Matthews, Indiana Public Records

Matthews, Grant County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Grant County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. The Marion Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city of Marion, while other cities like Gas City and Jonesboro have their own police departments. These agencies work within their respective jurisdictions but often collaborate on major crimes and investigations that cross city boundaries. Coordination between the Sheriff's Office and city police departments ensures comprehensive coverage and response to incidents throughout the county.

The Grant County Jail, located in Marion, serves as the primary detention facility for the county. The booking process at the jail involves photographing and fingerprinting individuals upon arrival. Inmate information, including charges and bond amounts, can be accessed through the jail's online inmate lookup system. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and guidelines that must be followed by visitors. The bond and bail process in Indiana allows for the release of inmates pending trial, and individuals can post bail through cash or bond services. To locate someone recently arrested in Grant County, individuals can contact the jail directly or use the online resources provided by the Sheriff's Office.

Matthews residents are served by the Grant County court system, as the community has no municipal court of its own. The Grant Superior Courts are located at the Grant County Government Center, 401 South Adams Street, Marion, IN 46953. Grant County operates four Superior Courts (Courts 1, 2, 3, and 4), each handling different case types. Court 1 can be reached at (765) 668-8871 and primarily handles civil cases including contract disputes, personal injury claims, and small claims matters up to $8,000. Court 2, at (765) 668-8872, handles criminal misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic matters. Court 3, at (765) 668-8873, handles felony criminal cases, from Level 6 felonies to more serious offenses. Court 4, at (765) 668-8874, handles family law matters including divorce, child custody, paternity, adoption, and juvenile cases, as well as probate and estate matters. Indiana offers a statewide online court records system called Mycase.IN.gov (https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase), which allows free searching of most civil, criminal, family, and small claims cases filed in Grant County courts. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Grant County Clerk's Office at (765) 668-8871 for a fee of $1.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee per document. Marriage license fees are $18.00, and divorce filing fees vary but typically range from $157 to $177.

The criminal records system in Grant County, Indiana includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Grant County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, which are accessible to the public under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. Residents can conduct background checks through the Indiana State Police, which provides statewide criminal history information. The Indiana Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for background checks, including fingerprint-based searches for more comprehensive results. These records are crucial for employers, landlords, and individuals seeking to verify someone's criminal history.

Arrest records in Grant County, Indiana are maintained by the Grant County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, either in person or through written requests. The information on a Grant County arrest record typically includes the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking details. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act governs the release of such records, ensuring transparency and public access to government information.

Property and land records for Matthews are maintained by Grant County offices in Marion. The Grant County Assessor's Office, located at 401 South Adams Street, Marion, IN 46953, phone (765) 668-8871 extension 1502, maintains property assessment records including parcel information, ownership data, assessed values, property characteristics, and tax assessment history. The Assessor's website at www.grantcounty.net provides online access to property data through a searchable database where users can search by owner name, parcel number, or property address. The database includes aerial photographs, property maps, sales history, and current assessed values for both land and improvements. The Grant County Recorder's Office, located at 401 South Adams Street, Marion, IN 46953, phone (765) 668-8871, records and maintains all land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, liens, easements, and other documents affecting real property titles. Recording fees vary by document type but typically start at $17.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page. The Recorder's Office provides online access to recorded documents through their website at www.grantcounty.net/recorder, where users can search and view images of recorded documents dating back several decades. Most searches are free to view online, though certified copies require payment. Grant County also maintains a GIS mapping system accessible through the county website, providing parcel boundaries, zoning information, flood plain data, and aerial imagery that can be searched by address or parcel number.

The economy of Matthews and the surrounding area is predominantly agricultural, reflecting Grant County's rural character. Corn, soybeans, and livestock farming are the primary agricultural activities, with many residents engaged in farming or agriculturally related businesses. Employment for Matthews residents typically comes from nearby Marion, the Grant County seat located approximately 8 miles south, which serves as the economic hub of the county. Major employers in the Marion area include Marion General Hospital (part of Indiana University Health), Indiana Wesleyan University (one of the largest Christian universities in the Midwest with over 3,000 on-campus students), and several manufacturing facilities. Grant County has historically had a manufacturing presence, though the sector has declined from its peak decades ago. The median household income in Grant County is approximately $43,000 to $47,000, below both the state and national averages, reflecting the rural and economically challenged nature of the region. The county has experienced population decline over recent decades as younger residents have moved to larger metropolitan areas for employment opportunities. Matthews itself functions primarily as a residential rural community with most residents commuting to Marion, Gas City, or other nearby towns for work. The area benefits from its location along transportation corridors connecting to Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Agricultural support services, small retail operations, and home-based businesses comprise much of the local economic activity in Matthews proper.

