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Allen County Court Records

Official documentation, collectively referred to as the Allen County court records, is created for every case filed in Allen County. These records detail the parties involved, the specific case type, the precise case events and activities, and the final resolution issued by the judge/magistrate.

The Clerk of the Allen County Circuit and Superior Courts (or Allen Clerk of the Courts) is responsible for organizing, managing, and disseminating court records in accordance with the relevant statutes and court rules. These records are crucial for monitoring case trajectories, filing appeals, conducting background investigations, and identifying legal precedents.

Court records, especially when combined with other public records, can also provide crucial details about a legal matter and its outcome. For instance, pairing court records with arrest records can reveal the initial charges, as well as the facts and circumstances surrounding a criminal defendant’s arrest.

Are Allen County Court Records Public?

Yes. Under Indiana’s APRA (Access to Public Records Act) and Access to Court Records Rules, court records in Allen County, Indiana, are accessible to the general public. Notwithstanding this right of access, the public is not privy to information or documents considered confidential or exempt by statute, court order, or court rule. To this end, the following court records are deemed nonpublic under Indiana’s regulations:

  • All mental health cases filed under Indiana Code (IC) 12- 26
  • Court records that a judge has officially sealed
  • Medical records compiled or prepared by a medical service provider and examiner reports created pursuant to Trial Rule 35
  • Complete Social Security Numbers of living persons
  • Custody evaluation reports

What Information is Available in Allen County Court Records?

In reality, the contents (information and documents) within an Allen County court case file vary depending on the case, its proceedings, and the eventual resolution. For this reason, no two case files bear an identical set of information or collection of documents. Nevertheless, certain types of court records are frequently featured within the county’s court files:

  • Pleadings (complaints, answers, indictments, counterclaims, bill of particulars)
  • Motions (motions for summary judgment, motions to suppress, motions to dismiss, motions for continuance)
  • Notices
  • Returns of service
  • Summonses and subpoenas
  • Court orders and rulings (verdicts, final judgments, decrees, temporary orders)
  • Evidence and exhibits
  • Transcripts
  • Appeal-related documents

Allen County Court Records Search

Individuals seeking court records access in Allen County, Indiana, may utilize the methods outlined below:

  • Online Access: One of the most popular channels for looking up Allen County court records is online. Members of the public can access the Indiana MyCase portal with a case participant’s name or case number to view or download case information from the Allen County courts. Searches are free; however, the courts recommend direct access (at the courthouse or through the clerk’s office) for official records of court proceedings.

In addition, the Clerk of the Allen County Circuit and Superior Courts provides an online Request for Court Records form, which interested parties can use to request plain and certified copies of court records.

  • In-Person Access: To access court records in person, record seekers may visit the Allen County Courthouse in Fort Wayne (which is where the clerk’s office is located) to inspect records at public access computers or request copies of the desired documents from the clerk’s office staff. Similar to online searches, visitors will need to possess pertinent information about a case, such as the name of a case party or the case number, to find responsive records.

Below is the clerk’s office address and contact details for requests.

Central Services Division

715 South Calhoun Street

Room 201

Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Phone: (260) 449-7890

  • Mail and Phone Requests: The Clerk of the Allen County Courts does not process requests for court records by phone. The telephone line above, however, can be used to contact the clerk’s Central Services Division to learn about the records request process.

For mail-in requests, individuals can print, complete, and mail a copy of the online Request for Court Records form and send it to the following address:

Clerk of the Courts

Central Services Division

Courthouse Room 201

715 South Calhoun Street

Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Each mail application should include a money order or check of the required fee made out to "Clerk of Allen Circuit Court" and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Note: The Allen County Court Clerk’s Office also accepts email requests for court records at copyrequest@co.allen.in.us. Each query should bear the information required in the online Request for Court Records form.

Fees for Court Records in Allen County

According to the Indiana Trial Court Fee Manual and IC 33-37-5, the following fees apply to obtain court records from the Allen County Clerk of Courts:

  • Plain Copy: $1 per page
  • Certified Copy: $3 per document

The court clerk’s office also maintains all Allen County marriage records, a category of vital records. Copies can be obtained from the clerk by filling out the online Marriage License Copy form or in person at the clerk’s Central Services Division. Each certified copy costs $3.

