Jay County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Jay County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Jay County, Indiana, may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. JayRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating relevant government data. Jay County maintains records across multiple departments, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law.

Records that members of the public may find through official channels include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Property tax and assessment records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted by law)
Land use and zoning records

Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

Members of the public may search Indiana court case information through MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search, the official statewide portal maintained by the Indiana Supreme Court. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records portal provides guidance on locating court records by county. Property and land records maintained by the Jay County Recorder's Office may be accessed through the Recorder's Office official page. No registration is required to search most publicly available court records through MyCase.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Jay County Clerk's Office or the Recorder's Office at the Jay County Courthouse, 120 North Court Street, Portland, IN 47371. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should identify the record type and approximate date range when presenting a request at the public counter.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted by mail to the applicable office at 120 North Court Street, Portland, IN 47371. Requests should include the full name of the subject, the record type, the approximate date of the record, and the requestor's contact information. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed seven days.

Phone/Email:

Jay County Clerk's Office: (260) 726-4951
Jay County Recorder's Office: (260) 726-4081

Official request forms for certified records, including those maintained by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, are available through the Indiana State Forms Online Catalog.

What Are Public Records in Jay County?

Public records in Jay County are defined by Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3, as any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, card, 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	Custodial Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Jay County Clerk's Office
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Jay County Recorder's Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Jay County Health Department / Indiana State Department of Health
Business licenses and permits	Jay County Clerk's Office
Property tax and assessment records	Jay County Assessor / Auditor
Voting and election records	Jay County Clerk's Office
Meeting minutes and agendas	Jay County Auditor
Budget and financial documents	Jay County Auditor
Arrest logs and incident reports	Jay County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Jay County Plan Commission

The Jay County Clerk's Office currently serves as the official custodian of court records for the Jay Circuit and Superior Court. The Recorder's Office maintains land and property instruments recorded within the county.

Is Jay County an Open Records County?

Jay County operates in full compliance with Indiana's statewide open records framework. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during regular business hours. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that all public records are accessible unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

As stated by the Indiana Public Access Counselor, "The Access to Public Records Act provides that any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency." This principle applies to all county offices in Jay County, including the Clerk, Recorder, Assessor, Auditor, and Sheriff.

The Indiana Judicial Branch further affirms that "official records of court proceedings may only be obtained directly from the court maintaining a particular record," as noted on the Indiana Judicial Branch public records page. Jay County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state APRA governs all public records requests submitted to county agencies.

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

The fee structure for public records in Jay County is governed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which sets limits on the amounts agencies may charge for copying and certifying records. Current standard fees are as follows:

Fee Type	Amount
Paper copies (letter/legal size)	$0.10 per page (standard)
Certified copies (court records)	Varies by document type
Certification fee	Set by individual office
Electronic copies	No charge in many cases
Search fee	Not permitted under APRA for most requests

Inspection of records at a public counter is provided at no charge.
Fees for certified copies of vital records are set by the Indiana State Department of Health and may differ from standard copy fees.
Court-certified copies carry fees established by the Indiana Supreme Court's fee schedule.
Accepted payment methods at Jay County offices include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
Fee waivers are available in limited circumstances, such as when the requestor demonstrates that disclosure primarily benefits the general public.

Does Jay County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Jay County government offices during regular business hours. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, agencies may not charge a fee solely for inspecting records; fees apply only when copies are requested.

Members of the public may access the following resources at no cost:

MyCase Indiana Courts Case Search — The Indiana Courts case search portal provides free online access to court case information statewide, including Jay County Circuit and Superior Court records.
Jay County Clerk's Office — In-person inspection of court filings, civil case records, and related documents is available at no charge during office hours.
Jay County Recorder's Office — Members of the public may inspect recorded land instruments at the public counter without charge.
Indiana County Jail Public Portal — Current and recent inmate information for Jay County is available at no cost through the Indiana County Jail Public Portal, which allows searches by last name, first name, birth date, and county.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining paper or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Jay County?

Any person may request public records from Jay County agencies. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Requestors are not required to be Indiana residents, and agencies may not require a requestor to explain the reason for a records request as a condition of access.

Specific provisions include:

Identification: Agencies may not require identification as a condition of inspecting public records, though identification may be required for certain certified copies or records involving personal information.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most public records requests.
Non-residents: Non-residents of Indiana retain full rights to request and inspect public records under state law.
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as court case files or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity to protect personal information.
Requesting records about others: Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same access rights, except where specific exemptions apply to protect personal privacy.

The Jay County local court directory provides contact information for the courts and clerk offices that maintain official court records.

What Records Are Confidential in Jay County?

Certain records maintained by Jay County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, which enumerates specific categories of confidential information. The following record types are not subject to public inspection:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other personal identifying information
Medical records and health information protected under HIPAA
Adoption records
Child welfare and protective services records
Personnel files of public employees (with exceptions for disciplinary actions)
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and related documents

Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 provides that agencies "shall not disclose" records falling within these enumerated categories. In cases where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, agencies are required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder. The Indiana Public Access Counselor's office issues advisory opinions on disputed exemption claims and serves as a resource for both requestors and agencies navigating the boundaries of the APRA.

Jay County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Jay County Recorder's Office
120 North Court Street #2
Portland, IN 47371
(260) 726-4081
Jay County Recorder's Office

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

Jay County Clerk's Office (Jay Circuit & Superior Court)
120 North Court Street
Portland, IN 47371
(260) 726-4951
Jay County Clerk's Office