Cannelburg, Indiana Public Records

The Daviess Superior Court, phone (812) 254-8669, has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, infractions including traffic violations, small claims matters up to $6,000, protective orders, and shares civil jurisdiction with the Circuit Court. Both courts maintain separate case filing systems and dockets, though they coordinate on scheduling and administrative matters. There is no separate municipal court in Cannelburg since it is not an incorporated municipality with city government. Indiana residents can search court records online through the Indiana Judicial Branch's public access system called Mycase, available at www.mycase.in.gov. This free statewide portal allows searches by party name, case number, attorney, or judge across all Indiana courts including Daviess County. Users can view case information, filed documents, hearing dates, judgments, and case status for most civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Some sensitive cases such as juvenile matters, mental health commitments, and certain sealed records are not publicly accessible through this system. In-person record requests can be made at the Clerk's office in the courthouse during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Filing fees vary by case type in Daviess County courts. As of 2024, filing a small claims case costs approximately $85, while more complex civil cases can range from $156 to $186 depending on the amount in controversy. Certified copies of court documents cost $1.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee. Requests for document copies without certification are typically $0.10 per page. Marriage license applications filed with the Daviess County Clerk cost $18.00, with an additional $10.00 fee if both parties complete premarital education. Additional court fees may apply for jury trials, appeals, and specialized filings.

The Assessor's office maintains detailed property data including legal descriptions, parcel numbers, ownership information, property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size), assessed values, and assessment history. Daviess County provides free online access to property tax and assessment information through the Indiana Gateway for Government Units portal at www.in.gov/mylocal. Residents can search by owner name, parcel number, or property address to view current assessments, tax bills, payment status, and property characteristics. This online system also provides GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping functionality, allowing users to view aerial imagery, parcel boundaries, and surrounding properties. The Daviess County Recorder's Office, also located at 200 East Walnut Street in the courthouse (phone 812-254-8668), is the official repository for all land records and documents affecting real property in the county. The Recorder maintains and indexes deeds, mortgages, liens, mortgage releases, easements, rights-of-way, plats, surveys, and other instruments affecting title to real property. These documents create the chain of title for every parcel in Cannelburg and throughout Daviess County. Indiana law requires that documents affecting real property be recorded with the County Recorder to provide public notice of ownership and encumbrances. The Daviess County Recorder provides online access to recorded documents through a subscription-based service called Laredo, available through links on the county website. While there is no fee to search the index, viewing and printing actual recorded documents requires either a paid subscription or payment of per-page fees. In-person visitors to the Recorder's office can search records and make copies for $1.00 per page. To conduct a property search for Cannelburg properties, residents can begin with the free Assessor's database to identify the parcel number and current owner, then use that information to search recorded documents at the Recorder's office for deed history and any liens or encumbrances. The county GIS system provides visual parcel identification and is particularly helpful when searching by address or when the exact legal description is unknown. Property research for title examination, mortgage lending, or legal purposes typically requires reviewing the complete chain of title at the Recorder's office, either online or in person.

The decline of coal mining in the region led to population decrease and the eventual loss of Cannelburg's incorporated status, transitioning it to the unincorporated community it is today. Agriculture remains a dominant economic force in the Cannelburg area, with family farms producing corn, soybeans, and livestock including cattle and hogs. Many properties in and around Cannelburg are working farms that have been in the same families for generations, reflecting the stability and continuity of agricultural operations in southwestern Indiana. While Cannelburg itself has limited commercial activity, residents benefit from employment opportunities in nearby Washington, which hosts several major employers including Good Samaritan Hospital (part of the Ascension health system), Daviess Community Hospital, the Daviess County School Corporation, and Walmart. Manufacturing facilities in Washington and surrounding Daviess County communities provide industrial employment, with companies in automotive parts, food processing, and other sectors. The proximity to State Road 57 and U.S. Highway 50 provides reasonable access to employment centers throughout the region. According to U.S. Census data, Daviess County's median household income is approximately $58,000-$62,000, though specific data for the small unincorporated Cannelburg community is not separately tabulated. The area's economy reflects broader trends in rural Indiana, with an aging population, reliance on agriculture and manufacturing, and gradual population stability or modest decline in purely agricultural areas. Recent economic developments in Daviess County include continued investment in healthcare facilities in Washington, expansion of broadband internet access to rural areas including Cannelburg (through state and federal rural connectivity programs), and ongoing agricultural consolidation as farming operations become larger and more mechanized. The scenic rural character of the Cannelburg area, combined with relatively affordable property prices, has attracted some residential development from people seeking country living while commuting to jobs in Washington, Vincennes, or even Bloomington. The community maintains its identity as a quiet agricultural area with deep historical roots in Indiana's coal mining past.

