About Howard County
Howard County, Indiana, located in the north-central part of the state, serves as a vital center of commerce and agriculture in the Hoosier heartland. The 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. The county encompasses approximately 293 square miles and serves a population of roughly 82,000 residents according to recent census estimates.
Geographically, Howard County sits within the Tipton Till Plain physiographic region, characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain ideal for agriculture. The Wildcat Creek flows through the 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.
The Howard County Government Complex, located at 220 North Main Street in Kokomo, houses essential offices including the County Recorder, County Clerk, and Assessor. The 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, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Howard County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county. It operates the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is committed to community safety and offers various programs, including crime prevention initiatives and community outreach efforts. 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 the Howard County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in the 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 comprehensive law enforcement coverage throughout Howard County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Howard County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 104 North Buckeye Street in Kokomo, Indiana 46901, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county and operates the Howard County Criminal Justice Center detention facility. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (765) 456-2544 and maintains a website at www.howardcountysheriff.com where citizens can access information about services, inmate searches, and public safety initiatives.
- The 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.
- To request arrest records, individuals should contact the law enforcement agency that made the arrest or submit a formal public records request to the Howard County Sheriff's Office.
- 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.
This database typically includes booking photos (mugshots), charge information, bond amounts, and projected release dates. Within Howard County, municipal law enforcement is provided by the Kokomo Police Department serving the city of Kokomo, the Greentown Police Department, and the Russiaville Police Department for their respective jurisdictions. Arrest records and booking information in Howard County are considered public records under Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3), which establishes the right of citizens to inspect and copy public records with limited exceptions.
The Howard County Sheriff's Office maintains a Sex Offender Registry accessible to the public, and citizens can also access Indiana's statewide offender database.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Howard County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. The Howard County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records. Residents can conduct background checks through the Indiana State Police, which provides statewide criminal history information. The Indiana Bureau of Investigation 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 the 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
The Howard County Criminal Justice Center is the primary detention facility for the county. It handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the 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 the 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.
Courts & Case Records
Howard County's judicial system operates through the Howard Circuit Court and Howard Superior Courts 1, 2, and 3, all located at the Howard County Government Complex, 220 North Main Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46901. The Circuit Court, established when the 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.
- Online access through mycase.in.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 the county does not maintain a separate small claims court facility.
The courts can be reached at (765) 456-2204 for general inquiries. Howard County maintains an online case management system called Odyssey, accessible through the Indiana Courts website at mycase.in.gov, where the public can search case records by party name, case number, or attorney. Indiana's Access to Court Records policy, governed by Indiana Administrative Rule 9, establishes that most court records are presumed open to public access unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statute.
The Howard County Clerk's Office maintains archived court records and serves as the official custodian of court documents. Traffic tickets and minor infractions are also processed through the court system, with payment options available online or at the Clerk's office.
Property & Public Records
The Howard County Recorder's Office, situated in the Howard County Government Complex at 220 North Main Street, Suite 351, Kokomo, Indiana 46901, serves as the official repository for land records and property documents. The office can be contacted at (765) 456-2216 and 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.
Howard County offers free online access to recorded documents through the Laredo system at www.hcrecorder.org, where users can search by grantor, grantee, document type, book and page, or parcel number dating back multiple decades. Property tax information is administered separately by the Howard County Assessor's Office at 220 North Main Street, Suite 350, Kokomo, IN 46901, phone (765) 456-2213. The Assessor provides property assessment data, tax bills, and parcel information through an online GIS mapping system accessible at www.howardcounty.in.gov, where citizens can search by address, owner name, or parcel number to view property characteristics, assessed values, tax amounts, and sales history.
The Howard County Treasurer's Office, located in the same building at Suite 140, phone (765) 456-2207, collects property taxes and maintains payment records. Indiana law under IC 36-2-7-10 requires the Recorder to maintain permanent records and provide public access during regular business hours. The county's online parcel viewer integrates aerial photography, zoning information, and flood plain data, making it a comprehensive tool for property research.
Vital Records
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 the Howard County Health Department, located at 220 North Main Street, Suite 207, Kokomo, Indiana 46901, phone (765) 456-2259. 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 the Howard County Health Department for deaths occurring within the 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 serves as 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.
Applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record, as Indiana restricts access to immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with court orders. Their office, located at 2 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, phone 317-233-2700, maintains records dating back to October 1907. Marriage licenses must be obtained from the Howard County Clerk's Office at 220 North Main Street, Room 343, Kokomo, IN 46901, phone (765) 456-2204.
Marriage records, once recorded, become public documents searchable through the Clerk's office. Divorce records and dissolution decrees are maintained by the Howard County Clerk as part of court case files and can be accessed through the court records system. Indiana law (IC 16-37-1-11) requires certified copies for legal purposes such as passport applications, name changes, and estate settlements.
