Court records in Howard County, Indiana can be found through several access points. HowardINCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also search records through the MyCase Indiana Courts portal, visit the Howard County Courts page on the Indiana Judicial Branch website, request documents at the Howard County Clerk's office in person, or use public access terminals available at the courthouse in Kokomo.
Howard Court System & Jurisdictions
Howard County is part of Indiana's unified trial court system. The county seat is Kokomo, and the courts operating here include:
- Howard Circuit Court — This is the county's constitutionally established court. It has general jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases and exclusive jurisdiction over all juvenile cases, including delinquency, status offenses, and child-in-need-of-services (CHINS) proceedings. The Circuit Court also handles guardianships, mental health commitments, and certain appeals.
- Howard Superior Courts — Howard County has multiple Superior Court divisions. These courts share general jurisdiction with the Circuit Court over felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil litigation, and domestic relations matters such as divorce, custody, paternity, and protective orders. Superior Courts also handle infractions and ordinance violations.
- Small Claims Division — Civil disputes involving amounts up to $10,000 (under Indiana's small claims threshold as set by statute) are heard in small claims proceedings within the Superior Courts. These cases follow simplified rules and often do not require an attorney.
- Probate — Estate administration, will contests, and trust matters are generally handled through the Circuit Court or an assigned Superior Court division.
- Traffic and Infractions — Traffic tickets, moving violations, and other infractions are processed through the Superior Courts. Howard County's online services page provides options to pay traffic citations and court fines electronically.
All filings in Howard County must be submitted to the Office of the Howard County Clerk, which serves as the custodian of court records for every division.
Howard Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find today's or upcoming court dates in Howard County, use these methods:
- MyCase Indiana — The MyCase case search portal allows you to look up any case by party name, case number, or attorney. Once you locate a case, the docket entries will show scheduled hearing dates, continuances, and past proceedings.
- Howard County Services page — The Howard County Services page includes a Court Date Lookup link that directs users to scheduling information.
- Contact the court directly — The Howard County Courts page on IN.gov lists contact information for each court division. Call or visit the Clerk's office to confirm a hearing date, check for cancellations, or ask about a specific docket.
- In-person review — Public terminals at the Howard County Courthouse allow walk-in access to case schedules and docket information during business hours.
Court calendars can change due to judicial emergencies, continuances, or administrative orders. Always confirm a hearing date with the Clerk's office before appearing, especially if the case was recently filed or rescheduled.
How to Get a Copy of a Howard Court Document
The Howard County Clerk's office is the official source for court documents. Whether you need a complaint, order, judgment, or case disposition, here is how to obtain copies:
Online
- Search for your case on MyCase. Some documents — particularly chronological case summaries and docket entries — are viewable online at no charge.
- Not all documents are available digitally. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records page notes that if a document is not available online, you will need to contact the Clerk's office directly.
In Person
- Visit the Howard County Clerk's office at the courthouse in Kokomo.
- Provide the case number or the names of the parties involved.
- Request either a certified or uncertified copy. Certified copies carry the Clerk's seal and signature, which is typically required for legal proceedings, background checks, or filings in another court.
- Pay the applicable fee at the time of your request.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Clerk's office that includes:
- The full case number (if known) or party names
- A description of the document you need
- Whether you need a certified or uncertified copy
- A check or money order for the estimated fees
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Restricted records: Juvenile cases, adoption records, mental health proceedings, and certain sealed cases are not available to the general public. Records involving protective orders may also have restricted access. Ask the Clerk whether a specific record is publicly accessible before submitting a request.
Howard Court Records Fees & Payment
Indiana law (IC 33-37-5 and related statutes) establishes the fee framework for court document services. The Howard County Clerk's office collects fees based on these statutory guidelines. Below are commonly applicable fees:
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $5.00 (first page) + $1.00 each additional page |
| Certificate and seal (certification) | $5.00 |
| Court record search (by Clerk staff) | Varies; contact the Clerk's office |
| Online case search via MyCase | Free (viewing docket information) |
Payment methods: The Clerk's office generally accepts cash, checks, and money orders for in-person and mail requests. For online payments — such as paying court fines or traffic citations — Howard County's online services portal provides electronic payment options that typically accept credit and debit cards.
Fees are subject to change. For the most current schedule, contact the Howard County Clerk's office directly or check the court's page on IN.gov. If you are requesting multiple documents or records from older cases that require retrieval from archives, additional charges may apply. Always confirm the total cost before submitting payment by mail.