Firearm Permits

You must begin your handgun application process online. Visit the Indiana State Police Handgun Licensing website and fill out the preliminary information before you visit the Sheriff’s Office to complete the application process.

To obtain a gun permit in Indiana, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be 18 years of age.
• You must never have been convicted of a felony.
• You must be a resident of Indiana.

For first-time permits, you need to bring the following:

• A drivers’ license with your current address

To renew your gun permit, you will need the following:

• A drivers’ license with your current address
• Current or expired permit

AFTER you complete the online application you will have to schedule a fingerprint appointment with the information provided by the Indiana State Police. 

The last step will be visiting the Tipton County Sheriff's Office to complete the process. This can be Monday through Friday 8:00A.M. to 4:00P.M. or by appointment.

Contact Administrative Assistant Morgan Smith with any questions.

Under News & Notices below you can obtain more information via the link

Tax Bill Estimator

History of the former County Jail & Sheriff's Home

The former Tipton County Jail and Sheriff’s Home, located at the corner of West and Madison streets, was constructed in 1894-95. The architect of record was Adolph Scherrer, who also designed the Indiana State Capitol and the Tipton County Courthouse, and the builder was Pearce & Morgan of Indianapolis. Tipton County residents were proud of their attractive, new facility because, as they said, the building did not present the “grim and fortified look of the ordinary bastile.” Built for a cost of $40,000, the structure was pronounced “One of the best in the state” in 1895 by the Indiana Board of State Charities. The county jail and sheriff’s home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The facility is the county’s fourth jail. The first, which was built of logs in 1845, burned a few years later. It was replaced by another log structure, which was used until 1866. In 1867, a larger facility was built of brick and incorporated a residence for the sheriff’s family. It was located on East Street, about four blocks south of the courthouse. By the early 1890s, that building was declared inadequate, and the Madison Street facility was built. The last Sheriff to live in the residence was 2006.

The facility at 121 W. Madison Street was closed as a correctional facility in 2020. It was replaced by Tipton County's fifth jail located at 2300 West State Road 28. The facility, being state of the art, houses 98 beds along with the Sheriff's Administration and Patrol.

Listing on National Register of Historic Places

National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form 

Tax Sales (SRI Inc.)

Topton County contracts with SRI Inc. for local Tax Sales and Commissioner Certificate Sales. If you have questions with regard to a property listed for either of these two types of sales, please contact the Tipton County Auditor at (765) 675-2794 or Treasurer at (765) 675-2742.

Mobile Home Permits

For more information about title transfers and demand judgment, please contact the Treasurer’s Office at (765) 675-2742.

Mobile Home Permit

About Indiana Recorder's Association

The elective office of the County Recorder was one of the first offices created by the Constitution of the State of Indiana in 1816. It is the primary duty of the County Recorder to review documents submitted for recording, making sure they meet the requirements and maintain those records for perpetuity.

The Indiana Recorder’s Association consists of all 92 Recorders in the state. The organization is very active in the passage of laws for the betterment of the office.

The Indiana Recorder’s Association was the first in the nation to obtain law and funding for the redaction of Social Security numbers.

The association meets as a group at the State Board of Accounts-called meetings in April, the district recorders meetings in the summer and AIC meetings in the fall.

Recorders are always willing and able to lend a helping hand to fellow recorders. Its website is helpful for Recorders and the public. The website is updated regularly. Please check out the Indiana Recorder’s website 

Indiana Recorders have been recording and maintaining their records since 1816.

Indiana Recorders are dedicated and devoted to maintaining and preserving the records of their county.

Proposal for Training of County Recorders as Required by IC36-2-11-2.5

Demand Notices

If you receive a Demand Notice for payment on a Mobile Home or Personal Property; please make payment at the Tipton County Treasurer’s Office within 30 days of receipt of the Demand. Once the Demand Notice is certified to Court, all payments must be made through Tipton County’s Collection Agency (Capital Recovery Systems).

About Judge Lett

Thomas R. Lett has been the Judge of the Tipton Circuit Court since January, 2003. He was born and raised in Tipton, and graduated from Tipton High School in 1978. He attended Hanover College, graduating in 1982. He attended Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis, graduating with a JD in 1985.

While practicing law, Judge Lett served as attorney for the towns of Kempton and Windfall, attorney for the Tipton Community School Corporation and Tipton County Attorney. He also served as the Tipton County Prosecuting Attorney from 1999-2002.

He has served on the Board of Directors of the Judicial Conference of Indiana, as a member of the Judicial Conference Probation Committee, and currently serves on the Juvenile Justice Improvement Committee. He is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, Indiana Judge’s Association, and the Tipton County Bar Association. He is a Life-Loyal member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and a member of West Street Christian Church.

