You can apply for a business license through the Indiana State website.
Please see the Job Openings section in the menu. If there are no postings, please check back at a later date. If there is an opening you wish to apply for, follow the instructions within the posting.
A marriage license application can be filled out online here in the Clerk's office and costs $18 for Indiana residents or $60 for out of state residents. You will need a driver's license or some form of identification. A marriage license is valid for 60 days from the time it is received. After 60 days, the license expires and will need to be reissued.
Building permit applications can be found in the Code Enforcement office.
You can apply for a passport with the United States Postal Service.
A homeowner or an individual must meet certain qualifications found in the Indiana Code. The form with the qualifications can be found here in the Auditor's Department page; both can be filed in the Auditor's office.
A homeowner or an individual meeting certain qualifications found in the Indiana Code can apply for deductions. Forms can be found in the 'Deductions & Other Forms' tab on the Auditor's department page.
There is a deduction for homeowners who are over 65, and meet the qualifications found in the Indiana Code. The form can be found in the 'Deductions & Other Forms' tab on the Auditor's department page.
You can browse the department directory, select the contact us section in the menu above, or open our phone directory here.
Contact central dispatch at 812-379-1689.
Adult Protective Services investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and exploitation involving people 18 years old and older if they are suffering from neurodevelopmental disorder, mental illness, dementia, stroke or anything that involves a person not being capable of caring for themselves. Adult Protective Services currently provides services to the following counties - Bartholomew, Brown, Jennings, Decatur and Jackson. If you would like to report a case of abuse or neglect to Adult Protective Services, please contact their office at 812-379-1670, option 5 or by e-mail through department contact page and someone will contact you as soon as possible.
You can find pending cases here:
All of Bartholomew County's ordinances are available online at the American Legal Publishing Corporation's website.
You can contact the Public Nursing division of the Bartholomew County Health Department for a list of all regularly scheduled clinics.
Those can be obtained through the Department of Local Government Finance (DLFG) page located on the state's website.
Go to the Sheriff's department with a picture ID.
A subpoena is a court order that tells you to appear in court to testify at a specified date and time. If you fail to obey a subpoena, a warrant may be issued for your arrest or you may be charged with contempt of court. If you are subpoenaed by the Prosecutor’s Office and the defense attorney wants to meet with you, then it is acceptable to speak with the defense attorney. However, you are under no legal obligation to do so. Please contact the Victim/Witness Coordinator in the Prosecutor’s Office. You may have a prosecutor with you at the time you speak with the defense attorney, or you may contact a private attorney at your expense to attend with you.
Yes, Indiana does require you to show your ID before being able to vote. Information can be located on the State's website here.
The Sheriff's office front desk personnel can be reached at 812-379-1650.
Adult Protective Services investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and exploitation involving people 18 years old and older if they are suffering from neurodevelopmental disorder, mental illness, dementia, stroke or anything that involves a person not being capable of caring for themselves. Adult Protective Services currently provides services to the following counties - Bartholomew, Brown, Jennings, Decatur and Jackson. If you would like to report a case of abuse or neglect to Adult Protective Services, please contact their office at 812-379-1670, option 5 or by e-mail through department contact page and someone will contact you as soon as possible.
Child support can be paid to the Clerk's Office. Please visit their page for detailed information on this process.
Please visit the Treasurer's Office page for detailed information on property tax payments.
Traffic tickets can be paid at the Clerk's Office, or online with ePay. The Clerk's Office will only accept cash for tickets not exceeding $755.00.
All court fees are paid at the Clerk's Office in the Bartholomew County Courthouse.
Birth and Death certificates can be ordered through the Vital Chek services website or can be purchased in the Bartholomew County Health Department.
Please visit the Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management page for all the information on how to use and accepted recyling materials.
Citizen Alert is a program through the Everbridge System, and you can sign up for alerts directly from the Columbus/Bartholomew County Alert System here.
The small claim starts in the Superior Court II located on the third floor of the courthouse. You will need a good address for the person(s) you are suing so that they can be notified of the claim.
