Lake County, Indiana court records are available through several channels. LakeCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the MyCase system — the official portal of the Indiana court system — as well as directly at the Clerk of Court's office or on public terminals in the courthouse in Crown Point.
Lake Court System & Jurisdictions
Lake County has a comprehensive court system that is part of Indiana's Judicial District 1. The main building is located in Crown Point, with separate city courts operating in Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, and other municipalities.
Circuit Court
Lake Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles civil lawsuits, criminal cases (including felonies), probate matters (the judicial process of distributing a deceased person's estate), as well as guardianship and adoption cases.
Superior Court
Superior Court is divided into several divisions:
- Civil Division — claims for damages, contract disputes, eviction cases, and small claims (up to $10,000).
- Criminal Division — misdemeanors and felonies. Felony Division of the Clerk handles search warrants, subpoenas, and extradition documents.
- Juvenile Division — juvenile offenses, Child in Need of Services (CHINS) cases, and custody issues.
- Family Division — divorces, child support, division of marital property, protective orders.
City & Town Courts
City courts in Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, Hobart, and other locations handle traffic violations, minor offenses, and certain categories of misdemeanors. A complete list of local courts is available on the Lake County Courts page.
If you are unsure which court your case is in, refer to the Indiana Judicial Branch directory for Lake County or call the clerk's office.
Lake Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings in Lake County courts can be checked in several ways.
- MyCase. Enter the case number or party name on the MyCase portal to see scheduled hearing dates. The system shows upcoming hearings as well as the history of previous dates. Note: Information on the portal may contain inaccuracies — the official source remains the court itself.
- Clerk's Office. Call (219) 755-3460 and provide the case number. The clerk will confirm the date and time of the next hearing.
- Public Terminals. Computers for self-search are installed in the courthouse at 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point.
For criminal cases, the MyCase search instructions explain how to find information about fees and hearing dates in Lake County Circuit & Superior Courts. If you are looking for inmate information, use the INjail portal, which displays the current detention status.
How to Get a Copy of a Lake Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Clerk of the Lake Circuit/Superior Court. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — a regular photocopy or printout suitable for review.
- Certified copy — contains the clerk's seal and signature, has legal force for submission to other institutions.
How to Order
- In Person. Visit the clerk's office on the first floor of the Courts Building. Provide the case number or party names — the staff will find the necessary document and make a copy.
- By Mail. Send a written request specifying the case number, document name, type of copy (certified / uncertified), and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online. Some documents can be viewed through MyCase, but downloading a certified copy from the portal is not possible — you need to contact the clerk for this. If the document is not available online, the Indiana Judicial Branch public records page explains how to contact the appropriate office.
Mailing address of the clerk's office:
Some records have restricted access — including juvenile cases, sealed cases, and certain family proceedings. Before requesting, check with the clerk if the document is publicly available.
Lake Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees for court documents in Indiana are regulated by IC 33-37 (Indiana Code, Title 33, Article 37). Below are approximate rates applicable to the Lake County Clerk's office. Exact amounts should be confirmed directly with the court clerk, as certain fees may change according to administrative orders.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a document | $1.00 per page + certification fee |
| Uncertified copy | $1.00 per page |
| Certification fee | From $5.00 (depends on the type of document) |
| Search fee | May be charged for extensive archival search |
| Limited Criminal History — via ISP | Free online at the Indiana State Police website |
Payment Methods:
- Cash or money order — for in-person requests.
- Check — for mail requests (payable to Lake County Clerk).
- Credit or debit card — availability depends on the specific division; check by phone.
For records stored outside the court system — such as real estate documents (deeds, mortgages, liens) — contact the Lake County Recorder's Office. Tax records are available through the Treasurer Tax Search. Criminal records are maintained by the Sheriff's Department Bureau of Identification.