Clinton County

The county is bordered by Tippecanoe, Carroll, Cass, Howard, Tipton, and Boone counties. Major highways include Interstate 65, U.S. Route 421, and State Road 28, providing excellent connectivity to Indianapolis and Lafayette.

The county is home to several key governmental agencies responsible for maintaining public records: the Clinton County Recorder's Office at 265 Courthouse Square, Frankfort, handles land and property documents; the Clinton County Clerk's Office at the same address manages court records, marriage licenses, and election administration; and the Clinton County Assessor's Office maintains property tax assessments and parcel data. Notable landmarks include the Clinton County Courthouse, a historic structure in downtown Frankfort, and TPA Park, a major recreational facility. The county's economy has historically been anchored by agriculture, particularly corn and soybean production, along with manufacturing facilities that have provided stable employment for generations.

Clinton County retains its rural character while benefiting from proximity to larger urban centers.

The Clinton County Jail houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving shorter sentences; inmate lookup services are typically available by contacting the jail directly at the Sheriff's Office number or by visiting in person during business hours. Within Clinton County, municipal police departments include the Frankfort Police Department, which serves the county seat, and the Mulberry Police Department, serving the town of Mulberry. These agencies handle law enforcement within their respective municipal boundaries.

Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3), arrest records are generally considered public information, and citizens may request copies by submitting a written request to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Indiana law allows law enforcement agencies to withhold certain records if release would interfere with an ongoing investigation or compromise public safety. No tribal police jurisdictions exist in Clinton County, and all law enforcement falls under county or municipal authority.

Indiana provides public access to court records through the Odyssey case management system used by many counties, and Clinton County participates in the Indiana MyCase online portal at mycase.in.gov, where users can search for case information by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal provides docket entries, case summaries, and filing histories for most civil, criminal, and family cases, though some sensitive records such as sealed cases, juvenile matters, and certain protective order details are restricted. Access to the online portal is free for basic searches, but certified copies of documents require payment and must typically be obtained in person or by mail from the Clerk's Office.

Under Indiana Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3) and Trial Rule 5(G), most court records are presumed to be open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute or court rule. The Clinton County Clerk maintains the official court record and is responsible for filing, indexing, and preserving all court documents. Probate matters, including wills, estate administration, guardianships, and trust proceedings, are handled by the Circuit or Superior Court with records maintained by the Clerk's Office.

Indiana law requires that most documents affecting real property be recorded to provide public notice and establish priority of interests. The Recorder's Office maintains indexes searchable by grantor, grantee, and legal description. Many Indiana counties, including Clinton County, provide online access to recorded documents through subscription services or public portals; citizens should check the county's official website at clintoncounty.in.gov or contact the Recorder's Office to determine current online availability and any associated fees.

Property tax information is maintained separately by the Clinton County Assessor's Office at 265 Courthouse Square, phone (765) 659-6340, which maintains parcel data, assessed values, property characteristics, and ownership information. The Clinton County Treasurer's Office handles tax collection and maintains payment history records. Clinton County participates in Indiana's geographic information system initiatives, and a GIS parcel viewer may be available through the county's website, allowing users to search by address, parcel number, or owner name and view mapped property boundaries, zoning, and assessment data.

Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested in person or by mail with appropriate identification and payment of statutory fees, typically $1 per page for copies plus certification fees as established under Indiana Code 36-2-7-10.

Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record as required by Indiana Code 16-37-1. Eligible applicants include the subject of the record (if of legal age), parents, legal guardians, adult children, and legal representatives. Marriage licenses are issued by the Clinton County Clerk's Office at 265 Courthouse Square, Frankfort, IN 46041, phone (765) 659-6335.

There is no waiting period in Indiana, and the license is valid for 60 days. Marriage records and divorce decrees are maintained by the County Clerk where the marriage or divorce occurred. All vital records requests must comply with Indiana's confidentiality statutes.

For formal business entity formation, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other statutory entities, registration occurs at the state level through the Indiana Secretary of State Business Services Division. Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, healthcare providers, real estate agents, and cosmetologists are issued by respective state licensing boards, not the county. Sales tax permits are obtained through the Indiana Department of Revenue.

Local business operating permits and zoning approvals are handled by individual municipalities; the City of Frankfort and Town of Mulberry each maintain their own business licensing requirements for businesses operating within corporate limits. Building permits and construction-related licenses are issued by the Clinton County Building Department or municipal building departments, located at county or city offices. The Clinton County Area Plan Commission handles zoning matters, subdivision approvals, and land use planning.

The Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, serving the Frankfort area, can be reached through local business directories and provides resources for entrepreneurs and existing businesses seeking to locate or expand in the county.

The online voter portal allows residents to register, check their registration status, view their sample ballot, and find their assigned polling location by entering their name and date of birth or their voter registration number. Clinton County typically has 15-20 polling places distributed across its townships and municipalities, with exact locations available through the County Clerk or the state voter portal. Indiana requires voters to present a government-issued photo ID at the polls, one of the nation's stricter voter ID laws.

Acceptable forms include an Indiana driver's license, Indiana state ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, or other documents meeting statutory requirements under Indiana Code 3-5-2-40.5. Absentee voting is available to eligible voters who meet specific criteria including being 65 or older, having a disability, being absent from the county on election day, working as a poll worker, being confined due to illness or injury, or being a member of the military.

Absentee ballot applications can be submitted to the County Clerk's Office by mail or in person, with deadlines typically falling 12 days before the election for mail applications. Indiana offers early voting at designated locations in the weeks preceding major elections. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.

House of Representatives races, contests for Indiana state legislature, and potentially statewide offices. Clinton County's voter turnout in presidential elections typically ranges from 60-70%, while midterm elections see turnout in the 40-50% range, consistent with statewide patterns. Election results are public records and are posted by precinct on the Indiana Secretary of State's election website at in.gov/sos/elections shortly after polls close.

Campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees are available through the Indiana Election Division. Voter registration lists are considered public records under Indiana Code 3-7-26.3, though they contain protected information and access is regulated. Clinton County uses a combination of electronic voting machines and paper ballots depending on the voting location and maintains election security protocols in accordance with state and federal requirements.

Major employers in Clinton County include TRW Automotive (now ZF Group), which operates a manufacturing facility producing automotive components and has been a cornerstone employer for decades. Frito-Lay operates a distribution facility in the area, and Clinton Prairie School Corporation and Clinton Central School Corporation are among the largest public-sector employers. Healthcare services provided by Witham Health Services and other medical facilities contribute to employment stability.

Unemployment rates in Clinton County typically track closely with state averages, generally ranging from 3% to 5% in recent years depending on economic conditions. Economic development efforts focus on attracting advanced manufacturing, logistics operations taking advantage of the county's I-65 corridor location, and supporting existing agricultural businesses with value-added processing. The Clinton County Economic Development Corporation works to recruit new businesses and assist existing companies with expansion.

No tribal economic entities operate within Clinton County. The county's proximity to the Lafayette-West Lafayette metropolitan area provides additional employment opportunities for residents willing to commute, while maintaining lower housing costs and a small-town quality of life.