Dubois County

Major communities include Jasper, Huntingburg, Ferdinand, and Holland, each contributing to the county's unique cultural tapestry. Dubois County is renowned for its limestone formations, the scenic Patoka River, and Ferdinand State Forest, which offers over 7,500 acres of recreational opportunities. The county's economy has historically been anchored by furniture manufacturing, with Jasper earning the designation as the 'Wood Capital of the World.' The Dubois County Courthouse, located at 1 Courthouse Square in Jasper, serves as the hub for many county services.

Key public offices include the Dubois County Recorder at the Government Complex on Main Street, the Dubois County Clerk who maintains court and vital records, and the Dubois County Assessor responsible for property valuations. The county maintains a strong agricultural base while also embracing modern manufacturing and tourism industries. What makes Dubois County particularly unique is its preservation of German Catholic traditions, evident in the architecturally significant St.

Meinrad Archabbey and the annual Strassenfest celebration in Jasper. The county also benefits from proximity to the Hoosier National Forest and various recreational lakes.

Inmate lookup services are available through the Sheriff's Office website or by calling the jail directly at (812) 481-7050, where staff can provide information on current inmates, booking dates, charges, and bond amounts. Municipal police departments operate in Jasper (Jasper Police Department), Huntingburg (Huntingburg Police Department), and Ferdinand (Ferdinand Police Department), each with jurisdiction within their respective city limits. The Indiana State Police also maintain jurisdiction throughout Dubois County and operate from the Jasper Post.

No tribal police agencies operate within Dubois County, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands in this jurisdiction.

The Dubois Circuit Court can be reached at (812) 481-7020, while the Dubois Superior Court is accessible at (812) 481-7025. Indiana courts operate under the principle of public access to court records as outlined in Indiana Administrative Rule 9, which presumes that all court records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute or court order. The Indiana Odyssey case management system provides online access to court records through the mycase.in.gov portal, where users can search by party name, case number, or attorney to view dockets, judgments, and filed documents for Dubois County cases.

Some records, including sealed cases, juvenile matters, and certain domestic violence protective orders, are restricted from public access. The Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts, located in the same courthouse, maintains the official court records and charges fees for certified copies: $1.00 per page for non-certified copies and $1.00 per page plus $2.00 for certification. Walk-in visitors can inspect court files during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding county holidays.

Indiana law requires that documents affecting real property be recorded in the county where the property is located to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors. The Dubois County Recorder provides online access to land records through a subscription-based system available via the county website at www.duboiscountyin.org, allowing users to search by grantor/grantee name, parcel number, or document type. The Dubois County Assessor's Office, also located at 250 W.

Main Street, phone (812) 481-7050, maintains property assessment records used for taxation purposes, including property characteristics, assessed values, and ownership information. Property tax records, including payment history and tax bills, are maintained by the Dubois County Treasurer's Office at (812) 481-7060. Dubois County offers a free online GIS mapping system and parcel viewer that allows citizens to search for properties by address or parcel number, view aerial photography, property boundaries, zoning information, and assessment data.

Historical records dating back to the 1800s are preserved and available for research, though older documents may require special handling and advance notice.

Indiana Code 16-37 governs vital records and restricts access to authorized individuals including the registrant (for birth certificates), family members, legal representatives, and individuals with a direct and tangible interest. The Indiana State Department of Health Vital Records Office in Indianapolis maintains statewide records and can issue certified copies for any vital event occurring in Indiana; applications can be submitted online through VitalChek.com, by mail, or in person at the state office. Marriage licenses must be obtained from the Dubois County Clerk's Office at the Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square, Jasper, prior to the marriage ceremony; both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification and social security numbers.

Divorce records (dissolution of marriage decrees) are maintained by the court where the divorce was granted and can be obtained through the Dubois Circuit or Superior Court Clerk's Office.

For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and non-profit organizations, filings must be made with the Indiana Secretary of State's Business Services Division. The Secretary of State maintains a free online business entity search tool at www.inbiz.in.gov where users can search by business name, registered agent, or business ID number to verify business status, view formation dates, and access filed documents. The Dubois County Building Department, phone (812) 481-7070, issues building permits for construction, renovation, and demolition projects, and maintains records of these permits which can be requested by property owners, contractors, or prospective buyers.

Zoning matters are handled by the Dubois County Plan Commission and Area Planning Department, which can be reached at (812) 482-1171; zoning maps, comprehensive plans, and variance applications are public records available for inspection. Specific business activities may require additional licensing: food establishments must be licensed by the Dubois County Health Department, alcohol permits are issued by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission after local approval, and professional licenses (medical, legal, real estate, contractors) are regulated by state boards. The Dubois County Chamber of Commerce, located in Jasper at www.duboiscountychamber.com, provides resources for new and existing businesses including networking opportunities, economic data, and connections to local government services.

citizens, at least 18 years old on or before the next election, and have lived in their precinct for at least 30 days. Voters can verify their registration status, find their polling place, and view sample ballots through the indianavoters.in.gov portal by entering their name and date of birth. Dubois County operates approximately 28 precinct polling locations throughout the county, with specific locations determined by residence address.

The Clerk's office also offers early voting at the Courthouse beginning 28 days before Election Day, with extended hours during the final week before the election. Indiana requires voters to present a current government-issued photo ID that displays the voter's name matching their registration; acceptable IDs include Indiana driver's licenses, Indiana state ID cards, U.S. passports, and military IDs.

Absentee voting by mail is available to voters who meet specific criteria under Indiana Code 3-11-10, including being 65 or older, having a disability, being scheduled to work during all polling hours, being absent from the county on Election Day, or having religious obligations preventing polling place attendance. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Clerk's office no later than 11:59 PM eleven days before Election Day; applications can be submitted through the indianavoters.in.gov portal or by mailing a paper form to the Dubois County Clerk. In the November 2024 general election, Dubois County reported approximately 68% voter turnout among registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement typical of presidential election years in this politically active county.

The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races for Indiana's 8th Congressional District, state legislative seats including Indiana Senate and House districts covering Dubois County, and various county offices. Election records that are public under Indiana law include voter registration lists (though residential addresses are redacted for safety), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees, candidate declarations and filings, precinct-level election results, and poll books showing who voted (but not how they voted).

Citizens can request these records from the Dubois County Clerk's office under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, with some records available immediately and others requiring formal written requests and processing time.

Beyond furniture, the economy has diversified into plastics manufacturing, automotive components, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Meyer Distributing, a major automotive aftermarket parts distributor, operates a significant facility in Jasper and serves as another key employer. The agricultural sector remains important, with approximately 60% of the county's land dedicated to farming, primarily corn and soybean production, along with livestock operations including hog farms and cattle ranches.

Tourism contributes meaningfully to the local economy, driven by attractions such as Holiday World & Splashin' Safari theme park in Santa Claus (adjacent to Dubois County), recreational opportunities at Patoka Lake, Ferdinand State Forest, and the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in nearby Spencer County that draws visitors through Dubois County. The county's unemployment rate consistently runs below both state and national averages, typically in the 2-3% range, indicating a tight labor market and strong job opportunities. Healthcare services, provided primarily through Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper, represent a growing employment sector.

Recent economic development initiatives have focused on downtown revitalization in Jasper and Huntingburg, expansion of broadband internet access to rural areas, and attraction of logistics and distribution facilities leveraging the county's proximity to Interstate 64. The Dubois County Economic Development Corporation actively recruits new businesses and supports expansion of existing enterprises through tax increment financing and workforce development programs.