Elkhart County Court Records

Per Rules of Court Rule 3, Indiana court records refer to case and court administrative records. Case records are any document, data, or information created, collected, received, or maintained by a court, court agency, or Clerk of Court that relates to a particular case. In contrast, court administrative records are information about the court's administration and not a specific case. The Clerk of Court maintains all court records in Elkhart County. Court records typically contain the following information:

• Case number
• Case type and status
• Filing date
• Court
• Case party full names
• Case Summary
• Financial information (balance due date and charge and transaction summary)

Are Court Records Public in Elkhart County?

Yes. The Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) and Rules on Access to Court Records Rule 4 authorize public access to court records. This grants every citizen the right to inspect and copy records maintained by Elkhart County courts during regular business hours. The Indiana Rules of Court Rule 5 and Public Access to Court Records Handbook exclude the following court records from public disclosure:

• Medical records
• Paternity records
• Adoption records
• Juvenile records
• pre-sentence reports
• Mental health records
• grand jury proceedings
• Drug or substance abuse records
• Social Security Numbers of living persons
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome records
• Criminal or juvenile proceedings expungement orders
• Mediation proceedings, mini-trial proceedings, and summary jury trials
• Drug test records that have not been admitted into evidence as part of a public proceeding
• Child abuse records that have not been admitted into evidence during a public court proceeding
• Residential addressed of clerks, judicial officers, and other courts or clerks of court employees
• jurors and prospective jurors' personal information except when needed by case parties or attorneys.
• Attorney’s work product when representing a public agency, the state, or an individual under I.C. 5-14-3-4(b)(2)
• All examination data like test questions or scoring keys used in administering an employment or licensing examination.
• Arrest and search warrants, indictments, and information that the judge orders are confidential before they are executed and returned to the issuing judge.
• Written petitions to permit marriages without consent and court orders directing the clerk to issue a marriage license to underage persons.
• Personal identifying information like addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth of witnesses or victims in domestic violence, criminal, stalking, juvenile, sexual assault, or civil protection order proceedings.

Elkhart County Court Records Search

Individuals can use the Indiana Supreme Court's Case Search Portal to track all court proceedings in the Elkhart County courts. The portal freely provides information regarding criminal and civil cases, defendant information, court dates, and dispositions. The search parameters are by name, case, or attorney. Court records can also be retrieved in person at the court where the case was handled. The record staff would require a name or case number to initiate the search.

Elkhart County Court Records Search by Name

The common methods of accessing Elkhart County court records by name are online or in person at the court where the case was handled. The Indiana Judicial Branch has a Case Search Portal that provides this service. Requesters must click the Name tab to search by person or business name. The search results can be narrowed by providing additional information like case type, court, status, or filing date. The search will return case information on everyone bearing the searched name. Click the “case title” link to view specific case information.

Elkhart County Courts

Elkhart County court system consists of six Superior Courts, one Circuit Court, three Municipal Courts, two Magistrate Courts, one Juvenile Court, and one Child Support court. Below are the addresses of all the courts in Elkhart County:

Elkhart County Superior Court No. 1, 2, 5, 6, Juvenile, and Elkhart Magistrate

315 South Second Street
Elkhart, IN, 46516

Elkhart County Superior Court 3, 4, Circuit Court, and Goshen Magistrate

101 North Main Street
Goshen, IN, 46526

Elkhart City Court

229 South Second Street
Elkhart, IN 46516
Phone: (574) 522-5272
Fax: (574) 296-9811

Goshen City Court

111 East Jefferson Street, # 2
Goshen, IN 46528
Phone: (574) 533-9365
Fax: (574) 533-3235

Nappanee City Court

300 W. Lincoln Street
Nappanee, IN 46550
Phone: (574) 773-2112
Fax: (574) 773-5878

Elkhart County Superior Court Case Search

There are about six Superior Courts in Elkhart County. These courts have jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases and appellate jurisdiction over the Circuit Court. A Superior Court case search can be done online through the Case Search Portal. The search parameters are name, case, or attorney. Alternatively, requesters can obtain copies of court case records in person at the Superior Court where the case was handled.

