About Elkhart County
Elkhart County is located in north-central Indiana, bordering Michigan to the north. Elkhart County seat is Goshen, a city known for its historic courthouse square and vibrant downtown. Elkhart County includes approximately 468 square miles and has a population of over 207,000 residents, making it one of the more populous counties in Indiana. Elkhart County was established in 1830 and named after the Elkhart River, which flows through Elkhart County. Elkhart County is internationally recognized as the "RV Capital of the World," with the recreational vehicle manufacturing industry serving as the backbone of the local economy. Major cities include Elkhart County, Goshen, Nappanee, Middlebury, and Bristol. Elkhart County is home to the Amish community, one of the largest concentrations in the United States, particularly in the northern and eastern townships. Key county offices include Elkhart County Recorder located at 117 N. Second Street in Goshen, Elkhart County Clerk at the same address in Elkhart County Courthouse, and Elkhart County Assessor also housed in county government buildings. Natural landmarks include the Goshen area River, Simonton Lake, and numerous preserved wetlands and agricultural areas. Elkhart County maintains a blend of urban manufacturing centers and rural agricultural communities, with significant tourism driven by Amish culture, the Shipshewana Flea Market, and RV industry tours.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Elkhart County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Elkhart County. It operates Elkhart County Correctional Complex, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is involved in various community programs meant to crime prevention and public safety education. Notable divisions within the sheriff's office include the patrol division, investigations, and a dedicated team for handling narcotics-related offenses, reflecting the office's commitment to addressing specific local issues.
Police Departments
Elkhart County is served by multiple law enforcement agencies, including Elkhart County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments in cities like Elkhart and Goshen. The Elkhart Police Department and the Goshen Police Department handle law enforcement within their respective city limits, coordinating with the sheriff's office on major crimes and joint operations. These agencies work together to ensure full coverage and effective response to criminal activities across Elkhart County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Elkhart County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 26861 County Road 26 in Elkhart, Indiana 46517, provides primary law enforcement services to unincorporated areas and operates Elkhart County Correctional Complex. The facility also provides booking photos and bond information for detained individuals.
- Most agencies require written requests for detailed reports and may charge copying fees.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the Sheriff's Office online inmate lookup system or by visiting the jail in person.
- Second Street in Goshen, also maintains records of criminal charges and case dispositions that can be requested under public records law.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Elkhart 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. For an authoritative source, see Criminal History Report - Elkhart County Sheriff's Office.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Elkhart 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 Elkhart 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 Elkhart County Jail Inmate Search | Indiana Jail Roster.
- Sheriff's Office: Elkhart County - ISP.
- 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.
Courts & Case Records
Elkhart County operates multiple court divisions under the Elkhart Superior Court system and Elkhart Circuit Court. The Goshen area Circuit Court and Superior Courts (Divisions 1-6) are located at Elkhart County Courthouse, 315 S. Second Street, Goshen, IN 46526. The main court phone number is unlisted. These courts handle criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and small claims matters. Elkhart County Court system provides online case search capabilities through the Indiana Judicial Branch's mycase.
- gov portal, which offers free public access to case information including dockets, judgments, and party information.
- Certified copies of court documents can be requested from the Clerk of Courts, with fees typically $1 per page plus a certification fee of $1-$2.
- Elkhart County Clerk's Office, reachable, maintains the official court records and accepts requests in person, by mail, or online for certain documents.
- The courts accept credit card payments for filing fees and copies, with exact fee schedules posted at www.elkhartcounty.com.
Property & Public Records
Elkhart County Recorder's Office, located at 117 N. Second Street, Room 107, Goshen, IN 46526, maintains all land and property records for Elkhart County. The office can be contacted, and their website is accessible through www.elkhartcounty.com. Available records include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgage documents, liens, releases, easements, right-of-way agreements, and subdivision plats. The Recorder's Office provides online document search and viewing through Laredo (mix) system at indianadocuments.us, where users can search by name, document type, or parcel number.
- Copies can be ordered online with credit card payment, typically $1 per page.
- Certified copies require an additional fee of approximately $5 per document.
- Walk-in requests are accepted during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Elkhart County Assessor's Office, located at 117 N. Second Street, Goshen, maintains property tax assessment records, property cards, and valuations. Property tax information can be searched through Elkhart County's online GIS system and the Beacon property search portal, which provides free access to parcel maps, assessment data, sales history, and aerial photographs.
Elkhart County Treasurer, reachable, handles tax payments and maintains tax collection records. The GIS portal at gis.elkhartcounty. gov offers full mapping tools, zoning information, and parcel boundary data free to the public.
Vital Records
Vital records for Elkhart County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Elkhart County Health Department, located at 608 Oakland Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46516, issues certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring in Elkhart County. Birth certificates cost $12 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates follow the same fee structure. Applicants must provide valid photo identification and proof of relationship or legal interest.
- Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks for mail requests and can be completed same-day for walk-in requests if records are readily available.
- Online ordering is available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com with additional processing fees.
- Second Street, Goshen, with a license fee of $18 for Indiana residents.
- Divorce decrees and dissolution records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and require case-specific requests.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Elkhart County involves multiple agencies depending on the business type and activity. Elkhart County Clerk's Office at 117 N. Second Street, Goshen, registers assumed business names (Doing Business As or DBA) and trade names for businesses operating in Elkhart County. The filing fee is approximately $30 and the registration must be renewed periodically. For corporations, LLCs, and other formal business entities, the Indiana Secretary of State's Business Services Division maintains the official registry, accessible online at www. gov/sos/business.
- gov) provides free business entity searches, allowing users to look up corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and trademarks registered in Indiana.
The INBiz portal (inbiz. The Indiana Department of Revenue handles state tax permits and sales tax certificates through their online system. Local business operating licenses and permits are issued by individual municipalities, the City of Elkhart requires business registration through their Economic Development office, while Goshen maintains similar requirements through City Hall.
Building permits, zoning approvals, and occupancy permits are handled by Elkhart County Building Department and Planning & Development Office at 117 N. Second Street. Professional licenses (contractors, healthcare providers, cosmetologists) are regulated by state boards under the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
The Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County (edcelkhart.org) and Elkhart County Chamber of Commerce (www.ci.elkhart.ks.us/35/Business) provide business resources and networking opportunities.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I search for someone recently arrested in Elkhart County, Indiana?
Where can I find mugshots or booking photos in Elkhart County, Indiana?
How do I get a criminal background check in Elkhart County, Indiana?
How can I look up sex offenders in Elkhart County, Indiana?
How do I register to vote in Elkhart County, Indiana?
How do I look up property records in Elkhart County, Indiana?
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Elkhart County, Indiana?
How do I find business license records in Elkhart County, Indiana?
Cities & Towns in Elkhart County
Economy & Demographics
Elkhart County's economy is dominated by recreational vehicle manufacturing, earning it the designation as the "RV Capital of the World." Major RV manufacturers headquartered or operating extensively in Elkhart County include Thor Industries, Forest River (a Berkshire Hathaway company), Jayco, Keystone RV, and Dutchmen Manufacturing. The industry employs approximately 40% of Elkhart County's workforce. According to recent economic data, the median household income in Elkhart County is approximately $62,000.
Beyond RV manufacturing, the economy includes significant pharmaceutical manufacturing (Bayer, NIBCO), medical device production, agricultural equipment manufacturing, and agribusiness related to the extensive farming community. Tourism represents a growing sector, driven by the Amish Heritage, the Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market (one of the largest in the Midwest), the RV/MH Hall of Fame, and Elkhart's growing arts district. Elkhart County unemployment rate typically tracks near or slightly below the state average, though the economy is cyclical due to dependence on RV industry demand.
Elkhart County has invested in economic diversification efforts through the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County, including technology incubators and workforce development programs at Ivy Tech Community College and Goshen College. Agriculture remains important, with dairy farming, corn, soybeans, and specialty crops. The significant Amish population contributes economically through craftsmanship, furniture manufacturing, tourism, and agricultural production.
Recent economic development has focused on downtown revitalization in both Elkhart and Goshen, attracting restaurants, breweries, and professional services.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Elkhart County are administered by Elkhart County Clerk's Office, Election Division, located at 117 N. Second Street, Suite 1, Goshen, IN 46526. The election office can be contacted through the office’s website, and election information is available at www.elkhartcounty.com/elections. Voter registration in Indiana is handled through the Indiana Voter Registration System; residents can register online at indianavoters. gov, in person at the County Clerk's office, at the BMV when obtaining a driver's license, or by mail using a voter registration application.
- Absentee ballots can be requested online through indianavoters.
- Citizens may request vote totals, absentee ballot logs, and observer credentials under Indiana election law.
The registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Indiana requires voters to present photo ID at the polls; acceptable forms include Indiana driver's license, Indiana State ID, U.S. Passport, or military ID.
Voters can find their polling place, view sample ballots, and check registration status at indianavoters. gov. Public election records in Elkhart County include voter registration lists (available by request under IC 3-7-26-7), campaign finance reports filed with the County Election Board, candidate declarations, precinct-level election results, and absentee ballot statistics.
S. Senate seat, Indiana statewide offices including Governor, and local county offices.
gov or by submitting an ABS-Mail application (form available on Elkhart County website) to the County Clerk's office; the deadline for mail-in absentee ballot applications is typically 7 days before the election. Early voting is available at Elkhart County Administration Building and satellite locations for approximately 28 days before Election Day. Election transparency in Elkhart County is strong, with precinct-level results posted on election night and certified results published within weeks.