Allen County Court Records Search
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Allen County, headquartered in Fort Wayne, is one of Indiana’s largest counties by population and maintains a substantial court system. The county’s trial courts include the Allen Circuit Court, the Allen Superior Court — which encompasses civil, criminal, family relations, probate, and small claims divisions — and the New Haven City Court. The Clerk of the Allen Circuit and Superior Courts serves as the official custodian of all trial court records filed within the county, overseeing new case filings, records maintenance, certified copies, and marriage license administration. Court records generated in Allen County proceedings encompass case filings, docket entries, hearings, trial transcripts, pleadings, motions, court orders, exhibits, and judgments. This guide explains the practical steps for locating, searching, and requesting these records.
For anyone searching Indiana court records, several tools are available, including local clerk offices, in-person courthouse terminals, and online databases maintained by the state judiciary. The website at IndianaStateCourts.us may assist users in locating publicly available court case information from counties across the state. The Indiana Office of Judicial Administration also operates the MyCase system, a free, statewide online portal that provides public access to non-confidential case information and documents from Indiana trial courts, including those in Allen County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Allen County?
Allen County court cases can be searched through online databases, in-person visits to the Clerk’s office, or by submitting written or emailed requests. The method that works best depends on whether you need basic case information, viewable documents, or certified copies.
Online Search via MyCase
The Indiana Case Management System (MyCase) is the primary free online tool for searching Allen County court records. Users can search by:
- Case number
- Party name (first and/or last)
- Attorney name
- Case status
- Filing date range
MyCase provides docket entries, hearing dates, and many case documents at no charge. It covers all divisions of the Allen Circuit and Superior Courts.
Online Record Copy Requests
The Clerk’s office accepts requests for copies through an online request form. Requesters must provide the names of the parties and a description of the document sought. The same form can be printed and mailed. Marriage license copy requests have a separate online form.
In-Person Requests
Walk-in requests are handled at:
Central Services Division
Allen County Courthouse, Room 201
715 South Calhoun Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: (260) 449-7890
Email: copyrequest@co.allen.in.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mail and Email Requests
Written requests may be mailed to the Central Services Division at the address above. Email requests can be sent to copyrequest@co.allen.in.us and should include the same information as the online form. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment when mailing.
Copy Fees
Per IC 33-37-5-1 and IC 33-37-5-3, the Clerk charges:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $3.00 per document (in addition to per-page copy fee) |
Payment is accepted by check or money order, made payable to “Clerk of Allen Circuit Court”. Fees may vary for marriage licenses recorded prior to 1980.
Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Allen Circuit Court / Allen Superior Court | 715 S. Calhoun Street, Room 200A, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 | (260) 449-7245 |
| Allen County Clerk’s Office | 715 S. Calhoun Street, Room 200A, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 | (260) 449-7245 |
| New Haven City Court | 815 Lincoln Highway E, New Haven, IN 46774 | (260) 748-7878 |
The Clerk’s main office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Allen Circuit Court office maintains similar hours but is closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. during the lunch hour.
Additional online tools include the Online Judgment Docket for searching judgments and the Protection Order E-filing portal.
Are Court Records Public in Allen County?
Court records in Allen County are presumed to be public documents under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA). This means members of the public generally have the right to inspect and copy court records maintained by the Clerk’s office. Indiana’s courts also follow the Indiana Supreme Court’s Administrative Rule 9, which governs public access to court records statewide and distinguishes between information that is publicly accessible and information that must be excluded from public access.
Records that are exempt from public inspection in Allen County include:
- Sealed or expunged records — criminal records that have been ordered sealed or expunged by the court
- Juvenile records — proceedings involving minors are confidential under Indiana law
- Adoption records — sealed by statute to protect the privacy of all parties
- Mental health commitment and treatment records
- Medical records filed with the court
- Confidential business information, including trade secrets and proprietary data
- Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other sensitive personal identifiers, which are excluded from public access under Administrative Rule 9
The Clerk’s office adheres to confidentiality guidelines and retention schedules established by the Indiana Supreme Court. When requesting records, individuals should be aware that certain documents within an otherwise public case file may be redacted or withheld if they contain exempt information. The Allen County Local Rules and Indiana’s state rules provide additional guidance on access limitations.
