Fillmore, Indiana Public Records

Small claims cases involving disputes up to $10,000 are also heard in these courts. Traffic violations and minor misdemeanor cases are processed through the same court system. To search court records, Indiana residents can use the Indiana Supreme Court's public access system, Mycase.IN.gov, which provides free online access to case information from courts throughout the state, including Putnam County. Users can search by party name, case number, attorney name, or other identifying information. The database typically shows case filings, docket entries, judgments, and parties involved, though certain sealed or confidential cases may not appear. For certified copies of court documents, requesters must contact the Putnam County Clerk's Office at (765) 653-2648. Standard filing fees apply: certified copies typically cost $1 per page plus a certification fee of approximately $1-$5 per document. Court record searches conducted by clerk staff may incur search fees. Access to some records may require in-person visits to the courthouse, particularly for older archived cases not yet digitized.

Putnam County offers online property search capabilities through the Putnam County Government Information Network (GIS) portal, accessible via the county website at www.putnamcountyindiana.gov. Users can search by owner name, parcel number, or address to view assessment information, parcel maps, and property characteristics. This service is typically free to the public. For recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property, the Putnam County Recorder's Office is the official repository. Located at 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 106, Greencastle, IN 46135, the Recorder's Office can be contacted at (765) 653-2645. The Recorder maintains an index of all recorded documents dating back to the county's formation. Many counties in Indiana now offer online access to recorded documents through subscription services or pay-per-view systems. Putnam County provides document search and imaging capabilities through its online system, though fees may apply for document retrieval and printing. To conduct a property search, residents can start with the online GIS system to identify the parcel number, then search the Recorder's index for chain of title information. The county's GIS parcel viewer provides interactive mapping showing property boundaries, dimensions, and geographic features, which is particularly useful for rural Fillmore properties with larger land parcels.

Other major employment destinations for Fillmore residents include manufacturing facilities in Putnam County such as Edgewell Personal Care (formerly Playtex) in Dover, and various distribution and industrial operations along Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 231. Many Fillmore area residents also commute to the Indianapolis metropolitan area, approximately 40 miles east, which offers diverse employment opportunities in healthcare, government, education, logistics, and professional services. The median household income for rural Putnam County areas like Fillmore tends to be somewhat lower than the Indianapolis metro average but reflects a lower cost of living. Small businesses in Fillmore include agricultural service providers, home-based businesses, and contractors. The community benefits from Putnam County's overall economic stability, supported by the presence of DePauw University, steady agricultural production, and proximity to Indianapolis. Recent economic development in Putnam County has focused on attracting distribution centers and light manufacturing, taking advantage of the county's location along major transportation corridors. Fillmore maintains its character as a quiet agricultural community with strong ties to both traditional farming and the broader regional economy.

Fillmore, as an unincorporated community, does not maintain its own police department. Law enforcement services for Fillmore and the surrounding Marion Township area are provided by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, located at 300 North Jackson Street, Greencastle, IN 46135. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (765) 653-2925 and maintains a website at www.putnamcountyindiana.gov. The Sheriff's Office handles all police calls, criminal investigations, patrol services, and incident response for Fillmore residents. To request police reports or incident records, residents can visit the Sheriff's Office in person during business hours or submit written requests. The Indiana State Police also has jurisdiction on state highways passing through the area and maintains post records that may be relevant for certain traffic incidents. Arrest and jail booking records for individuals detained in Putnam County can be accessed through the Putnam County Jail, which is operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same Jackson Street address. The jail maintains an inmate roster that typically includes names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and sometimes booking photographs. This information is often available by calling the jail or visiting in person. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3-1 et seq.) establishes the legal framework for requesting law enforcement records. Under this statute, most arrest logs, incident reports, and booking records are considered public information, though certain investigative records and information about ongoing cases may be exempt from disclosure. Requests should be made in writing to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, specifying the records sought. The agency typically has a reasonable time period to respond, and fees may apply for copying costs.

