Howard County

Howard County, Indiana, located in the north-central part of the state, is an important center of commerce and agriculture in the Hoosier heartland. Howard County seat is Kokomo, which also stands as the largest city and primary economic hub. Established in 1844, Howard County was named after Tilghman Ashurst Howard, a prominent Indiana politician who died in the Mexican-American War. Howard County includes approximately 293 square miles and serves a population of roughly 83,610 residents according to recent census estimates. Geographically, Howard County sits within the Tipton Till Plain physiographic region, characterized by flfor gently rolling terrain ideal for agriculture. The Wildcat Creek flows through Howard County, providing scenic natural areas and historical significance. Major landmarks include the Seiberling Mansion, the Elwood Haynes Museum celebrating the automotive pioneer who developed one of America's first commercially successful automobiles in Kokomo, and the Kokomo Automotive Museum. Howard County Government Complex, located at 220 North Main Street in Kokomo, houses essential offices including the County Recorder, County Clerk, and Assessor. Howard County Recorder maintains property records and documents, the County Clerk oversees vital records and court administration, and the Assessor determines property valuations for taxation purposes. Howard County's economy historically centered on automotive manufacturing, with major plants operated by Chrysler and Continental Steel, though economic diversification efforts have expanded into healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing sectors in recent decades.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Howard County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Howard County. It operates Howard County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office also has specialized divisions, such as a K-9 unit and a narcotics division, which focus on specific areas of law enforcement to enhance public safety in Howard County.

Police Departments

In addition to Howard County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Howard County is provided by several municipal police departments. The Kokomo Police Department serves the city of Kokomo, handling law enforcement within city limits and coordinating with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes. Other city departments include the Greentown Police Department and the Russiaville Police Department, each responsible for maintaining public safety in their respective jurisdictions. These agencies work together to ensure full law enforcement coverage throughout Howard County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Howard County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 104 North Buckeye Street in Kokomo, Indiana 46901, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Howard County and operates Howard County Criminal Justice Center detention facility.

• Howard County Jail inmate roster is available online through the Sheriff's Office website, allowing the public to search current inmates by name, booking date, or charges.
• Mugshots and booking photographs are generally available through the jail's online inmate search system or by submitting a records request.
• Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest reports, with most agencies charging per-page copying costs.
• Response times for public records requests typically range from immediate for online searches to several business days for more complex requests requiring research and redaction of confidential information.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Howard County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. Residents can conduct background checks through the Indiana State Police, which provides statewide criminal history information. The Indiana State Police also offers resources for residents seeking detailed criminal records. These records are essential for legal proceedings, employment background checks, and personal inquiries.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Howard County are maintained by Howard County Sheriff's Office. These records include information about the arrest, charges, and booking details. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The records are subject to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, which governs the release of public records in the state. Arrest records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and any court dates or outcomes associated with the arrest.

Jail & Inmate Records

Howard County Criminal Justice Center is the primary detention facility for Howard County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Howard County, where they are processed and held until they can post bail or appear in court. Inmate information can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office, which provides an online inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require scheduling in advance.

• The bond process in Indiana allows for bail to be posted either through cash or a bail bond service, with details available through the jail administration.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Howard County are taken and retained by Howard County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. The office may provide an online search tool for public access to mugshots, or they may be requested directly from the office. Indiana does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, so the availability of mugshots can vary based on local policies and practices.

Howard County's judicial system operates through the Howard Circuit Court and Howard Superior Courts 1, 2, and 3, all located at Howard County Government Complex, 220 North Main Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46901. The Circuit Court, established when Howard County was formed, handles a broad range of civil, criminal, family, and juvenile matters. Superior Court 1 primarily addresses criminal cases, Superior Court 2 focuses on family law matters including divorce and child custody, and Superior Court 3 handles civil litigation, probate, and estate matters.

• This statewide portal provides access to case information, dockets, judgments, and filing histories for both civil and criminal matters.
• Fees for copying court documents are set at $1.00 per page, and certified copies cost an additional $1.00 per document plus the per-page fee.
• gov is free for basic case searches, though some documents may require in-person requests.
• For older records not available online, researchers must visit the Clerk's office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Small claims matters are heard in the Superior Courts with jurisdictional limits up to $6,000, and Howard County does not maintain a separate small claims court facility.

Howard County Recorder's Office, situated in Howard County Government Complex at 220 North Main Street, Suite 351, Kokomo, Indiana 46901, is the official repository for land records and property documents. The office can be contacted through the office operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Recorder maintains and indexes all documents related to real property transactions, including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage releases, liens, lis pendens notices, easements, rights-of-way, plat maps, and subdivision records.

• The digital database contains scanned images of original documents, allowing researchers to view and print records from home without visiting the office.
• For certified copies of recorded documents, the fee is $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee, payable in person or by mail with proper identification.
• The Assessor provides property assessment data, tax bills, and parcel information through an online GIS mapping system accessible at www.howardcounty.

Vital records for Howard County, Indiana, including birth and death certificates, are maintained by both local and state agencies under Indiana Code Title 16, Article 37. For birth certificates of events occurring in Howard County, applications can be submitted to Howard County Health Department, located at 220 North Main Street, Suite 207, Kokomo, Indiana 46901 Birth certificates cost $28.00 for the first certified copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.

• Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate to same-day, while mail requests require approximately two to three weeks.
• Death certificates are also available through Howard County Health Department for deaths occurring within Howard County, with the same fee structure of $28.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for additional copies.
• The Indiana State Department of Health Vital Records Office in Indianapolis is the central repository for all vital records statewide and can fulfill requests for Howard County events.
• Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com for an additional convenience fee, with expedited processing options available.
• Both parties must appear in person with valid identification and social security numbers, and the license costs $18.00 with no waiting period required in Indiana.

Business records and licensing in Howard County, Indiana, are managed through multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity and registration. Howard County Clerk's Office at 220 North Main Street, Room 343, Kokomo, Indiana 46901, accepts filings for Assumed Business Names (DBAs or "Doing Business As" registrations) for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating under names different from the owners' legal names.

• The filing fee for a DBA in Howard County is approximately $30.00, and these registrations must be renewed every five years under Indiana law.
• The state maintains a searchable online database at www.
• gov/sos/business where anyone can look up business entities registered in Indiana, view their status (active, dissolved, revoked), registered agent information, formation dates, and filing history.
• Sales tax permits and employer tax accounts are registered through the Indiana Department of Revenue.

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

Howard County, Indiana's economy has historically centered on automotive manufacturing and related industries, establishing Kokomo as "The City of Firsts" for numerous automotive innovations. Major employers include Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) which operates multiple transmission and casting plants employing several thousand workers, and Delphi Technologies, now part of BorgWarner, which manufactures advanced automotive components.

• Howard County's median household income is approximately $49,000, slightly below the Indiana state average, reflecting the transition from higher-wage manufacturing jobs.

Elections in Howard County, Indiana, are administered by Howard County Election Board and Howard County Clerk, who serves as Howard County's chief election officer. The Election Board office is located at 220 North Main Street, Room 343, Kokomo, Indiana 46901, and can be contacted through the office’s website. The office maintains voter registration records, manages polling place operations, processes absentee ballot applications, and certifies election results for Howard County. Indiana residents can register to vote online through the Indiana Voter Registration Portal at indianavoters.

• Citizens can request these records through the County Clerk's office, with voter lists available for a statutory fee.
• Indiana does not require an excuse to vote by mail; any registered voter can request an absentee ballot by completing an application available at the County Clerk's office or through the Indiana Voters portal.