Search Porter County Court Docket
Court docket records in Porter County are managed by a large court system that includes both the Porter Circuit Court and four divisions of the Porter Superior Court. The county seat in Valparaiso houses the clerk's office where all filings are processed and stored. With five judges handling different types of cases, Porter County sees a high volume of docket entries each year. The Indiana Mycase portal and the clerk's office both offer ways to look up case information, and most records are public under IC 5-14-3.
Porter County Court Docket Quick Facts
Porter County Court Structure
Porter County operates one of the larger court systems in northwest Indiana. The circuit court and four superior court divisions share the caseload across all case types. Judge Mary R. DeBoer presides over the Porter Circuit Court. The superior courts are led by Judge David M. Chidester in Division 1, Judge Christopher J. Buckley in Division 2, Judge Michael J. Fish in Division 3, and Judge Angela B. Jones in Division 4. Each division handles specific kinds of cases, though there is some overlap.
The way cases get assigned affects which docket you need to search. Criminal felony cases may go to one division while family law matters go to another. Small claims and civil disputes get spread out too. When you search on Mycase, the system shows which court has the case, so you can see exactly where your matter sits. The case number itself contains a code that tells you the court and case type.
This setup means more judges and more courtrooms, but it also means cases can move faster. There is less backlog when the work gets divided among five courts. For people searching docket records, the key thing to know is that all five courts use the same clerk office.
Note: All five Porter County courts share one clerk office at 155 Indiana Ave. in Valparaiso for record requests.
Porter County Clerk Contact Info
The Porter County Clerk of Courts handles all record keeping for the circuit and superior courts. The office is on the second floor of the county building in downtown Valparaiso. Staff can help you pull case files, get copies, and answer questions about court procedures. They also process new filings for all five courts. If you need a document fast, calling ahead can save you time since some records need to be pulled from storage.
| Office | Porter County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 209, Valparaiso, IN 46383 |
| Phone | (219) 477-4740 |
| Fax | (219) 477-4741 |
| clerk@porterco.org | |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM ET |
Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies have an extra $5.00 fee on top. These rates follow the schedule in IC 33-37-4. The office takes cash, checks, and money orders. Credit cards may be accepted for some transactions but check with staff first. If you mail in a request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with your payment and a note describing what you need.
Online Docket Search for Porter County
The Indiana Mycase system is the best way to search Porter County court docket records online. It is free to use. You can search by party name, case number, attorney name, or filing date. The results show every docket entry for a case, from the initial filing all the way through any final orders or judgments. The system updates regularly, though there may be a short delay between when something gets filed and when it shows up online.
Go to public.courts.in.gov/mycase to start your search. Pick Porter County from the drop-down list. You can narrow results by case type, which helps if you are only looking at civil or criminal matters. The docket view shows dates, descriptions, and the parties involved in each action.
The Porter County website also has links to court resources and clerk information. It can be a good starting point if you are not sure where to look.
Below is the Porter County government homepage, which provides access to clerk office details and court resources.
Use this page to find direct links to county departments and services connected to the court system.
Note: Mycase results show which of the five Porter County courts has your case, so you know exactly where it is assigned.
Porter County Public Records Access
Indiana's public records law under IC 5-14-3 gives people the right to look at court docket records. Most filings are open. You can walk into the clerk's office and ask to see a case file, or you can search it online through Mycase. There is no need to explain why you want the records. The law says access is the default, and denial is the exception.
Some records are restricted. Administrative Rule 9 from the Indiana Supreme Court protects personal information like social security numbers and financial account details. These get redacted before records go public. Sealed cases and certain juvenile records under IC 31-39-2 are also off limits. If a record has been expunged under IC 35-38-9, it will not show up in any search. The clerk cannot release these even if you ask.
For everything else, though, the docket is open. Civil cases, criminal cases, traffic matters, and most family law filings are all available. The amount of detail you can see online versus in person may differ slightly, but the core information is the same.
Filing and Fee Details in Porter County
Filing fees in Porter County follow the state schedule under IC 33-37-4. The exact amount depends on the type of case. Civil filings, for example, cost more than small claims cases. Criminal cases have court costs that get assessed as part of sentencing. The clerk's office can tell you the exact fee for any type of filing.
When you file a new case, the docket starts right away. The clerk stamps the documents, assigns a case number, and enters the first docket entry. From that point forward, every motion, hearing, and order gets logged. Attorneys can file electronically through the Indiana E-Filing System, which speeds things up. Self-represented parties can file in person or by mail in most situations. The clerk can explain the process if you are not sure how to get started.
Cities in Porter County
Porter County has two cities with dedicated pages on this site. Both are served by the Porter County court system for all docket matters.
Nearby Counties
Counties that border Porter County each have their own clerk offices and court systems. You can search their docket records through Mycase by selecting the right county from the list.