Indiana Code
Chapter 17. County Records
36-2-17-5. Preservation of Records; Restoration of Destroyed Records; Copies; Control of Records

Sec. 5. (a) If it is necessary to preserve the records of:
(1) the circuit court clerk's office;
(2) the county auditor's office;
(3) the county treasurer's office;
(4) the county recorder's office;
(5) the county sheriff's office;
(6) a court of record; or
(7) the county surveyor's office;
from damage, the county executive shall order the officer in charge of the records to copy them in suitable books procured by the officer for that purpose. The executive shall specify in its order the particular records or parts of records to be copied.
(b) If:
(1) parts of a county's records have been destroyed;
(2) the remaining parts of the records have been copied to preserve them from damage; and
(3) the proper holder of the original documents on which the records were based presents those documents to the officer in charge of the records;
the officer in charge of the records shall use the original documents to complete the records, and, if the original index no longer exists, shall index the completed records.
(c) If a map or plat in the office of the county auditor, county recorder, or county surveyor is so worn or defaced that it is not fit for use, the auditor, recorder, or surveyor shall make an accurate copy of the legible part of the map or plat. If a part of the map or plat is illegible, the auditor or recorder shall resort to the most accurate sources to complete the copy.
(d) Copies of records made under this section have the same force as the original records. Certified transcripts of copies of records made under subsection (a) have the same force as transcripts of the original records.
(e) Control of the county recorder's records, including copying, storage, and retrieval is the responsibility of the county recorder.
(f) Control of the county surveyor's records, including copying, storage, and retrieval is the responsibility of the county surveyor.
[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 5-15-4-1 part; 5-15-7-1; 5-15-7-2; 17-3-57-1.]
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.212, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.231-1989, SEC.13; P.L.276-2001, SEC.8; P.L.127-2017, SEC.103.

Structure Indiana Code

Indiana Code

Title 36. Local Government

Article 2. Government of Counties Generally

Chapter 17. County Records

36-2-17-1. Application of Chapter

36-2-17-2. Keeping Records in Offices; Delivery to Successors; Use of Permanent Ink; Violation

36-2-17-3. Photostatic Recording of Documents; Force of Recording

36-2-17-4. Miniature Photographic or Microfilm Recording of Documents; Marginal Entry or Notation; Control Over Film and Records; Original and Duplicate Copies; Index

36-2-17-5. Preservation of Records; Restoration of Destroyed Records; Copies; Control of Records

36-2-17-6. Destruction of Records; Meetings; List; Replacement; Appointment of Commissioner

36-2-17-7. Destruction of Records; Powers and Duties of Commissioner; Procedures

36-2-17-8. Destruction of Records; Force and Effect of Records or Certified Copies; Removal of Commissioner for Neglect; Expenses

36-2-17-9. Destruction of Recorder's Records; Restoration; Proof of Execution, Acknowledgment, or Action

36-2-17-10. Destruction of Recorder's Records; Statement of Person Having Interest in Preserving Evidence of Document; Witnesses; Oaths; Witnesses' Recollections

36-2-17-11. Destruction of Recorder's Records; Force and Effect of Record; Certified Copies; Fee for Recording

36-2-17-12. Wills, Letters Testamentary, or Letters of Administration Destroyed; Copies; Force and Effect of Record

36-2-17-13. Bond for Guardian, Administrator, or Executor Destroyed; New Bond; Liability of Surety on Destroyed Bond

36-2-17-14. Bond for County Officer Destroyed; New Bond; Liability

36-2-17-15. Public Documents in Custody of County Treasurer Destroyed; Copies; County Tax Duplicate; Liability of Persons Charged With Tax

36-2-17-16. Assessment Rolls and Tax Duplicates Destroyed; New Assessments and Appraisals; Proceedings to Collect Taxes Due

36-2-17-17. Electronic Storage Medium; Retrieved Information as Evidence of Official Record; Data Processing System; Duties of Recorder