About Henry County
Henry County, Indiana, is located in east-central Indiana along the National Road (U.S. Route 40), covering approximately 394 square miles. Established in 1822 and named after Virginia statesman Patrick Henry, the county seat is New Castle, which serves as the governmental and commercial hub. As of recent census estimates, Henry County has a population of approximately 48,000 residents. The county is known for its rich automotive heritage, particularly as the birthplace of the Chrysler Corporation's New Castle plant, and its strong agricultural traditions.
Major communities include New Castle, Knightstown, Middletown, Shirley, Sulphur Springs, and Spiceland. The county is home to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in New Castle, reflecting the state's deep basketball culture. Key governmental agencies include the Henry County Recorder's Office located at 101 S Main Street, New Castle, IN 47362; the Henry County Clerk's Office at the same address in the Memorial Hall courthouse complex; and the Henry County Assessor's Office, also in the courthouse.
The county features rolling farmland, the Blue River watershed, and remnants of the historic National Road corridor. Henry County's economy has evolved from heavy manufacturing to a diverse mix of agriculture, light manufacturing, logistics, and service industries while maintaining its small-town character and strong community connections throughout its nine townships.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Henry County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county. It manages the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community policing and crime prevention programs. The sheriff's office plays a crucial role in coordinating with other local law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety across the county. Notable programs include the D.A.R.E. program and a community outreach initiative aimed at reducing crime through education and engagement.
Police Departments
In addition to the Henry County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within the county. The New Castle Police Department serves the city of New Castle, while the Knightstown Police Department and Middletown Police Department serve their respective communities. These agencies handle law enforcement within their city limits and collaborate with the sheriff's office on major investigations and regional crime issues. Coordination between these departments ensures comprehensive coverage and response to criminal activities across the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Henry County Sheriff's Office, located at 225 S Memorial Drive, New Castle, IN 47362, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas and provides countywide services including jail operations, court security, and warrant service. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (765) 529-4901, and their website at henrycountyin.gov provides information on services and programs.
- The Henry County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same Memorial Drive location, maintains current inmate rosters that can be accessed through the county website or by calling the jail directly.
- Written requests should specify the date range and type of record sought.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of reports and photographs.
Municipal police departments operate in New Castle (New Castle Police Department), Knightstown (Knightstown Police Department), and Middletown (Middletown Police Department), each serving their respective city limits. Arrest records and incident reports are considered public records under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3), and citizens may request these records from the arresting agency, though certain information may be redacted for ongoing investigations or privacy concerns. Mugshots and booking photos are typically included in jail booking records and may be viewed at the Sheriff's Office or through the online inmate roster system.
The county does not have tribal police jurisdictions, but does coordinate with Indiana State Police District 50 for major investigations and specialized services.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Henry County's criminal records system includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The sheriff's office and local police departments maintain these records, which are accessible for background checks. The Indiana State Police provides statewide background checks, which include Henry County records. The Indiana Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for residents seeking comprehensive criminal history reports. These records are crucial for employment, housing, and other background verification processes.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Henry County are maintained by the Henry County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by submitting a formal request to the sheriff's office, either in person or via mail. The records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and arresting agency. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act governs the disclosure of these records, ensuring transparency while protecting sensitive information.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Henry County Jail, located in New Castle, is the primary detention facility for the county. It handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the county, where they are photographed and fingerprinted. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to search for current detainees. The jail has specific visitation rules, including scheduled visiting hours and identification requirements for visitors. The bond and bail process follows Indiana state guidelines, allowing for cash bonds or surety bonds through a licensed bail bondsman.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Henry County are taken and retained by the Henry County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the sheriff's office website or by request. Indiana does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals may petition for removal if the charges are dropped or they are acquitted. Mugshots are often used in conjunction with arrest records to provide a complete profile of the individual's arrest history.
Courts & Case Records
Henry County judicial proceedings are conducted through the Henry County Circuit Court and Henry County Superior Court, both located in the Memorial Hall Courthouse at 101 S Main Street, New Castle, IN 47362. The Circuit Court handles a broad range of civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters, while the Superior Court shares similar jurisdiction with additional focus on certain case types. Court offices can be reached at (765) 529-4336 for the Circuit Court and (765) 529-5262 for the Superior Court.