There are three ways you can register to vote. First, you can come into the Voter Registration office located on the first floor of the courthouse, directly across from the security station. Second, you may register online at the Indiana Voter's Website. Third, you can download a Voter Registration Application (VRG-7) and mail it to: 234 Washington Street • P.O. Box 924 • Columbus, IN 47201.
You can report criminal activity to the Sheriff's department via the tip line at 812-379-1712 or by using the Contact Us section and selecting the Sheriff's department as the recipient.
If the road is within city limits, please contact the City Street Department. If the road is outside city limits, report hazards to our County Highway department via phone or the Contact Us, and selecting Highway as the recipient. If the hazard is something that is blocking the road and presenting a danger to other drivers, please call the non-emergency dispatch number, 812-379-1689.
Contact the Assessor's office and notify them so they may update the property record for assessed values.
Contact the Assessor's office and notify them so they may update the property record for assessed values.
The County Engineer is responsible for the overall drainage review for new subdivisions and can be reached at 812-379-1660. The County Surveyor, through the Drainage Board, is responsible for regulated drains that are within Bartholomew County. The County Surveyor and Drainage Board can be reached at 812-379-1525.
Adult Protective Services investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and exploitation involving people 18 years old and older if they are suffering from neurodevelopmental disorder, mental illness, dementia, stroke or anything that involves a person not being capable of caring for themselves. Adult Protective Services currently provides services to the following counties - Bartholomew, Brown, Jennings, Decatur and Jackson. If you would like to report a case of abuse or neglect to Adult Protective Services, please contact their office at 812-379-1670, option 5 or by e-mail through department contact page and someone will contact you as soon as possible.
A public records request can be made by visiting our Contact Us page and selecting the department your request pertains to. Please be as detailed as possible with your request. Due to the volume of public communication, this will ensure the fastest response in assisting your request.
You can request to be added to a meeting agenda by contacting the organizing department of the meeting in question one week prior to the scheduled meeting. Below are the most requested meeting and departments.
Commissioners Meetings - Board of Commissioners
County Council - Auditor's Office
Board and Zoning Meeting - Code Enforcement
Redevelopment Commission - Auditor's Office
Drainage Board - Surveyor's Office
The county superintendent will review each situation to determine if the highway department will replace the mailbox. Call County Highway between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM Monday through Friday to have your situation reviewed.
Any charges filed against you can be obtained through the Bartholomew County Clerk's Office.
State tax liens are found in the Bartholomew County Clerk's office. The Recorder's office only has information on federal tax liens.
Dial 911 and stay on the line while the dispatcher assists you.
Accident reports are available a minimum of three business days after the incident. We recommend calling the Front Desk at 812-379-1650 to verify the report is ready to be picked up from the Sheriff's office. To look up the report, we will need the accident report number, name, and date of the accident.
Please fill out the Verification of Business Location form located on the Surveyor's forms page.
Information on sheriff sales can be viewed on the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department's Page.
Come into the Assessor's office and get a copy of your property record card. We can go over the card with you, and if there are any errors, we can make any necessary changes.
See the Jail section on the Sheriff's department page, or call the Jail at 812-379-1753.
If the location is within the county limits, contact Bartholomew County Animal Control. If it is within city limits, contact the City Animal Care Services.
Incorporated towns such as Clifford, Edinburgh, Elizabethtown, Hartsville, and Jonesville, have Town Marshalls or use their police officers for animal control duties. The Town Marshalls or police officers should be contacted first with any animal-related issues. The incorporated town of Hope and the City of Columbus have their own Animal Control officers.
Archived records can be requested through our Archives Department, via phone, mail, or the 'Search Archives' function.
You will need to call the Archives at (812) 379-1503 to schedule an appointment since the office hours vary.
Check or money order only at this time. Once payment has been received copies requested will be sent via USPS or can be picked up at the Archives' Office through appointment only.
Requested archived documents are sent either through USPS mail or can be picked up by appointment. Documents are not emailed at this time.
