Howard County Court Records

Howard County Court records are official documents detailing the proceedings, evidence, and decisions of case trials within Howard County. These encompass all case files documented within the Howard County Circuit and Superior Courts.

Court records include case files on civil, criminal, probate, and family law prosecutions.

Generally, court records contain information such as:

• Complaints/Petitions/Charges
• Names of the defendants and plaintiffs
• Case numbers
• Motions, briefs, and legal arguments
• Evidence/Exhibits
• Trial transcripts
• Appellate documents.

Indiana court records (including those of Howard County) are evidence of public accountability, and they demonstrate the transparency, fairness, and impartiality of state and local judiciary systems.

Are Court Records Public in Howard County?

Yes, Howard County court records are public and accessible to interested individuals. According to Indiana Code 5-14-3, all persons have the right to complete information about government affairs and the official acts of public employees. However, Rule 10 of the Indiana Access to Court Records exempts public access to Howard County court records if they relate to

• Adoption
• Minors
• Sealed or Expunged cases
• Grand Jury Proceedings
• Mental Health Proceedings
• Information barred by state or federal statutes.

Howard County Court Records Search

There are several options to search for Howard County court records. These documents are available online through government or third-party online repositories. In addition, information can request copies of Howard County's court records by formal requests to their custodian agencies’ offices.

To search for a Howard court record, log in to the record’s online database, locate the search portal, and use the search tools to access documents. Also, requesters can email, fax, send mail, or visit the records custodians’ offices and request access to specific documents.

Howard County Courts

In Howard County, the trial system comprises the Circuit and Superior Courts. Per the Indiana judicial structure, the Circuit Courts have original jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. The Howard County Circuit Court handles cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of the county's Superior Court.

The Howard County Superior Court oversees most civil and criminal cases. These include:

• Felonies
• Misdemeanors
• Small claims
• Probate cases
• Mental health case
• Most juvenile cases.

Interested individuals can use the information below to contact any Howard County courts.

Howard County Circuit Court
104 North Buckeye St, Room 310,
Kokomo,
IN 46901
Phone: (765) 456-2202

Howard County Superior Courts

Howard County Superior Court No. 1
104 North Buckeye St, Room 216,
Kokomo,
IN 46901
Phone: (765) 456-2200
Fax: (765) 456-2327

Howard County Superior Court No. 2
104 North Buckeye St, Room 304,
Kokomo,
IN 46901
Phone: (765) 456-2201
Fax: (765) 456-2936

Howard County Superior Court No. 3
104 North Buckeye St, Room 216,
Kokomo,
IN 46901
Phone: (765) 456-2220

Howard County Superior Court No. 4
104 North Buckeye St, Room 300,
Kokomo,
IN 46901
Phone: (765) 456-2900
Fax: (765) 456-2901

Howard County Criminal Records

Howard County criminal records are official case files relating to criminal activities and prosecutions within Howard County, IN. These documents encompass all Howard County arrest records and all documents on criminal case proceedings, convictions, and incarcerations under the county's criminal justice system.

Per Indiana laws, criminal records are public documents accessible to any interested person. However, the public cannot access such documents if they relate to:

• Minors (for instance, records of juvenile delinquency cases, termination of parental rights (TPR), and those involving Children in Need of Services (CHINS) are sealed by default)
• Sealed or Expunged cases
• Active law enforcement or judicial investigations
• Medical and Mental Health cases
• Sensitive law enforcement information
• Victim or Witness Protection
• Records that are protected by state or federal laws.

Law enforcement agencies and the courts generate criminal records during arrests and criminal case trials. To access Howard County criminal records maintained by law enforcement agencies:

• Log in to the Howard County Sheriff's Office Current Inmate Page and view the criminal records of individuals incarcerated for various offenses within Howard County
• Download a Public Access Records Request Form from the Howard County Sheriff's Office Public Records Request Page
  • Go through the instructions and fill out the form
  • Submit the to

The Howard County Criminal Justice Center,

1800 West Markland Avenue,
Kokomo,
IN - 46901

• Visit the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History Request Page, create an account, use the account credentials to log in to the search portal, and use names to look for records of felonies and Class A misdemeanors originating from Howard County.
• Contact local law enforcement agencies within Howard County and request access to criminal records in their possession. Note that accessing Howard County criminal records through the Limited Criminal History Request Portal attracts a $15.00 charge per record and an additional 70¢ credit card processing cost.

