Putnam County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Putnam County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to government documents in Putnam County, Indiana, may locate publicly available information through PutnamCountyRecords.org as well as through official county and state government offices. Public records maintained by Putnam County agencies may include court filings, property documents, vital records, law enforcement logs, and administrative records. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the custodial office, the nature of the document, and applicable state law. Record categories that members of the public may search include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax and financial records
- Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
- Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
The Indiana Courts case search portal allows members of the public to search court case information statewide, including cases filed in Putnam County. The portal provides access to case summaries, party names, and hearing dates. Certain case types, including sealed and juvenile matters, are not available through the online system. No registration is required to conduct a basic case search. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page provides additional guidance on locating court documents and submitting formal records requests.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Putnam County Clerk's Office to inspect or obtain copies of court records, marriage licenses, and other documents maintained by that office. The office is located at 1 Courthouse Square, Greencastle, Indiana 46135. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should be prepared to provide the case number, party name, or document type when submitting an in-person request.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted to the relevant custodial office by mail. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and any known identifiers such as case numbers or recording dates. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email:
- Putnam County Clerk's Office: (765) 653-2648
- Putnam County Recorder's Office: (765) 653-2003
What Are Public Records in Putnam County?
Public records in Putnam County are defined under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act 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. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, a "public record" encompasses documents in any format, including electronic records, that are prepared or used in connection with the transaction of public business by a government agency.
The following record types are maintained by Putnam County agencies:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records | Putnam County Circuit and Superior Courts |
| Property deeds, mortgages, and liens | Putnam County Recorder's Office |
| Property tax and assessment records | Putnam County Assessor's Office |
| Marriage licenses and divorce decrees | Putnam County Clerk's Office |
| Birth and death records | Indiana Department of Health / County Health Department |
| Business licenses and permits | Putnam County Clerk's Office |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Putnam County Sheriff's Office |
| Meeting minutes and budget documents | Putnam County Auditor's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Putnam County Plan Commission |
The Putnam County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website provides direct contact information for local court offices and guidance on obtaining copies of court documents.
Is Putnam County an Open Records County?
Putnam 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 those in Putnam County, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying by any person. The Act establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that records are considered public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
As stated in the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, "a fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government is that government is the servant of the people and not their master." This principle underlies the obligation of all Putnam County offices to respond to public records requests in a timely and complete manner.
The Indiana Public Access Counselor, an office established under state law, provides advisory opinions and guidance to both agencies and requestors regarding compliance with APRA. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may file a complaint with the Public Access Counselor at in.gov/pac.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Putnam County?
The standard fee structure for public records in Putnam County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, agencies may charge fees for copying public records, but such fees may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
Current standard fees applicable to most Putnam County offices include:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page (standard) |
| Certified copies of court documents | $1.00 per page + certification fee |
| Certified copies of vital records | $8.00–$10.00 per document |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as when records are requested for indigent individuals or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency.
Does Putnam County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Putnam County government offices during regular business hours. Indiana law does not permit agencies to charge a fee solely for inspecting records; charges apply only when copies are requested. Members of the public may review documents in person at the relevant custodial office at no cost.
Several categories of records are accessible online at no charge:
- Court case information is searchable at no cost through the Indiana Courts case search tool, which provides access to case summaries and party information for Putnam County proceedings.
- Current inmate and booking information for Putnam County is available through the Indiana County Jail Public Portal, which allows searches by name, county, and booking date at no charge.
- Historical and genealogical records, including marriage records, birth indexes, and death records, are accessible through the Indiana State Library's Putnam County research guide, which catalogs available collections and finding aids.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no fee, obtaining paper or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Putnam County?
Any person may request access to public records maintained by Putnam 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.
For standard public records requests, identification is not required. However, certain record types—particularly those involving personal records such as vital records or sealed court documents—may require the requestor to demonstrate a qualifying relationship or legal interest. For example, certified copies of birth and death certificates are restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives.
Non-residents retain the same rights as Indiana residents under APRA. Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or arrest records, follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional verification of identity may be required by the custodial office for records containing sensitive personal information.
What Records Are Confidential in Putnam County?
Not all records maintained by Putnam County agencies are available for public inspection. Indiana law establishes specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. The following record types are confidential under state and federal law:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Indiana Code § 31-39-1-2.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly released documents.
- Medical records: Protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state law.
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory procedures.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Indiana Code § 31-33-18-1.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for certain public employees.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a government agency in confidence.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.
As stated in the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, "any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency," subject to the enumerated exemptions. Agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies when denying a request.
Putnam County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Putnam County Recorder's Office
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 30
Greencastle, IN 46135
(765) 653-2003
Putnam County Recorder's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Putnam County Clerk's Office
1 Courthouse Square
Greencastle, IN 46135
(765) 653-2648
Putnam County Clerk's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Putnam County Assessor's Office
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 25
Greencastle, IN 46135
(765) 653-4312
Putnam County Assessor's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Putnam County Sheriff's Office
24 N. Indiana Street
Greencastle, IN 46135
(765) 653-3211
Putnam County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM