Open Records Requests

Access to Public Records

It is the public policy of Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (“APRA”), Ind. Code §5-14-3 et seq., that “[p]roviding persons with information is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of public officials and employees, whose duty it is to provide the information.” Ind. Code §5-14-3-1. Accordingly, any person has the right to inspect and copy public records during regular business hours unless the records are protected from disclosure as confidential or otherwise exempt under the APRA. 

Documents are subject to charges as set forth by City Code Sec. 50-33. There is no charge to inspect, review, examine or search for a public document on site. Many public records are available online throughout this website.

Sec. 50-33. - Fee schedule for certification and copying of documents.

(a)   The following reasonable fees are established and shall be paid by the requesting party no later than the time of delivery of each of these documents described with this exception: Michigan City residents showing proper identification may receive, at no charge, one copy of any documents totaling 20 pages or less in subsection (1) of this section.

(1)   Each page of any document which is a public record under I.C. 5-14-3, et seq., which is not exempt from disclosure:
        a.   Non-color copy ..... $0.10
        b.   Color copy ..... $0.25
(2) Certification of documents (per page) ..... $1.00
(3) Audio tapes, videotapes, DVDs or CDs, per item:
        a. Those reproduced by the City of Michigan City ..... $10.00
        b. Those requiring reproduction by outside resource (plus outside costs) ..... $2.00
(4) Maps (per square foot of paper) ..... $1.00
(5) Photographs:
        a. Those reproduced by the City of Michigan City ..... $1.00
        b. Those requiring reproduction by outside resource (plus outside costs) ..... $1.00
(6) Law enforcement recording fee ..... $150.00

(b) The city may require payment by the purchaser in advance of the city's certification and production of documents. In addition, the city may require payment by the purchaser in advance for the direct costs of shipping and postage of requested documents to purchaser.

(c) If an individual wishes to have any records certified by the city clerk or any employee of the City of Michigan City, there shall be a $1.00 charge for the certification in addition to the reproduction charges.

( Ord. No. 4123, 1-18-2011; Ord. No. 4397, § 2, 9-6-2016)

Police Report Requests

For records maintained by the Police Department contact the Police Department Records Division.

Fire Report Requests

Sec. 54-34. - Fee for copies of fire reports.

There is established a fee in the amount established in section 50-281 for each fire report which is furnished to any requesting party. No fee shall be charged any law enforcement officer who requests such report in the course of his official duties. Such fees shall be transmitted periodically to the city controller's office for deposit within the general fund.

(Code 1980, § 32.005; Ord. No. 2917, 7-17-1986)

State Law reference— Charge for copies of public records, IC 5-14-3-8.

Sec. 50-281. - Fee for copies of fire reports.

The fee established in section 54-34 is $5.00.

(Code 1980, § 32.005; Ord. No. 2917, 7-17-1986)

State Law reference— Charge for copies of public records, IC 5-14-3-8.