Cannelburg, as an unincorporated community, does not maintain its own police department. Law enforcement services for Cannelburg and surrounding unincorporated areas of Daviess County are provided by the Daviess County Sheriff's Office, located at 911 East National Highway (U.S. 50), Washington, IN 47501. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (812) 254-1060, and information about their services is available at www.daviesscountysheriff.com. The Sheriff's Office handles all criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and emergency response for Cannelburg residents, and maintains records of incidents, arrests, and calls for service in unincorporated areas. To request police reports or incident records from the Sheriff's Office, residents can visit the office in person during business hours or submit a written request specifying the case number, date of incident, and parties involved. Some basic information may be provided over the phone, but official reports typically require an in-person visit or written request.

Arrest records and jail bookings for individuals detained in Daviess County are maintained at the Daviess County Jail, also located at 911 East National Highway in Washington. The Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate roster that can be accessed through their website, allowing the public to search current jail inmates by name. The roster typically displays booking photographs (mugshots), charges filed, bond amounts, booking dates and times, and expected release dates or court appearances. This information is updated regularly and provides transparency regarding who is currently detained in the county facility.

All public records requests in Cannelburg and throughout Daviess County are governed by Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, codified in Indiana Code 5-14-3. This statute requires that public agencies make records available for inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law. Requests should be made in writing to the appropriate agency custodian, though some agencies may honor verbal requests. The Sheriff's Office must respond to records requests within a reasonable time, typically within seven days, though complex requests may take longer. Fees may be charged for copying costs, typically not exceeding $0.10 per page for standard documents, plus actual costs for other media formats. Certain law enforcement investigative records may be withheld if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, as permitted under Indiana Code 5-14-3-4(b)(1).

Indiana law restricts access to vital records to protect privacy: birth certificates are available only to the person named on the certificate (if age 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest. Death certificates have similar restrictions for records less than 75 years old. The fee for a certified copy of a birth or death certificate is $28.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Processing time for mail requests is typically 10-15 business days, though expedited service is available for an additional fee. Online ordering through VitalChek (www.vitalchek.com) is available for Indiana vital records with additional processing fees, offering faster turnaround with overnight delivery options. Marriage licenses for Cannelburg residents are issued by the Daviess County Clerk's Office, located at 200 East Walnut Street, Washington, IN 47501, phone (812) 254-8664. Both parties must appear in person to apply for a marriage license, and must provide valid government-issued photo identification and Social Security numbers. The marriage license fee is $18.00, which can be reduced to $8.00 if both parties complete a premarital education program approved by the Indiana State Department of Health. There is no waiting period in Indiana, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. The license must be returned to the Clerk's office after the ceremony for recording. Marriage records maintained by the Daviess County Clerk date back to the formation of the county in 1817, with older records available on microfilm and more recent records in digital format. Divorce records (Dissolutions of Marriage) are court records maintained by the Daviess Circuit Court Clerk at the same courthouse location. While the marriage license is a simple vital record, divorce decrees are part of the court file and contain more detailed information. Basic information about divorces can be searched through Indiana's Mycase system at www.mycase.in.gov, but complete divorce files including settlement agreements and financial disclosures must be requested from the Clerk's office. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $1.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee. Indiana began statewide electronic filing and record-keeping for courts in phases starting in the early 2000s, so records from approximately 2010 forward are more readily accessible online, while older records may require in-person research or special requests to retrieve from archived storage.

Certain types of businesses may require specific county permits depending on the nature of operations, particularly for food service, alcohol sales, or activities requiring health department approval. The Daviess County Health Department, located at 1314 West Main Street, Washington, IN 47501, phone (812) 254-8796, issues permits for food establishments, septic systems, and other health-related business activities. Fictitious business name registrations ("Doing Business As" or DBA filings) in Indiana are filed at the county level with the Daviess County Recorder's Office at 200 East Walnut Street, Washington, IN 47501, phone (812) 254-8668. Any individual or business entity operating under a name other than their legal name must file a Certificate of Assumed Business Name with the County Recorder. The filing fee is typically around $30.00, and the registration must be renewed every five years. These filings become part of the public record and can be searched through the Recorder's office index. Indiana business entity registrations, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other formal business structures, are registered with the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division. The state maintains a comprehensive, free online business search database called INBiz, accessible at www.inbiz.in.gov. This portal allows anyone to search for registered business entities by name, registered agent, or business ID number. The search results display the entity's status (active, dissolved, withdrawn), date of formation, registered agent name and address, principal office address, and officers or members if disclosed. The system also allows users to order certified copies of formation documents and annual reports for a fee. Businesses can also file new registrations, annual reports, and amendments through this online system. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements, which create security interests in personal property and are commonly used in business lending, are also filed with the Indiana Secretary of State. UCC searches can be conducted through the INBiz portal to identify liens against business assets. Property tax records for commercial properties in Cannelburg can be searched through the Daviess County Assessor's online database using the same system available for residential properties at www.in.gov/mylocal, allowing business owners and prospective buyers to research assessed values, tax amounts, and property characteristics for commercial real estate.