Get Howard County Civil Court Records

Howard County civil court records refer to the county's non-criminal case files. It includes but is not limited to documents on cases relating to:

• Personal injury claims
• Contract disagreements
• Small claims
• Family laws
• Probate adjudications
• Landlord-tenant disagreements
• Consumer complaints
• Property-related disputes.

Due to the personal nature of some civil court cases (especially family law cases), requesters may need to prove eligibility to access them.

In Howard County, the Clerk's Office is the custodian of civil court records, and record seekers can call, fax, send a mail, or visit their office during business hours at

104 N. Buckeye Street, Room 202,
Kokomo,
IN 46901
Phone: (765) 456-2000
Fax: (765) 456-2267

Alternatively, log in to the Indiana Courts Odyssey case management system:

• Select Howard County from the All Odyssey Courts menu
• Tick Civil, Family, and Probate under the Limit Search To header
• Choose any of the search criteria and enter the necessary information to look for records.

Howard County Marriage Records

Marriage records refer to official documents that legitimize the union of couples. In Howard County and the rest of Indiana, marriage records are publicly accessible.

A Howard County marriage record contains documents such as:

• Marriage Application
• Marriage license
• Howard County marriage certificate
• Affidavit of Eligibility
• The marriage officiant’s Report or Certificate of Solemnization.

Also, Howard's marriage records may include

• Witness Statement
• Prenuptial Agreement (if applicable)
• Divorce Decree (in case of prior marriages)
• Name Change Documents.

To access a Howard County marriage certificate, visit the Howard County Clerk's Office or send a mail request to their office. Also, Howard County marriage records are accessible online through third-party websites.

Howard County Divorce Records

Howard County divorce is official documentation on the separation of legally married couples within the county. These documents are accessible to all interested persons. However, some Howard County divorce details are not publicly accessible. The public cannot access details of child custody settlement or domestic abuse. Also, information relating to financial accounts and Social Security is not open to public scrutiny.

Individuals seeking access to Howard County's publicly accessible divorce information should

• Log in to the Indiana Court Case Search Portal and use a name, case, or citation number to look for information on Howard County divorces.
• Visit or send a written request to access Howard County divorce records to the county's Clerk's Office.
• Search for Howard County divorce records online through third-party websites. Howard County Vital Records may be available online at a fee through private repositories.

Howard Birth Records

Howard County birth records are official documents detailing the birth of individuals within Howard County, IN. These documents contain information such as the full name of the child, date and time of birth, gender, and place of birth, parental information, medical information, and administrative information.

Per Indiana laws, Howard County birth records are not public documents, they are accessible to the owners, their immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives. However, Howard County birth records will become accessible to the public after 75 years after the birth of their owners.

To access a Howard County birth certificate:

• Visit the Howard County Health Department Vital Records Page
  • Download an Application for a Certified Birth Certificate Form
  • Complete the form
  • Enclose a check/money order for $10.00 (or the cash equivalent) and a valid state-issued photo Identification
  • Mail the request to:

The Howard County Health Department
Director of Vital Records,
120 E Mulberry St Room Room 209
Kokomo,
IN 46901

• Download the Indiana Department of Health's Application for Search and Certified Copy of Birth Record (State Form 49607):

• Complete the request form

• Enclose a copy of a valid state-issued photo ID and a check/money order to cover the copy fees (it costs $10.00 for a copy of a Howard County birth certificate and an additional $4.00 for each extra copy)

• Mail the request to:

Vital Records
Indiana State Department of Health
P.O. Box 7125
Indianapolis,
IN 46206-7125

• Order Howard's birth certificates online through third-party websites.

Note that processing fees apply if payments are through credit cards.

Howard Death Records

Death records are official details of the death of individuals. Per Indiana laws, Howard County death records are not public; they are confidential documents that are accessible to the immediate families of the records owners, their legal responsibilities, and authorized government agencies. Nonetheless, a Howard County death record will become public 75 years after the demise of the owner.

Howard County death records and other Howard County Vital Records are important documentation of life-changing events in the lives of individuals living within the county. They are crucial identification documents, data sources for epidemiological research and health policy formation, and source materials for genealogical research.