Elkhart County District Court Records

Elkhart County has only one Circuit Court. This court handles civil and criminal cases and appellate jurisdiction over city and town courts. Individuals can visit the Circuit Court during business hours to request court records. A name or case number will be required to facilitate the search. The Circut COurt charges fees for copies of court records. Alternatively, requesters can view non-confidential court records using the Case Search Portal. A search can be conducted by name, case, or attorney at no cost.

Elkhart County Criminal Records

Criminal records are not public records in Elkhart County. However, a criminal justice agency can release criminal records to non-criminal justice organizations, individuals, or other criminal justice agencies if there is a valid reason (Per IC 10-13-3).

Criminal records are maintained at the state, county, and city levels. Interested persons can retrieve criminal information from the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office, City Police Departments, and Indiana State Police (ISP). Note that these agencies only provide criminal records of events in their jurisdictions. The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office’s Records Division provides criminal history records by mail or in person from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. This service costs $3, payable by cash checks, money orders, or credit/debit cards. Mail requesters must submit a Limited Criminal History Checks form and necessary to:

Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office
Records Division
26861 C.R. 26
Elkhart, IN 46517

Most City Police Departments in Elkhart County issue criminal history records in person. For example, the Goshen Police Department produces limited criminal history records during regular business hours. The requestor must submit a photo identification and a $7 fee to process the request.

The Indiana State Police (ISP) maintains a centralized criminal records search repository or online database that the public may query for criminal information. The available online options are:

• A name-based search: The search report contains only information on felonies and misdemeanor arrests in Indiana. The search parameters are the subject's name, race, date of birth, gender, and Social Security Number, and place of birth (optional). Users must create an account and log in with their email address/username and secured password to use the search portal. This service costs $15 per record subscriber and $15.70 per record Credit Card.
• A fingerprint-based search: The search report contains all Elkhart County arrest records, charges, and dispositions within Indiana. Requesters must schedule a fingerprint appointment online or by phone at (877) 472-6917.

Record seekers can also obtain a limited criminal history record by mail or in person. This service costs $7. Acceptable forms of payment are checks and money orders. Personal checks are unacceptable. In-person requesters should visit the ISP’s Central Records Division during business hours. Mail requesters must submit a Request Form to the ISP at:

Indiana State Police
Criminal History Limited Check
P.O. Box 6188
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188

Elkhart County Criminal Court Case Lookup

All Elkhart County Courts handle criminal cases like felonies, misdemeanors, infractions, and ordinance violations. Information on a specific case can be found online in the Indiana case database. A search can be conducted by name, case, or attorney. Limit the search by selecting the Criminal & Citation button. Alternatively, requesters can visit the court where the case was handled during business hours to request a criminal case record. A name or case number must be provided to facilitate the search. A valid photo ID may also be required to verify the requester’s information.

Get Elkhart County Civil Court Records

All Elkhart County Courts have jurisdiction over civil cases. However, some civil cases are handled by specific court(s). For example, the Elkhart County Small Claims Court handles small claims that do not exceed $10,000. Civil case records can be obtained online or in person at the court where the case was handled. Here is how to get civil court records online:

• Go to the Indiana Judicial Branch's official website
• Click the Search Cases button on the homepage
• Search non-confidential civil court cases using the Odyssey case management system.
• Click the Name tab to search by party name, the Case tab to search by case number, or the Attorney tab to search by attorney name or number.
• Select the Civil button to view all civil court cases attached to the search criteria.

Elkhart County Family Court Records

The Family and Domestic Relations Court handles all family court cases in Elkhart County. Examples of cases handled by this Division include divorce, adoption, child support, paternity, guardianship, and name change. Most family court records, like paternity and adoption, are not open to the public. Interested persons can find family court records online or in person at the courthouse. Online requests should be made on the Indiana Courts’ Case Search Portal. A search can be conducted by name, case, or attorney. Requesters should ensure they limit their search by selecting the Family button.