- The Henry County Clerk's Office maintains all court records and provides public access during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.
- Certified copies of court documents are available for a fee of $1.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee, as established by Indiana statute.
- Small claims cases are heard in the Circuit and Superior Courts with jurisdiction over disputes up to $10,000.
Court records may be searched in person at the Clerk's office, with basic case information available through the Indiana Judicial System's Odyssey court record portal at mycase.in.gov, which provides free case searches by party name, case number, or attorney. Indiana Code 5-14-3 governs public access to court records, though certain records such as sealed cases, adoption files, and juvenile matters are restricted by law. Probate matters including estates, guardianships, and trust administration are also handled by these courts.
Visitors to the courthouse must pass through security screening and follow posted courthouse rules.
Property & Public Records
The Henry County Recorder's Office, located at 101 S Main Street, Suite 3, New Castle, IN 47362, maintains all land and property records for the county, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, releases, military discharges (DD-214s), and plat maps. The Recorder's Office can be contacted at (765) 529-4303 and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Indiana law (IC 36-2-11) requires the Recorder to maintain, preserve, and provide public access to these permanent records.
- Document images may be viewable online or may require an in-person visit or paid copy request.
- Recording fees vary by document type, with standard deeds costing $26.00 for the first page and $6.00 for each additional page.
- The county provides an online GIS mapping system for viewing parcel boundaries, ownership information, tax assessments, and aerial imagery.
- Certified copies of recorded documents are available for $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page plus the certification fee.
Many records are available for free searching through the county's online database accessible via the Henry County government website at henrycountyin.gov, where users can search by grantor, grantee, parcel number, or document number. Property tax records, assessments, and parcel information are maintained by the Henry County Assessor's Office at (765) 529-4718 and the Henry County Treasurer's Office at (765) 529-5200, both located in the Memorial Hall Courthouse. Title companies, attorneys, and the public regularly utilize these resources for real estate transactions, historical research, and property due diligence.
Vital Records
Vital records for Henry County, Indiana, are managed through multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates occurring in Henry County can be requested through the Henry County Health Department at 101 S Main Street, Suite 102, New Castle, IN 47362, phone (765) 529-4339, though the office primarily handles recent records and provides applications for state-level vital records. For certified birth and death certificates, the Indiana State Department of Health Vital Records office is the primary issuing authority for records statewide.
- Birth certificates cost $28.00 for the first copy and $7.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously, while death certificates cost $25.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for additional copies.
- Processing typically takes 4-6 weeks by mail or can be expedited through VitalChek online ordering with additional fees.
- Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers, and the license fee is $18.00 if filing jointly or $60.00 otherwise.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Henry County Clerk's Office at 101 S Main Street, New Castle, IN 47362, phone (765) 529-4101. There is no waiting period for Indiana marriage licenses, which are valid for 60 days. Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts in the county where the dissolution was granted.
Indiana Code 16-37 governs vital records access, and certified copies are only issued to eligible individuals including the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a demonstrated legal interest. Online ordering through the state vital records portal at vitalrecords.in.gov is available with credit card payment and identity verification requirements.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Henry County, Indiana, involves coordination between county and state agencies. The Henry County Clerk's Office at 101 S Main Street, New Castle, IN 47362, phone (765) 529-4101, handles fictitious business name registrations (DBA - Doing Business As) and certain local business filings. DBA registration costs approximately $30.00 and must be renewed periodically.
- The INBiz portal at inbiz.in.gov provides free online searching of registered business entities, business name availability, and allows online filing of formation documents.
- State business registration fees vary by entity type, with LLC formation costing $95.00 and corporation formation $90.00.
For formal business entity registration including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, businesses must register with the Indiana Secretary of State's Business Services Division. Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, healthcare providers, cosmetologists, and real estate agents are issued by respective Indiana state licensing boards, not at the county level. The Henry County Building Department, located at 220 S Memorial Drive, New Castle, IN 47362, phone (765) 521-7015, issues building permits, conducts inspections, and maintains records of construction projects and zoning compliance.
