Kempton, Indiana Public Records

The Tipton Superior Court, phone (765) 675-8911, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims matters up to $10,000, evictions (possessory actions), protective orders, and general civil cases. Kempton does not operate a municipal court; all cases involving town residents are processed through these county-level courts. Indiana provides online access to court records through the Indiana Odyssey Case Management System (mycase.in.gov), which allows users to search civil, criminal, family, and probate cases filed in Tipton County courts by party name, case number, or attorney. The system displays case summaries, filing dates, hearing schedules, judgments, and parties involved, though certain confidential records such as sealed cases, adoption files, and juvenile matters are restricted. Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Tipton County Clerk's Office at the same courthouse address, phone (765) 675-2795. Filing fees as of 2024 include $2.00 per page for standard photocopies and $7.00 for certified copies with the clerk's seal. Civil filing fees vary by case type, with small claims costing approximately $85 and complex civil matters requiring higher filing fees. Online case access through mycase.in.gov is free, though registered users can create accounts for advanced search features and case monitoring.

The Tipton County Assessor's Office, phone (765) 675-4421, maintains assessment records for all real property within Kempton's town limits, including parcel numbers, legal descriptions, assessed values (land and improvements separately), property class codes, acreage, owner names and mailing addresses, exemptions (such as homestead deductions), and assessment history. Tipton County provides free online property search capabilities through the Indiana Gateway for Government Units at www.indianagateway.in.gov, where users can search by owner name, parcel number, or property address to view current assessments, tax bills, payment history, and property characteristics. The Assessor's Office conducts periodic reassessments and processes appeals regarding property valuations. The Tipton County Recorder's Office, phone (765) 675-8911, is responsible for recording and indexing land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgage documents, mortgage releases, federal and state tax liens, mechanic's liens, easements, rights-of-way, plats, and other instruments affecting real property title in Kempton. Indiana law (IC 36-2-11) requires these documents to be recorded to provide public notice and establish priority of interests. The Recorder's Office maintains indexes searchable by grantor name, grantee name, and legal description. While some Indiana counties offer online document images, Tipton County's online access may be limited; residents should contact the Recorder's Office at (765) 675-8911 to determine current online availability. In-person searches are always available during regular courthouse hours. Copies of recorded documents typically cost $1.00 per page for standard copies and $5.00 for certified copies. The Tipton County GIS mapping system may be accessible through county government websites, providing visual parcel identification, though functionality varies. Kempton property owners can conduct comprehensive title searches by reviewing both Assessor records for current ownership and Recorder documents for the chain of title and encumbrances.

The Kempton area historically featured grain elevators along the railroad line, and while railroad freight activity has diminished, agricultural storage and processing facilities continue to operate in the surrounding area. Major employers for Kempton residents are typically located outside the town proper, with many working in nearby Tipton (the county seat eight miles northeast), Frankfort in Clinton County, Kokomo in Howard County, or even commuting to the Indianapolis metropolitan area approximately 50 miles south via State Road 213 and Interstate 65. Tipton County's largest employers include Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA/Stellantis) transmission plants in Kokomo, community hospitals, school corporations, and government offices in the county seat of Tipton. The Tipton Community School Corporation serves Kempton-area students and provides education employment. Manufacturing, while not concentrated in Kempton itself, provides employment opportunities in the broader region. According to U.S. Census estimates, median household income in Kempton is approximately $52,000-$58,000, somewhat below Indiana's statewide median but typical for small rural communities. The town's population has remained relatively stable over recent decades, hovering between 300-350 residents, with minimal commercial development. Kempton's residential character means most residents commute to employment centers while maintaining homes in this quiet agricultural community. Recent economic activity in Tipton County has included modest industrial expansion in Tipton and continued agricultural consolidation, with larger farm operations acquiring smaller holdings. Kempton's economic future remains tied to the vitality of regional agriculture and its accessibility to employment centers in surrounding counties.

