New Lebanon, Indiana Public Records

The Sullivan Superior Court, at (812) 268-5240, handles a similar range of cases and provides additional judicial capacity for the county. Small claims cases (disputes under $10,000) are heard in the small claims division of these courts. Indiana trial court records are accessible through the Indiana Judiciary's online case search portal, MyCase at https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase, which allows users to search by party name, case number, or attorney across participating counties, including Sullivan County. This portal provides case summaries, docket entries, hearing dates, and judgment information for both civil and criminal matters, though some confidential records (such as sealed cases, certain juvenile records, and some family law documents) are restricted. To obtain certified copies of court documents, requesters must contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Courthouse. As of recent fee schedules, certified copies typically cost $1.00 per page after an initial search fee, though fees should be confirmed with the Clerk's office. Documents can be requested in person, by mail, or in some cases by fax. The Sullivan County Clerk's Office also maintains marriage license records and some probate files, serving as the official record-keeper for the court system.

The Indiana Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for background checks and criminal history inquiries, ensuring that Sullivan County residents have access to necessary information for employment, housing, and other purposes.

Property owners and prospective buyers can search property records by parcel number, owner name, or address to find assessed values, property characteristics, tax district information, and assessment history. Many Indiana counties, including Sullivan, participate in statewide or regional online property databases; residents can access Sullivan County property data through the Indiana Gateway portal or third-party services that aggregate county assessor data, though the level of detail and ease of access can vary. The Sullivan County Recorder's Office, also located at 100 Courthouse Square, Sullivan, IN 47882, phone (812) 268-4657, is responsible for recording and maintaining official land records including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other documents affecting real property title. Indiana law requires most real estate instruments to be recorded to provide public notice and establish priority of interests. The Recorder's Office maintains both historical paper records and increasingly digitized recent documents. Some Indiana counties offer free online access to recorded documents through searchable databases; Sullivan County residents should contact the Recorder directly or visit in person to determine current online availability and any associated fees for document retrieval or copies. In-person searches are available during regular business hours, and staff can assist with locating specific documents by grantor/grantee indexes, parcel number, or legal description. Sullivan County may also provide GIS mapping and parcel viewer tools through its website or the Indiana statewide GIS portal.

Beyond agriculture, Sullivan County's economy includes coal mining and energy production—the county has historically been part of Indiana's coal belt, and several active mining operations and power generation facilities provide employment in the region. Major employers in the broader Sullivan County area include Duke Energy's Edwardsport and Cayuga generating stations, active surface coal mines, and agribusiness firms. The Sullivan County School Corporation is also a significant employer. For non-agricultural employment, many New Lebanon residents commute to Sullivan (the county seat, about 8 miles northeast) or to Terre Haute in neighboring Vigo County (approximately 30 miles north), where manufacturing, healthcare, education (including Indiana State University), and retail sectors offer additional job opportunities. Median household income in Sullivan County is below the Indiana state average, reflecting the rural and agricultural character of the region. Recent years have seen some diversification efforts, including renewable energy projects, but farming and energy remain the economic pillars. New Lebanon itself has minimal commercial infrastructure—no significant retail or industrial employers—and functions primarily as a residential agricultural community where economic life is tied closely to the land and county-wide industries.

New Lebanon, as an unincorporated community, does not operate its own police department. All law enforcement services for New Lebanon residents are provided by the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, located at 101 N Section Street, Sullivan, IN 47882. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (812) 268-4308, and while they do not maintain a comprehensive website, information is available through the Sullivan County government portal. The Sheriff's Office handles all patrol, criminal investigations, and emergency response for unincorporated areas of Sullivan County, including New Lebanon. Residents seeking police reports, incident records, or accident reports must submit requests directly to the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, codified in Indiana Code 5-14-3, grants the public the right to inspect and copy most law enforcement records, though certain investigatory records and confidential information may be exempt. To request records, individuals should visit the Sheriff's Office in person or submit a written request specifying the date, location, and nature of the incident. Arrest and jail booking records for Sullivan County are maintained at the Sullivan County Jail, also located at 101 N Section Street in Sullivan. The Indiana Department of Correction provides an online Offender Search tool at https://www.in.gov/apps/indcorrection/ofs/ofs, which allows searches for state inmates, but county-level arrest and booking information typically requires contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Booking records generally include the arrestee's name, booking date, charges filed, bond amount, and booking photograph when available. For the most current jail roster and inmate information, residents should call the jail at (812) 268-4308 or visit in person.

Certified copies cost $28.00 each (as of recent fee schedules), and online ordering is available through the VitalChek service at https://www.vitalchek.com, though an additional processing fee applies. Expedited service and rush shipping options are available for extra fees. Birth records in Indiana are confidential for 72 years and can only be obtained by the registrant (if of legal age), parents, legal guardians, or authorized legal representatives with proper identification. Processing time for mail requests is typically 8-10 business weeks, while online orders may arrive in 3-5 business days with expedited shipping. Death certificates are also issued by the Indiana State Department of Health Vital Records Division, with the same contact information and fee structure ($28.00 per certified copy). Death records are available to immediate family members, legal representatives, or anyone demonstrating a direct and tangible interest. The Sullivan County Health Department, located at 911 N Section Street, Sullivan, IN 47882, phone (812) 268-6249, can provide information and assist with applications but typically does not issue certified copies directly. Marriage licenses are issued by the Sullivan County Clerk's Office at the Courthouse, 100 Courthouse Square, Sullivan, IN 47882, phone (812) 268-6009. Couples must apply in person, provide valid identification, and pay the marriage license fee (approximately $18.00 as of recent schedules). There is no waiting period or blood test required in Indiana. Certified copies of marriage records can be obtained from the Clerk's office for a fee. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the same address; certified copies of divorce decrees can be requested through the Clerk's office for the standard per-page fee.

The Sullivan County Health Department at 911 N Section Street, Sullivan, IN 47882, phone (812) 268-6249, issues food service permits and handles inspections. For businesses operating under an assumed name or DBA (Doing Business As), Indiana requires registration with the county. Fictitious business name registrations in Sullivan County are filed with the Sullivan County Clerk's Office, 100 Courthouse Square, Sullivan, IN 47882, phone (812) 268-6009. The registration process involves submitting an application with the business name, owner information, and paying a filing fee. For formal business entities such as corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and nonprofits, Indiana requires registration with the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division. The online business entity search is available at https://bsd.sos.in.gov/PublicBusinessSearch, where users can look up any registered business entity in Indiana by name, registered agent, business ID number, or officer name. The database shows the entity's status (active, dissolved, withdrawn), formation date, registered agent and office address, business address, and key officers or members. Business owners can also file annual reports and update information through the Secretary of State's online portal. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements, which establish security interests and liens on business assets, are also filed with and searchable through the Indiana Secretary of State's office at https://www.in.gov/sos/business/. Commercial property owners in New Lebanon can look up property tax assessments through the Sullivan County Assessor's Office as described in the property records section; commercial and industrial properties are assessed and taxed based on market value and classification.

New Lebanon voters are served by the Sullivan County Clerk and Election Board, located at 100 Courthouse Square, Sullivan, IN 47882, phone (812) 268-6009. The County Clerk oversees voter registration, election administration, and maintains official election records for all of Sullivan County, including unincorporated areas like New Lebanon. Indiana residents can register to vote online at https://indianavoters.in.gov, which is operated by the Indiana Secretary of State. Voters must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old on or before the next election, and have resided in their precinct for at least 30 days. The voter registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Valid Indiana driver's license or state ID number is required for online registration. New Lebanon, as an unincorporated community, does not hold municipal elections for mayor or town council; residents vote in county, state, and federal elections only. Sullivan County elections include races for County Council, County Commissioners, Sheriff, Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Surveyor, Coroner, and Clerk, typically held in the general election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. To find their assigned polling place, New Lebanon residents can use the Indiana Voter Portal at https://indianavoters.in.gov, entering their name and date of birth or address to view polling location, sample ballot, and registration status. Indiana makes several categories of election records publicly available: voter registration lists (without birthdates or other confidential information), campaign finance reports (searchable at https://campaignfinance.in.gov), candidate filings and declarations, and precinct-level election results. In the November 2024 presidential election, Sullivan County saw approximately 68% voter turnout, with around 6,800 ballots cast out of roughly 10,000 registered voters, reflecting strong rural participation in the presidential race. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, New Lebanon and Sullivan County voters will decide several important races: Indiana does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026 (the state's Senate seats are up in 2024 and 2028), but voters will participate in elections for Indiana's U.S. House of Representatives (New Lebanon is in Indiana's 8th Congressional District), all 100 seats of the Indiana House of Representatives, half of the 50 Indiana State Senate seats (odd-numbered districts), and various county offices depending on the election cycle, including potential Sullivan County Council, Commissioner, and constitutional officer positions. Indiana voters can request absentee ballots by mail or vote early in person at the County Clerk's office beginning 28 days before an election. Absentee ballot applications are available at https://indianavoters.in.gov or from the County Clerk. No-excuse absentee voting by mail is available, though voters must provide a reason from the statutory list (which includes being away from the county on Election Day, work schedule, illness, disability, or age 65+). Voted absentee ballots must be received by the County Clerk by noon on Election Day to be counted.