Floyd County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Floyd County?

Public records in Floyd County, Indiana, are defined under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2 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, and which is generated in the course of its official activities. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of these documents subject to the exemptions established by state law.

Floyd County maintains a broad range of public records across multiple offices and departments, including:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Floyd County Clerk of Courts and are accessible through the Indiana Courts case search portal
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and land records dating to 1783 are maintained by the Floyd County Recorder's Office, with online records search available through the county's official portal
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Indiana Department of Health; marriage and divorce records are held by the Floyd County Clerk of Courts
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are managed through the Floyd County Auditor's Office and the Indiana Secretary of State
Tax records — Property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Floyd County Assessor and Treasurer
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Floyd County Election Board
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of county commission and board proceedings are maintained by the Floyd County Auditor's Office
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements are available through the Floyd County Auditor
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Floyd County Sheriff's Office and the New Albany Police Department
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and variance decisions are maintained by the Floyd County Plan Commission

Is Floyd County an Open Records County?

Floyd County fully complies with Indiana's statewide open records framework, which governs public access to government documents across all counties. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during regular business hours. This statute establishes a strong presumption in favor of disclosure, placing the burden on the agency to demonstrate that a requested record falls within a recognized exemption. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA) further requires that agencies respond to written requests within 24 hours for records that are in use or storage, and within seven days for all other requests. Floyd County agencies are bound by these timelines and must provide a written denial with a legal basis if access is refused. The county does not currently maintain a separate local ordinance governing public records access beyond the requirements established by state law, and all county departments are expected to adhere to Indiana's sunshine laws, which mandate open meetings and transparent government operations.

How to Find Public Records in Floyd County

Members of the public may obtain Floyd County public records through several channels, depending on the record type and the office that maintains it.

Search online portals — Property records are available through the Floyd County online records search, and court case information is searchable through MyCase, Indiana's official court records system
Submit a written request — Formal requests under the Access to Public Records Act may be submitted in writing, by email, or in person to the relevant county office; the Indiana Judicial Branch provides guidance on how to request public records from court-related agencies
Visit the office in person — Members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours at the applicable county office without submitting a formal written request
Request by mail — Written requests may be mailed to the appropriate department; requestors should include a clear description of the records sought, preferred format, and contact information
Search law enforcement databases — The Indiana Department of Correction maintains the Indiana Incarcerated Database for locating individuals currently in state custody
Contact the Floyd County Courts — For questions about court documents, upcoming case dates, or jury-related matters, the Floyd County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website provides direct contact information for each local court division

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

Current fees for public records in Floyd County are governed by Indiana Code § 5-14-3-8, which establishes the maximum amounts that public agencies may charge for copies and related services. Standard fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:

Paper copies — $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies on letter or legal-size paper
Certified copies — Fees vary by record type; certified copies of vital records and court documents typically carry a higher per-document fee set by the issuing office
Electronic records — Agencies may charge for the actual cost of producing records in electronic format, including the cost of the storage medium
Inspection — No fee may be charged solely for inspecting public records; charges apply only when copies are requested
Recorder's document copies — The Floyd County Recorder's Office may charge fees consistent with Indiana recording fee schedules for certified copies of deeds and other recorded instruments

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county department. Some offices accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers are not broadly established under Indiana law, though agencies retain discretion to reduce or waive fees in cases involving indigent requestors or requests that serve a demonstrable public interest.

Does Floyd County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Indiana law, which prohibits agencies from charging a fee solely for the act of reviewing records on-site. Several Floyd County records are also available at no cost through official online portals:

Property and land records — The Floyd County Recorder's Office provides free online access to indexed deed images and other recorded documents through the county's online records search portal, with records dating to 1783
Court case information — Basic case information, including party names, case numbers, and hearing dates, is available at no cost through MyCase, the Indiana Courts' official case search system
Incarcerated individual records — The Indiana Department of Correction's offender locator database is available to the public at no charge
In-person inspection — Members of the public may visit any Floyd County office during regular business hours to inspect records without incurring a fee

Who Can Request Public Records in Floyd County?

Any person may request public records from Floyd County agencies, 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. Specifically:

Residency — Non-residents of Floyd County and Indiana retain the same right of access as county residents
Identification — Agencies generally may not require requestors to provide identification as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain personal information about the requestor
Purpose — Requestors are not required to state a reason for their request under current Indiana law
Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records that contain their own personal information, such as criminal history or court filings, follow the same general process but may be required to verify their identity before certain sensitive records are released
Restrictions for specific record types — Certain records, such as adoption files, juvenile court records, and sealed case documents, are restricted by statute and may only be accessed by parties with a demonstrated legal interest or a court order

What Records Are Confidential in Floyd County?

Not all government documents held by Floyd County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Indiana Code establishes a comprehensive list of exemptions that agencies must apply when evaluating records requests. The following categories of records are currently exempt from public access:

Sealed court records — Documents sealed by judicial order are not available to the general public
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile delinquency proceedings are confidential under Indiana law
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled as part of an active investigation are exempt to the extent that disclosure would harm the investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly released documents
Medical records — Health information protected under HIPAA and Indiana privacy statutes is not subject to public disclosure
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed and accessible only through a court order or the Indiana Adoption History Registry
Child welfare records — Records maintained by the Department of Child Services relating to abuse, neglect, or protective services cases are confidential
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for salary information and disciplinary actions involving public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in the course of licensing or permitting may be withheld
Security and infrastructure plans — Documents detailing security vulnerabilities or critical infrastructure are exempt from disclosure

These exemptions are codified primarily under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4, which enumerates both mandatory and discretionary exceptions to the general rule of public access. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, agencies are required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Floyd County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Floyd County Recorder's Office is the principal repository for property-related public records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other recorded instruments. Members of the public may inspect records in person during regular business hours or access available documents through the county's online portal.

Floyd County Recorder's Office 311 Hauss Square, Room 117, New Albany, IN 47150 (812) 948-5414 Floyd County Recorder

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays.

Floyd County Clerk of Courts 311 Hauss Square, Room 113, New Albany, IN 47150 (812) 948-5411 Floyd County Courts – Indiana Judicial Branch

Floyd County Assessor's Office 311 Hauss Square, Room 119, New Albany, IN 47150 (812) 948-5490 Floyd County Assessor

Floyd County Sheriff's Office 311 Hauss Square, New Albany, IN 47150 (812) 948-5400 Floyd County Sheriff