The Henry County Plan Commission handles zoning matters, subdivision plats, and development proposals. Sales tax permits are obtained through the Indiana Department of Revenue. The Henry County Chamber of Commerce, located at 100 S 14th Street, New Castle, IN 47362, website henrycountyin.com/chamber, provides business support, networking, and economic development resources for local enterprises.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Henry County, Indiana, are administered by the Henry County Voter Registration and Election Office, located in the Memorial Hall Courthouse at 101 S Main Street, Suite 4, New Castle, IN 47362. The Election Office can be reached at (765) 529-4255, and election information is available through the county website at henrycountyin.gov/elections. Voter registration in Indiana requires applicants to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by the next election, and residents of Indiana for at least 30 days.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their polling place, and view sample ballots through the IndianaVoters.com website by entering their name and date of birth.
- In the November 2024 general election, Henry County reported voter turnout of approximately 65-70% of registered voters, consistent with presidential election year participation in Indiana.
- The county election board conducts post-election audits and certifies results, with transparency measures allowing citizen observation of absentee ballot processing and canvassing procedures.
Registration can be completed online through the Indiana Voter Portal at indianavoters.in.gov, in person at the County Clerk's office, at Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches, or by mail using a printed registration form. The voter registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Henry County operates multiple precinct polling locations throughout the county on election days, with consolidated vote centers available during early voting periods at the courthouse.
Public election records include voter registration lists (available for purchase with restrictions on use), campaign finance reports filed with the county election board for local candidates, candidate declarations, precinct-level election results, and minutes of election board meetings, all accessible under Indiana's public records law (IC 5-14-3). The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races, state legislative seats, and various county offices.
Absentee voting by mail is available to any registered voter in Indiana; applications must be received by the county election office by 11:59 PM eleven days before the election, and completed ballots must be received by noon on election day. Early in-person voting is available at the courthouse beginning 28 days before an election. Indiana requires voters to present valid photo identification at the polls, with acceptable IDs including Indiana driver's licenses, U.S.
passports, military IDs, and Indiana state-issued photo ID cards.
Economy & Demographics
Henry County, Indiana's economy has historically centered on manufacturing and agriculture, though the economic landscape has diversified in recent decades. The county experienced significant industrial growth during the 20th century, particularly with the Chrysler automotive plant in New Castle that employed thousands at its peak before closing in 2003.
- Median household income in Henry County is estimated at approximately $48,000, below the state average, reflecting the economic transitions the county has experienced.
Current major employers include healthcare facilities such as Henry Community Health hospital in New Castle, educational institutions including New Castle Community School Corporation, and manufacturing firms that produce automotive components, plastics, and industrial equipment. Agriculture remains vital to the rural economy, with corn and soybean production dominating cropland along with livestock operations. The county's location along Interstate 70 and U.S.
40 has supported logistics and distribution businesses. Major economic sectors include healthcare and social assistance, manufacturing, retail trade, educational services, and agriculture. Economic development efforts focus on attracting light manufacturing, warehouse and distribution operations, and supporting small business growth.
The Henry County Economic Development Corporation works to retain existing employers and recruit new businesses through incentive packages and workforce development partnerships. Unemployment rates generally track state averages, ranging from 3-5% in recent years. Recent development projects include industrial park expansions and downtown New Castle revitalization initiatives.
The county faces demographic challenges including population decline and aging workforce, prompting targeted economic strategies to attract younger residents and new industries.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online (mycase.in.gov) | Property: ✅ Online Search Available | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Online Roster | Vital Records: ⚠️ State Agency/In-Person | Business: ✅ Online (State Portal) | Elections: ✅ Online Voter Tools | Overall Score: 8/10 — Henry County provides robust digital access to most public records with user-friendly online portals for court, property, and election information.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Henry County
Explore public records for 15 cities and communities in Henry County, Indiana.
Nearby Counties
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