Birth certificates cost $28 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $22 for the first copy and $4 for additional copies. Processing time is typically 10-14 business days for mail requests, 2-3 business days for online orders, or same-day service for in-person visits to the Indianapolis office. Indiana law restricts who may obtain certified copies of birth and death certificates; eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate (if age 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, or individuals with a direct and tangible interest. Valid photo identification is required. Marriage licenses for Fillmore residents are issued by the Putnam County Clerk's Office at 1 Courthouse Square, Greencastle, IN 46135, phone (765) 653-2648. The marriage license fee in Indiana is $18, with an optional $10 additional fee to reduce the waiting period. Couples must apply in person with valid identification and Social Security numbers. Marriage records dating back to the county's establishment are maintained by the County Clerk. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Putnam Circuit and Superior Courts, accessible through the County Clerk's office or online through Mycase.IN.gov. Certified copies of divorce decrees can be requested from the County Clerk for a fee. Historical vital records more than 75-100 years old may also be available through the Indiana State Archives.

For assumed business names (DBA - Doing Business As), sole proprietors and partnerships in Indiana file with the county recorder. The Putnam County Recorder's Office at 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 106, Greencastle, IN 46135, (765) 653-2645, handles these filings. The filing fee is typically $35, and the registration must be renewed every five years. Formal business entities including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other registered business organizations must file with the Indiana Secretary of State. The Secretary of State's Business Services Division maintains the INBiz portal at www.inbiz.in.gov, which provides free online searching of registered business entities. Users can search by business name, registered agent, or business ID number to verify entity status, view formation dates, registered agent information, and business addresses. New business formation can also be completed online through INBiz. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statement searches, used to identify secured interests and liens on business assets, are also conducted through the Indiana Secretary of State's UCC search system. For property tax information on commercial properties in Fillmore, business owners should consult the Putnam County Assessor's Office at (765) 653-2762 or search the online property database to view assessed values and tax obligations.

Fillmore voters are served by the Putnam County Clerk's Office, which administers elections for all county residents. The office is located at 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 101, Greencastle, IN 46135, and can be reached at (765) 653-2648. The County Clerk maintains voter registration records, manages polling place assignments, certifies election results, and provides election information to voters. Fillmore residents can register to vote online through the Indiana Voter Registration Portal at indianavoters.in.gov, which is operated by the Indiana Secretary of State. The deadline to register for an election is 29 days before Election Day. Voters need an Indiana driver's license or state ID number to register online, or can register by mail or in person at the County Clerk's office. As an unincorporated community, Fillmore does not hold municipal elections for mayor or town council. Instead, residents vote in Putnam County elections for county commissioners, county council members, sheriff, clerk, assessor, and other county offices, as well as state and federal races. To find their assigned polling place, Fillmore voters can use the polling place lookup tool at indianavoters.in.gov by entering their name and date of birth, or by calling the County Clerk's office. Indiana offers early voting at designated locations, and the Putnam County Clerk's office typically serves as an early voting site in the weeks leading up to elections. For absentee voting by mail, Indiana voters must request an absentee ballot application from the County Clerk, citing an acceptable reason such as being absent from the county on Election Day, illness, disability, or working as a precinct election officer in another county. The absentee ballot application deadline is typically 12 days before the election. In the November 2024 presidential election, Putnam County reported voter turnout exceeding 65%, with thousands of county residents casting ballots. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Fillmore and Putnam County voters will decide several important races. Indiana does not have a U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2026, but voters will elect all nine U.S. House Representatives, including the representative for Indiana's 4th Congressional District which includes Putnam County. All 100 seats in the Indiana House of Representatives and 25 of the 50 Indiana Senate seats will be on the ballot, including the local state legislative districts serving Fillmore. County-level offices including county commissioners, county council members, and various county elected officials may also appear on the ballot depending on term schedules. Election records that are public in Indiana include voter registration lists (available to candidates and parties with restrictions on use), campaign finance reports filed with the Indiana Election Division or County Clerk, candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results. These can typically be accessed through the Indiana Secretary of State's website at www.in.gov/sos or through the County Clerk's office.