To find other vital records (birth and death records), individuals can contact the Allen County Health Department.

Allen County Courthouse Locations

Allen County utilizes a court structure comprising two trial-level courts that are part of the Indiana State Court System, namely the Circuit Court and the Superior Court. The circuit and superior courts’ jurisdiction are outlined in IC 33-28-1-2 and IC 33-29-1.5, respectively. The street locations and contact details of the courts are listed below.

Allen County Superior Court - Key Locations

Allen County Courthouse (Main Courthouse)

715 South Calhoun Street

Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Misdemeanor & Traffic Court

Bud Meeks Justice Center

101 East Superior Street

Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Small Claims Court

1 West Superior Street

Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Allen County Juvenile Center

2929 North Wells Street

Fort Wayne, IN 46808

(See also the Allen Superior Court’s contact directory)

Allen County Circuit Court - Locations

Allen County Courthouse

715 South Calhoun Street

Room 300

Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Phone: (260) 449-7602

Fax: (260) 449-7652

Criminal Records Access in Allen County

Criminal records are defined as the official accounts compiled by criminal justice agencies about a particular individual’s criminal background, including arrests, charges, convictions, sentences, and incarceration statuses. The Indiana State Police maintains state-level records and provides limited criminal record checks (solely felonies and misdemeanor arrests within the State of Indiana) to members of the public, as well as fingerprint-based National Full Criminal History Checks to eligible parties who wish to obtain the most complete criminal history report available.

In addition, certain criminal-related records are available through local law enforcement, detention centers, and the courts in Allen County. Specifically, local police agencies maintain arrest records and can conduct local background checks for arrests that occurred within their jurisdiction. Meanwhile, courts keep complete criminal case files, which detail the events, activities, and outcomes of criminal charges filed in the county.

Allen County Probate Records

Allen County probate records constitute official documentation resulting from probate filings made within the county. Probate is a legal term for the process initiated after a person’s death to transfer their assets to the rightful parties and settle outstanding debts.

Probate in Allen County is handled in the Civil Division of the Allen Superior Court. Besides administering wills and estates, the court also oversees trusts and guardianships.

To obtain probate records from the court, one can access the Indiana MyCase portal with a case number or party name. However, persons seeking detailed or confidential probate filings may contact or visit the local clerk’s Central Services Division at the county courthouse during regular business hours.

Confidential information is only released to legally authorized parties, such as the executor of an estate or an appointed legal guardian. Fees apply to obtain copies of probate records, as detailed in the Indiana Trial Court Fee Manual.

Allen County Family Court Records

The Allen County Superior Court’s Family Relations Division and Circuit Court handle cases related to family law, such as dissolution of marriage (divorce), paternity, children in need of services, and adoption. These courts also keep all documentation filed, created, or collated during such proceedings and provide public access in line with the associated laws. Channels for public access to Allen family court records include

  • Online via the Indiana MyCase portal
  • An in-person, mail, or email request to the Clerk of the Allen County Circuit and Superior Courts’ Office, as explained in the previous "Allen County Court Records Search" section.

However, requesters should note that public access does not imply absolute access. Some family court records, such as adoption files and reports from guardians ad litem/court-appointed special advocates, are confidential by law. These records may only be released to a legally entitled party, such as a party to the case or someone who presents a valid court order. Rule 5 of the Indiana Rules for Access to Court Records specifies other exempt court records.

Federal Court Records in Allen County

Records from the federal court system are kept separately from those of the Allen County judicial system. This separation is due to the fact that different tribunals are responsible for adjudicating cases, with U.S. district courts handling matters under federal law and Allen County courts addressing cases arising under state law or local ordinance.

The federal district court with jurisdiction over Allen County is the Indiana Northern District Court in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

United States District Court

Northern District of Indiana

1300 South Harrison Street

Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Phone (Clerk’s Office): (260) 423-3000

Records generated from the distinct court’s judicial activity are referred to as federal court records and may be accessed as follows:

  • Internet Access via the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) Database: PACER is a paid internet portal for viewing case and docket information from the federal courts (see Costs for Accessing PACER). However, certain fee exemptions exist.
  • In Person at the Federal Fort Wayne Courthouse: Public terminals or kiosks are available during the court’s business hours for reviewing cases or printing documents. Printing costs 10 cents per page.
Allen County Court