indiana federal court public records guide and overview

What 'public records' include

In the federal courts serving Indiana-the Northern and Southern Districts-most filings, docket sheets, and opinions are accessible as public records. Certain items, such as sealed materials, juror information, or sensitive identifiers, remain restricted to protect privacy and security.

Where to search and how to access

The primary portal is PACER, which provides case lookup by party name, case number, or keyword across both districts. Registered users can view dockets and download PDFs for a small per-page fee, with judicial opinions available at no charge. Many recent opinions are also posted on the courts’ websites and on govinfo.

• Create a PACER account and confirm your billing preferences before searching.
• Use CM/ECF links for live docket updates and to verify filing timestamps.
• Filter by nature of suit or filing date to narrow voluminous results.
• Call the clerk’s office for archived files or certified copies.

For in-person review, public terminals at each courthouse offer access without a subscription. When citing a record, include the ECF document number and page ID to ensure precise references.

Quick reminders

Fees can add up; set per-quarter alerts, and consider downloading only the necessary pages to manage costs.