Indianapolis Criminal History Search
Indianapolis criminal history records are held by the Marion County Clerk's Office and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. As the state capital and largest city in Indiana, Indianapolis has a consolidated city-county government with Marion County. That means one clerk office handles all criminal case files for the entire county. You can search criminal records online through several portals or visit the clerk's office in person. IMPD also offers a limited criminal history service for local arrest and case data tied to the city.
Indianapolis Quick Facts
Marion County Handles Indianapolis Criminal History
Indianapolis and Marion County share a merged government. All criminal cases in the city go through the Marion County court system. The clerk's office keeps court files for felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. This is where you go to look up case records, get copies of court documents, or check on a pending case in Indianapolis.
| Office | Marion County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 E Washington St, Room W122 Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
| Phone | (317) 327-4740 |
| Website | indy.gov - Marion County Clerk |
The clerk's office is in the City-County Building on East Washington Street. It is open on weekdays during normal business hours. You can request copies of criminal case files, check case status, and get certified documents here. Parking is available in nearby garages, and IndyGo bus routes serve the downtown area if you need public transit.
How to Search Criminal History in Indianapolis
There are a few ways to search criminal history records in Indianapolis. The method you pick depends on what you need and how fast you need it.
The city of Indianapolis offers a Limited Criminal History service. This gives you basic arrest and case data for people processed through IMPD. It covers local records only. The fee is set by the city, and you can start the request online or in person at the IMPD Records Division.
The Indiana State Police run the statewide Limited Criminal History check at in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch. This portal searches the central repository for criminal history data across all of Indiana, not just Indianapolis. The fee is $15.70 for an online search. Results come back fast, usually the same day. Under IC 10-13-3, the ISP is the official keeper of state criminal history records.
The Indianapolis criminal history search through the ISP Limited Criminal History portal is shown below.
This portal connects to the city's own limited criminal history service and links to the state ISP system for broader searches.
MyCase at public.courts.in.gov/mycase is the free court records search tool for all Indiana courts. You can look up criminal cases filed in Marion County by name or case number. It shows case status, charges, hearings, and dispositions. There is no fee to search MyCase. It covers all case types in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Police Department Criminal Records
IMPD handles local arrest records and incident reports. If you need a copy of a police report or want to check on an arrest, contact the Records Division. They keep files on all arrests made by IMPD officers in Indianapolis.
| Department | Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 50 N Alabama St Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
| Phone | (317) 327-3811 |
| Records Division | (317) 327-3155 |
IMPD is one of the largest police forces in Indiana. The records they keep include arrest reports, incident logs, and booking data. For court case files and conviction records, you still need to go through the Marion County Clerk or the ISP. IMPD records are just one piece of a full criminal history check in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Criminal History Laws and Access
Indiana law sets the rules for who can get criminal history data and how. The Access to Public Records Act under IC 5-14-3 makes most court records in Indianapolis open to the public. Anyone can ask for them. You do not need to give a reason.
The ISP criminal history system runs under IC 10-13-3. This chapter defines what goes into the central repository and who can access it. IC 10-13-3-27 sets the fees for criminal history checks. The current online fee is $15.70 per search through the ISP portal.
Indianapolis residents with past convictions may be able to get records sealed or expunged. IC 35-38-9 covers the expungement process in Indiana. The city of Indianapolis has a Second Chance Law page with details on how to file for expungement through the Marion County courts. Eligibility depends on the type of crime, time since conviction, and other factors. Not all records can be sealed.
Juvenile records in Indianapolis follow separate rules. They are not part of the public criminal history system. You need a court order to access most juvenile case files in Marion County.
Getting Criminal History Records in Indianapolis
To get a copy of your own criminal history in Indianapolis, you have several options. The ISP online portal is the fastest. You pay $15.70 and get results the same day in most cases. For a more complete check, you can submit fingerprints to the ISP for a full criminal history report. This takes longer but covers more ground.
At the Marion County Clerk's office, you can request copies of specific court case files. Bring a case number if you have one. Name searches work too, but a case number speeds things up. The clerk charges per page for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones.
If you need records for a legal matter, your attorney can also pull case files through the court system. Many lawyers in Indianapolis use the MyCase portal or Odyssey, the backend system that Indiana courts run on, to check case records before hearings.
Indianapolis Criminal History Resources
Several groups in Indianapolis help people deal with criminal records. Indiana Legal Services offers free help to low-income residents who need to file for expungement or check their records. The Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic also handles record sealing cases at no cost for people who qualify.
The Marion County Public Defender's Office can help if you had a court-appointed lawyer and need case documents. The Indianapolis Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service if you need to hire an attorney for a records issue. For general questions about criminal history in Indianapolis, the clerk's office staff can point you in the right direction.
Marion County Criminal History Records
Indianapolis is in Marion County, and all criminal court filings go through the Marion County courts. The county handles felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases for every part of the city. For more details on the county court system, fee schedules, and related records, visit the Marion County criminal history page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Indianapolis where you can search criminal history records: