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How to Find Public Records in St. Arke County in 2026
Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to government documents, court filings, property transactions, and vital statistics in Starke County, Indiana may access a range of resources through official county and state channels. StArkeRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may relate to records maintained by Starke County government offices. Users may find information pertaining to the following record categories:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access: Members of the public may search court case information through the Indiana Courts case search portal, which provides access to civil, criminal, and probate case records statewide, including those filed in Starke County. The Starke Circuit Court also provides online resources for locating case information. Property records and recorded documents are maintained by the Starke County Recorder's Office. No registration is required to conduct basic searches through the state's public court portal.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Starke County Recorder's Office or the Starke County Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. Both offices are located at the Starke County Annex, 53 E. Mound Street, Knox, Indiana 46534. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office by mail at 53 E. Mound Street, Knox, IN 46534. Requests must include the requester's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed 24 hours on days the agency is open for business for a denial, and seven days for fulfillment.
Phone/Email: The Starke County Recorder's Office may be reached by telephone at (574) 772-9101. The Starke County Clerk's Office may be reached at (574) 772-9128.
What Are Public Records in St. Arke County?
Public records in Starke County are defined under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act 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. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, a "public record" encompasses all documentation regardless of physical form or characteristics. The following record types are maintained by Starke County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Starke County Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Starke County Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) | Starke County Health Department / Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | Starke County Auditor / relevant municipality |
| Property tax and assessment records | Starke County Assessor / Treasurer |
| Voting and election records | Starke County Election Board |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Starke County Auditor |
| Law enforcement records | Starke County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Starke County Plan Commission |
The Starke County Recorder's Office maintains recorded land documents, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Court records are accessible through the Indiana Judicial Branch's local courts page for Starke County.
Is St. Arke County an Open Records County?
Starke 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 those in Starke County, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying by any person. The Indiana Public Access Counselor has stated that "the policy of the state 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."
Starke County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law; the Indiana APRA governs all public records requests submitted to county offices. The County Commission of Public Records of Starke County oversees records management policy at the county level, with meeting agendas and minutes available through the Starke County Recorder's Office. Indiana's Sunshine Laws further require that public meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public, with advance notice provided.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in St. Arke County?
The current fee structure for public records in Starke County is governed by Indiana state law and individual office schedules. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page |
| Certified copies (vital records, court documents) | Varies by document type |
| Electronic copies | No charge in many cases; varies by office |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Certification fee (Recorder documents) | $5.00 per document |
| Recording fee (new documents) | Set by state statute |
- Inspection of public records is provided at no charge.
- Copies of standard documents are assessed at $0.10 per page for paper reproductions.
- Certified copies of vital records carry fees set by the Indiana State Department of Health.
- Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or for records requested for specific public interest purposes, subject to agency discretion.
Fees for court records obtained through the Indiana Courts case search system may differ from those charged at the physical courthouse. The Indiana APRA limits the fees agencies may charge to the actual cost of reproduction.
Does St. Arke County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Starke County government offices during regular business hours. Under Indiana law, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting a public record; charges apply only when copies are requested. The following resources provide free access to public records:
- Starke County Recorder's Office: Members of the public may inspect recorded land documents, including deeds and mortgages, at no charge during office hours.
- Starke Circuit Court Clerk's Office: Court case files are available for in-person inspection at no cost.
- Indiana Courts Online Portal: The Indiana Courts case search tool provides free online access to case index information for civil, criminal, and probate matters filed in Starke County courts.
- Starke County Assessor's Office: Property assessment records are available for free inspection in person.
It is important to note that free inspection does not extend to free copies; reproduction fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested.
Who Can Request Public Records in St. Arke County?
Any person may submit a public records request to a Starke County government agency. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, eligibility to request public records is not restricted by residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Requesters are not required to:
- Be a resident of Indiana or Starke County
- Provide identification (except for certain restricted record types)
- State the reason for the request
Certain record types, such as law enforcement investigative records, juvenile records, and sealed court documents, carry additional access restrictions regardless of the requester's identity. Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court files or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity to verify entitlement. Non-residents retain the same rights as Indiana residents under the APRA. Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public are all entitled to submit requests on equal terms.
What Records Are Confidential in St. Arke County?
Not all government records in Starke County are subject to public disclosure. Indiana law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from public access. The following records are confidential under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 and related statutes:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Social Security numbers and personal financial account information
- Medical records and protected health information (subject to HIPAA)
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel files of public employees (with limited exceptions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
As the Indiana Public Access Counselor has noted, "the exceptions to disclosure are to be strictly construed, and any doubt about whether a record is subject to disclosure should be resolved in favor of disclosure." Agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies before withholding a requested record. A balancing test may apply in cases where partial disclosure is possible through redaction of exempt information.
St. Arke County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Office Name: Starke County Recorder's Office
Physical Address:
53 E. Mound Street
Knox, Indiana 46534
Phone: (574) 772-9101
Website: Starke County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Additional Offices:
Starke County Circuit Court Clerk
53 E. Mound Street, Knox, Indiana 46534
(574) 772-9128
Starke County local courts information
Starke Circuit Court
53 E. Mound Street, Knox, Indiana 46534
(574) 772-9128
Starke Circuit Court official page
Starke County Sheriff's Office
955 S. Heaton Street, Knox, Indiana 46534
(574) 772-3771
Starke County Government
Starke County Assessor's Office
53 E. Mound Street, Knox, Indiana 46534
(574) 772-9108
Starke County Government