Archives houses marriage records returned from the state only. You will need to contact the Bartholomew County Clerk's Office for the actual license and application.
Years range from the 1800’s to early 1900’s. Additional detailed dates can be obtained by contacting the Archives Department.
The Bartholomew County Archives does not house birth or death records. They are obtained through the Bartholomew County Health Department.
You cannot. They can only be dropped by the Prosecutor’s Office.
DPA stands for Deferred Prosecution Agreement. In a Deferred Prosecution, the State agrees to withhold prosecution of the Infraction herein as long as the Defendant complies with the terms of this Agreement. If you receive a traffic or misdemeanor charge, please contact the Prosecutor’s Office at 812-379-1670 option 2 to see if you are eligible for a deferral.
The Prosecutor’s office enforces the order to pay support. The actual payments are made to the County Clerk’s office or to Indiana State Central Collection Unit (INSCCU). (Certain exceptions may apply)
If the obligated parent pays through the Bartholomew County Clerk, you may contact the Clerk in writing or in person to see if a payment has been made. The telephone number to the support clerk is 812-379-1603. You will need to have a picture ID available. In some instances there may be a small fee for these records.
If the obligated parent does not pay through the Bartholomew County Clerk, you may either contact the appropriate Clerk’s office, or call the Indiana State Child Support Bureau at 1-800-840-8757.
The law provides that the non-custodial parent must be at least the equivalent of one (1) month behind in payments before a prosecutor can bring legal action.
The Prosecutor’s office can only obtain a warrant for arrest from the court if the delinquent parent fails to attend a court hearing or is liable for criminal charges.
You will not need their tax return. If the obligated parent owes enough to have his/her taxes offset it will be done automatically. The obligated parent must owe at least one-hundred-fifty dollars ($150.00) on a Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) case or former TANF case to be offset. The obligated parent must be at least five-hundred dollars ($500.00) in arrears on a non-TANF case to be offset.
The obligated parent will be offset even if they are already paying on the arrearage, provided that the arrearage meets the above criteria.
The Indiana State Child Support Bureau will keep any taxes that are offset, if any money is due to the State of Indiana.
Any money owed to the custodial parent will be distributed by the Indiana State Child Support Bureau approximately six (6) months after the obligated parent files his/her return. If it is a joint return, the Indiana State Child Support Bureau does not hold a single return as long.
The reason for the delay in processing is to eliminate the necessity of the custodial parent being required to pay any money back that may be received in an error to the Indiana State Child Support Bureau. Such an error could result from an amended return being filed, a tax audit, or an injured spouse form being filed by the obligated parent’s current spouse.
We must have the obligated parent’s verified social security number to offset taxes.
Under Federal law, a custodial parent who receives Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) assigns all child support to the Indiana State Child Support Bureau. This means that any support payments that are received after the custodial parent enrolls in TANF are given to the government. After the custodial parent withdraws from the TANF program, the custodial parent will receive any payments allocated to current child support, any back support remaining that accrued prior to receiving TANF, and any back support that accrues after TANF is no longer received.
Child support that is paid while the custodial parent is on TANF will be sent to the Indiana State Child Support Bureau to reimburse the TANF received.
If no TANF has been received, all money paid to the clerk’s office will be sent to the custodial parent, until everything owed for the month is paid in full. The payoff order is as follows:
a.) Current support for the month
b.) Back support owed to the custodial parent (pre-TANF or post TANF), until paid in full
c.) Money owed to the State of Indiana
Money intercepted from tax returns always goes to the State of Indiana first, regardless of the case type, if there is any money owed to the State of Indiana for TANF reimbursement.
The ISETS computer system calculates the number of weeks and amount due on each account at the beginning of each month. All payments received go to current support until that account is paid in full for the month, then to support arrearages.
If you are receiving TANF benefits, all payments from the non-custodial parent must be paid to the Clerk’s office or through the Indiana State Central Collection Unit (INSCCU). If you accept any money or significant property from the non-custodial parent, you may jeopardize your TANF benefits and you may be charged with a crime.
