Find Putnam County Court Docket
Court docket records in Putnam County are managed by three courts operating out of Greencastle, the county seat in west-central Indiana. The Putnam Circuit Court and two divisions of the Putnam Superior Court handle all case types. Whether you need to track a civil lawsuit, check on a criminal case, or find family court filings, the clerk's office at 1 Courthouse Square processes and stores all these records. You can search online through Mycase or visit the office in person for direct access.
Putnam County Court Docket Quick Facts
Putnam County Courts Overview
Three judges serve Putnam County. Judge Matthew J. Headley runs the Putnam Circuit Court. Judge Denise D. Downer handles cases in Superior Court I, and Judge Justin R. Long presides over Superior Court II. Cases get divided among the three based on type and scheduling needs. The circuit court has general jurisdiction over all matters, while the superior courts take on specific categories to keep the workload balanced.
Having three courts means the docket is split three ways. Each court maintains its own entries. When you search for a case, the case number tells you which court it belongs to. The prefix in the case number identifies the court and the case type. If you search by name on Mycase, results from all three courts show up together. That way you can see everything tied to a person without having to run three separate searches.
The courthouse sits on the public square in Greencastle. It is the center of the county's legal system and houses both the courtrooms and the clerk's office. All three courts operate from this one building, so you only need to go to one place for any record request.
Note: All three Putnam County courts are in the same courthouse building at 1 Courthouse Square in Greencastle.
Putnam County Clerk Office
The Putnam County Clerk handles records for all three courts. This office files new cases, maintains docket sheets, and processes copy requests. Staff members can help you find a case by number or name. If you have questions about filing procedures or fees, they are the ones to ask. The office is open on weekdays during standard business hours, and you can also reach them by phone, fax, or email for basic questions.
| Office | Putnam County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Courthouse Square, Greencastle, IN 46135 |
| Phone | (765) 653-2648 |
| Fax | (765) 653-6318 |
| clerk@putnamcounty.org | |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET |
Copy fees are $1.00 per page for standard copies and $5.00 extra for a certified copy. These fees come from IC 33-37-4, which sets rates for clerk offices across Indiana. Cash and checks are accepted. For mail requests, send a letter to the clerk with the case number or party names and a check or money order to cover the expected fees. If you are not sure how much it will cost, call first. The staff can give you an estimate based on the number of pages in the file.
Note: Call (765) 653-2648 to get a fee estimate before sending a mail request for copies.
Online Docket Search for Putnam County
The Indiana Mycase system is the main online tool for searching Putnam County court docket records. You can find it at public.courts.in.gov/mycase. It is free to use. Search by party name, case number, or attorney and select Putnam County from the court list. The results show docket entries, hearing dates, and basic case information. For newer cases, some filed documents may also be available to view directly on the site.
The Putnam County website has general information about county departments and services. You can use it to find clerk contact details, office hours, and links to other county resources. But for searching actual docket records, Mycase is the right tool.
The screenshot below shows the Indiana Mycase portal, which is the primary tool for looking up Putnam County court docket entries online.
The portal lets you filter results by case type, court, and date range to narrow down what you are looking for.
Putnam County Public Records Laws
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, found in IC 5-14-3, gives the public a right to inspect and copy court records. This applies to Putnam County just like every other county in the state. Most docket entries for civil and criminal cases are open. You can walk into the clerk's office or go online and look them up without needing to explain why. The default under Indiana law is open access.
Certain records are restricted. The Indiana Supreme Court's Administrative Rule 9 controls what personal information gets redacted from public records. Social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account numbers must be removed before a record goes public. Juvenile records are generally closed under IC 31-39-2. Cases that have been expunged under IC 35-38-9 are removed from the public record entirely. If a case is sealed by court order, the clerk cannot give you access to any part of it without permission from the judge.
These protections exist for good reasons. They keep private data safe while still letting the public see how the courts operate. For most people searching for docket information, the restrictions will not get in the way. The bulk of court records are open and available.
Types of Cases on the Putnam County Docket
The three Putnam County courts handle a wide range of cases. Civil matters include lawsuits between private parties, debt collection, and property disputes. Criminal cases cover everything from minor infractions to felonies. Family law cases involve divorce, child custody, paternity, and protective orders. The courts also handle estate and probate matters, traffic violations, and small claims.
Each case type has its own set of rules about how the docket works. Criminal cases, for instance, have more frequent entries because of things like bond hearings, arraignments, and sentencing dates. A simple small claims case might only have a few entries. Regardless of the type, the docket gives you a chronological record of every action taken in the case. It is the best way to understand where a case stands at any given time.
Cities in Putnam County
Putnam County includes Greencastle and several smaller communities. None of the cities in the county meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All court docket records for Putnam County residents are handled through the courts in Greencastle.
Nearby Counties
Putnam County borders several other counties in west-central Indiana. Each has its own court system that you can search through Mycase.