Howard County Public Records

Howard County public records are maintained by the county clerk, recorder, and related offices in Kokomo, Indiana, covering court cases, land documents, marriage licenses, and other government records. This page covers the main offices, online search tools, and how to request records in Howard County.

Howard County Clerk of Courts

The Howard County Clerk's office is at the Howard County Courthouse, 104 N Buckeye Street, Room 310, Kokomo, IN 46901. The general clerk line is 765-456-2000, and the Circuit Court line is 765-456-2202. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The clerk website is at howardcountyin.gov. The clerk handles all court records in the county, including civil cases, criminal matters, family court, probate, and small claims. Staff can pull files, issue certified copies, and look up cases during the hours above.

Indiana's free MyCase portal at public.courts.in.gov/mycase covers most Howard County cases filed in recent years. Search by name or case number to view party information, filing dates, and docket entries at no cost. Certified copies and detailed file pulls go through the clerk at the Kokomo courthouse. Note the midday closure from noon to 1:00 PM when planning a visit.

Written records requests under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act get a seven-day response window. In-person requests during open hours tend to get handled faster for routine matters. Bring the case number if you have it to save staff time.

MyCase Court Search for Howard County

Indiana's MyCase portal covers Howard County court records and is the main free tool for case research in Kokomo. It is updated regularly and covers most case types filed in Circuit Court and Superior Court.

Search civil, criminal, family, and probate cases in Howard County by name or case number. Results show filing dates, court events, and party details. MyCase is a reliable free resource before contacting the clerk's office at 104 N Buckeye Street in Kokomo.

Property and Land Records

The Howard County Recorder's office is at the Howard County Administration Center, 220 N Main Street, Kokomo, IN 46901. The phone is (765) 456-2210. The recorder website is at howardcountyin.gov/administration/recorder. The recorder holds all recorded land documents for Howard County, including deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, surveys, and plat maps. Records are available from January 1, 1961 to the present in the online system.

Online access to Howard County recorder records is available through Tapestry and Laredo. Tapestry charges $6.95 per search plus $1 per page for document images. Laredo is a subscription platform at varying monthly rates. Both platforms access the same recorder database, and records go back to 1961 in the digital index. For documents before that date, an in-person visit to the recorder's office is required.

Doxpop also covers Howard County recorder records and is another option for property research. The platform indexes documents across 47 Indiana counties and provides free basic searches. Doxpop's Property Watch service sends an alert when a new document is recorded against your Howard County property, which helps protect against unauthorized filings and deed fraud.

For in-person searches, the recorder's office at 220 N Main Street has public access terminals during regular hours. Copies are $1 per page for standard documents. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Call (765) 456-2210 to confirm current fees and hours before visiting.

Vital Records

Birth and death certificates for events in Howard County are issued by the Indiana Department of Health, not the county. Order at in.gov/health/vital-records by mail, online, or in person. Birth certificates cost $10 per copy. Death certificates are $8 per copy. Valid ID and a completed application are required for both.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Howard County Clerk in Kokomo. Licenses from 1993 to the present are searchable for free through the state's Marriage License Public Lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL. For older records or certified copies, contact the clerk at 765-456-2000 or 765-456-2202. Historical marriage records from earlier periods may be available through the Howard County Historical Society in Kokomo.

How to Request Public Records

Indiana's Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3-1 and IC 5-14-3-3 gives any person the right to inspect and copy most government records. No reason is needed. You can request records in person, by phone, by mail, or by email. A written request starts the seven-day response clock for formal written responses from Indiana agencies.

If a request is denied or goes unanswered, the Indiana Public Access Counselor provides free help. Reach the PAC at in.gov/pac, by phone at 317-234-0906, or by email at pac@opac.in.gov. The PAC can issue advisory opinions and usually resolves disputes before formal proceedings are necessary.

Certain records are exempt. Juvenile case files, ongoing law enforcement records, and personal data in agency systems can be withheld. The agency must name the legal basis for any denial. You are entitled to any non-exempt portion of a record even if part is withheld.

Business Records and Other Sources

Indiana business entity records are free to search at inbiz.in.gov. Find LLCs, corporations, and other entities registered in Indiana by name or registered agent. This covers all businesses operating in Howard County and registered with the Indiana Secretary of State. Results include entity status, filing dates, and contact information on file with the state.

For local DBA or assumed business name filings in Howard County, check with the recorder at (765) 456-2210. Some business name registrations are filed at the county level alongside the state filing with the Secretary of State.

Indiana State Police criminal history records are at in.accessgov.com/isp-apra. For statewide court record guidance and appellate records from Howard County cases that moved to higher courts, visit in.gov/courts/public-records.

Tapestry and Laredo for Howard County Land Records

Howard County's recorder records are available online through Tapestry and Laredo, both standard platforms used across many Indiana counties. Tapestry works for occasional users who do not need a subscription. Pay $6.95 per search and $1 per page. Laredo is better for frequent users, such as title companies and attorneys who run multiple searches per day. The monthly cost varies based on usage tier.

Both platforms index Howard County records from January 1, 1961 forward. If you are researching a property with a title chain that goes back before 1961, you will need to visit the recorder's office at 220 N Main Street to search the older physical indexes. Staff at the recorder can direct you to the right books and help you navigate the older filing system if needed.

Cities in Howard County

Kokomo is the county seat and by far the largest city in Howard County, qualifying for its own public records page. See Kokomo public records for city-specific information. Other communities in Howard County include Russiaville, Greentown, and Tipton (which is in Tipton County). All court and property records for Howard County communities are filed through the county offices in Kokomo.

Nearby Counties

Howard County is bordered by Carroll, Cass, Miami, Grant, Tipton, Hamilton, and Clinton counties in north-central Indiana. Each has its own courthouse and records system.