Eligible individuals seeking access to Howard County death records should download an Application for Certified and Non-Certified Death Record Form (State Form 49606), complete the form, and mail it along with valid IDs and payments to the Indiana State Health Department or visit their office in person. Alternatively, visit the Howard County Department of Health office or download a birth record request form, complete it, and mail it to their office.

Also, Howard County death certificates are accessible online through third-party websites. Additionally, record seekers can access information about Howard County Vital Records dating back to 2011 through the Kokomo - Howard County Public Library Vital Records Webpage.

Howard County Probate Court Records

Howard County probate court records refer to official documents relating to probate case adjudications within the Howard County Circuit and Superior Courts. Probate court records encompass case documents on Will probate, estate management, trust administration, conservatorship, and guardianship. Typically, a probate court record documents include:

• Wills
• Letter of Administration
• Inventory of Assets
• Notice to Creditors
• Creditors Claims
• Final Accounting
• Order of Final Distribution.

To access Howard County probate court records:

• Visit the Indiana Courts MyCase Search Portal and search for Howard County probate court records by party or attorney names, case numbers, citation numbers, cross reference numbers
• Call or visit the Howard County Clerk's Office and request access to probate court records
• Depending on which Howard County court handled the specific cases, visit the Howard County Circuit or Superior Court Clerk's Office and request access to their probate records.

Also, for information relating to historical probate cases, records seekers can visit the Kokomo - Howard County Public Library (KHCPL) at any of the following branches:

KHCPL MAIN
220 N. Union St.
Kokomo
IN 46901
Phone: (765) 457-3242

KHCPL SOUTH
1755 E. Center Rd.
Kokomo
IN 46902
Phone: (765) 453-4150

KHCPL RUSSIAVILLE
315 Mesa Dr.
Russiaville
IN 46979
Phone: (765) 883-5112

OUTREACH DEPARTMENT
220 N. Union St.
Kokomo
IN 46902
Phone: (765) 626-0855

Howard County Property Records

Howard County property records are official documents relating to real estate in Howard County, IN. Property records encompass documents on ownership of land and transactions, fixtures, and improvements on permanent structures. Generally, property records include documents such as

• Property Deeds
• Land titles
• Parcel Numbers
• Building permits
• Zoning information
• Plat Maps
• Property sales history
• Property tax information
• Liens and Encumbrances
• Property Mortgages
• Property Lease Agreement.

In Howard County, several agencies are responsible for maintaining documents relating to property ownership and transactions. These include:

• Howard County Recorder's Office (for documents such as deeds, mortgages, and liens)
• Howard County Assessor's Office (property assessment details)
• Howard County Auditor's Office
• Howard County Treasurer's Office (property tax information).

To access Howard County property records:

• Log in to the Howard County Property and Tax Information Portal and use any of the available criteria to search for Howard County property records.
• Visit the Tapestry Land Records via the Internet Portal:
  • Use names, document numbers, and document types to search for Howard County property records.

Also, depending on the type of Howard County property information, records seekers should visit any of the following addresses and request access to such records.

Howard County Recorder's Office
Howard County Admin. Center
220 N Main St
Kokomo,
IN 46901
Phone: (765) 456-2210

Howard County Treasurer's Office
220 N. Main Street, Room 226
Kokomo,
IN 46901
Phone: (765) 456-2213

Howard County Assessor's Office
220 N. Main Street, Room 220
Kokomo,
IN 46901
Phone: (765) 456-2211

Howard County Auditor's Office
Howard County Administration Center
220 North Main Street
Kokomo,
IN 46901
Phone: (765) 456-2215

Howard County Court Records Online

Members of the public have multiple online options for obtaining records. For instance, requesters can log in to the Howard County Sheriff's Office Current Inmate Page and view the criminal records of individuals incarcerated for various offenses within Howard County. Private online resources such as indianacourtrecords.us sometimes aggregate documents from various government sources and make them available to record seekers. In addition to the 24/7 availability of documents, some third-party online resources offer advanced search tools to speed up search processes. Nonetheless, record seekers should be guarded when using non-official sources to obtain government documents. The accuracy of such records cannot be guaranteed.