Fort Wayne Family Court Records
Fort Wayne family court records are filed and maintained by the Allen County Clerk's Office at the courthouse in downtown Fort Wayne. Allen County handles all divorce, custody, child support, and paternity cases for Fort Wayne residents through its Circuit and Superior Courts. Clerk Christopher M. Nancarrow manages these records, and the office processes over 60,000 new cases each year. You can search records online through MyCase or in person at the courthouse on Calhoun Street.
Fort Wayne Quick Facts
Where to File Family Court Cases in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne residents file all family court cases at the Allen County Courthouse. The clerk's office is at 715 S Calhoun St in downtown Fort Wayne. This is where you go to file new cases, get copies of existing records, and look up case information in person. The Allen County Superior Court handles most family matters, including divorce under IC 31-15, custody under IC 31-17, and child support under IC 31-16.
| Court | Allen County Circuit and Superior Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 715 S Calhoun St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 |
| Phone | 260-449-7245 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Clerk Website | allencountyclerk.in.gov |
| Court Records | allencountycourt.org |
The courthouse sits in the heart of Fort Wayne. Parking is available in nearby garages and street spots downtown. Security checks all visitors at the entrance, so bring a valid photo ID. The clerk's office manages more than $107 million in financial transactions each year, which gives you a sense of the volume of cases moving through the Allen County courts. Staff can help you locate a case file or order a copy of a court document.
Allen County was the first county in Indiana to earn the "Certified Welcoming" designation, and the clerk's office has put effort into making records easier to access. You can search case records at allencountycourt.org or request copies by phone or in person. The clerk issues certified copies of decrees, orders, and other documents from family court cases in Fort Wayne.
Searching Fort Wayne Family Court Records
The main way to search family court records in Fort Wayne is through MyCase.in.gov, Indiana's statewide court records portal. You can search by party name or case number at no cost. MyCase shows case status, hearing dates, and basic docket information. Not all documents are viewable online, but the index is free and available any time.
For full case files, you need to visit the Allen County Clerk's office or request copies by mail. The clerk charges $1 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost more. If you know the case number, the process is faster. If you only have a name, staff can look it up and pull the file. Plan for some wait time during busy hours.
The Allen County court records search at allencountycourt.org also lets you look up cases filed in Fort Wayne. This local portal can be useful if you want more detail than MyCase shows. Family court records in Fort Wayne are public under Indiana law, with limited exceptions for juvenile and sealed cases.
Family Court Cases Filed in Fort Wayne
The Allen County courts handle a wide range of family law matters for Fort Wayne residents. Divorce cases proceed under IC 31-15, which sets out the rules for dissolution of marriage in Indiana. Indiana uses a no-fault system, so you do not need to prove fault to get a divorce. The only ground is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. There is a 60-day waiting period from the date you file before the court can issue a final decree.
Custody and parenting time cases follow IC 31-17. Courts in Fort Wayne look at the best interests of the child when making custody decisions. Factors include each parent's relationship with the child, the child's adjustment to home and school, and the wishes of the child if old enough. Courts can award sole or joint legal custody, and parenting time is set by the court if parents cannot agree.
Paternity cases in Fort Wayne are handled under IC 31-14. Either parent can file to establish paternity. Once paternity is established, the court can issue orders for custody, parenting time, and support. These cases are common in Allen County, and the Superior Court hears them along with other family matters.
Other types of cases filed in Allen County family court include modifications to existing orders, protection orders, and adoption proceedings. If you need to change a custody or support order, you file a petition to modify at the same court that issued the original order. The clerk keeps records of all these case types for Fort Wayne residents.
Child Support in Fort Wayne
Child support cases in Fort Wayne are governed by IC 31-16. The Allen County Prosecutor's Child Support Division handles Title IV-D services for families who need help establishing or enforcing support orders. The IV-D office is in Room 200 of the courthouse at 715 S Calhoun St. Their main phone is 260-449-4027. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with a midday closure from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
The IV-D program locates non-custodial parents, establishes paternity, sets support and medical support orders, and enforces payment. If you want to sign up for IV-D services in Fort Wayne, call 260-449-4027. For questions about existing payments, call the Customer Response Team at 260-449-7136 or the Indiana Child Support Bureau at 800-840-8757. Tax intercept questions go to 260-449-7648.
Note: The IV-D program does not handle custody, visitation, or property issues. Contact a private attorney for those matters.
The Allen County Clerk's office collects and disburses child support payments on behalf of the court. If you have a support order from an Allen County court, payments go through the clerk. The Indiana Child Support Bureau provides state-level oversight and can help with questions about the support system across Indiana.
Legal Help for Fort Wayne Residents
If you need legal help with a family court matter in Fort Wayne, several resources are available. Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal aid to qualifying low-income residents across Indiana, including Allen County. They can assist with divorce, custody, and domestic violence cases. The Indiana State Bar's lawyer referral service at inbar.org can connect you with a family law attorney in the Fort Wayne area.
The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center has forms and guides for people who want to handle their own family court case. This is a good starting point if you are not sure what forms you need or how the process works. The site covers divorce, custody, and support matters. Forms are free to download and the guides walk through each step.
For parenting time questions, call the Parenting Time Helpline at 844-836-0003. This free helpline answers questions about Indiana's parenting time guidelines and helps parents understand their rights. It is not a legal advice line, but it can clarify a lot of common questions Fort Wayne parents have about visitation and scheduling.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal is another useful tool. It explains how to request records from any court in Indiana, what fees to expect, and which records are public. For family court matters in Fort Wayne, starting with this portal can save time and help you know what to ask for before you go to the courthouse.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
Fort Wayne is in the northeast corner of Indiana. It is the largest city in the region. Most nearby qualifying cities are in other parts of the state. For records in specific communities, use the links below or visit the Allen County page.
Allen County Family Court Records
Fort Wayne is the county seat of Allen County. All family court filings for Fort Wayne go through the Allen County courts. For full county information, fee details, and additional resources, visit the Allen County page.