Charlestown, Indiana Public Records

Superior Court 1 can be reached at 812-285-6250, Superior Court 2 at 812-285-6252, Superior Court 3 at 812-285-6254, and Superior Court 4 at 812-285-6257. Indiana provides statewide online access to court records through the Indiana Judicial Branch's Odyssey case management system at mycase.in.gov, where users can search by party name, case number, or attorney to view case information, docket entries, judgments, and filings for most cases filed after implementation. Fees for certified copies of court documents are $1.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee. Searches conducted by court staff may incur research fees. Case files can be accessed in person during business hours at the Clerk's office, and photocopies cost $1.00 per page for non-certified documents.

The Indiana Bureau of Investigation also offers resources for Clark County residents seeking detailed criminal background information, ensuring that individuals and businesses have access to necessary records for employment or personal purposes.

Property tax records and parcel information can be searched online through the county's GIS system and property search portal accessible via the Assessor's website, allowing searches by address, owner name, or parcel number. The Clark County Recorder's Office, located at 300 Pearl Street, Room 213, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 (phone: 812-285-6217; website: clarkcountyrecorder.com), is responsible for recording and maintaining land records including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, rights-of-way, military discharges, and other instruments affecting real property. Indiana law requires these documents to be recorded to establish priority and provide public notice. The Recorder's Office provides free online access to recorded documents through its website, where users can search by grantor/grantee name, document type, book and page, or instrument number. Records are digitized back to the early 1990s with some earlier records available. The county also maintains a GIS mapping system at gis.clarkcountyindiana.gov providing parcel maps, zoning information, and aerial imagery.

The proximity to Interstate 65 and the Louisville metropolitan area makes Charlestown attractive for distribution and light manufacturing operations. The city's location in the Louisville metropolitan statistical area means many residents commute to jobs in Louisville, Kentucky, while also benefiting from Indiana's lower cost of living. Major employers serving Charlestown residents include Clark County government offices, the Greater Clark County Schools system, and healthcare providers associated with Baptist Health Floyd in nearby New Albany. The median household income in Charlestown is estimated at approximately $55,000-60,000, slightly below the state median but reflective of the community's working-class and middle-class character. Recent economic development has focused on expanding the River Ridge site, improving downtown Charlestown's commercial district, and leveraging the tourism potential of Charlestown State Park. The city's economy benefits from its position within the Falls of the Ohio region, sharing in the economic growth of one of Indiana's fastest-developing counties.

The Charlestown Police Department, located at 301 Main Cross Street, Charlestown, IN 47111 (phone: 812-256-3422), provides law enforcement services within the city limits and maintains records of arrests, incident reports, accident reports, and criminal investigations. Residents can request police reports in person at the department or by submitting a written request; the department maintains records according to Indiana retention schedules. For incidents outside city limits or in unincorporated areas of Clark County, the Clark County Sheriff's Office provides service. The Sheriff's Office is located at 501 E. Court Avenue, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 (phone: 812-283-3633; website: clarkcosheriff.com). The Sheriff's Office handles arrests, warrants, civil process, and operates the Clark County Jail. To search for current inmates and recent arrests, the public can access the jail roster at clarkcosheriff.com/inmate-roster, which displays booking photos, charges, bond amounts, booking dates, and inmate identification numbers. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3-1 et seq.) governs requests for law enforcement records, establishing that most arrest records and incident reports are public unless part of an ongoing investigation or containing confidential information. Requests should be submitted in writing, and agencies must respond within a reasonable time, though fees may apply for copying and research time exceeding one hour.

Processing typically takes 4-6 weeks by mail, though expedited service is available for additional fees. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at vitalrecords.in.gov for an additional convenience fee, with delivery in approximately 10 business days. Only eligible individuals (family members, legal representatives, or those with direct tangible interest) may obtain certified copies, and valid photo identification is required. For local assistance, the Clark County Health Department at 1119 Missouri Avenue, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 (phone: 812-282-6600) can provide information, though certified copies must come from the state office. Marriage licenses are issued by the Clark County Clerk's Office at 300 Pearl Street, Room 210, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 (phone: 812-285-6244); the fee is $18 and both parties must appear in person with valid identification and social security numbers. There is no waiting period or blood test requirement in Indiana. Divorce records are maintained by the Clark Circuit and Superior Courts where the case was filed, with certified copies available from the Clerk's office for the statutory fee.

For businesses operating in unincorporated Clark County or countywide registration, contact the Clark County Auditor's Office at 300 Pearl Street, Jeffersonville, IN 47130. Assumed business names (DBAs or fictitious business names) are registered with the Clark County Recorder's Office at 300 Pearl Street, Room 213, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 (phone: 812-285-6217). The registration fee is approximately $30 and must be renewed periodically according to Indiana law. For state-level business entity formation and registration, the Indiana Secretary of State maintains all corporation, LLC, limited partnership, and other business entity filings. The INBiz portal at inbiz.in.gov provides free online searching of registered business entities, allowing searches by entity name, registered agent, or business ID number. The database shows entity status (active, dissolved, merged), formation date, principal office address, registered agent, and officers or managers. Business entities can be formed online through the same portal. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien searches are conducted through the Indiana Secretary of State's UCC division, with records searchable online. Businesses owning real property in Charlestown should check their property tax assessments through the Clark County Assessor's online database, which includes commercial property valuations and tax calculations.

Charlestown voters are served by the Clark County Clerk's Office, which oversees elections for all county residents. The office is located at 300 Pearl Street, Room 210, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 (phone: 812-285-6244; website: co.clark.in.us/departments/county-clerk). Voter registration in Indiana can be completed online through the Indiana Voter Registration Portal at indianavoters.in.gov, by mail, or in person at the County Clerk's Office, BMV branches, or designated agencies. The registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Indiana requires voters to present photo identification at the polls; acceptable forms include an Indiana driver's license, Indiana state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. Charlestown holds municipal elections for Mayor and City Council positions; these elections are typically held in November of odd-numbered years, with the most recent in November 2023 and the next scheduled for November 2027. The Charlestown City Council consists of five members representing districts within the city. Information about local candidates, sample ballots, and city ordinances can be found through Charlestown City Hall. To find their assigned polling place, Charlestown residents can use the Indiana Voter Portal at indianavoters.in.gov by entering their name and date of birth, which displays registration status, polling location, and sample ballot. Election records that are public in Indiana include voter registration lists (available for purchase for lawful purposes), campaign finance reports filed with the Indiana Election Division, candidate declarations and petitions, and precinct-level election results published after each election. In the November 2024 presidential election, Clark County reported approximately 62-65% voter turnout with over 63,000 ballots cast from approximately 98,000 registered voters. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Charlestown and Clark County voters will decide several key races: the U.S. Senate seat (Indiana's Class III seat is up in 2028, but one Class I seat could have special circumstances), Indiana state legislative seats including State Senate and House districts covering Charlestown, all Clark County elected offices including County Council, County Commissioners, Sheriff, Clerk, Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Surveyor, and Coroner, as well as some township trustees and board members. Indiana does not have a gubernatorial election in 2026 (next in 2024 and 2028). Absentee voting in Indiana is available by mail for voters who meet specific criteria including being 65 or older, having a disability, being scheduled to work during all poll hours, being a caregiver, being confined due to illness or injury, or being absent from the county on election day. Applications for absentee ballots must be received by the County Clerk's Office by 11:59 p.m. the day before the election (for in-person absentee) or 11 days before for mail applications. Early in-person voting is available at the County Clerk's Office and designated satellite locations beginning 28 days before the election.