Daviess County

Daviess County is located in southwestern Indiana, established in 1817 and named after Colonel Joseph Hamilton Daveiss, a prominent Kentucky lawyer and military officer killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe. Daviess County seat is Washington, Indiana, which is the governmental and economic hub of Daviess County. Daviess County includes approximately 432 square miles and had a population of approximately 33,300 residents as of the 2020 Census. Daviess County is characterized by rolling hills, fertile agricultural land, and significant limestone deposits that have historically supported quarrying operations. Major landmarks include the historic Washington Courthouse Square, Daviess County Historical Society Museum, and numerous Amish communities that contribute to Daviess County's distinctive cultural character. Daviess County is home to several key governmental offices that maintain public records: Daviess County Recorder's Office at 200 E. Walnut Street, Washington, IN 47501, which handles property records and land documents; Daviess County Clerk's Office at the same courthouse location, managing court records and vital statistics; and Daviess County Assessor's Office, responsible for property tax assessments. Daviess County's economy has traditionally relied on agriculture, particularly grain farming and livestock, alongside industrial manufacturing and the thriving presence of Old Order Amish craftsmen producing furniture and goods. What makes Daviess County particularly unique is its substantial Amish population, one of the largest concentrations in Indiana, which shapes the local economy, culture, and scene with distinctive farms, businesses, and horse-and-buggy traffic alongside modern vehicles on county roads.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Daviess County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Daviess County's unincorporated areas. This office oversees Daviess County Security Center, where it manages Daviess County jail operations, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The sheriff's office is also involved in community policing initiatives and offers programs such as neighborhood watch and crime prevention education. The office works closely with local police departments to ensure public safety across Daviess County.

Police Departments

In addition to Daviess County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Daviess County is provided by municipal police departments, including the Washington Police Department and the Odon Police Department. These agencies are responsible for policing within their respective city limits, handling local crime, and traffic enforcement. They coordinate with the sheriff's office on major investigations and emergencies to ensure full law enforcement coverage throughout Daviess County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Law enforcement in Daviess County, Indiana is primarily provided by Daviess County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 901 N. Inmate lookup services are available by calling the jail directly or visiting the facility during business hours; some information may be accessible through third-party inmate search databases, though Daviess County does not currently maintain a full online inmate roster.

• Citizens can request arrest records by submitting a written or in-person request to the Sheriff's Office or Washington Police Department; fees for copying may apply.
• Requests should specify the individual's name and approximate date of arrest.
• Processing times for arrest record requests typically range from immediate for recent bookings to several days for archived records, depending on the complexity of the request and staff availability.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Daviess County, IN are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Daviess County, IN are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Daviess County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.

• Look up current inmates and booking information at Welcome to the Daviess County Detention Center.
• Sheriff's Office: Jo Daviess County.
• The bond and bail process allows release of detainees under conditions set by the court; inquiries about recently arrested individuals can be directed to the jail's administrative office.

Daviess County court system operates under the Indiana judicial framework with the Daviess Circuit Court and Washington area Superior Court serving as the primary trial courts of general jurisdiction. Both courts are located at Daviess County Courthouse, 200 E. Walnut Street, Washington, IN 47501. Daviess County Circuit Court handles a full range of civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters, while the Washington area Superior Court provides concurrent jurisdiction over similar case types. Court contact information includes phone for general inquiries.

• gov), a statewide system that provides free public access to court records, case filings, judgments, and docket information for Daviess County cases.
• The Clerk of Courts maintains official case files and can provide certified copies for a fee, typically $1.00 per page plus a certification fee.
• In-person requests can be made at the Clerk's Office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Researchers seeking historical or archived records may need to submit requests in advance, and fees for extensive research may apply.

Property and land records for Daviess County, Indiana are maintained by Daviess County Recorder's Office, located at 200 E. Walnut Street, Washington, IN 47501 The Recorder's Office is responsible for recording and preserving all documents affecting real property within Daviess County, including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage releases, liens (mechanics liens, judgment liens, tax liens), easements, rights-of-way, and plat maps for subdivisions. Indiana law (IC 36-2-11) requires these records to be indexed and made available for public inspection.

• Search fees and document printing fees apply for online access, typically structured as subscription-based or per-document charges.
• For certified copies of recorded documents, requesters must contact the Recorder's Office directly; fees are $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.
• publicaccessnow.com or similar platform), allowing users to search by owner name, parcel number, or address to view property characteristics, assessed values, tax amounts, and aerial imagery.

Vital records for Daviess County, Indiana, including birth and death certificates, are maintained at both the local and state levels. For birth certificates, individuals born in Daviess County can request certified copies from Daviess County Health Department, located at 1316 W. Main Street, Washington, IN 47501 Birth certificates are available for births occurring within Daviess County; the fee is typically $12.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.

• Processing time for in-person requests is often same-day if records are readily available, while mail requests may take 1-2 weeks.
• Death certificates can also be obtained through Daviess County Health Department using the same process and fee structure.
• Both parties must appear in person to apply, and the fee is approximately $18.00; there is no waiting period in Indiana.
• Certified copies of marriage records are also available from the Clerk's Office for $2.00.
• Divorce records (dissolution of marriage decrees) are maintained as court records by the Clerk and can be accessed through the court records system.

Business and licensing records in Daviess County, Indiana are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of registration or permit. Local business name registrations, including Doing Business As (DBA) filings and fictitious business names, are filed with Daviess County Clerk's Office at 200 E. Walnut Street, Washington, IN 47501 These local filings are public records and can be inspected during regular business hours; fees for filing typically range from $15-$30.

• gov), a free online portal where anyone can search for registered business entities, view formation documents, registered agent information, annual report status, and business status (active, dissolved, etc.).

Explore public records for 6 cities and communities in Daviess County, Indiana.

Daviess County, Indiana's economy is diversified across agriculture, manufacturing, and services, with significant contributions from Daviess County's substantial Amish community. Agriculture remains a cornerstone, with Daviess County ranking among Indiana's top producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, and livestock including hogs and cattle. The median household income in Daviess County is approximately $62,000 (2021 estimate), slightly below the Indiana state median. Major employers include Grain Systems Inc.

• The manufacturing sector is strong, with metal fabrication, food processing, and agricultural equipment production representing key industries.

Election administration in Daviess County, Indiana is conducted by Daviess County Clerk and Daviess County Election Board. Daviess County Clerk's Office, located at 200 E. Walnut Street, Washington, IN 47501, oversees voter registration, absentee voting, and election record maintenance. Indiana voters can register online through the Indiana Voter Registration Portal at indianavoters. gov, which is managed by the Indiana Secretary of State's office. The voter registration deadline is 29 days before any election.

• Voters can also register in person at the Clerk's Office, at Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches when obtaining or renewing a driver's license, or by mail using the Indiana Voter Registration Application.
• To request an absentee ballot in Daviess County, voters must complete an Absentee Ballot Application (ABS-Mail or ABS-Travel Board form) available from the Clerk's Office or downloadable from indianavoters.