Find Probate Records in Allen County

Allen County probate court records are filed and maintained by the Clerk of the Allen Circuit and Superior Courts in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The office handles all estate cases, will filings, guardianship petitions, trust matters, and adoption proceedings that come through the probate docket. Allen County is one of Indiana's larger counties, and its courts process a high volume of probate filings each year. You can search Allen County probate court records online through the Indiana MyCase system, submit a copy request by email or mail, or visit the courthouse in person during regular business hours.

Allen County Clerk of Courts Contact Information

Christopher M. Nancarrow serves as the elected Clerk of the Allen Circuit and Superior Courts. His office is the official keeper of all court records in Allen County, including probate court records. As the office describes its role, "The Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts is a county elected official who serves as an officer of the court and the manager of court information." The Clerk administers official court records for all trial court cases with jurisdiction in Allen County, prepares the permanent historical records for the courts, and processes and issues various documents for court cases.

The main courthouse office is located at 715 S. Calhoun Street, Room 200A, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. For copy requests, go to the Central Services Division in Room 201 at the same address. The main phone number is 260-449-7245. For copy requests specifically, call 260-449-7890 or email copyrequest@co.allen.in.us. Fax is 260-449-7658. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Allen County Clerk maintains a dedicated website at allencountyclerk.in.gov where you can find contact details, services, and online copy request forms. The contact page at allencountyclerk.in.gov/contact-us/ lists all staff and division contacts.

How to Search Allen County Probate Court Records

The easiest way to search Allen County probate court records is through Indiana's statewide MyCase portal. Allen County joined the Odyssey case management system on September 7, 2010, and all probate cases filed since that date are searchable online at no charge. Go to public.courts.in.gov/mycase/ and search by the name of the deceased, the guardian, or the ward. You can also search by case number. Results show the case type, parties, filing date, and a complete docket of filings and court orders.

The Allen County Clerk also accepts online copy requests through the form at allencountyclerk.in.gov/obtain-copies-of-records/. This is useful if you already know which case you need and want documents sent to you without visiting the courthouse. You can also email requests to copyrequest@co.allen.in.us. Include the case name, docket number, and a description of the documents needed. The copy fee and payment method must be confirmed before the office processes the request.

In-person access is available at the Central Services Division in Room 201 of the Allen County Courthouse. Staff can pull files, print copies, and certify documents while you wait. Mail requests go to Clerk of the Courts, Central Services Division, Courthouse Room 201, 715 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802.

Note: For very old probate records that predate the Odyssey system, contact the Clerk directly to ask about record availability and retrieval times.

Allen County Probate Court Records and Case Types

The Allen County Clerk handles a broad range of court matters. The office maintains records across civil, criminal, family relations, probate, and small claims divisions. Probate court records in Allen County include wills, estate cases, and guardianship files. The Clerk also keeps the Judgment Docket, the Record of Judgments and Orders, and all marriage license records issued in the county.

Estate cases are the core of Allen County probate work. When a person who lived in Allen County dies, Indiana law under IC 29-1-7-1 establishes venue in the county of the decedent's last residence. This means estates for Fort Wayne area residents are typically probated in Allen County. Both supervised and unsupervised administration options are available depending on the complexity of the estate and whether heirs agree on the distribution. The Allen County Circuit Court handles these filings, and the case record becomes a public document available for search.

Guardianship petitions in Allen County cover both minors and incapacitated adults. A petitioner must show the court that a guardian is needed and that the proposed guardian is fit to serve. All petitions, hearings, orders, and annual reports in a guardianship case are part of the probate court record and stored by the Allen County Clerk. Under IC 29-1-7-3.1, residents may also deposit their will with the Clerk for safekeeping during their lifetime. When the testator passes, the Clerk retrieves and files the will as the opening step in probate.

The Allen County Clerk also serves as a member of the Election Board and handles child support collections ordered by the courts. This broad range of duties means the Clerk's office processes a high volume of court documents and records each year across all divisions.

Allen County Probate Record Copy Fees and Certification

Indiana law sets standard fees for court record copies across all counties. The Allen County Clerk is required by Indiana law to collect copy fees of $1.00 per page under IC 33-37-5-1, plus $3.00 per document if certification is required under IC 33-37-5-3. These fees apply to all probate court records including estate filings, will copies, guardianship orders, and trust documents.

Payment for copy requests in Allen County is by check or money order made payable to "Clerk of Allen Circuit Court." The Clerk's office does not accept cash for mail requests. The cost guide at allencountyclerk.in.gov/obtain-copies-of-records/cost-how-to-request-records/ explains the current rates and how to submit payment with your request.

If you plan to use a copy of an Allen County probate record for legal purposes, such as court proceedings, property transfers, or Social Security matters, request that the copy be certified. A certified copy bears the Clerk's seal and signature, which most government agencies and courts require to confirm the document's authenticity. The combined cost is $1.00 per page plus a $3.00 certification fee per document.

Probate case filing fees in Allen County follow the state standard of $177 set by IC 33-37-4-7 for estate matters. This fee applies when opening a new estate case. Other probate proceedings such as guardianship petitions may carry different initial filing fees based on the case type.

Note: Fees may be updated by the Indiana General Assembly. Always confirm current rates with the Allen County Clerk before submitting payment.

Historical Allen County Probate Records

Allen County is one of Indiana's largest and most active counties, and its probate records go back many generations. For records that predate the Odyssey system's September 2010 launch, some older files may still be held at the courthouse but require staff retrieval. Very old estate records, will books, and guardianship files from the 19th and early 20th centuries may have been transferred to the Indiana State Archives.

The Indiana MyCase portal is the central online access point for all Odyssey-based counties including Allen County, allowing anyone to search probate cases by name or case number at no charge.

MyCase covers Allen County probate filings since September 2010 and shows estate cases, guardianship petitions, will filings, and the full docket for each case.

The Indiana State Archives maintains historical court records from all counties. The online catalog is at researchIndiana.iara.in.gov. You can search by county and record type to see what is available. Some older Allen County probate records have been digitized and are viewable online. Others require an in-person or mail request. The Archives is located at 6440 E. 30th St, Indianapolis, IN 46219 and can assist with research requests for historical Allen County estate and probate records.

The Indiana courts system provides a directory of local court resources at in.gov/courts/local/. The statewide public records access page at in.gov/courts/public-records/ explains what types of court documents are public and how to access them.

Nearby Counties

Allen County borders several Indiana counties, each with its own Circuit Court Clerk handling local probate court records and estate filings.