Allen Superior Court staff receive dozens of questions each week about doing business with the court, finding records, submitting filings and other important topics. For your convenience, we have compiled a number of our most frequently asked questions here:
Can I meet with or speak to the judge in my case?
Can I represent myself in court?
What does it mean if I’m asked to file an appearance?
How do I make a payment online?
Can I make partial payments on a fine?
What should I do if I cannot make it to jury duty?
How do I get copies of court records?
How do I find out if someone has court?
What time do court offices open?
How do I file a Small Claims case?
How do I apply for the Infraction Deferral Program?
How do I obtain a protective order?
How do I obtain a marriage license?
Why can’t court staff offer legal advice?
How do I find out more about the eviction process?
Can I appear remotely for a court hearing?
Where do I find information on warrants?
How do I replace a lost vehicle title?
Can I submit a document to the court electronically?
How do I apply for a hardship driver’s license?
Where are court offices located?
Can I meet with or speak to the judge in my case?
Under Rule 2.9 of the Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct, judges and magistrates CANNOT talk to or meet with individual parties in a case. However, you may write to a judge or magistrate at:
Allen County Clerk of the Courts
715 S. Calhoun St. Room 201
Fort Wayne Indiana, 46802
Your letter should reference the case number your letter is in regard to. Your letter will be entered into the case file for review by the judge or magistrate assigned to the case. Information contained in your letter will be available to both parties to the case. This helps ensure due process for all parties.
How do I make a payment online?
The Allen County Clerk of the Courts accepts payments online for a variety of fees and fines. Click here to visit the Clerk’s web site and select the payment in which you are looking to satisfy. A new window will open, allowing you to submit your card information.
What should I do if I cannot make it to jury duty?
If you are summoned for jury duty and cannot make it you must contact the Allen Superior Court Jury Management Office at (260) 449-7520 or (260) 449-7022.
How do I get copies of court records?
You may obtain copies of many court records from the Allen County Clerk of the Courts. The Clerks’ Office may be reached regarding copy requests at copyrequest@co.allen.in.us or by calling (260) 449-7890.
How do I find out if someone has court?
The most convenient way of checking for case updates is at MyCase. Search by first and last name or case number and you will be able to see when a court date is taking place. You can also find other information from this site, including status, type of case and the chronological case summary.
What time do court offices open?
Allen Superior Court offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., except for designated holidays. Court facilities, including the Courthouse, Courthouse Annex, Criminal Division Services and the Charles “Bud” Meeks Justice Center, do not open to the public until 8 a.m.
How do I file a Small Claims Court case?
Small Claims cases are limited to claims of $10,000 or less. Our web site includes information on the process and links to self-service forms for filing a Small Claims case.
Small Claims cases must be filed at the Courthouse Annex, at 1 West Superior St. in downtown Fort Wayne.
Can I make partial payments on a fine?
Partial payment options are only available in the Allen Superior Court Misdemeanor & Traffic Division. For more information, visit the Allen County Clerk of the Courts partial payments page.
How do I apply for the Infraction Deferral Program?
The Infraction Deferral Program is offered by the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office. If you comply with the conditions of the program, the case is dismissed and notice of the violation is not sent to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Not all infractions are eligible for the program.
To sign up, the Defendant must appear in person with identification or a driver’s license, at the Infraction Deferral window at the Charles “Bud” Meeks Justice Center, 101 East Superior Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. For further information, call (260) 449-3302 or email idp@acpao.org.
The Infraction Deferral Program
Can I represent myself in court?
While it is always advisable to seek counsel in legal matters, individuals may represent themselves in court.
It is important to note that court staff may not offer legal advice. There are a number of free and reduced cost services available to those seeking help with legal questions. The Allen County Bar Association’s Legal Line allows people to speak directly with an attorney for free every Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. by calling (260) 423-2358.
Please visit our web site for a list of other legal aid services.
What does it mean if I’m asked to file an appearance?
What that means is that you need to provide the Allen County Clerk of the Courts with a valid email address to receive electronic notices regarding a case. Notices are provided by email now, with hard copies going out only if an email address is unavailable. If you have an email address on file, the e-notice has links embedded that you can use to access the latest document in that case online.
You can file an appearance in person, at the office of the Allen County Clerk (Room 201 of the Courthouse) or by sending a letter to the clerk that provides that email address or by completing an appearance form. Be sure to cite your case number in that letter. The Clerk’s mailing address is:
Allen County Clerk of the Courts
715 S. Calhoun St., Room 201
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
How do I obtain a protective order?