Elkhart Dissolution of Marriage Records

In Elkhart County, dissolution of marriage is used interchangeably with divorce. Record seekers can request certified copies of dissolution of marriage records by visiting the Elkhart County Clerk of Court’s Office. The Office is open Mondays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A name or divorce date may be required to process the request. This service attracts search and copy fees. Alternatively, inquirers can use the Case Search Portal provided by Indiana Courts to view dissolution of marriage records for free.

Elkhart County Marriage and Divorce Records

The Clerk of Court is the official keeper of marriage and divorce records in Elkhart County. Marriage certificates and divorce decrees are unavailable online. Individuals can request certified copies of marriage certificates or divorce decrees at the Clerk’s Office. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $4. However, information about marriage and divorce dates may be searched online. The Indiana State Library provides marriage information through its Search Portal. This database is searchable by event, county, or through a general surname search of all records.

The Indiana Courts also have a Marriage License Public Lookup where requesters can find marriage information. The search criteria are by name, but providing the marriage year range and county issued helps to narrow the search. Divorce information can be retrieved on the Indiana Case Search Portal.

Elkhart Birth and Death Records

The Elkhart County Health Department Vital Records Office is the custodian of birth and death records. These records are only issued to individuals who have a direct interest in the subject of the record. This includes parents, adult siblings, grandparents, children, grandchildren, spouses, guardians, attorneys, funeral directors, or authorized agents.

Requests for birth and death records can be made online, by mail, or in person at the Vital Records Office. The Office partners with an independent company to provide online services. Mail requesters must complete a birth certificate application (English or Spanish) or a death certificate application (English or Spanish). In-person requests can be made at the Vital Records Office on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. and Tuesday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. The Office is located at:

Elkhart County Health Department
Vital Records Office
608 Oakland Avenue
Elkhart, IN 46516-2116
Phone: (574) 523-2107
Fax: (574) 523-2162

Individuals can also request birth and death records from the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) Division of Vital Records. Requests can be made online, by mail, or by phone at (866) 601-0891. An approved third-party vendor provides online services for $10 per copy and $12.95 for a processing fee. Mail requesters must submit Form 49607 (birth records) and Form 49606 (death records). A search fee and a valid ID must be attached to the form. The first birth certificate costs $10 and $8 for a death certificate. A $4 fee applies to each additional copy. The mailing address is:

Indiana Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
2 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 233-1325

Elkhart County Probate Court Records

The Elkhart County Clerk is the official custodian of probate court records like judgments, orders of the court, wills, and matters of trust in probate proceedings. The clerk disseminates probate court records online and in person. Online requests can be made on the Case Search Portal by name, case, or attorney. Regardless of the search option, requesters must select the probate button to view only probate court records. In-person requests must be during business hours. A name or case number and a valid photo ID may be required to process the request.

Elkhart County Property Records

The information available in property records are parcel numbers, owner information, address, location details, land data, valuation records, summary of improvements, interior and exterior features, and tax details. Record seekers can request access to property-related information from different record custodians in Elkhart County:

• Elkhart County citizens can access property records by requesting a Property Record Card from the Assessor’s Office. Requests should be made by email at MMckee@elkhartcounty.com.
• The Elkhart County Treasurer’s office releases property records online and in person to record seekers. Online requests can be made through the View & Pay Bills page. The search parameters are county/state parcel number, owner name, or property address. In-person requests can be made during business hours (Monday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) at:

Elkhart County Treasurer’s office
117 N. Second St., Room 201
Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: (574) 535-6759
Fax: (574) 535-6659
Email: treasurer@elkhartcounty.com

• Record seekers can also retrieve property information at the Elkhart County Recorder’s Office. These services are provided online by approved third-party vendors for a fee.

Elkhart County Court Records Online

Several third-party vendors provide court information through their online platforms. Unlike government sources, these platforms allow individuals to conduct country-wide court record searches. Most third-party websites like courtrecords.us disseminate basic court information for free, but extensive reports cost a fee. Note that information retrieved from third-party websites may be outdated or inaccurate. Therefore, verifying such information with those on government websites is essential.