Allen County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Allen County — ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies — are heard in the Allen Circuit Court and Allen Superior Court. The Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts maintains all criminal court case files, including charging documents, plea records, sentencing orders, and case dispositions.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records can be searched for free on MyCase by party name, case number, or attorney. Advanced filters allow users to narrow results by case status and filing date. For certified copies, submit a request through the Clerk’s online form, by email at copyrequest@co.allen.in.us, or in person at the Central Services Division in Room 201 of the Courthouse.
Allen County Sheriff — Criminal Records Check
The Bureau of Identification at the Allen County Sheriff’s Office performs local criminal record checks. The process works as follows:
- Visit the Bureau of Identification at the Charles “Bud” Meeks Justice Center.
- Obtain and complete a waiver release form. If not completed in person at the office, the form must be notarized.
- Present two forms of identification: a state-issued photo ID plus one additional form bearing your name.
- Pay the $7 record check fee (cash, money order, or certified check).
Bureau of Identification
Address: 101 East Superior Street, Room B-25 (Basement), Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: (260) 449-7630
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For mail requests, include a completed and notarized waiver release form, payment by money order or certified check (cash is not accepted via mail), and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Indiana State Police — Statewide Criminal History
The Indiana State Police (ISP) maintains statewide criminal history records and offers two types of searches: name-based checks (which provide limited information on felony and misdemeanor arrests) and fingerprint-based checks (which provide comprehensive arrest, charge, and disposition data).
- Online name-based search: Available through the ISP’s Limited Criminal History portal at $15 per record for subscribers.
- Mail request: Complete the Criminal Records Request Form and mail it with a $7 fee to:
Indiana State Police
Criminal History Limited Check
P.O. Box 6188
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188
Requesters may need to provide the subject’s name, date of birth, gender, race, and, where applicable, Social Security Number and place of birth.
Allen County Civil Court Records
Civil cases filed in Allen County cover a wide range of disputes, including contract claims, personal injury lawsuits, property disputes, foreclosures, and landlord-tenant matters. The Allen Superior Court handles general civil cases, while the Small Claims Division addresses claims of $10,000 or less. The Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts maintains all civil court records.
How to Access Civil Court Records
Civil case information is available for free on MyCase, where users can search by case number, party name, or attorney name. For copies of specific documents, requests can be submitted through the Clerk’s online form, by email, by mail, or in person at the Central Services Division (Room 201, Allen County Courthouse). Copy fees are $1.00 per page, with an additional $3.00 per document for certification.
Small Claims Court
Small Claims Court in Allen County handles disputes involving $10,000 or less. The Clerk’s website provides downloadable Small Claims Forms for initiating or responding to a case. The Indiana courts also offer Civil Forms and a Self-Service Legal Center for individuals who are representing themselves.
Fee and Cost Information
The Clerk publishes detailed fee and cost information for civil cases, with the most recent civil fee schedule effective July 1, 2025. Filing fees vary by case type. For copies and certified copies, the standard rates of $1.00 per page and $3.00 per certification apply.
Property-Related Civil Records
Civil disputes involving real property may require documents maintained by the Allen County Recorder, which records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting property interests. The Recorder offers several search tools:
- Free Data Search — name-based lookups with data only (no images)
- Tapestry — on-demand access to documents from 1970 to present at $8.75 per search and $1.00 per page
- Laredo — subscription-based service at $0.75 per page
Certified copies of recorded property documents are $1 per page and $5 per document. The Recorder’s office is at 1 East Main Street, Room 100, Fort Wayne, IN 46802, Phone: (260) 449-7165
The Allen County Assessor provides property valuation data through tools such as the Comparable Online Multiple Property Search (COMPS), Public Access Tax Information (PATI), and the Online Property Record Card Search.
