Shepardsville, Indiana Public Records

Superior Court 1 handles felony criminal cases; Superior Court 2 handles civil cases over $6,000 and family law matters including divorce and custody; Superior Court 3 handles juvenile delinquency and child welfare cases; Superior Court 4 handles probate, guardianships, and estates; Superior Court 5 handles misdemeanor criminal cases and civil cases under $6,000; and Superior Court 6 handles family law and civil matters. The Vigo Circuit Court, also located at 33 South 3rd Street, shares jurisdiction over civil, criminal, and family matters. Small claims cases (disputes under $10,000) are heard in the Small Claims division of Superior Court 5. Indiana offers a statewide case search system called Mycase.IN.gov, which provides free online access to court records from all Indiana counties, including Vigo County. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney to find case information, docket entries, judgments, and in some instances, scanned documents. Not all historical records are digitized, and some sensitive cases (such as adoption or certain juvenile matters) are excluded from public access. For certified copies of court documents, requesters must contact the appropriate court clerk. Fees for certified copies are typically $1 per page plus a $1 certification fee per document. The Vigo County Clerk's office, located at 33 South 3rd Street, Room 12, Terre Haute, IN 47807, phone (812) 462-3211, handles record requests and can provide assistance navigating the court system.

The Assessor's website at www.vigocounty.in.gov provides free online access to property data through a searchable database where users can look up properties by owner name, address, or parcel number. The online system displays current and historical assessment data, tax district information, and property sketches. Vigo County also offers a GIS mapping system that provides aerial imagery and parcel boundary information, accessible through the county's Geographic Information Services. The Vigo County Recorder's Office, located at 33 South 3rd Street, Room 5, Terre Haute, IN 47807, phone (812) 462-3341, is responsible for recording and maintaining land records including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, rights-of-way, and other documents affecting real property title. Indiana law requires that most property transactions be recorded to provide public notice and establish priority of interests. The Recorder's Office provides free online access to recorded documents through the Laredo system at https://www2.vigocounty.in.gov/apps/Laredo/, where users can search by name, date, document type, or instrument number. Images of recorded documents can be viewed and printed at no charge. For certified copies, the Recorder charges $1 per page plus a $6 fee for the first page of each document. The Recorder's online database includes documents dating back many decades, making title research and property history searches convenient for Shepardsville property owners, buyers, and title professionals.

Manufacturing remains significant in the Vigo County economy, with employers such as Sony DADC (media manufacturing), Pfizer (pharmaceuticals), and ThyssenKrupp Presta (automotive components) providing industrial jobs within commuting distance of Shepardsville. The federal government also maintains a significant presence through the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute. The median household income for rural Vigo County areas like Shepardsville tends to be slightly lower than the county average, which hovers around $45,000-$50,000 annually, reflecting the mix of agricultural income and blue-collar employment. Agriculture in the Shepardsville area focuses primarily on corn and soybean production, consistent with Indiana's position as a leading agricultural state. Some residents also engage in livestock operations or work in agricultural support services. The West Vigo School Corporation serves as a local employer and community anchor. Recent years have seen modest residential development as some families seek affordable housing in rural settings while working in Terre Haute. Shepardsville's economic character is typical of many unincorporated farming communities in western Indiana: stable, dependent on agriculture and nearby urban employment centers, with close ties to Terre Haute's broader economy. The community has not experienced the rapid growth of suburban areas closer to Indianapolis but maintains a steady, rural character valued by longtime residents.

Shepardsville is an unincorporated community without its own police department, so law enforcement services are provided by the Vigo County Sheriff's Office, located at 600 Honey Creek Drive, Terre Haute, IN 47802. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (812) 462-3226, and their website is www.vigosheriff.com. The Sheriff's Office handles all patrol, criminal investigation, and emergency response for Shepardsville and other unincorporated areas of Vigo County. Residents can request copies of incident reports, accident reports, and other police records by visiting the Sheriff's Office in person or submitting a written request. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3) governs public access to law enforcement records, though certain investigative records and those involving juveniles may be restricted.

For arrest and jail booking information, the Vigo County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster accessible through the county website. The Vigo County Jail, located at the same address as the Sheriff's Office (600 Honey Creek Drive), houses individuals arrested throughout the county, including Shepardsville. The online inmate search typically displays current inmates' names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and sometimes booking photographs. This information is updated regularly and available to the public free of charge. For historical arrest records or more detailed criminal history information, residents may need to submit formal public records requests to the Sheriff's Office. Indiana law requires that law enforcement agencies respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, typically within 24 hours for simple requests, though fees may apply for extensive copying or research. The Vigo County Sheriff's Office works cooperatively with the Terre Haute Police Department, Indiana State Police, and other agencies serving the region.

Indiana vital records can be ordered online through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with additional processing fees, by mail with a completed application and payment, or in person at the state office or local health departments. The Vigo County Health Department at 500 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47807, phone (812) 462-3348, can process birth and death certificate requests for events that occurred in Vigo County, though they act as agents for the state system and charge the same fees. Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks by mail or same-day for walk-in requests if records are readily available. Marriage licenses for Shepardsville residents are issued by the Vigo County Clerk's Office, located at 33 South 3rd Street, Room 12, Terre Haute, IN 47807, phone (812) 462-3211. The marriage license fee in Vigo County is $18, and there is no waiting period in Indiana. Both parties must appear in person with valid identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport) and provide Social Security numbers. Marriage records are public and maintained permanently by the County Clerk. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $2 per copy. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Vigo County courts where the divorce was granted; certified copies can be obtained from the Vigo County Clerk at the same address for $1 per page plus certification fees. Indiana law restricts access to birth certificates to the subject of the record (if over 18), parents listed on the certificate, legal representatives, or others with a direct and tangible interest, with proper identification required for all requests.