Law enforcement services for Kempton, Indiana are provided primarily by the Tipton County Sheriff's Office, as the town does not maintain its own police department. The Tipton County Sheriff's Office is located at 225 South West Street, Tipton, IN 46072, phone (765) 675-2111. The Sheriff's Office handles all patrol duties, criminal investigations, and emergency response for Kempton and unincorporated areas of Tipton County. Residents can request copies of police reports and incident records by visiting the Sheriff's Office in person or submitting written requests during regular business hours Monday through Friday. The Tipton County Sheriff maintains jurisdiction over all law enforcement matters within Kempton's town limits and surrounding areas, with deputies conducting regular patrols through the community.

Arrest records and jail bookings for individuals detained in Tipton County are managed through the Tipton County Jail, which is operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same 225 South West Street location. While Tipton County does not currently offer a comprehensive online inmate roster, booking information can be obtained by calling the jail directly at (765) 675-2111. Information typically available includes inmate name, booking date, charges filed, bond amount, and projected release date. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3-1 et seq.), arrest logs, incident reports, and booking records are generally considered public information. Residents seeking these records should submit requests to the Tipton County Sheriff's Office, specifying the date range and type of record sought. The agency must respond within a reasonable time, typically within seven business days, though certified copies may incur nominal fees for reproduction and administrative costs as permitted under IC 5-14-3-8.

Birth certificates cost $28 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously; death certificates cost $30 for the first copy and $4 for additional copies. Certified copies are typically processed within 10-15 business days for mail requests and 5-7 business days for online orders. Indiana law restricts access to birth certificates to the registrant (if at least 18 years old), parents listed on the certificate, legal representatives, and persons demonstrating a direct and tangible interest; death certificates are more widely available but still require proper identification and relationship documentation. Marriage licenses for Kempton residents are issued by the Tipton County Clerk's Office at the Tipton County Courthouse, 101 East Jefferson Street, Tipton, IN 46072, phone (765) 675-2795. Indiana law requires couples to apply in person at the Clerk's Office, present valid government-issued photo identification, and pay the marriage license fee of approximately $18. There is no waiting period in Indiana; licenses are issued immediately upon application and remain valid for 60 days. Certified copies of marriage records can be obtained from the County Clerk for $2.00 per copy. Divorce records (properly called dissolution of marriage decrees) are court records maintained by the Tipton Circuit Court rather than the Clerk's vital records division; these can be accessed through the court clerk's office at the same courthouse location for the standard $7.00 certified copy fee. Marriage records in Tipton County are available from the early 1840s when the county was established, though older records may require special archival access. Indiana digitization efforts vary by county, and researchers seeking historical vital records should contact the County Clerk or Indiana State Archives for records predating computerized systems.

Most business regulatory functions are handled at the county and state levels rather than by the town government. Fictitious business name registrations (also called assumed business names or DBAs) in Indiana are filed with the county Recorder's Office. Kempton business owners operating under a name other than their legal personal or entity name must file a Business Name Registration with the Tipton County Recorder's Office at 101 East Jefferson Street, Tipton, IN 46072, phone (765) 675-8911. The filing fee is typically $30, and registrations must be renewed every five years under Indiana Code 23-15-1. These filings are public record and can be searched at the Recorder's Office. Formal business entity formation, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, is handled by the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division. The comprehensive INBiz portal at www.inbiz.in.gov allows users to search existing business entities registered in Indiana by business name, registered agent, or business ID number. Searches reveal the entity's status (active, dissolved, or administratively revoked), formation date, registered agent name and address, principal office address, and officers or managers for corporations. The database includes all businesses registered statewide, including those based in Kempton. New business formation can also be completed through INBiz, with LLC formation costing $95 and corporation formation $100 as of 2024. The Secretary of State's office maintains these records indefinitely and provides certified copies of formation documents and certificates of existence for banking, licensing, and legal purposes. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien searches for secured transactions and equipment financing are also available through the Indiana Secretary of State at www.in.gov/sos/business/ucc. These records show security interests in business assets, equipment, inventory, and accounts receivable. Business property tax assessments for commercial real estate in Kempton are searchable through the Tipton County Assessor's Office online portal at www.indianagateway.in.gov, allowing business owners to verify assessed values for commercial parcels and review tax obligations.