Business & Licensing
Business records and licensing in Howard County, Indiana, are managed through multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity and registration. The Howard County Clerk's Office at 220 North Main Street, Room 343, Kokomo, Indiana 46901, phone (765) 456-2204, 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.
- Sales tax permits and employer tax accounts are registered through the Indiana Department of Revenue.
For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, filings must be made with the Indiana Secretary of State's Business Services Division. The state maintains a searchable online database at www.in.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. This INBiz portal also allows for online business formation and annual report filing.
Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, and other regulated professions are issued by their respective Indiana Professional Licensing Agency boards, not at the county level. Building permits, zoning approvals, and occupancy certificates in unincorporated Howard County are issued by the Howard County Plan Commission and Building Department, located at 220 North Main Street, Kokomo, IN 46901, phone (765) 456-2550. The cities of Kokomo, Greentown, and Russiaville maintain their own building and zoning departments for properties within city limits.
The Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance at www.developkokomo.com serves as the primary economic development organization, providing business assistance, site selection services, and information about local incentives. The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library maintains business resources and market research databases available to entrepreneurs and researchers.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Howard County, Indiana, are administered by the Howard County Election Board and the Howard County Clerk, who serves as the county's chief election officer. The Election Board office is located at 220 North Main Street, Room 343, Kokomo, Indiana 46901, and can be reached at (765) 456-2204. The office maintains voter registration records, manages polling place operations, processes absentee ballot applications, and certifies election results for the county.
- Indiana residents can register to vote online through the Indiana Voter Registration Portal at indianavoters.in.gov, which requires a valid Indiana driver's license or state identification card.
- Citizens can request these records through the County Clerk's office, with voter lists available for a statutory fee.
- In the November 2024 general election, Howard County recorded approximately 55-58% voter turnout among registered voters, consistent with typical Indiana county participation rates in presidential election years.
- 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.
The voter registration deadline in Indiana is 29 days before any election, and the state offers online, mail, and in-person registration options. Howard County residents can verify their voter registration status and find their assigned polling place by visiting the Indiana Voter Portal at indianavoters.in.gov or by contacting the County Clerk's office directly. The county operates approximately 30-35 polling locations on election day, distributed across precincts throughout Kokomo, Greentown, Russiaville, and rural townships.
Election records considered public in Indiana under IC 3-7-26.4 include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted for privacy), campaign finance reports filed with the county, candidate declarations and petitions, precinct-level election results, and poll books showing voter participation. Turnout in midterm and municipal elections typically ranges from 30-45% depending on contested races. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring United States House of Representatives races, one U.S.
Senate seat, Indiana state legislative positions, and county offices depending on the election cycle. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 11 days before the election, while in-person absentee voting at the Clerk's office begins 29 days before election day and concludes at noon the day before the election. Transparency in Howard County elections is supported by Indiana's public records laws, allowing citizens to observe vote counting, request election materials including machine tapes and audit reports, and access campaign finance disclosures filed by candidates for county offices.
The Howard County Election Board consists of three members representing both major political parties, ensuring bipartisan oversight of election administration, polling place operations, and ballot security.
Economy & Demographics
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.
- The county's median household income is approximately $49,000, slightly below the Indiana state average, reflecting the transition from higher-wage manufacturing jobs.
Continental Steel and Tube and Haynes International, a specialist in high-performance alloys, contribute significantly to the industrial base. Healthcare represents a growing economic sector, with Community Howard Regional Health serving as a major employer with over 2,000 staff members and operating a 170-bed hospital and numerous outpatient facilities. Education is another key employer, with Kokomo City Schools, Western School Corporation, Northwestern School Corporation, and Indiana University Kokomo providing hundreds of jobs.
The retail and service sectors cluster along US Highway 31 and the Markland Mall area. Agriculture remains economically relevant in rural portions of Howard County, with corn and soybean production dominating approximately 160,000 acres of farmland, supporting grain elevators, farm equipment dealers, and agricultural services. Unemployment rates in Howard County have historically tracked above state averages due to manufacturing sector volatility, though recent diversification efforts have stabilized the workforce.
Notable economic development initiatives include the redevelopment of former industrial sites, expansion of the Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo campus providing workforce training, and investments in downtown Kokomo revitalization. The county benefits from its location along US 31, providing direct highway access to Indianapolis 50 miles south and South Bend to the north, facilitating logistics and distribution operations. No tribal economic activity exists in Howard County as no federally recognized tribes have territory or operations in this region of Indiana.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online (mycase.in.gov) | Property: ✅ Free Search (Recorder & GIS) | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Online Inmate Search | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person/Mail/VitalChek | Business: ✅ Online (State & County DBA) | Elections: ✅ Online Portal | Overall Score: 9/10 — Howard County provides excellent digital access to most public records with user-friendly portals and comprehensive online databases.
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Cities & Towns in Howard County
Explore public records for 6 cities and communities in Howard County, Indiana.
Nearby Counties
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