Businesses using a name other than the owner's legal name must file a fictitious business name (often called a "DBA" or "Assumed Business Name") with the Vigo County Recorder's Office at 33 South 3rd Street, Room 5, Terre Haute, IN 47807, phone (812) 462-3341. The filing fee is typically $30 for a ten-year registration. These filings are public records and can be searched at the Recorder's Office or through their online document system. Businesses forming corporations, LLCs, partnerships, or other formal entities in Indiana must register with the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division. The Secretary of State maintains a free, searchable online database at https://bsd.sos.in.gov/PublicBusinessSearch where anyone can look up business entities by name, registered agent, or business ID number. The database shows entity status (active, dissolved, merged), registration date, principal office address, registered agent information, and officer/director names for corporations. Indiana requires entities to file biennial reports to maintain good standing. For UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) lien searches, which show secured interests in business personal property, the Indiana Secretary of State maintains an online UCC search system. Property tax assessments for commercial properties in Shepardsville can be searched through the Vigo County Assessor's online database at www.vigocounty.in.gov, where users can look up commercial parcels by address or owner name to view assessed values, property characteristics, and tax information. Business personal property must also be reported annually to the Vigo County Assessor for taxation purposes, with returns due by May 15 each year.

Shepardsville voters are served by the Vigo County Clerk's Office, which administers elections for all of Vigo County. The office is located at 33 South 3rd Street, Room 12, Terre Haute, IN 47807, phone (812) 462-3211. The Vigo County Voter Registration Office can be reached at (812) 462-3216, and election information is available at www.vigocounty.in.gov. Indiana residents can register to vote online through the Indiana Voter Registration Portal at www.indianavoters.in.gov, operated by the Indiana Secretary of State. Voters must register at least 29 days before an election, and registration requires providing an Indiana driver's license or state ID number, Social Security number, date of birth, and residence address. Indiana does not offer same-day registration. Residents can also register by mail or in person at the County Clerk's office, license branches, or various state agencies.

As an unincorporated community, Shepardsville has no municipal government and therefore no mayoral or city council elections. Shepardsville residents vote in county, state, and federal elections. Vigo County holds elections for county commissioners, county council, sheriff, assessor, auditor, treasurer, recorder, clerk, coroner, and surveyor on four-year cycles. The Vigo County Council and Board of Commissioners make budgetary and policy decisions affecting unincorporated areas like Shepardsville. Indiana holds state elections in even-numbered years, with governor and other statewide offices elected in midterm years (2024, 2028) and presidential elections in years divisible by four. All 100 seats in the Indiana House of Representatives and half of the 50 Indiana Senate seats are elected every two years. Shepardsville falls within specific Indiana House and Senate districts determined by redistricting; residents can find their current legislative districts through the Indiana Voter Portal.

Shepardsville voters can look up their assigned polling place using the Indiana Voter Portal at www.indianavoters.in.gov by entering their name and date of birth or by contacting the Vigo County Voter Registration Office. Polling places are typically assigned based on precinct boundaries, and Shepardsville residents vote at locations in or near their community, often at schools, fire stations, or community buildings. Indiana law makes voter registration lists publicly available for purchase, and campaign finance records for candidates and committees are searchable through the Indiana Campaign Finance Database maintained by the Indiana Election Division at www.in.gov/sos/elections/. Candidate filings and declarations are public records available through the County Clerk for local offices and the Secretary of State for state and federal offices. Precinct-level election results are published by the Vigo County Clerk after certification and are also compiled at the state level by the Indiana Election Division.

In the November 2024 presidential election, Vigo County recorded significant voter participation with turnout exceeding 55% of registered voters, continuing the county's historical reputation as a bellwether. Vigo County has famously voted for the winning presidential candidate in nearly every election since 1888, though this streak ended in 2020. On November 3, 2026, Shepardsville and Vigo County voters will participate in midterm elections that will include all of Indiana's nine U.S. House seats, one U.S. Senate seat (Indiana's Class III Senate seat is up for election in 2028, not 2026, so no U.S. Senate race), all 100 Indiana House seats, and 25 of the 50 Indiana Senate seats. Additionally, county offices including some commissioners, council members, and other county officials may be on the ballot depending on the election cycle. Voters should check with the Vigo County Clerk closer to the election for a complete list of races and any local ballot questions or referenda.

Indiana offers absentee voting by mail for voters who meet specific criteria, including being absent from the county on Election Day, having a disability, being over 65, having work hours that prevent voting, being a caregiver, being scheduled to work the polls, or being confined due to illness or injury. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted online through the Indiana Voter Portal, by mail, by fax, or in person at the County Clerk's office. The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is 11 days before the election. Indiana also offers early in-person voting at designated locations in Vigo County, typically beginning 28 days before the election and ending at noon the day before Election Day. The Vigo County Clerk's Office provides information about early voting locations and hours. Indiana requires voters to present a valid photo ID when voting in person; acceptable IDs include an Indiana driver's license, Indiana state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or student ID from an Indiana state school. The ID must show the voter's name (conforming to the registration record), photo, expiration date (must be current or expired after the last general election), and be issued by the State of Indiana or the U.S. government.