New Paris, Indiana Public Records

Superior Court 1 handles criminal felonies; Superior Court 2 handles major civil cases and family law; Superior Court 3 handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and ordinance violations; Superior Court 4 handles juvenile matters; and Superior Court 5 handles probate, estates, guardianships, and small claims up to $8,000. The Circuit Court handles civil cases and family law matters including divorce, custody, and adoption. Court records for Elkhart County cases can be searched online through the Indiana Judicial Branch's case search system, MyCase Indiana, available at https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase. This free online portal allows searches by party name, case number, attorney name, or business name for cases filed in Elkhart County courts. The system provides case summaries, filed documents, hearing dates, and judgments, though some sealed or confidential records (such as certain juvenile, mental health, or adoption records) are not publicly accessible. To obtain certified copies of court documents, requestors must contact the Elkhart County Clerk's Office at the Courthouse; fees for certified copies are typically $1 per page plus $1 for certification as established by Indiana Code 33-37-5-2. Document retrieval and copying services may have additional fees depending on the complexity of the request.

The Indiana Bureau of Investigation does not exist; instead, the Indiana State Police serves as the primary agency for criminal background checks, offering services to Elkhart County residents seeking comprehensive criminal records information.

The Assessor's website offers a free online property search tool where users can search by parcel number, address, or owner name to view current assessed values, property characteristics, sales history, tax district information, and assessment history. Property record cards showing building details, land acreage, and assessment methodology are available through the online system. The Elkhart County Recorder's Office, located at 117 N. Second Street, Room 107, Goshen, IN 46526 (phone: 574-535-6741, website: https://www.elkhartcounty.com/recorder), maintains official land records including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other instruments affecting real property titles. The Recorder's Office provides free online access to recorded documents through the Laredo Land Records system on the county website, with records searchable by grantor/grantee name, document type, date range, or parcel number. Scanned images of recorded documents are viewable and printable at no charge for online access; certified copies requested in person cost $1 for the first page and $1 for each additional page per Indiana Code 36-2-7-10. The county also maintains a GIS mapping system (Beacon) that integrates assessment data with parcel boundaries and aerial photography, allowing users to visually search properties and view ownership, zoning, and tax information. This system is freely accessible on the county website and provides comprehensive property research capabilities for New Paris addresses.

Elkhart County is known as the "RV Capital of the World," with companies like Forest River, Jayco, Keystone RV, and numerous suppliers employing tens of thousands in the region. Within and near New Paris, the economy centers on agriculture, small retail businesses along Main Street (US 6), service providers, and local institutions. Fairfield Community Schools is a significant employer serving New Paris and the surrounding Benton and York townships. Small manufacturing, agricultural services, construction trades, and local retail provide additional employment. The median household income for the New Paris area is estimated around $50,000-$60,000 based on census tract data, somewhat below the Elkhart County median due to the town's smaller scale and rural character. Recent years have seen modest residential growth as workers in the larger Elkhart County economy seek affordable housing in smaller communities. New Paris benefits from its location along US Route 6, providing accessibility to employment centers while maintaining lower costs of living than larger county municipalities. Agriculture remains important in the surrounding area, with grain farming, livestock operations, and agricultural support businesses contributing to the local economy. The town has pursued infrastructure improvements and downtown revitalization efforts to support local businesses and quality of life for residents.

The New Paris Police Department, located at 201 S. Center Street, New Paris, IN 46553 (phone: 574-831-2144), provides primary law enforcement services within the town limits. Citizens may request police reports and incident records by visiting the department in person during business hours or by submitting a written request under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3-3). The department handles local patrols, traffic enforcement, and criminal investigations within New Paris town boundaries. Response time and record availability may vary; some records may be withheld if they are part of ongoing investigations or contain confidential information protected by law. For areas outside the New Paris town limits in western Elkhart County, the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services. The Sheriff's Office is headquartered at 26861 County Road 26, Elkhart, IN 46517 (phone: 574-891-2300, website: https://www.elkhartcountysheriff.com). The Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction throughout Elkhart County, including unincorporated areas, and provides patrol, investigations, and operates the Elkhart County Correctional Complex. To search for arrests and jail bookings in Elkhart County, the public can access the Elkhart County Jail inmate roster online at the Sheriff's Office website. The inmate search system displays current inmates' names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and booking photographs when available. Indiana Code 5-14-3 (Access to Public Records Act) requires public agencies to provide access to records within a reasonable time, typically within 24 hours for simple requests. Arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports are generally considered public unless exempted, though certain investigatory records may be withheld during active investigations.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com with expedited processing options and additional service fees. Only eligible persons may request certified birth certificates in Indiana, including the person named on the record (if 18+), parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, or persons with a court order. Birth records in Indiana are confidential for 72 years from the date of birth. Death certificates are also issued by the Indiana State Department of Health Vital Records Division at the same address and phone number, costing $28 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy. Eligible requestors include family members, legal representatives, and persons with a documented legal interest. Death records less than 50 years old are restricted to authorized persons. Some vital records can also be obtained through the Elkhart County Health Department, 608 Oakland Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46516 (phone: 574-523-2122), which serves as a local issuing agent for Indiana vital records at the same fee structure. Marriage licenses are issued by the Elkhart County Clerk's Office, 315 S. Second Street, Room 102, Goshen, IN 46526 (phone: 574-535-6750), with applications requiring both parties to appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. The marriage license fee is $18, or $8 if both parties complete a premarital preparation course. Marriage licenses become valid the next calendar day and expire after 60 days. Marriage records are public records. Divorce records (Dissolution of Marriage) are filed with the Elkhart County Clerk as court records and are accessible through the court system described above.

