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How to Find Public Records in Miami County in 2026

MiamiCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Miami County, Indiana. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or other official documents may locate relevant data through this resource. The categories of records that may be found include:

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
Law enforcement records, where permitted by law

Records in Miami County, Indiana, are accessible through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access: Members of the public may search court case information through the Indiana Courts case search portal, which provides access to case records filed in Miami County courts. The Miami County Recorder's office maintains an online property records database accessible through the county's official website. Some records require account registration or identity verification prior to access.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Miami County Clerk's Office to inspect or obtain copies of court and official records. The office is located at:

Miami County Clerk's Office
25 N. Broadway, Peru, IN 46970
(765) 472-3901
Miami County Clerk

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and specify the records sought. Staff will assist in locating the appropriate documents.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Miami County Clerk's Office at 25 N. Broadway, Peru, IN 46970. Requests must include the requestor's full 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.

Phone/Email:

Phone: (765) 472-3901
Email: Contact information is available through the Indiana Judicial Branch local court page

What Are Public Records in Miami County?

Public records in Miami County are defined under Indiana 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. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2, a "public record" encompasses all documents prepared, owned, used, or retained by a public agency in the course of its official functions.

The following record types are currently maintained by Miami County government offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Miami County Clerk / Circuit Court
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Miami County Recorder
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)	Miami County Health Department / Clerk
Business licenses and permits	Miami County Clerk / State agencies
Property tax and assessment records	Miami County Assessor / Treasurer
Voting and election records	Miami County Election Board
Meeting minutes and agendas	Miami County Auditor
Budget and financial documents	Miami County Auditor
Law enforcement records	Miami County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Miami County Plan Commission

Court case records may be searched online through the Indiana Courts case search portal, which indexes filings from Miami County courts. Property and recorder records are maintained by the Miami County Recorder's Office.

Is Miami County an Open Records County?

Miami County follows Indiana's statewide open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government documents. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3, all public agencies in the state—including those in Miami County—are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request.

As stated by the Indiana Public Access Counselor, "Any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency." This provision ensures that residents and non-residents alike retain the right to access government documents without being required to state a reason for the request.

Miami County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance; the county operates in full compliance with Indiana's APRA. The Indiana Public Access Counselor's office provides guidance and advisory opinions on open records matters statewide. The Indiana Public Access Counselor publishes formal and informal opinions that interpret the scope of public access rights under state law.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Miami County is governed by Indiana state law and individual office schedules. Standard fees applicable to most record requests include:

Inspection: No charge for in-person inspection of public records during regular business hours
Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies (per Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8)
Certification: Additional fees apply for certified copies of court records and vital records; court-certified documents are $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee
Electronic format: Electronic copies may be provided at a cost not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction
Search fees: Agencies may not charge a search fee unless specifically authorized by statute
Vital records (birth/death certificates): $10.00 per certified copy through the Indiana Department of Health

Accepted payment methods at the Miami County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Credit card acceptance varies by office. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Indiana law, though certain indigent requestors may qualify for reduced fees in specific legal proceedings.

Does Miami County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Miami County. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, any person may inspect public records at no charge during the regular business hours of the maintaining agency. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

The following resources provide free access to Miami County public records:

Indiana Courts case search: The Indiana MyCase portal allows members of the public to search court case information at no cost. As noted on the portal, "the information on this site is not the official court record and may contain errors or omissions."
Miami County Assessor's online database: Property assessment and tax records are searchable at no charge through the county's online portal.
Miami County Recorder's online index: Deed and lien indexes are available for free online search through the Recorder's official website.
Indiana Archives and Records Administration: The Indiana Archives and Records Administration provides free access to certain historical and archival state records.

Who Can Request Public Records in Miami County?

Any person may request public records in Miami County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or reason for the request. Requestors are not required to be Indiana residents, and agencies may not demand that a requestor explain why they are seeking a particular record.

Specific provisions regarding requestor eligibility include:

Identification: Agencies may ask for a requestor's name and address for administrative purposes but cannot deny access solely because identification is not provided for general public records.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most public records requests.
Restrictions by record type: Certain records—such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files—are restricted to parties with a demonstrated legal interest or court authorization.
Requesting personal records: Individuals seeking their own records (e.g., personal court filings, arrest records) follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional verification may be required for sensitive personal data.

Non-residents retain the same access rights as Indiana residents under the APRA. Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public are all entitled to submit records requests on equal footing.

What Records Are Confidential in Miami County?

Not all government records in Miami County are subject to public disclosure. Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following records are currently classified as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Indiana law.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from public records.
Medical records: Protected under both Indiana law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions involving public officials.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted in confidence to government agencies.
Security plans and infrastructure details: Records that could compromise public safety or critical infrastructure.

Indiana law applies a balancing test in certain cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy interests of individuals named in the records. The Indiana Public Access Counselor may issue advisory opinions on disputed exemptions.

Miami County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Miami County Recorder's Office
25 N. Broadway, Peru, IN 46970
(765) 472-3901
Miami County Recorder

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

Miami County Clerk's Office
25 N. Broadway, Peru, IN 46970
(765) 472-3901
Miami County Clerk – Indiana Judicial Branch

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Miami County Assessor's Office
25 N. Broadway, Peru, IN 46970
(765) 472-3901
Indiana Department of Local Government Finance

Miami County Health Department
1 N. Broadway, Suite 1, Peru, IN 46970
(765) 472-3741
Indiana Department of Health – Vital Records