National Amber Alerts

County Council Functions

The functions of the County Council include:

• Exclusive power to fix the tax rate for county purposes and for all other purposes where the rate not fixed by law is required to be uniform, and impose the tax levy
• Exclusive power of making appropriations to be paid out of the county treasury
• Adoption of the annual budget after receiving estimates submitted by the various county agencies through the county auditor, subject to the modification by the County Tax Adjustment Board (if applicable) and the State Board of Tax Commissioners
• Incurring county indebtedness within the constitutional limitations
• Appropriation of additional funds arising after the budget is adopted
• Reappropriation of surplus funds which might be surrendered by 1 department of county government in order that the funds might be made available to another department
• Transfer of balances in dormant funds to the county general fund
• Fixing of salaries of officers, deputies, assistants and employees whose salaries are payable from any county fund, with certain exceptions as provided by the statutes granting this authority. County Councils have authority to fix the number of deputies, assistants and other employees whose salaries are payable from County funds
• Levying taxes to provide funds for erecting new jails and repairing, remodeling, and enlarging of old jails
• Furnishing financial assistance to any community center for the mentally challenged located in the county. (For this purpose, a tax of $0.04 on each $100 of taxable property may be levied)

Sexual Offender Watch

Court Resources

Traffic Ticket Deferral Program

Please contact the Tipton County Prosecutor’s Office, (765) 675-2968.

TEB: Tobacco Education Group

For details, please call the Tipton City Court, (765)-675-7878.

Sheriff's Sales

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS SHERIFF SALES.

A Sheriff’s sale is the result of a court-ordered bank foreclosure for the non-payment of standard monthly mortgage. In Tipton County, this sale is scheduled once every other month, generally on the first Thursday at 2:00 p.m.

Sheriff’s sales are not held on property location. They are held in the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, 2300 W. State Road 28, Tipton, Indiana 46072.

Bidders must have the funding available on the day of the sale. All bids must be paid IN FULL no later than noon the day after the sale by certified cashier’s check or bank check made payable to the Sheriff of Tipton County. Letters of credit or other letters of verification are not accepted. All properties sold by the Sheriff’s Office by court order are sold “as is.” It is the buyer’s responsibility to ensure that the buyer is aware of all legalities of such a purchase.

A list of foreclosure locations is listed on other pages on this site. They are also advertised in the legal section of the Tipton Tribune, beginning approximately four weeks prior to the sale. The full notice of sale is listed on other pages on this site.

Buyers of these properties become responsible for outstanding liens. It is the buyer’s responsibility to research the property for liens and to ensure the legal description matches the common known street address.

The Assessor’s Office can give assessment information concerning lot size, square footage, room sizes, building materials, past ownership, yearly taxes due and etc. The offices of the Recorder and the County Clerk may also have a record of any other liens against the property.

Title searches are the responsibility of the purchasing parties. Buyers should be aware that any federal or state liens become the responsibility of the new purchaser. While the Sheriff’s sale and issuance of a Sheriff’s deed to the purchaser will eliminate or clear claims of lien holders specifically named in the complaint against the original mortgage holder, the IRS has 120 days from the date of the sale to redeem the property if they hold interest in it.

In many cases, individuals still reside on these properties. Generally, an interested individual cannot view the inside of the property prior to the sale. If those who reside on the property prior to the sale have not moved by the day of the sale, it is the responsibility of the purchasing party to file the proper eviction papers through the court system.

Sale Day and Afterwards

Individuals need to show valid identification for information purposes when they become the successful bidder on any property.

The Sheriff’s Office does not act as a Realtor and cannot provide keys for the purchased properties. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to make the necessary entry provisions.

Purchasers can expect to receive a Sheriff’s Deed and Clerk’s return within a few weeks of the sale. 

For more information about the Sheriff’s sales, please contact Matron Lea Stout.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS SHERIFF SALES.

Vacation Form

Going on vacation soon? Do you want the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office to keep an eye on your property while you are away? If so, please print out the following form:

Tipton County Vacation Form

You can also Print the form, fill it out and mail to:

Tipton County Sheriff’s Office
2300 W. State Road 28
Tipton, Indiana 46072

Vehicle Accident Reports

Essential Recording Requirements

Acknowledgements: To entitle any conveyance, mortgage, or instrument of writing to be recorded.

Legibility of names: Typed or printed under each signature exactly as signed.

Name of person preparing instrument: Each document affecting real estate.

Notarized documents: Requires county of residence of notary and commission expiration date.

Transfer of deeds for taxation: Endorsement of auditor before recording.

Release of satisfaction of liens: May be executed by president, vice president, cashier, secretary, treasurer, general manager, or attorney-in-fact only.

