Kentland, Indiana Public Records

Court records can be searched through Indiana's statewide court access system, Mycase.IN.gov (https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase), which provides free online access to case information, dockets, and filings for cases throughout Indiana including Newton County. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney to view case histories, court dates, judgments, and filed documents. Some documents may be restricted or redacted for privacy. For certified copies of court documents, the Newton County Clerk's Office at 201 North Third Street, Kentland, IN 47951 (phone: 219-474-5193) processes requests. The fee for certified copies is typically $1 per page after an initial certification fee. Regular photocopies cost less. The Clerk's Office maintains records of all court proceedings, marriage licenses, and other official county documents. Walk-in requests are accepted during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Some records dating back to the 1800s are available, though older records may require special handling.

The Assessor's website provides online access to property records through a searchable database where residents can look up parcels by address, owner name, or parcel number to view current assessments, property history, and tax district information. The Newton County Recorder's Office, located at 201 North Third Street, Kentland, IN 47951 (phone: 219-474-6081, website: https://www.newtoncounty.in.gov/departments/recorder), records and maintains official land documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage releases, liens, easements, rights-of-way, and other instruments affecting real property. Indiana law requires these documents to be recorded to provide public notice of ownership and encumbrances. The Recorder's Office provides online access to recorded documents through a subscription-based service or allows in-person searches during business hours. Document images and indexes may be available online for a fee, while in-person searches are typically free with per-page copying fees applied. Newton County also maintains a GIS mapping system accessible through the county website, providing visual parcel boundaries, ownership information, and property characteristics. Recording fees vary by document type, typically ranging from $16 to $30 for standard documents.

The South Newton School Corporation, serving Kentland and surrounding areas with South Newton Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, represents another major employment source. Retail and service businesses along the town's main commercial corridors serve both local residents and the agricultural community. Healthcare services including family medical practices provide additional employment. The median household income in Newton County is approximately $55,000 to $60,000, somewhat below the Indiana state average but reflecting the rural agricultural economy. Kentland has experienced modest population decline over recent decades, consistent with trends in rural Indiana communities, as agricultural mechanization has reduced farm labor needs and younger residents migrate to larger urban areas for employment opportunities. The town maintains its role as Newton County's governmental and commercial center, though economic growth is limited compared to urban areas. Interstate access via nearby U.S. Route 41 provides transportation connectivity for agricultural products and commerce.

The Kentland Police Department, located at 118 East Seymour Street, Kentland, IN 47951 (phone: 219-474-6766), provides law enforcement services within the town limits. To request police reports or incident records, residents may visit the department in person during business hours or call to inquire about record availability. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3-1 et seq.) governs the release of police records, allowing public access to most police reports, though certain records such as ongoing investigations or records involving juveniles may be exempt. The Newton County Sheriff's Office, located at 201 North Third Street, Kentland, IN 47951 (phone: 219-474-6081, website: https://www.newtoncounty.in.gov/departments/sheriff), provides law enforcement services throughout unincorporated areas of Newton County and serves as the primary countywide law enforcement agency. The Sheriff's Office handles arrests, warrants, and operates the Newton County Jail. To search for arrests and jail bookings, the public can access the Newton County Jail inmate roster online through the Sheriff's Office website or by contacting the jail directly at 219-474-6081. The inmate search typically displays current inmates' names, booking dates, charges filed, bond amounts, and sometimes booking photographs. Historical arrest records and incident reports can be requested directly from the Sheriff's Office. Under Indiana Code 5-14-3-3, law enforcement agencies must respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, typically within 24 hours of receipt, though complex requests may take longer. Fees for copying records are limited to actual copying costs.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com with additional service fees. Birth records are available from October 1907 forward, and death records from 1900 forward. Requesters must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record (parent, legal guardian, adult child, spouse, or legal representative). The Newton County Health Department at 407 North 5th Street, Kentland, IN 47951 (phone: 219-474-6747) may assist with some vital records requests but primarily directs applicants to the state office. Marriage licenses are issued by the Newton County Clerk's Office at 201 North Third Street, Kentland, IN 47951 (phone: 219-474-5193). The marriage license fee is approximately $18, and there is no waiting period in Indiana. Both parties must appear in person with valid identification and Social Security numbers. Certified copies of marriage records cost approximately $2. Divorce records are maintained as court records through the Newton County Clerk's Office as part of dissolution case files, accessible through the court system. Indiana law restricts birth certificate access to those with documented interest for 75 years.

For assumed business names (DBA or "Doing Business As"), businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must register with the Newton County Clerk's Office at 201 North Third Street, Kentland, IN 47951. The state-level business entity registration is managed by the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division. Corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other formal business entities must register with the state. The Indiana Secretary of State provides a free online business entity search at https://bsd.sos.in.gov/publicbusinesssearch where anyone can search by business name, registered agent, or business ID number to view entity status, registration date, principal address, registered agent information, and officers or managers. New business entity filings can be completed online through the INBiz portal at https://www.inbiz.in.gov. Formation fees vary: LLCs cost approximately $95 and corporations cost approximately $90 to file. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien searches for secured transactions are also conducted through the Indiana Secretary of State's UCC database. Business personal property taxes are assessed by the Newton County Assessor's Office, and businesses must file annual personal property tax returns. Commercial real estate is assessed and searchable through the county Assessor's property database at the same location as residential properties.

Kentland voters are served by the Newton County Clerk's Office, which administers elections for the county. The office is located at 201 North Third Street, Kentland, IN 47951 (phone: 219-474-5193, website: https://www.newtoncounty.in.gov/departments/clerk). Indiana residents can register to vote online through the Indiana Voter Portal at https://indianavoters.in.gov, where they can also check registration status, view sample ballots, and find polling locations. The voter registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Voters must provide an Indiana driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Indiana requires voters to present photo ID at the polls; acceptable forms include Indiana driver's licenses, Indiana state ID cards, U.S. passports, military IDs, or student IDs from Indiana colleges. Kentland municipal elections for the Town Council are held in November of odd-numbered years, with the next elections scheduled for November 2025. The Town Council consists of five members representing districts and at-large seats. There is no elected mayor; Kentland operates under a town council form of government. To find their assigned polling place, Kentland residents can use the polling place lookup tool at https://indianavoters.in.gov or contact the County Clerk's Office. Newton County had approximately 60-65% voter turnout in the November 2024 presidential election, with roughly 8,500 registered voters in the county and approximately 5,000-5,500 ballots cast. Election records that are public in Indiana include voter registration lists (available for purchase by political parties and candidates), campaign finance reports filed with the Indiana Election Division, candidate declarations and filings, and precinct-level election results. These are accessible through the Indiana Election Division website at https://www.in.gov/sos/elections. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature races for all Indiana U.S. House seats (Kentland is in Indiana's 2nd Congressional District), Indiana state legislature seats including State Senate and House districts covering Newton County, and various county offices including County Council, County Commissioners, Sheriff, Clerk, Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Assessor, and Surveyor. Absentee voting by mail is available in Indiana for voters who meet specific criteria including being 65 or older, having a disability, being scheduled to work entire polling hours, being a caregiver, being confined due to illness or injury, being a member of the military or public safety officer, being a serious sex offender, or being prevented by religious discipline. Absentee ballot applications are available through the County Clerk or online at the Indiana Voter Portal, and must be received by the Clerk's Office no later than 11:59 PM twelve days before the election. Early in-person voting is available at designated locations in the weeks preceding Election Day.