Criminal records in Elkhart County, Indiana, can be accessed through several online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. ElkhartCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Elkhart County. Additional access points include Indiana's statewide court case search system, the Indiana State Police criminal history database, the Elkhart County Clerk's office, and jail or corrections portals.
How to Search Criminal Records in Elkhart
Several methods are available to search criminal records in Elkhart County. The approach you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or informal results.
Online Searches
- ElkhartCourt.us — Search publicly available Elkhart County court record information by name or case number.
- Indiana MyCase — The statewide court case search portal maintained by the Indiana Judicial Branch. Search by party name, case number, or attorney across all participating Indiana courts, including Elkhart County. Some court documents and filings are available at no cost. For tips on using the system, see the MyCase search guide.
- Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History — Returns felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests within Indiana. This is a name-based search and is not the same as a full background check.
- Indiana County Jail Public Portal (INjail) — Search current and recent jail bookings in Elkhart County by name, date of birth, or county.
- Indiana Department of Correction Incarcerated Search — Locate individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities by last name or full name.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (recommended for name-based searches)
- Case number (if known — provides the most precise results)
In Person
Visit the Elkhart County Clerk's office at the Elkhart County Courts Building. Public access terminals may be available for searching case records. Staff can assist with locating case files and providing copies. For local court contact details, visit the Indiana Judicial Branch Elkhart County page.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Submit a written request to the Elkhart County Clerk of Courts at the address above. Include the full name of the individual, case number if known, date of birth, and the specific records you need. Enclose payment for copy and certification fees.
- State criminal history: For a formal criminal history report, contact Indiana State Police Criminal History Services. Requests can be submitted online or by mail with fingerprint cards for a full background check.
- Court public records request: The Indiana Judicial Branch accepts requests through its online public record request form. Note that the Office of Judicial Administration does not maintain records held by county agencies.
Search Elkhart Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, it is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. Indiana uses a standardized case numbering format across all courts.
Indiana Case Number Format
A typical Indiana case number looks like this: 20D01-2301-F6-000123
| Segment | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | County code (Elkhart County = 20) | 20 |
| D01 | Court type and number (D = Superior; C = Circuit) | D01 = Superior Court 1 |
| 2301 | Year and month filed (YYMM) | 2301 = January 2023 |
| F6 | Case type code (F6 = Level 6 Felony; CM = Misdemeanor) | F6 |
| 000123 | Sequential case number | 123rd case of that type |
Common Elkhart County case type codes for criminal matters:
- F1–F6 — Felony levels 1 through 6
- FA, FB, FC, FD — Legacy felony classes (older cases)
- CM — Misdemeanor
- IF — Infraction
- MC — Murder
- OV — Ordinance violation
Enter the full case number exactly as formatted — including dashes — when searching on MyCase or at the clerk's office.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Elkhart
Charges
- Statute codes: Each charge references an Indiana Code section (e.g., IC 35-42-1-1 for murder). The statute identifies the specific offense.
- Severity: Indiana classifies offenses as Level 1–6 felonies (Level 1 most serious), Class A–C misdemeanors (Class A most serious), or infractions.
- Amended charges: Prosecutors may amend original charges — reducing severity or changing the offense. Both the original and amended charges typically appear in the case record.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case filed but not yet resolved |
| Active | Proceedings are ongoing (hearings scheduled, trial underway) |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal) |
| Closed | All obligations fulfilled; case fully concluded |
Hearing Types
- Initial hearing / arraignment: Defendant is informed of charges and enters a plea.
- Preliminary hearing: Court determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases).
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys discuss plea negotiations, motions, and trial preparation.
- Trial: Bench trial or jury trial where evidence is presented.
- Sentencing: Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review hearing: Court checks compliance with probation, treatment, or other conditions.
Court Results (Dispositions)
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | Acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Dismissed with prejudice | Charges cannot be refiled |
| Dismissed without prejudice | Charges may potentially be refiled |
| Deferred judgment | Judgment withheld pending completion of conditions (e.g., pretrial diversion) |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Elkhart
Certified copies carry an official court seal and clerk signature, making them acceptable for legal proceedings, background checks, and other formal purposes. Informal copies — without certification — are also available at a lower cost.
Where to Request
Elkhart County Clerk of Courts handles certified copies of court records, including criminal case documents, judgments, and dispositions.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the clerk's office during business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Provide the case number or the full name and date of birth of the individual.
- By mail: Send a written request to the clerk's office. Include the case number (if known), the individual's full name and date of birth, the specific documents requested, a return address, and a check or money order for applicable fees.
- Online (state level): For Indiana criminal history records, use the Indiana State Police Criminal History Services portal. A Limited Criminal History search is available online; full background checks require fingerprint submission.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport) for in-person requests
- If requesting your own record from ISP, you may need to provide fingerprints for a comprehensive check
Indiana Judicial Branch Public Record Requests
For records maintained by the courts, the Indiana Judicial Branch accepts requests through its online public records request process. How far back records go varies by county. Under the Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code 5-14-3) and Indiana Supreme Court rules, most criminal case records are generally public, though some records may be restricted — including sealed, expunged, or confidential filings.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Elkhart
Fees for criminal record copies in Indiana are established by state statute and local court rules. The following table reflects standard fees; contact the clerk's office to confirm current amounts.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copies of court documents (per page) | $1.00 | Standard per-page rate under Indiana Code 33-37-5-1 |
| Certification fee | $5.00 | Per document certified with court seal |
| ISP Limited Criminal History (online) | $15.00 | Name-based search; covers felonies and Class A misdemeanors statewide |
| ISP National Criminal History (fingerprint-based) | $29.00–$41.00 | Varies depending on purpose and processing method |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Standard copies are often available the same day or within one to two business days.
- Mail requests: Allow 5–10 business days for processing and return mailing.
- ISP Limited Criminal History (online): Results are typically returned within minutes to 24 hours.
- ISP fingerprint-based background checks: Processing may take several business days to several weeks depending on volume.
Payment methods accepted at the Elkhart County Clerk's office typically include cash, check, and money order. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the Elkhart County Clerk. Contact the clerk's office at (574) 523-2233 to verify accepted payment methods and current fees before submitting a request.