Fictitious business name registrations (Assumed Business Names or DBAs) in Indiana are filed with the county recorder where the business operates; for New Paris businesses, this is the Elkhart County Recorder's Office at 117 N. Second Street, Room 107, Goshen, IN 46526 (phone: 574-535-6741). The filing fee for an assumed business name is $30, and the registration must be renewed every five years. Business entity formation including corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and nonprofit organizations is handled by the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division. The state maintains INBiz (https://www.inbiz.in.gov), a comprehensive free online portal for registering new businesses, filing annual reports, searching existing business entities, and accessing entity status, registered agent information, and officer/director names. Entity searches on INBiz are free and provide current standing, formation dates, and registered addresses. The Secretary of State's physical office is located at 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (phone: 317-232-6576). Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien searches are also conducted through INBiz, allowing searches for secured transactions and liens on business personal property. For commercial property tax assessments in New Paris, business owners should consult the Elkhart County Assessor's Office (574-535-6760) to view assessed values of commercial parcels, which are publicly searchable online through the county's property database. Business personal property taxes (equipment, inventory, furniture) must be filed annually with the Elkhart County Assessor by May 15.

New Paris voters are served by the Elkhart County Voter Registration Office, which operates under the Elkhart County Clerk, located at 315 S. Second Street, Room 102, Goshen, IN 46526 (phone: 574-535-6750, website: https://www.elkhartcounty.com/clerk). This office handles all aspects of voter registration, election administration, candidate filings, and election records for New Paris and all other Elkhart County municipalities. Indiana residents can register to vote online through the Indiana Secretary of State's website at https://indianavoters.in.gov, where they can also check registration status, view sample ballots, and find polling locations. To register, applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by the next election, and residents of Indiana for at least 30 days. The registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Online registration requires an Indiana driver's license or state ID number. New Paris holds municipal elections for town council positions and the clerk-treasurer; New Paris Town Council consists of five at-large members serving four-year staggered terms. The most recent New Paris municipal election was in November 2023; the next municipal election will occur in November 2027. Council meetings and candidate information are available through New Paris Town Hall. To find their specific polling place, New Paris voters can use the Indiana Voter Portal at https://indianavoters.in.gov by entering their name and date of birth; polling locations are assigned based on precinct boundaries. New Paris voters typically cast ballots at the New Paris Town Hall or Fairfield Elementary School depending on their precinct. Indiana provides comprehensive public access to election records. Voter registration lists are available for inspection at the county clerk's office and may be purchased by campaigns and political organizations per Indiana Code 3-7-26. Campaign finance reports for candidates and committees are filed with the county election board for local races and are public records available for inspection. Precinct-level election results are published by the Elkhart County Clerk after certification, with detailed results available on the county website. In the November 2024 presidential election, Elkhart County reported approximately 65-70% voter turnout, with total registered voters exceeding 120,000 countywide and approximately 80,000 ballots cast. New Paris precincts showed similar participation rates. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature several significant races for New Paris voters. At the federal level, Indiana's U.S. Senate seat held by Todd Young is up for election in 2026. All nine Indiana U.S. House seats, including the 2nd Congressional District which covers Elkhart County and New Paris, will be on the ballot; Representative Rudy Yakym currently holds this seat. At the state level, all 100 Indiana House seats and 25 of the 50 Indiana Senate seats will be contested in 2026, including State Senate District 12 and State House District 22 which serve the New Paris area. County offices on the 2026 ballot include Elkhart County Council members, Elkhart County Commissioners (three-member board serving staggered four-year terms), County Assessor, County Recorder, and various other county offices depending on the cycle. Indiana does not hold gubernatorial elections in 2026 (next in 2024, then 2028). To request an absentee ballot in Indiana, voters must submit an application to the Elkhart County Clerk by mail, in person, or online through the Indiana voter portal. Absentee voting in Indiana is available for any registered voter; no excuse is required. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on the day before the election for in-person absentee voting at the clerk's office, or by April 24 (for primary) or October 22 (for general) for mail ballots. Voted absentee ballots must be received by noon on Election Day. Early in-person voting is available at the Elkhart County Clerk's Office beginning 29 days before the election.