Office Name: Boone County Recorder's Office
Physical Address:
116 W Washington St, Suite 204
Lebanon, IN 46052
Phone: (765) 482-3510
Website: Boone County Recorder's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
As the Indiana Judicial Branch notes, "official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record." Members of the public seeking court documents should direct requests to the appropriate court division.
Additional Offices:
Boone County Clerk's Office
116 W Washington St, Suite 201
Lebanon, IN 46052
(765) 482-2940
Boone County Clerk
Boone County Assessor's Office
116 W Washington St, Suite 101
Lebanon, IN 46052
(765) 482-3765
Boone County Assessor
Boone County Sheriff's Office
1905 Indianapolis Ave
Lebanon, IN 46052
(765) 482-1412
Boone County Sheriff
Members of the public seeking guidance on how to request public records from Indiana courts, including certified copies of marriage certificates and divorce decrees, may consult the Indiana Judicial Branch's official instructions for submitting requests to the appropriate clerk's office.