Dubois County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Dubois County?

Public records in Dubois County are defined under Indiana law as any writing, paper, map, photograph, electronically stored data, or other documentary material created or received by a public agency in connection with the transaction of public business. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, a "public record" encompasses all materials regardless of form or characteristics that are made, maintained, or kept by a public agency. The following categories of records are currently available to members of the public in Dubois County:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Dubois County Circuit and Superior Courts. The Dubois County Indiana Judicial Branch provides guidance on accessing case documents.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers are recorded and maintained by the Dubois County Recorder's Office.
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are held by the Dubois County Health Department. Marriage records dating to 1839 are accessible through the Dubois County Records Library.
Business records — Assumed business name filings, licenses, and permits are managed through the Dubois County Clerk's Office and relevant municipal offices.
Tax records — Property tax assessments and payment histories are maintained by the Dubois County Assessor and Treasurer.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are held by the Dubois County Clerk's Office.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of county commission and board proceedings are available through the Dubois County government portal.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are maintained by the Dubois County Auditor.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Dubois County Sheriff's Department.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, variance applications, and planning documents are held by the Dubois County Area Plan Commission.

Is Dubois County an Open Records County?

Dubois County fully complies with Indiana's statewide open records framework, which establishes a broad presumption of public access to government documents. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person is entitled to inspect and copy the public records of any public agency. The Act affirms that the policy of Indiana is that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees. Key provisions of the Act include:

Public agencies must respond to records requests within 24 hours of receipt if the request is made in person or by telephone, or within 7 days if submitted in writing.
Agencies may not require a requester to state a reason for inspecting or copying public records, except in limited circumstances involving certain restricted record categories.
Dubois County agencies are required to designate an official records custodian responsible for processing requests and ensuring compliance with the Act.

Indiana's Sunshine Laws, including the Public Meetings Act under Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5, further require that meetings of public agencies be open to the public and that agendas and minutes be made available. Dubois County does not currently maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance beyond the requirements established by state law.

How to Find Public Records in Dubois County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Dubois County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for submitting a records request:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the record sought — for example, the Recorder's Office for property documents, the Health Department for certified birth and death certificates, or the Circuit Court Clerk for court filings.
Submit a written request. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the appropriate agency. Written requests should identify the record with sufficient specificity to allow the agency to locate it.
Use online portals where available. Court case information is searchable through the Indiana Courts Case Search (MyCase) portal, which provides public access to case records statewide.
Visit the Records Library. Historical civil, probate, criminal, and marriage records dating from 1839 to the present are accessible through the Dubois County Records Library.
Allow the statutory response period. Agencies must respond within 24 hours for in-person or telephone requests, or within 7 days for written submissions.
Pay applicable fees. Upon notification that records are available, requesters must remit any applicable copying or certification fees before receiving documents.

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

Current fees for public records in Dubois County are governed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which sets limits on the amounts agencies may charge for copying and certifying public records. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Paper copies: Agencies may charge no more than $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies of documents on letter or legal-size paper.
Certified copies: Fees for certified copies vary by record type. Certified birth and death certificates issued by the Dubois County Health Department are subject to a fee established by the Indiana State Department of Health.
Electronic records: When records are provided in electronic format, agencies may charge only the actual cost of the medium used (e.g., a CD or USB drive) plus staff time for any required programming.
Recorder's Office documents: Recorded document copies are subject to per-page fees set by the Recorder's Office in accordance with state statute.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific custodial office prior to submitting payment. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as when the requester is an indigent individual or when the disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the agency.

Does Dubois County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Dubois County, as Indiana law requires that agencies permit members of the public to inspect records at no charge. Copying fees apply only when a physical or electronic copy is requested. The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect records at the offices of the Dubois County Clerk, Recorder, Assessor, and other custodial agencies during regular business hours at no cost.
Online court records: The Indiana Courts Case Search portal provides free public access to court case information for Dubois County Circuit and Superior Court proceedings.
County Records Library: Historical records including civil, probate, criminal, wills, and marriage records from 1839 to the present are accessible through the Dubois County Records Library at no charge for inspection.
Sheriff's Department documents: Public disclosure records related to the Dubois County Sheriff's Department are available through the City of Huntingburg Document Center, which hosts public records request disclosures online.

Who Can Request Public Records in Dubois County?

Any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — is entitled to request public records from Dubois County agencies under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. The Act does not restrict access based on geographic location, meaning non-residents of Indiana retain the same rights as county residents. Specific eligibility provisions include:

No residency requirement: Requesters are not required to be residents of Dubois County or the State of Indiana.
No identification required (generally): Agencies may not require a requester to provide identification as a condition of access, except for certain restricted record categories such as confidential law enforcement records or records containing personal identifying information.
No stated purpose required: Under current law, requesters are generally not obligated to explain why they are seeking a record. Exceptions apply to specific categories of records where the requester's identity or purpose is relevant to determining access rights.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access records that are otherwise restricted to third parties, such as certain personnel or law enforcement records, upon providing appropriate identification.
Restrictions for specific record types: Access to juvenile records, adoption records, and certain law enforcement investigative files is restricted by statute and may require a court order or demonstrated legal interest.

What Records Are Confidential in Dubois County?

Not all government records in Dubois County 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 currently withheld from public access:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile court proceedings are confidential under Indiana law.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled as part of an active criminal investigation are exempt from disclosure to the extent that release would harm the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly disclosed records.
Medical records — Health information protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records — Records related to adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for information such as names, positions, and compensation of public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a public agency is exempt from disclosure.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records containing information about the security of public facilities or critical infrastructure are withheld.

Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodial agency is required to segregate and release the non-exempt portions while redacting confidential content.

Dubois County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Dubois County Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian of property-related public records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property in the county. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of recorded documents during regular public counter hours.

Dubois County Recorder's Office One Courthouse Square, Suite 200, Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 481-7040 Dubois County Recorder's Office

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays.

Dubois County Clerk's Office One Courthouse Square, Suite 122, Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 481-7020 Dubois County Clerk's Office

Dubois County Health Department 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 300, Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 481-7070 Dubois County Health Department

Dubois County Sheriff's Department 701 Main Street, Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 481-7090 Dubois County Sheriff's Department

Dubois County Assessor's Office One Courthouse Square, Suite 105, Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 481-7030 Dubois County Assessor's Office