Per IC 36-2-7-10(b)(11) and PL 151-99 a supplemental fee of not more than $3.00 is charged to record a single document. Effective July 1, 1997, this fee was added to this county’s fee schedule.

Fairview Beautification Program

The City of Tipton Fairview Cemetery Board established the Fairview Cemetery Beautification program through the Tipton County Foundation.

The program was established for the purpose of beautifying the cemetery which includes planting trees, shrubs, flowers, and erecting fencing. The donations will be used for the sole purpose of cemetery beautification and improvements as directed by the cemetery board.

Through philanthropic donor services, strategic grant making, and constructive leadership, the Tipton County Foundation, your hometown community foundation, unites the gifts of many to sustain the causes that matter to all — now and for all generations to come.

Founded and guided by civic-spirited volunteers since 1986, the Foundation is a trustworthy enterprise to assist donors with any charitable purpose. TCF manages dozens of scholarship and other targeted funds, promotes the United Community Fund to sustain a network of social service agencies, coordinates Ducky Day in Tipton Park, and encourages higher education, volunteer involvement, and a host of other community benefits, including its Conference Center. Whether your resources are great or small, you can select the fund you wish to support — or start one of your own.

Contributions to the Tipton County Foundation are tax-deductible under section 501(c)(3) and the public charity provisions of sections 509 and 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The IRS recognized the TCF in July 1986 as exempt from federal income tax. The Foundation is confirmed in compliance with national standards for U.S. community foundations and is a member of the Indiana Association of united Ways.

Fairview Cemetery Fees

Other Inmate Information

Meals: Inmates are served three times a day, including weekends and holidays. A menu is utilized that meets the registered dietary allowance for those leading a moderately active lifestyle. The daily average calorie count for the menu is not less than 2,100 calories. Meals are never withheld as a disciplinary measure.

Religious Services: A portion of the Tipton County Jail is utilized for religious services. Volunteer ministers from several area churches donate their time to conduct services for inmates. Two services are conducted weekly for inmates (excluding disciplinary and protective custody units). The Tipton County chaplaincy staff are available for individual counseling on an as-needed basis as time allows. No religious materials, including Bibles, jewelry, etc., may be brought to the jail for inmates.

Educational and Rehabilitative Services: The Tipton County Jail offers substance abuse counseling through the “Thinking for a Change” class. Completion of this class results in a seven-day time credit, based on rules and guidelines set forth by the court and jail administrators.

Clothing: The Tipton County Jail does not accept clothing from outside this facility. Inmates can purchase clothing items (underwear, t-shirts, socks, etc.) from the commissary. One set of clothing will be accepted one week in advance if an inmate is scheduled for a jury trial. An inmate’s personal clothing (underwear, socks, etc.) is collected and sent out once weekly for laundering.

Health and Medication: A nurse is available daily with a doctor on staff as needed. Only prescription medication will be accepted. It will be given to the medical staff for conformation with the jail physician and dispensed accordingly. Dental services are also available as needed.

Telephone Use: Telephones are available in the general population blocks for collect calls only. They can be used during the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., except during lockdown times. This privilege may be denied at any time at the discretion of the jail staff for several reasons that may or may not be explained. This privilege is not available for inmates housed in restrictive housing and lockdown units. Securus Technologies provides the inmate phone system. If there are questions, you may contact Securus (at 1-800-844-6591) regarding billing and service. You may also visit Securus online.

Staff

Thomas R. Lett, Judge

Amy Stouder, Court Reporter

Danielle K. Hirtzel, Deputy Court Reporter

Ashley Duncan, Jury Administrator/Bailiff

Indiana Handgun Permits

Applicant:

Any person 18 years old or older living in the Tipton City limits who would like to apply for an Indiana Handgun License must follow these steps:

1. Apply for a handgun license on the following website:
   https://firearms.ariesportal.com State Fee + transaction fee paid at time of online submission
   
   
2. Schedule a fingerprinting appointment through L1 Identity Solutions.
   a. Schedule by calling 1-877-472-6917 or go online to www.1btfingerprint.com.
   b. Bring a photo ID with you to your appointment.
   
   
3. Come to the Tipton Police Department and bring your receipt from the L1 fingerprinting to finish processing your application.
   
   
4. Your application is not submitted until you pay your fees at the Tipton Police Department.
   a. Office hours Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (for handgun license
        processing)

Fees:

NOTE—State fees will be charged/paid at time of application submission online.

