Knox County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Knox County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Knox County, Indiana may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state resources. KnoxINRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by Knox County government agencies. The records accessible through official channels may include, but are not limited to, the following categories:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting 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 maintained by Knox County and the State of Indiana.
Online Access:
- The Knox County public documents portal provides access to important public records, documents, policies, and regulations for Knox County, Indiana.
- The Indiana Courts statewide case search tool, MyCase, allows members of the public to search court case information online. Note that MyCase data is not the official court record and may contain errors or omissions; official records of court proceedings may only be obtained from the Clerk of the Courts.
- Property and land records may be searched through the Knox County Recorder's office portal.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant county office. The Knox County Clerk of the Courts and the Knox County Recorder both maintain public counters at the Knox County Courthouse, 111 North 7th Street, Vincennes, Indiana 47591. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and be prepared to describe the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate office at Knox County Courthouse, 111 North 7th Street, Vincennes, IN 47591. Requests should include the requestor's name, return address, a description of the record sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, a public agency must respond to a written request within a reasonable time, not to exceed 24 hours on days the agency is open for business, to either provide the record or deny the request with a written explanation.
Phone/Email:
- Knox County Clerk of the Courts: (812) 885-2521
- Knox County Recorder: (812) 885-2521 (main courthouse line)
What Are Public Records in Knox County?
Public records in Knox County are defined by Indiana state law 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 and which is generated on a public agency's letterhead or otherwise connected to the transaction of public business. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, a "public record" means 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 currently maintained by Knox County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Clerk of the Courts |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Knox County Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Indiana Department of Health / Clerk |
| Tax assessment records | Knox County Assessor |
| Business licenses and permits | Knox County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | Knox County Election Board |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Knox County Auditor |
| Budget and financial documents | Knox County Auditor |
| Law enforcement records | Knox County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Knox County Plan Commission |
As noted by the Indiana Judicial Branch for Knox County, members of the public should contact the local court directly with questions about getting a copy of a document in a case if it is not available through online tools.
Is Knox County an Open Records County?
Knox 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 Indiana, including Knox 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: "The Access to Public Records Act reflects Indiana's commitment to open government and the public's right to know how their government operates." Knox County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state statute governs all county agency obligations. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may file a complaint with the Indiana Public Access Counselor at in.gov/pac.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Knox County?
The current fee structure for public records in Knox County is governed by Indiana state law and individual office schedules. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, a public agency may charge fees for providing copies of public records, but such fees may not exceed the actual cost of copying.
Standard fees currently in effect include:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page (standard rate) |
| Certified copies of court records | $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee |
| Recorded document copies (Recorder) | $1.00 per page |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
- Certification fees apply when an official seal or attestation is required.
- Search fees are not permitted under Indiana law unless the search requires extraordinary use of agency resources.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in circumstances where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest; requestors should inquire directly with the relevant office.
- Accepted payment methods at Knox County offices include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county office.
Fees may vary by record type and the office maintaining the record.
Does Knox County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Knox County. Indiana law requires that public agencies permit any person to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may view records without cost, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
The following free resources are currently available:
- Online case search: The Indiana Courts case search portal provides free online access to court case information statewide, including Knox County cases.
- Knox County public documents: The Knox County documents portal offers free access to a range of public records, policies, and regulations online.
- In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect records at the Knox County Clerk of the Courts and Knox County Recorder offices at no charge during business hours.
- Property records: Basic property record information is accessible through the Knox County Recorder's online resources at no cost.
Who Can Request Public Records in Knox County?
Any person may request public records in Knox County, Indiana. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, eligibility to request records is not limited to Indiana residents. Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents of the state.
Requestors are not required to:
- Demonstrate Indiana residency
- Provide a reason or purpose for the request
- Disclose their identity for most record types
However, certain record types carry additional requirements:
- Identification: Some offices may request identification for administrative purposes, but identification is not a prerequisite for access to most public records.
- Restricted records: Access to certain records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, or records containing protected personal information, may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal right or interest.
- Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records (e.g., their own criminal history or court file) may be required to provide identification to verify identity before release.
Members of the public requesting records on behalf of another individual or an organization should be prepared to provide documentation of authorization if the records sought are not fully open to the general public.
What Records Are Confidential in Knox County?
Not all government records in Knox County are open to public inspection. Indiana law establishes specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, the following categories of records are confidential and not subject to public access:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Social Security numbers and financial account information
- Medical records and protected health information (also subject to federal HIPAA regulations)
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel files of public employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
The Indiana Public Access Counselor has noted: "The exemptions in APRA are to be construed narrowly, and any doubt about whether a record is subject to disclosure should be resolved in favor of disclosure." When a public agency denies a request, it is required to provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption that applies. Requestors who dispute a denial may seek an advisory opinion from the Indiana Public Access Counselor or pursue judicial review.
Knox County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Knox County Recorder
111 North 7th Street, Suite 22
Vincennes, IN 47591
(812) 885-2521
Knox County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
The Knox County Recorder, sometimes referred to as the registrar of deeds, is responsible for maintaining public records related to real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land instruments.
Knox County Clerk of the Courts
111 North 7th Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
(812) 885-2521
Clerk of the Courts – Knox County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
The Clerk of the Courts administers the official court records for all trial court cases with jurisdiction in Knox County and prepares the permanent historical records for the county. Members of the public seeking court documents not available through the Indiana Judicial Branch Knox County page should contact this office directly.
Knox County Assessor
111 North 7th Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
(812) 885-2506
Knox County, Indiana – Official Website
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM