Find Probate Records in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne probate court records are handled through Allen County, not the City of Fort Wayne. Estate filings, wills, guardianship cases, conservatorship petitions, and related probate documents are all maintained by the Allen County Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts. Fort Wayne is the county seat of Allen County, so the courthouse and clerk's office are located right in the city. You can search Fort Wayne probate cases online for free using the Indiana MyCase portal, or you can go in person to the Allen County Courthouse to request copies of case documents.
Fort Wayne Quick Facts
Which Court Handles Fort Wayne Probate
Fort Wayne is the county seat of Allen County, and all probate matters for city residents go through the Allen County Circuit and Superior Courts. Indiana does not have city-level probate courts. Under IC 29-1-7-1, probate venue is set in the county where the decedent lived, which means Fort Wayne residents' estates are filed in Allen County.
The Allen County Clerk administers court records for all trial court cases in the county. This includes Civil, Criminal, Family Relations, Probate, and Small Claims divisions. The Clerk also prepares permanent historical records and processes various documents for court cases. Christopher M. Nancarrow currently serves as the elected Clerk of the Allen Circuit and Superior Courts.
Fort Wayne is Indiana's second largest city, and Allen County handles a substantial number of probate filings each year. Whether the estate is small and straightforward or large and contested, the process runs through the same office. Knowing which division and which location to contact saves time.
Allen County Circuit Court Contact
The Allen County Clerk operates out of the Allen County Courthouse in downtown Fort Wayne. Two key areas handle probate records.
Clerk Main Office:
Allen County Courthouse, 715 S. Calhoun Street, Room 200A
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: (260) 449-7245
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Central Services Division (copies):
Allen County Courthouse, Room 201
Phone: (260) 449-7890
Email: copyrequest@co.allen.in.us
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Central Services Division is the primary contact for obtaining copies of probate records. You can submit your request by email, mail, or in person. Allen County also provides an online copy request form at allencountyclerk.in.gov. Mail requests go to: Clerk of the Courts, Central Services Division, Courthouse Room 201, 715 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802.
Search Fort Wayne Probate Records Online
Allen County joined the Indiana Odyssey case management system on September 7, 2010, one of the earlier adoptions in the state. That means the county's probate records going back to that date are available through the free Indiana MyCase portal. Search by the decedent's name, a party name, or a case number.
MyCase shows case summaries and party information but does not provide full document text online. It tells you whether a case exists, what type it is, and when hearings occurred. Once you find the case number in MyCase, you can use it to request copies from the Central Services Division.
The MyCase search interface, shown below, is the official state portal for looking up Fort Wayne and Allen County probate filings. Access it at public.courts.in.gov/mycase.
For older records predating the Odyssey system, contact the Allen County Clerk directly or check the Indiana State Archives for historical probate documents.
Types of Probate Records in Fort Wayne
The Allen County Clerk maintains all probate case files for Fort Wayne residents. Common record types include wills filed for safekeeping, wills admitted to probate, supervised and unsupervised estate administration files, guardianship and conservatorship records, trust proceedings, marriage licenses, judgment dockets, and records of judgments and orders.
Allen County handles both supervised and unsupervised administrations. In unsupervised estates, the personal representative manages the estate with minimal court involvement. The court still receives required notices and filings. In supervised cases, the court plays a more active role, often because assets are disputed or heirs disagree. Both generate records stored with the clerk.
Guardianship records document the appointment of a guardian for a minor or an incapacitated adult. These cases often involve medical documentation, financial inventories, and ongoing court reports. Access to some portions of guardianship files may be restricted.
Probate Filing Fees
Indiana probate filing fees are set by state statute. The base fee is about $177 for a standard estate filing. This combines the Probate Costs Fee under IC 33-37-4-7 at $120 plus additional court costs. The exact total may vary slightly based on case type.
Copy fees in Allen County follow state law. IC 33-37-5-1 requires clerks to collect $1.00 per page for copies. Certification costs an additional $3.00 per document under IC 33-37-5-3. Payment for Allen County copy requests is by check or money order made out to "Clerk of Allen Circuit Court." If using certified copies for legal purposes such as Social Security, employment, or court proceedings, be sure to request the certified version when you submit your request.
How to Get Copies of Probate Records
Allen County offers three ways to request probate record copies.
Online form: Submit a copy request at allencountyclerk.in.gov. This is the most efficient method. Provide the case number, the name of the decedent, and which documents you need. The clerk will respond with cost information before processing.
By email: Send requests to copyrequest@co.allen.in.us. Include case details and contact information. The office processes requests in the order received.
In person or by mail: Visit Central Services Division, Room 201 at 715 S. Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802, or mail your written request to the same address. In-person hours run Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For full Allen County probate court information, visit our Allen County probate records page.