Terre Haute Probate Court Records

Terre Haute probate court records are filed and maintained through Vigo County, not the City of Terre Haute directly. All probate matters for Terre Haute residents go through the Vigo County Circuit Court, which handles wills, estate administrations, guardianship petitions, trust registrations, and adoption cases. The courthouse sits on South 3rd Street in Terre Haute. Residents can search Terre Haute probate records at no cost through the Indiana MyCase portal. For certified copies or documents not available online, visit the Vigo County Clerk's Office in person or submit a written request by mail.

Which Court Handles Terre Haute Probate

Terre Haute is the county seat of Vigo County. Probate in Indiana is always handled at the county level, so all estate and guardianship cases for Terre Haute residents go through the Vigo County Circuit Court or Superior Court. The courthouse sits right in downtown Terre Haute. There is a dedicated Probate Division at the Vigo Superior Courts on South Third Street.

IC 29-1-7-1 places probate venue at the county where the decedent was domiciled. For Terre Haute residents, that is Vigo County. If the decedent had property or interests in another county, some ancillary matters may arise there, but the main probate case stays in Vigo County.

The Terre Haute City Clerk handles city government records. City Clerk Kenneth McVey manages council records, ordinances, and city administrative files. Those records have nothing to do with probate. Do not contact the city clerk for estate or will matters. The Vigo County Clerk is the right contact for all probate-related needs.

Vigo County Clerk Contact

The Vigo County Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps all probate records for the Terre Haute area. The office is open weekdays and is located on the first floor of the Vigo County Courthouse. There is also a separate Probate Division of the Vigo Superior Courts in the same building.

• Main Clerk Address: 33 South 3rd Street, 1st Floor, Terre Haute, IN 47807
• Main Phone: (812) 462-3211
• Court Records Phone: (812) 231-4499
• Probate Division Phone: (812) 462-3201
• Probate Division Fax: (812) 234-3475
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Clerk: LeAnna Moore

The Probate Division and main clerk's office are both on South Third Street. Note that the Probate Division is separate from the main clerk's window. If you are asking about a specific estate or guardianship case, calling the Probate Division line directly at (812) 462-3201 may save time.

Search Terre Haute Probate Records Online

Indiana offers free public access to court records through the MyCase portal. Vigo County probate cases, including those filed in Terre Haute, are searchable through this system. You can look up case dockets, hearing dates, and party names without a charge. The portal runs on the Odyssey case management platform used statewide.

To search, go to public.courts.in.gov/mycase and enter the name of the decedent or ward. Filter by Vigo County and select probate as the case type. Case documents are not always viewable online, but the docket will tell you what was filed and give you a case number for follow-up with the clerk.

You can also search for court records through the Vigo County website at vigocounty.in.gov. The county links to the Probate Division and provides additional contact details for in-person requests.

For probate cases specifically, use the Vigo County Clerk rather than city-level offices shown here.

Older records may not be in the digital system. For historical Terre Haute probate records, contact the clerk's office for a manual search or check the Indiana State Archives for records from earlier decades.

Types of Probate Records in Terre Haute

The Vigo County courts keep a wide range of probate records for Terre Haute residents. Most are open to the public under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act. Certain records are restricted under Administrative Rule 9(G), including juvenile proceedings and records sealed by court order. Public probate record types include:

• Wills filed for probate after a death
• Estate administration files (supervised and unsupervised)
• Letters testamentary and letters of administration
• Guardianship petitions and orders for minors and incapacitated adults
• Conservatorship records
• Trust registrations and accountings
• Small estate affidavits under IC 29-1-8-1

Indiana allows simplified small estate procedures for modest estates. If the total value of the estate falls under the statutory limit, heirs may use an affidavit process instead of full court administration. For contested or larger estates, Vigo County court supervision is required. Bring valid photo ID when requesting records in person.

Probate Filing Fees

Indiana sets standard court fees for probate under IC 33-37-4-7. The Probate Costs Fee is $120. With additional required administrative fees, a standard estate filing in Vigo County runs roughly $177. The final total depends on the case type and any supplemental motions filed during administration.

Copies are $1 per page under IC 33-37-5-1. Certified copies carry an extra $3 per document under IC 33-37-5-3. At the Vigo County Clerk's office, cash and credit or debit cards are accepted. Court fee payments can also be submitted online at publicaccess.courts.in.gov/pay.

How to Get Copies

Copies of Vigo County probate records are available in three ways. Public records are open to anyone. Some files are restricted under court order or Administrative Rule 9(G) and require authorization to access.

In person: Visit the Vigo County Clerk at 33 South 3rd Street, 1st Floor, in Terre Haute. Bring a valid photo ID. Provide the case name or number, and staff will locate the file and make copies. For Probate Division matters, call (812) 462-3201 to confirm the correct window location before your visit. Cash and card payments are accepted.

By mail: Write a request with the full name, approximate filing date, and your return address. Send it with a check or money order payable to the Vigo County Clerk. Mail to the courthouse address on South 3rd Street. Allow processing time plus mailing time for the return.

Online: Use MyCase at public.courts.in.gov/mycase for free docket access. Certified copies must be requested from the clerk. Pay fees at publicaccess.courts.in.gov/pay.

For full Vigo County probate court information, visit our Vigo County probate records page.

Nearby Cities