Huntington County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Huntington County?

Public records in Huntington County are defined under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2 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, and which is generated in connection with the transaction of public business. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of these documents from the appropriate county or state office.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained by Huntington County agencies:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Huntington County Clerk of Courts
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are held by the Huntington County Recorder's Office and Assessor's Office
Vital records — birth and death certificates are issued by the Huntington County Health Department; marriage and divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts
Business records — licenses, permits, and assumed business name (fictitious name) registrations are filed with the Huntington County Clerk and the Indiana Secretary of State
Tax records — property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Huntington County Auditor and Treasurer
Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results are held by the Huntington County Election Board
Meeting minutes and agendas — records of the Huntington County Commissioners and other public boards are available through the County Auditor's office
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records are maintained by the County Auditor
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Huntington County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — zoning maps, variance applications, and planning documents are maintained by the Huntington County Plan Commission

The Indiana State Library's Huntington County research guide provides additional guidance on locating original records across multiple custodial offices.

Is Huntington County an Open Records County?

Huntington County fully complies with Indiana's statewide open records framework, which governs public access to government documents across all 92 counties. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during regular business hours, subject only to the specific exemptions enumerated in the statute. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA) establishes the legal right of access and places the burden on the public agency to demonstrate that a requested record falls within a recognized exemption.

Key provisions of Indiana's APRA include:

Public agencies must respond to a records request within 24 hours if the request is made in person or by telephone, and within 7 days if submitted in writing
Agencies may not require a requester to state the purpose of the request as a condition of access
Denial of access must be made in writing and must cite the specific statutory exemption relied upon
The Indiana Public Access Counselor is authorized to issue advisory opinions on disputed access matters

No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the limitations established by state law. Huntington County public agencies are also subject to Indiana's Open Door Law, which requires that meetings of governing bodies be open to the public and that advance notice be provided.

How to Find Public Records in Huntington County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Huntington County public records through several channels, depending on the record type and the custodial office.

In-Person Requests Requesters may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours and submit a verbal or written request at the public counter. Staff are required to provide access to non-exempt records promptly.

Written Requests Written requests may be submitted by mail, email, or fax to the relevant agency. Requests should identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. Under Indiana's APRA, agencies must acknowledge written requests within seven calendar days.

Online Access

Civil and criminal court case information is searchable through Indiana's statewide case management portal, which provides online access to court records without requiring a formal request
Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals may be located through the Indiana Incarcerated Database Search maintained by the Indiana Department of Correction
Property and tax records may be accessible through the Huntington County Assessor's online portal

Genealogical and Historical Research Researchers seeking historical vital records, probate files, or early land records may consult the Indiana State Library's Huntington County genealogy research guide, which identifies original record locations and available finding aids.

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

Current fees for public records in Huntington County are governed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which establishes the maximum charges a public agency may impose for providing copies of public records.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

Paper copies: Up to $0.10 per page for standard letter- or legal-size documents reproduced on agency equipment
Certified copies: Vital records such as birth and death certificates carry a statutory fee set by the Indiana State Department of Health, currently $10.00 per certified copy for birth records and $8.00 per certified copy for death records
Electronic copies: Agencies may charge the actual cost of the electronic medium (e.g., CD or USB drive) if records are provided in that format
Inspection only: No fee may be charged for the inspection of public records; charges apply only when copies are requested
Extraordinary research fees: If a request requires more than two hours of staff time to fulfill, agencies may charge for the excess time at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of fulfilling the request

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county office. Fee waivers may be available at the discretion of the agency, particularly for indigent requesters or requests made in the public interest.

Does Huntington County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Indiana law. No fee may be charged solely for viewing records at a public agency's office during regular business hours.

The following government resources currently provide free online access to Huntington County records:

Court case records — The Indiana Courts Case Search (MyCase) portal provides free online access to civil, criminal, and probate case information filed in Huntington County courts
Offender records — The Indiana Incarcerated Database Search allows free public lookup of individuals currently or previously incarcerated in Indiana state facilities
Vital and genealogical records guidance — The Indiana State Library offers free access to its Huntington County research guide, which identifies record locations and available indexes
Health department records — Certain public health data and environmental records are available through the Huntington County Health Department at no charge

Who Can Request Public Records in Huntington County?

Any person may request public records from Huntington County agencies under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. The statute does not limit access to Indiana residents, and non-residents retain the same rights of access as county or state residents.

Requesters are generally not required to:

Demonstrate Indiana residency or local residency
Provide government-issued identification as a condition of access to non-restricted records
State the purpose for which the records are sought

Certain record types carry additional access requirements:

Vital records — Certified copies of birth and death certificates are restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest, pursuant to Indiana vital records statutes
Adoption records — Access is governed by separate statutory provisions and is generally restricted
Juvenile court records — Access is limited by statute and requires a court order in most circumstances
Criminal history records — Certain sealed or expunged records are not available to the general public

Individuals requesting their own records are subject to the same general procedures but may be entitled to access certain records that would otherwise be restricted when requested by a third party. Requests for records pertaining to another individual must comply with applicable privacy protections.

What Records Are Confidential in Huntington County?

Indiana law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, public agencies are either required or permitted to withhold the following types of records:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential by statute
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement investigatory records compiled for the purpose of an active criminal investigation are exempt from disclosure
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly released documents
Medical records — Patient health information is protected under both Indiana law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
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 certain disciplinary actions involving public employees
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a public agency may be withheld
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records relating to the security of public facilities or critical infrastructure are exempt from disclosure

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder. Indiana courts apply a balancing analysis in disputed cases to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or security interests supporting nondisclosure.

Huntington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Huntington County Recorder's Office is the primary custodian of real property records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and related instruments. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of recorded documents at the public counter during regular business hours.

Huntington County Recorder's Office 201 N. Jefferson St., Room 103 Huntington, IN 46750 (260) 358-4822 Huntington County Recorder

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

Huntington County Clerk of Courts 201 N. Jefferson St. Huntington, IN 46750 (260) 358-4817 Huntington County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch

Huntington County Health Department 1215 Etna Ave. Huntington, IN 46750 (260) 358-4831 Huntington County Health Department

Huntington County Assessor's Office 201 N. Jefferson St., Room 103 Huntington, IN 46750 (260) 358-4800 Huntington County Assessor

Huntington County Sheriff's Office 355 N. Jefferson St. Huntington, IN 46750 (260) 358-4870 Huntington County Sheriff