Kempton, Indiana voters are served by the Tipton County Clerk's Office, which administers elections and maintains voter registration for all county residents. The Tipton County Clerk is located at the Tipton County Courthouse, 101 East Jefferson Street, Tipton, IN 46072, phone (765) 675-2795. The Clerk's Office website can be accessed through the county government portal at www.tiptoncounty.in.gov. Kempton residents register to vote through the Indiana Voter Registration System, accessible online at indianavoters.in.gov, which is operated by the Indiana Secretary of State's Election Division. Indiana requires voters to register at least 29 days before an election. Registration requires providing name, date of birth, Indiana driver's license number or state ID number, and residential address. Indiana law requires voters to present photo identification when voting in person.

Kempton is an incorporated town with a town council form of government. Municipal elections for Kempton Town Council members are held in November of odd-numbered years, coinciding with Indiana's municipal election cycle. The next Kempton town elections will be held in November 2027, when council seats will be on the ballot. Kempton does not elect a mayor; instead, the town council appoints a council president. Information about candidates for local office and town ballot questions can be obtained from the Tipton County Clerk's Office and the Indiana Election Division website at in.gov/sos/elections. Kempton voters also participate in Tipton County Council, County Commissioner, and county constitutional officer elections.

Kempton residents can find their assigned polling location by using the Indiana Voter Portal at indianavoters.in.gov, which allows users to enter their residential address and view their polling place, sample ballot, elected representatives, and voting history. Polling places are typically located at community centers, schools, or other public buildings within the precinct. Election records that are public in Indiana under IC 3-7-26.4 include voter registration lists (excluding Social Security numbers and dates of birth), campaign finance reports for candidates and political action committees (available at campaignfinance.in.gov), candidate declarations and petitions filed with the Election Division or County Clerk, and precinct-level election results. Voter registration lists can be purchased from the County Clerk for legitimate purposes.

In the November 2024 presidential election, Tipton County recorded approximately 8,100 registered voters with turnout of approximately 65-70%, consistent with rural Indiana voting patterns. The county historically favors Republican candidates in federal and state elections. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature several significant races for Kempton and Tipton County voters. Indiana will not have a U.S. Senate race in 2026 (next Senate election is 2028), but voters will decide all nine U.S. House of Representatives seats including Indiana's 2nd or 5th Congressional District (depending on redistricting; Tipton County is currently in the 5th District). There will be no gubernatorial race in 2026 (next is 2028), but all 100 Indiana House seats and 25 of 50 Senate seats will be on the ballot. Tipton County voters will also elect county-level offices that may include County Council members, County Commissioners, Sheriff, Clerk, Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Assessor, Coroner, and Surveyor, depending on the election cycle and term expirations.

Indiana voters can request absentee ballots by mail or vote early in person. To vote absentee by mail, Kempton residents must submit an Application for Absentee Ballot (ABS-Mail form) to the Tipton County Clerk's Office. Applications are available at indianavoters.in.gov and must be received by the Clerk no later than 11:59 p.m. on the day before the election (though earlier submission is strongly recommended). Indiana law permits absentee voting for reasons including being absent from the county on election day, having a disability, being 65 years or older, working as a precinct election officer, being scheduled to work during all polling hours, having religious obligations, being confined due to illness or injury, being a participant in the state's address confidentiality program, or being a serious sex offender barred from polling places. Early voting in person is available at the Tipton County Clerk's Office beginning 28 days before the election, with expanded hours during the final week. Voters do not need to provide a reason for early in-person voting. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the Clerk by noon on election day or postmarked by election day and received within 10 days (for military and overseas voters). For the November 3, 2026 election, Kempton voters should monitor the Tipton County Clerk's website and local news sources for candidate information, early voting schedules, and any local ballot questions or referenda that may appear.