Allen County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Allen County — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, domestic violence protection orders, and guardianship of minors — are heard within the Family Relations Division of the Allen Superior Court and in the Allen Circuit Court. The Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts manages all family court records.
Obtaining Family Court Records
Requests for family court records follow the same procedures as other court record requests. Users may:
- Search case information for free on MyCase.
- Submit an online copy request through the Clerk’s website.
- Visit the Central Services Division in Room 201 of the Courthouse.
- Email a request to copyrequest@co.allen.in.us.
Standard copy fees apply ($1.00 per page, $3.00 per certification). Include party names and a description of the documents needed.
Protection Orders
The Clerk’s office provides information about protection orders and accepts filings through Indiana’s Protection Order E-filing system.
Divorce Forms and Resources
Allen County residents seeking to file for divorce without an attorney can access forms and instructions through the Indiana Judicial Branch’s Self-Service Legal Center. The Clerk’s website also links to child support applications and child support obligation worksheets through the appropriate state agencies.
Marriage Records
The Clerk of the Allen Circuit and Superior Courts issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for the county. To apply for a marriage license, both applicants must appear in person at the Central Services Division (Room 201, Allen County Courthouse). At least one applicant must be an Allen County resident; out-of-state residents may apply only if the ceremony will take place in Allen County. Couples can start the application process online through the state’s marriage license portal.
The marriage license fee is $25.00 for Indiana residents and $65.00 for out-of-state residents. For more details on documentation requirements, the Clerk provides a Marriage License Information sheet. Marriage license inquiries can be directed to (260) 449-7370.
The state-managed Marriage License Public Lookup contains most Allen County marriage records from 1933 to the present. Searches require the last name of either party and a marriage year range. Certified copies of marriage licenses can be requested through the Clerk’s online form or in person. Standard copy and certification fees apply.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Allen County Department of Health, Vital Records Division, not by the Clerk of Courts. Eligible persons may request records using the applicable Application Form. Each record costs $20, payable by cash or money order to Allen County Dept. of Health. Requests should be submitted to:
Allen County Department of Health — Vital Records Division
200 E. Berry Street, Suite 360
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: (260) 449-7147
Fax: (260) 449-3015
Birth and death certificates can also be obtained from the Indiana State Department of Health by mail using the state’s birth record application or death record application. State-level fees are $10 for the first birth record copy ($4 each additional) and $8 for the first death record copy ($4 each additional).
Allen County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Allen County are handled by the Civil Division of the Allen Superior Court, specifically through the Probate Division. Hearings are typically conducted in Courthouse Room 106. The division manages three primary categories of cases: estates, trusts, and guardianships.
Estate Administration
Estate cases involve the transfer of property after a person’s death. Under Indiana law, if the value of estate property is less than $100,000, a simplified procedure may allow administration without full court involvement. For larger or contested estates, the court oversees the appointment of a personal representative, creditor notification, inventory, and final distribution.
Trusts and Guardianships
The Probate Division also adjudicates disputes involving trust interpretation and reformation, and establishes guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults. Guardianship authority can range from narrowly limited to broad, depending on the nature of the ward’s incapacity.
Probate Forms
The Clerk’s office provides an extensive library of Probate Forms approved for filing in Allen County, including:
- General Information Regarding Wills and the Administration of Estates in Allen County
- Petition for Probate of Will
- Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative
- Affidavit for Transfer of Assets Without Administration (for small estates)
- Guardianship Information Sheet
- Notice of Filing of Petition for Guardian Appointment
- Estate Claim
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case information can be searched through MyCase by case number or party name. For certified copies, submit a request through the Clerk’s online form, by email at copyrequest@co.allen.in.us, or in person at the Central Services Division (Room 201, Courthouse). Standard copy fees of $1.00 per page and $3.00 per certification apply. Mail requests should include a check or money order payable to “Clerk of Allen Circuit Court” and a self-addressed stamped envelope.