Access Clinton County Probate Court Records

Clinton County probate court records are split between the Clinton County Clerk's office and the Clinton County Archives in Frankfort, Indiana. The clerk holds current wills and probate filings, while the Archives maintains older records going back to 1830, including guardianship, estate, and related probate documents. If you need to search Clinton County probate court records across a range of years, you may need to contact both offices. The clerk handles requests for recent filings and certified copies, while the Archives can help with historical case files that predate the electronic system.

Clinton County Clerk Office

County Clerk Stephanie Harshbarger leads the Clinton County Clerk's office. The clerk is an elected position with a four-year term. As described on the county website, "The Clerk of the Circuit Court is an elected position and serves a four (4) year term. The Clerk has a wide range of duties covering areas that include the collection of court payments, record keeping, voter registration, child support payments, and the issuance of various licenses and certificates." Current Clinton County probate court records and all active wills are held at the main office.

The main clerk's office is at 2 E Washington St, Suite 304, in Frankfort. For mail requests of archived records, send your request to the Archives at 185 Courthouse Square, Frankfort, IN 46041. Reach the Archives at (765) 659-6369 to ask about older Clinton County probate records before mailing a request.

Note: Wills and marriage licenses are kept at the main Clerk's office, not the Archives. For those records, contact the clerk directly rather than the archives.

Clinton County Archives and Older Probate Records

Clinton County has one of the more distinct record-keeping arrangements in Indiana. The Archives maintains old court records going back to 1830, well before most digital or even modern paper systems. As stated by the county, "The Clinton County Archives maintains old divorce records, lawsuits, criminal records, guardianship, and probate." This is a rich resource for anyone researching older Clinton County probate court records or doing genealogical work.

The Archives also stores marriage application books from 1882 through 1905. There were no marriage applications kept before January 1882. For researchers looking into family history, the Clinton County Archives holds records that may not exist anywhere else. These older Clinton County probate filings, guardianship cases, and estate records are a valuable source of historical data going back nearly 200 years.

Mail requests to the Archives should be addressed to Grace Gouveia at 185 Courthouse Sq., Frankfort, IN 46041. Include details on what records you need and a check or money order for estimated fees. The local library at 208 W. Clinton St. in Frankfort also has indexed Clinton County records that can help narrow your search before contacting the Archives directly.

Search Clinton County Probate Records Online

Clinton County joined Indiana's Odyssey case management system in February 2019. The MyCase portal covers Clinton County probate court records from that date forward. Search by name or case number to find estate filings, guardianship cases, and other probate proceedings filed since 2019.

For cases before February 2019, the only way to access Clinton County probate records is through the clerk's office or the Archives. Paper indexes and older case files are available in person or by mail. The split between old and new records means researchers often need to check both the online system and the physical records to get a complete picture of a Clinton County probate case.

Under IC 29-1-7-1, probate venue is set in the county where the decedent lived. This means all Clinton County residents' estate cases are filed here. The will depository function under IC 29-1-7-3.1 also means original wills filed for safekeeping are held by the Clinton County Clerk until the person dies and the will is opened for probate.

Fees for Clinton County Probate Records

Archives copy fees in Clinton County are structured simply. There is a $1 base fee plus $1 for each copy, plus mailing costs. Payment must be by check or money order made payable to "Clinton County Clerk." No cash by mail.

For current probate records at the main clerk's office, Indiana state law governs. Under IC 33-37-5-1, copies are $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $3 per certification under IC 33-37-5-3. For filing a new probate case in Clinton County, the standard fee is around $177, though exact costs vary by case type. Call the Archives at (765) 659-6369 or visit the clerk's office to confirm fees before you send a request or plan a filing.

The Indiana courts public records page provides general statewide guidance on court record access and fees that apply across all counties, including Clinton County.

Clinton County Probate Clerk and Archives Images

The Clinton County Clerk's website at clintonco.com/clerk/ gives office contact information, duties, and services for those seeking Clinton County probate court records.

This page covers the full scope of the clerk's duties, from record-keeping and voter registration to issuing licenses and managing court payments in Clinton County.

The Clinton County Archives page at clintonco.com/archives/ details what historical records are stored there and how to request copies of older probate and court records.

The archives page explains the types of old records held, the request process, and the fee structure for obtaining copies of historical Clinton County probate court records and other archived filings.

Nearby Counties

Clinton County is in north-central Indiana. These neighboring counties each have their own clerk offices for probate court records.