A protective order is issued when the petitioner can show that an act of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking has taken place. Petitions for Orders of Protection can be filed online or in person in Allen Superior Court’s Small Claims Division, at 1 West Superior Street in downtown Fort Wayne, between the hours of 8-11:15 a.m. and 1-3:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. Outside of those hours, Protective Order forms can be filed and dropped off for judicial review at a later time.
Those needing assistance completing a protective order application may schedule an appointment with Superior Court’s Protection Order Specialist. Appointments are scheduled in 15-minute increments. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (260) 449-3444, by email at protectiveorder@allensuperiorcourt.us or in-person.
You can obtain marriage license information and the application online at by clicking here. The cost for a marriage license is $25 for Indiana residents and $65 for out-of-state residents.
Certified copies of marriage licenses may be obtained for an additional $4. You must be over the age of 18, unless special consent is provided and bring proper identification to the office of the Allen County Clerk of the Courts, located in Room 201 of the Allen County Courthouse. You may apply Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
While it is always advisable to seek counsel in legal matters, self-represented parties can find self-help resources for filing domestic relations cases on the Family Court Forms page on our web site.
Completed forms should be filed with the Allen County Clerk of the Courts in Room 201 of the Allen County Courthouse.
Court staff cannot answer legal questions, but they can answer questions on procedural matters. The Allen Superior Court Family Division is located in Room 208 of the Allen County Courthouse. They can be reached by phone at (260) 449-4998.
Why can’t court staff offer legal advice?
Only a lawyer may offer legal advice, and very few court staff are attorneys. They cannot answer questions that call for an opinion about what you should do. Also, the Court, including the judge, the clerk, and all court staff, must remain impartial. This means that they cannot take sides in any matter coming before the court. They will give the same types of information to persons on both sides of a case, but they cannot provide legal advice.
Click here for more on what court staff can and cannot do to assist with your case.
How do I find out more about the eviction process?
Please contact our Eviction Diversion Initiative Coordinator at (260) 449-7662 for any questions you may have regarding the eviction process. Staff cannot answer legal questions. Legal questions should be referred to private counsel or to one of our community’s free and reduced cost legal aid services. (See “Can I proceed without a lawyer?” for more details).
Can I appear remotely for a court hearing?
The ability to appear for a Court proceeding remotely is at the judge’s discretion. In some cases, remote appearance is not possible. If you need to appear remotely, you should submit such a request through your lawyer or by contacting the judge or magistrate by mail. (See “Can I meet with or speak to the judge in my case?” for details).
If you require a foreign language or American Sign Language interpreter for a court proceeding, one will be provided at no cost. If you need the services of an interpreter, please share this need with your attorney/public defender, court staff or law enforcement personnel so appropriate services may be arranged. For more information on Allen Superior Court’s policy on the provision of interpreters, visit our Language Access Policy web page.
Where do I find information about warrants?
Questions regarding warrants issued in Allen County should be directed to the Allen County Sheriff’s Department’s Warrant Division at (260) 449-7636.
You may also visit The Most Wanted page on the Sheriff’s Department website.
How do I replace a lost vehicle title?
The replacement of a lost title is largely an Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles process, although it does ultimately result in a court order establishing title. This checklist from the BMV will help get you started with that process.
Can I submit a document to the court electronically?
Yes. Allen County implemented e-filing in 2017 and in 2023 receives a majority of filings electronically. For information on e-filing, visit the Allen County Clerk’s e-filing information page.
How do I apply for a hardship driver’s license?
The Specialized Driving Privileges process might be of help if your driver’s license has been suspended. This process allows you to ask a judge for permission to drive to and from specific locations, such as your place of employment.
If the Specialized Driving Privileges process might benefit you, first visit the Hardship & Probationary Licenses page on our web site and fill out the forms posted at the bottom of the page. If you are filing the case yourself, return the forms to the Allen County Clerk of the Courts in Room 201 of the Allen County Courthouse and pay the filing fee of $157.
If you wish to see if your income qualifies for a waiver of fees or to get help filing your case, call the Volunteer Lawyer Program at (260) 407-0917.
Where are court offices located?
The Allen County Courthouse houses many of the most visible functions of the Allen County Court system. But not all of the work done by the Courts happens at the Courthouse. The Allen County Courts provide important services throughout the community, at the Courthouse Annex, Criminal Division Services, the Charles “Bud” Meeks Justice Center and the Allen County Juvenile Center. Check out this video tour of court facilities, including a guide to the services offered at those locations.