Find Public Records in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne public records are available through the City Clerk, Allen County offices, and Indiana statewide systems. Fort Wayne is Indiana's second-largest city with around 268,000 residents and sits in Allen County. City records cover ordinances, permits, and council actions while county offices handle courts, property, and most legal documents. This page covers where to find records and how to request them.
Fort Wayne Quick Facts
Fort Wayne City Clerk and APRA Requests
The Fort Wayne City Clerk is located at 200 E Berry St, Suite 110, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. The main phone number is (260) 427-1222. The clerk keeps records of city council meetings, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and official city documents. These are public under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3-1 and IC 5-14-3-3.
Fort Wayne uses a NextRequest portal for public record requests. You can submit your request online, track it, and receive documents through the same system. Access the portal at cityoffortwayne.nextrequest.com. This is the preferred method for most requests. It creates a clear record of what was asked and when the city responded.
The city must respond within seven days under APRA. If they need more time, they must tell you in writing. If a request is denied, you get a written reason. You can appeal a denial to the Indiana Public Access Counselor at in.gov/pac or call 317-234-0906. The PAC reviews disputes at no cost and issues advisory opinions.
The Fort Wayne NextRequest portal lets you submit and track public record requests without visiting city hall in person.
Court Records in Fort Wayne
Court cases filed in Fort Wayne go through Allen Superior Court and Allen Circuit Court. These courts handle civil disputes, criminal cases, family matters, and small claims. The free statewide search tool MyCase at public.courts.in.gov/mycase covers all Allen County courts. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Basic docket entries and case status show up at no cost.
To get copies of court documents, visit the Allen County Clerk of Courts. The courthouse is in downtown Fort Wayne. You can view documents on public terminals or request paper copies for a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call the clerk's office to ask about current fees before you visit.
Marriage license records for Allen County can be verified at no cost using the state marriage lookup at public.courts.in.gov/MLPL. This tool covers licenses from across Indiana and is free to use.
Property Records in Fort Wayne
Allen County handles all property records for Fort Wayne. The Allen County Recorder files deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other real estate documents. You can search these through Doxpop at doxpop.com. Doxpop holds over 25 million Indiana documents. Property Watch alerts are free. Basic document searches do not require a paid account.
The Allen County Assessor keeps property tax data, parcel maps, and ownership history. You can check assessed values online through the county's portal. Real estate professionals who need deeper access can use Tapestry or Laredo through Doxpop for full title search tools.
If you need a certified copy of a recorded deed or mortgage from Allen County, you can order through Doxpop or visit the recorder's office in person. The recorder is a county office, not a city one. See the Allen County public records page for the recorder's address, hours, and copy fees.
Vital Records for Fort Wayne Residents
Birth and death certificates for Fort Wayne residents are issued by the Indiana Department of Health, not the city or county. Order them at in.gov/health/vital-records. A certified birth certificate costs $10. A certified death certificate costs $8. Mail orders take several weeks. You can also visit the state vital records office in Indianapolis for faster service.
Indiana vital records are handled at the state level. Use the Department of Health portal to order birth or death certificates for Fort Wayne residents.
The Allen County Health Department may also have some vital record services at the local level. Contact them for specific questions about records that predate the state system or for records involving unusual circumstances. For most standard requests, the state office is the fastest route.
Business Records and Licensing
Business entities registered in Indiana can be searched through the INBiz portal at inbiz.in.gov. This covers LLCs, corporations, assumed names, and nonprofits. You can check status, view registered agents, and see filing history at no cost. This is useful for verifying that a Fort Wayne business is in good standing or looking up ownership details.
Local business licenses and permits for Fort Wayne are handled by the city. City permit records are part of the city's public records system. If you need records related to building permits or zoning actions, submit a request through the NextRequest portal or call the relevant city department directly. City departments must respond under the same APRA timeline as the clerk's office.
Police and Criminal Records
Fort Wayne Police Department handles most local police reports. Crash reports, incident reports, and related records can be requested through FWPD. Contact the police records unit directly for availability and fees. Some reports are releasable right away while others need review before release.
Indiana State Police records are handled through a separate APRA request system at in.accessgov.com/isp-apra. State police reports and criminal history data that go beyond the city level come from this system. Background check results from the state police are not the same as what shows up in the court system through MyCase.
Fort Wayne City Clerk Contact Information
| City Clerk Office | 200 E Berry St, Suite 110, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (260) 427-1222 |
| Records Portal | cityoffortwayne.nextrequest.com |
| MyCase Court Search | public.courts.in.gov/mycase |
| Doxpop Property Search | doxpop.com |
| APRA Rights | IC 5-14-3-1 and IC 5-14-3-3; 7-day response window |
| Public Access Counselor | in.gov/pac | 317-234-0906 |
Allen County Records
Fort Wayne sits in Allen County, and the county handles courts, property, and most legal records for the city. The Allen County public records page has full details on county offices, online search tools, and fee schedules.
Nearby Cities
Auburn is a nearby city in Indiana with its own public records resources.