Cannelburg voters are served by the Daviess County Clerk's Office, which administers elections for all of Daviess County including unincorporated areas. The Daviess County Clerk is located at 200 East Walnut Street, Suite 105, Washington, IN 47501, phone (812) 254-8664. The Clerk's office handles voter registration, maintains voter rolls, issues absentee ballots, and certifies election results for all federal, state, county, and local elections affecting Cannelburg residents. Information about elections and voting in Daviess County is available through the Indiana Voter Portal and the county clerk's office.

Cannelburg residents can register to vote online through the Indiana Voter Registration Portal at www.indianavoters.in.gov. The online system allows eligible Indiana residents to register or update their registration information if they have an Indiana driver's license or state ID card. The voter registration deadline in Indiana is 29 days before any election. First-time voters who register by mail must vote in person and provide identification. Indiana requires voters to present government-issued photo identification at the polls, including Indiana driver's licenses, Indiana state ID cards, U.S. passports, military IDs, or other approved forms of photo identification. The photo ID must show the voter's name (matching voter registration), include a photo, display an expiration date (and be current or expired after the date of the most recent general election), and be issued by the State of Indiana or the U.S. government.

Because Cannelburg is an unincorporated community, there are no municipal elections for mayor or town council specific to Cannelburg. Residents participate in Daviess County-wide elections for county offices, Indiana state legislative races, and federal elections. County offices on the ballot in various election cycles include County Commissioner (three commissioners elected to staggered four-year terms), County Council members (seven members), Sheriff, Clerk, Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Assessor, Coroner, and Surveyor. Daviess County is part of Indiana House District 62 and Indiana Senate District 39 for state legislative representation.

Cannelburg voters can find their assigned polling place using the Indiana Voter Portal at www.indianavoters.in.gov by entering their name and date of birth or their county and voter registration number. The system displays the voter's precinct, polling location address, sample ballot, and elected representatives. Polling places are typically located at schools, community centers, or public buildings, with specific locations varying by precinct. Polls in Indiana are open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time on Election Day.

In the November 2024 presidential election, Daviess County recorded approximately 13,500 total votes cast, representing roughly 60-65% voter turnout among registered voters. Daviess County, like much of rural southwestern Indiana, historically votes heavily Republican in presidential and most statewide races, with the 2024 presidential race showing approximately 75-80% support for Republican candidates in county results.

Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Cannelburg and Daviess County voters will decide several important races. The 2026 ballot will include elections for U.S. Senate (one of Indiana's U.S. Senate seats will be up for election), all of Indiana's nine U.S. House seats including the district covering Daviess County, Indiana state offices including Secretary of State, Auditor, and Treasurer, and Indiana General Assembly seats for both the House and Senate. At the county level, 2026 is expected to include races for some county offices depending on the election cycle, potentially including County Council seats and other constitutional officers whose terms expire. Specific candidate filings and local ballot questions typically become available 6-8 months before the election through the County Clerk's office and the Indiana Election Division website at www.in.gov/sos/elections.

Indiana allows absentee voting by mail for voters who meet specific criteria: those who will be absent from the county on Election Day, have disabilities, are over age 65, have official election duties, are scheduled to work during all 12 hours polls are open, are confined due to illness or injury, are prevented from voting due to religious discipline or belief, are a member of the military or public safety officer, are a "serious sex offender," or are a voter caring for an individual confined to a private residence. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted online through the Indiana Voter Portal or by paper application to the Daviess County Clerk's office. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 11 days before Election Day, and voted ballots must be received by the County Clerk's office by noon on Election Day to be counted.

Public election records in Indiana include voter registration lists (available to candidates and political parties with some restrictions), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political action committees (searchable at www.in.gov/sos/elections), candidate declarations and filings, and precinct-level election results. The Indiana Election Division publishes detailed election results by county and precinct after elections are certified, providing transparency in vote counting and reporting. Voter registration information is considered public record, though individual voter history (whether someone voted in a specific election) has some privacy protections and is primarily available to the voters themselves and authorized entities.