Vigo County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Vigo County?

Public records in Vigo County are defined according to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified under Indiana Code § 5-14-3. This statute defines public records as 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.

Vigo County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Vigo County Courts
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Vigo County Recorder's Office
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records maintained by the Vigo County Assessor and Treasurer
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Vigo County Election Board
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board proceedings, and other public bodies
Budget and Financial Documents: County financial statements, budgets, and expenditure reports
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions) maintained by the Vigo County Sheriff's Office
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits

The Vigo County public records portal serves as a central resource for accessing many of these documents, though specific records may require contacting the appropriate department directly.

Is Vigo County an Open Records County?

Vigo County fully complies with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, "any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency," with certain exceptions for confidential or sensitive information.

The statute specifically states that "a request for inspection or copying must identify with reasonable particularity the record being requested," and agencies must respond to requests within specified timeframes—typically within 24 hours for in-person requests and within seven days for written requests.

Vigo County has implemented policies to ensure compliance with these state requirements. The county maintains a formal public records request process through various departments, including the Sheriff's Office and County Recorder.

Additionally, Vigo County adheres to Indiana's Open Door Law (Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5), which requires public meetings to be open and accessible to the public, with meeting notices posted in advance.

How to Find Public Records in Vigo County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Vigo County may follow these procedures to access various document types:

Identify the appropriate department: Determine which county office maintains the records you seek. The Vigo County website provides a directory of departments and their record holdings.
Submit a formal request: Complete the county's public records request form or submit a written request that identifies with reasonable particularity the records being sought. The Vigo County Sheriff's Office provides an online form for law enforcement records.
For court records: Contact the Vigo County Courts directly or use the state's online case search system, mycase.in.gov, for publicly available court documents.
For property records: Visit the Vigo County Recorder's Office in person or use their online search portal through their partnership with Doxpop, LLC.
For vital records: Birth and death certificates are available through the Vigo County Health Department, while marriage licenses and divorce decrees can be obtained through the Clerk's Office.
Pay applicable fees: Be prepared to pay any required fees for document reproduction or certification.
Receive documents: Records will be provided in the requested format (if available) once the request is processed and approved.

For expedited service, requestors are encouraged to be as specific as possible about the records they seek, including relevant dates, names, and document types.

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

Vigo County charges standardized fees for public records in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which establishes guidelines for reasonable fees. Current fees include:

Standard document copies: $0.10 per page for black and white copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
Color copies: $0.25 per page
Certified copies: Additional $1.00 per document
Electronic records: May be provided at no cost if already in electronic format, or at the cost of the medium (CD, DVD, etc.)
Specialized documents: Maps, plats, and oversized documents have varying fees based on size and complexity

Specific departments may have additional fee structures:

Recorder's Office: $5.00 for the first page of recorded documents and $2.00 for each additional page
Vital Records: Birth certificates ($10.00), death certificates ($10.00 for first copy, $4.00 for additional copies)
Court Records: Varying fees depending on document type and certification requirements

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, and money order. Some departments may accept credit cards, though convenience fees may apply.

The county cannot charge for inspection of records, only for copies. Additionally, pursuant to state law, agencies may waive fees when doing so is in the public interest.

Does Vigo County Have Free Public Records?

Vigo County provides free access to inspect public records in accordance with Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, which states that "any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency." While copying fees may apply, the inspection of records is available at no cost.

The following free resources are available to Vigo County residents and the general public:

In-person inspection: All non-confidential public records may be viewed free of charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
Online resources: The Vigo County website provides access to certain records at no cost, including:
- County Commission meeting agendas and minutes
- County budget information
- Property assessment data (basic information)
- Election results
Court case information: Basic case information is available through the state's public access portal at no cost
GIS mapping: Basic property information and maps are available through the county's online GIS portal

The Vigo County Recorder's Office provides limited free access to property records through their online portal, though full document access may require payment.

Who Can Request Public Records in Vigo County?

Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Vigo County government offices. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3 specifically states that "any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency."

Key eligibility considerations include:

No residency requirement: Non-residents of Vigo County or Indiana may request records
No purpose statement required: Requestors generally do not need to state their reason for seeking records
Identification requirements: Some records may require verification of identity, particularly when:
- Requesting one's own confidential records
- Seeking records with restricted access
- Requesting vital records such as birth certificates

For certain specialized records, additional eligibility restrictions may apply:

Vital records: Birth and death certificates may be restricted to immediate family members or those with a direct interest
Medical records: Access is typically limited to the individual or their authorized representative
Juvenile records: Generally confidential with limited exceptions
Law enforcement investigative records: May have restricted access while investigations are ongoing

Commercial entities may request public records, though certain bulk data requests may be subject to additional restrictions or fees under Indiana law.

What Records Are Confidential in Vigo County?

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

Personal information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifying information
Medical records: Health records protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
Juvenile records: Court proceedings, arrest records, and other documents related to minors
Ongoing investigations: Active law enforcement investigative records that could compromise investigations if released
Sealed court records: Records ordered sealed by a judge, including certain expunged criminal records
Adoption records: Documents related to adoption proceedings
Child welfare records: Department of Child Services investigations and case files
Personnel matters: Certain employee records, including medical information and performance evaluations
Attorney-client privileged communications: Legal advice and strategy documents
Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security information: Details about public safety systems, emergency response plans, or infrastructure vulnerabilities
Educational records: Student records protected under FERPA
Deliberative materials: Preliminary drafts and notes that are part of the decision-making process

The Vigo County Sheriff's Office and other county departments apply these exemptions in accordance with state law. When a record contains both public and confidential information, agencies will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder when possible.

Indiana law requires agencies to cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records, and requestors have the right to appeal denials to the Indiana Public Access Counselor.

Vigo County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Vigo County Recorder's Office
33 South 3rd Street, 1st Floor
Terre Haute, IN 47807
(812) 462-3381
Vigo County Recorder

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Recorder's Office serves as the official custodian of property records in Vigo County, maintaining documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, military discharge papers, and other land records. The office provides both in-person and online access to these documents through their partnership with Doxpop, LLC for electronic records retrieval.

Additional County Offices for Public Records:

Vigo County Clerk's Office
33 South 3rd Street, 1st Floor
Terre Haute, IN 47807
(812) 462-3211
Vigo County Clerk

Vigo County Health Department
127 South 7th Street
Terre Haute, IN 47807
(812) 462-3428
Vigo County Health Department

Vigo County Sheriff's Office
201 Cherry Street
Terre Haute, IN 47807
(812) 462-3226
Vigo County Sheriff