1. Four-year Personal Protection: $49.95 + transaction fee
   a. $30.00 state fee + transaction fee paid when application submitted online
   b. $9.95 payable to L-1 ESD
               Money order or cashier’s check
               MasterCard online ONLY at time of scheduling
   c. $10.00 payable to the Tipton Police Department
               Cash, check, or money order
   
   
2. Lifetime Personal Protection with No Current License: $134.95 + transaction fee
   a. $75.00 state fee + transaction fee paid when application submitted online
   b. $ 9.95 payable to L-1 ESD
               Money order or cashier’s check
               MasterCard online ONLY at time of scheduling
   c. $10.00 payable to the Tipton Police Department
               Cash, check, or money order
   
   
3. Lifetime Personal Protection with Current License: $109.95 + transaction fee
   a. $60.00 state fee + transaction fee paid when application submitted online
   b. $ 9.95 payable to L-1 ESD
               Money order or cashier’s check
               MasterCard online ONLY at time of scheduling
   c. $40.00 payable to the Tipton Police Department
               Cash, check, or money order

Juror Information

Your job as a juror is to listen to all the evidence presented at trial, then “decide the facts” — decide what really happened. The judge’s job is to “decide the law” — make decisions on legal issues that come up during the trial.  Everyone must do their job well if our system of trial by jury is to work.

You do not need special knowledge or ability to serve as a juror. It is sufficient that you keep an open mind, use common sense, concentrate on the evidence presented, and be fair and honest in your deliberations.

Remember: Do not be influenced by sympathy or prejudice. It is vital that you be impartial with regard to all testimony and evidence presented at the trial.

Tipton County recognizes no exemption from jury service except for those individuals with severe emotional or physical problems that preclude them from working and are supported by a health professional’s certificate; and those who are 75 years of age or older who request to be excused. Any other request to be excused (for example, vacation or occupation) will not be automatically granted. Every individual circumstance will be reviewed and considered upon a written request for deferral. However, it is your responsibility as a potential juror to follow up with the court (and not make any assumptions) in regards to your written request for a deferral from service.

If you have thoroughly read the Jury Summons and still have questions regarding jury service, or you have lost your summons, please call (765) 675-2791 for further assistance and information.

We hope you find your experience as a juror interesting, educational and rewarding. Jury service is the foundation of the American judicial process. Your participation in jury service for Tipton County is invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Pay Court Fines Online

Traffic Ticket Deferral Program

Please contact the Tipton County Prosecutor’s Office, (765) 675-2968.

TEB: Tobacco Education Group

For details, please call the Tipton City Court, (765)-675-7878.

Petitions & Motions

You have the right to represent yourself in this case. Self-representation is difficult, and the judge cannot and will not act as an advocate for either side. If you have decided to represent yourself, you have the responsibility to become familiar with and attempt to comply with the rules of procedure.

The judge and his staff cannot and will not advise you as to what you should put in your petition or how you should word your petition. After the petition is properly filed, the judge will examine it and if it states a request that can be heard by the court, it will be set for hearing.

All motion or petitions must be in proper legal form but you may use any words you wish to describe what you are asking the court to do. You may get copies of legal forms on the Access Indiana website.

All motions and petitions should be submitted on 8-1/2 x 11-inch paper and either typed or legibly printed. You must provide the court with the original plus one (1) additional copy for each party of the case.

It is your responsibility to provide the court with properly completed notice of hearing forms. If the notice forms are not provided to the court, the matter will not be set for hearing. Notice forms must include addresses. The court will enter a hearing date upon receipt of the properly submitted form.

If you have questions about court rules, procedures or practices, please ask and court personnel will answer to the best of their ability. The court personnel are not allowed to provide you with additional information (i.e., “How should I do this?”) as such. If you need this type of question answered you should contact an attorney.

If the matter is set for hearing, you will be required to properly present evidence. The court will not instruct or aid you in the presentation.

Documents to be filed will include at a minimum the following:

• Appearance Form
• Motions or Petitions stating what you wish the court to do
• Proposed Order
• Notice of Hearing Form

You will need to paper clip all same pleadings/documents together (such as all Appearance Forms together, all Motions together, etc.). If your pleading is more than one page, each pleading will need to be stapled together. Then, all copies of that pleading should be paper clipped together.

If you choose to represent yourself, you may find forms at the Indiana Self-Service Legal Center.

Rules & Regulations

1. All flowers are to be placed on stones or in urns set on the cement slabs at ends of headstone
2. No flowers, containers or decorations of any kind are to be placed on graves. Please remove any items you want to keep before cleanup in April and September. Grave blankets are permitted from November 1 through April 1.
3. For any changes in lot ownership, please see cemetery management (superintendent).
4. The City of Tipton will not be responsible for any accidents or injuries while on city property.
5. All lots and/or graves must be paid in full at the time of deed purchase.
6. Additional rules are available in the cemetery office.