Accepting direct payments is grounds for being terminated from the IV-D program, even if you are not currently on TANF.
Reminder: If the applicant is not currently receiving TANF or Medicaid for the applicant or the child(ren), there is a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fee that is due at the time you turn in your paperwork. This non-refundable fee is payable by money order or cashier’s check only and should be made payable to the Indiana Division of Family and Children.
These information packets and application forms can be located in the form center within our website for download.
South-Eastern Indiana Intergroup
Answering Service: (812) 350-8949
Main: (812) 663-0821
Or visit http://seig-aa.org
You can call Centerstone at (812) 379-2341 or visit their webpage.
Discuss payment options with your probation officer.
They will need to be paid at the Clerk's Office in the Bartholomew County Courthouse.
Ask your probation officer how to make a travel request to the Courts, who must approve travel requests.
Please contact the Court Services Center via phone or through the Contact Us, with Court Services as the recipient.
Standard probation rules for all that are placed on probation do not allow drinking alcohol. You can contact your probation officer for more information.
You will need to stop by the Court Services Center, and speak with a receptionist. They will help you begin the process.
The Recorder's office urges you to consult firms, companies, or persons familiar with the transaction to assist you. Should this not be your choice, various forms may be purchased at stationary stores. The responsibility to choose the correct form is yours.
If the document is a deed, land contract or some other type of instrument transferring land, a sales disclosure must be submitted and an endorsement by the Bartholomew County Auditor must be visible on the instrument before it can be accepted by this office.
The Recorder's office is required to preserve by general indices on all documents recorded by Bartholomew County. Should you need to search for a document, we will direct you in the use of these books and computer software. Our office is located on the second floor of the Governmental Office Building at 440 Third Street.
You can visit the DoxPop.com website. Copies may be purchased through them.
Flood Zone determinations are made by the City/County Planning Department at City Hall.
If documentation has been set, a metal detector can help locate the metal pins at property corners. Depending on the accuracy needed on the property line, a private surveyor may need to verify the monument location.
Deed and Plats are available in the Recorder's office's office.
You will need to call a private land surveyor for this information.
The County Surveyor's office only marks county right-of-way lines, we leave the property lines to private land surveyors.
Hire a private surveyor to verify the accuracy of the neighbor's survey.
You will need to hire a private surveryor, then get a Certified Site Plan, which is required by Building and Zoning in order to construct a building.
As a government office, we cannot direct you to any particular company. We recommend that you refer to the yellow pages and look under "Land Surveyors" and go from there.
The chip and seal program is a cost effective method that prolongs the life of the pavement. The chip and seal is a process in which a liquid asphalt is sprayed on the road and small chips of stone are spread on and rolled into the liquid. This process seals the road and gives it an additional wearing surface.
Prior to overlaying a road with asphalt, the highway department will berm or remove the buildup along the edge to allow the stone to be exposed and drain water that might be standing on the edge. This allows for better drainage off the road and allows the road to be paved as wide as possible.
The county tries to keep the shoulders of the road mowed for safety reasons. The clear shoulder helps increase safety, due to the narrow pavements on most county roads. Mowing increases the ability to see when pulling out at intersections. The county will generally mow a five foot width and the property owner should maintain the rest.
The speed bump is an increased hazard to the unwary, a challenge to the daredevil, a disruption of the movement of emergency vehicles, the cause of an undesirable increase in noise, and a real problem to snow removal. Courts have held public agencies liable for personal injuries resulting from faulty design. Because speed bumps have considerable potential for liability suits, Bartholomew County does not use them as a traffic control device.
Stop sign requests will not be accepted.
Stop signs installed in the wrong places for the wrong purposes usually create more problems than they solve. The common misuse of stop signs is to arbitrarily interrupt traffic by causing it to stop or by causing such an inconvenience that motorists are forced to use other routes. Studies show that speed is reduced in the immediate vicinity of the "nuisance" stop sign but were actually higher between intersections than before they were installed.