Matthews, Indiana does not have its own municipal police department. Law enforcement services for Matthews and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Grant County are provided by the Grant County Sheriff's Office, located at 214 East 4th Street, Marion, IN 46952. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (765) 668-8370, and their website is www.grantcounty.net/sheriff. The Sheriff's Office handles patrol duties, criminal investigations, warrant service, and emergency response for Matthews residents. To request police reports or incident records, individuals must contact the Sheriff's Office during business hours or submit a written request. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3) governs public records requests and requires agencies to respond within a reasonable time, typically within 24 hours for acknowledgment and up to seven days for production. The Grant County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same Marion address, maintains an inmate roster that is accessible to the public. Arrest records and jail bookings can be searched online through the Grant County Sheriff's website, where visitors can find current inmates, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and booking photographs. The Indiana Department of Correction also maintains an Offender Search system at www.in.gov/apps/indcorrection/ofs/ofs for state prison inmates. Residents seeking criminal history background checks can request them through the Indiana State Police at www.in.gov/isp or in person at authorized locations.

Vital records for Matthews residents are managed at both county and state levels. Birth and death certificates are issued by the Indiana State Department of Health, Vital Records Office, 2 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, phone (317) 233-2700, website www.in.gov/health/vital-records. Birth certificates cost $28.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Death certificates cost $20.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for additional copies. Processing typically takes 10-15 business days for mail orders. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with expedited service options and additional processing fees. Birth records are available from October 1907 forward, and death records from 1900 forward. Only eligible individuals can request vital records, including the person named on the record (if of age), parents, legal guardians, spouses, children, grandparents, siblings, legal representatives, and individuals with a court order. Valid government-issued photo identification is required. Marriage licenses are issued by the Grant County Clerk's Office at 401 South Adams Street, Marion, IN 46953, phone (765) 668-8871. The marriage license fee is $18.00 in Indiana, and applicants must apply in person with valid identification. There is no waiting period or blood test requirement. Marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk and are public records searchable by the public. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Grant County Clerk as part of the dissolution case files and can be accessed through the court system or by requesting certified copies from the Clerk's Office.

Matthews does not require separate municipal business licenses as it is an unincorporated community. Business owners in Matthews must comply with Grant County and Indiana state requirements. Grant County does not impose a general county-level business license requirement for most businesses, though specific business types such as food service establishments, alcohol sales, and certain contractors may require permits from county health or building departments. The Grant County Health Department, located at 401 South Adams Street, Marion, IN 46953, phone (765) 651-2873, issues food service permits and handles inspections. Fictitious business name (DBA) registrations in Indiana are filed with the county Recorder's Office. The Grant County Recorder, at 401 South Adams Street, Marion, IN 46953, phone (765) 668-8871, handles DBA filings for businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name. The filing fee is approximately $26.00 and must be renewed periodically. Business entity formations including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and nonprofit corporations are registered with the Indiana Secretary of State. The Business Services Division can be reached at (317) 232-6576, and their online portal at www.in.gov/sos/business provides free searching of registered businesses, including entity status, registered agent information, officers and directors, formation dates, and annual report status. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches are also filed with and searchable through the Indiana Secretary of State. Commercial property tax assessments can be researched through the Grant County Assessor's online database at www.grantcounty.net, where business owners can look up assessed values, appeal assessment decisions, and track property tax obligations.

Matthews voters are served by the Grant County Clerk's Office, which administers elections as the Grant County Election Board. The office is located at 401 South Adams Street, Room 103, Marion, IN 46953, phone (765) 668-8871, website www.grantcounty.net/clerk. Indiana residents can register to vote online at www.indianavoters.in.gov up to 29 days before any election. Voters must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by the next election, and have lived in their precinct for at least 30 days. Indiana requires photo identification to vote in person; acceptable IDs include Indiana driver's licenses, state ID cards, U.S. passports, military IDs, or other government-issued photo IDs. Matthews does not hold separate municipal elections because it is an unincorporated community without its own town government. Residents vote in county, state, and federal elections but not in city council or mayoral races. Matthews voters cast ballots in Fairmount Township precincts. Polling place assignments can be found by visiting www.indianavoters.in.gov and entering your address, or by calling the Grant County Clerk's Office. Indiana voters can request absentee ballots online through the state voter portal or by submitting an application to the County Clerk by mail. Early voting is available at the Grant County Government Center in the weeks before Election Day. In the November 2024 presidential election, Grant County saw approximately 10,500 to 11,000 voters participate, representing roughly 55-60% turnout of registered voters, with the county voting heavily Republican as is typical for rural Indiana counties. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Matthews and Grant County voters will decide several important races. Indiana will elect a U.S. Senator (the seat currently held by Todd Young is up in 2026), all nine U.S. House members including the representative for Indiana's 5th Congressional District which includes Grant County, all 50 State Senate seats (even-numbered districts in 2026), all 100 State House seats, and various county offices including County Council members, County Commissioners, County Auditor, County Clerk, County Recorder, County Treasurer, County Sheriff, County Coroner, and County Surveyor. School board positions may also be on the ballot. Voter registration lists, campaign finance reports, and candidate filing information are public records available through the Grant County Clerk and the Indiana Election Division at www.in.gov/sos/elections. Precinct-level election results are posted on the county website after elections are certified.