Crime Numbers
Indiana does not have a unified crime reporting system. Therefore, crime data of Elkhart County can be difficult to find through official channels. According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program report for 2021, Goshen City, Elkhart County seat, recorded 3 robberies and 15 aggravated assaults. A total of 97 property crimes were recorded during the year. These property crimes include 17 burglaries, 66 larceny thefts, and 14 motor vehicle thefts. Also, there were 3 incidents of arson. The figures for rape and violent crime were classified and not included in this report.
The crime trend from 2013 to 2017 shows that murder rate remains unchanged over the period in Goshen City. Incidences of robbery at the county seat increased by 80%, while aggravated assault and burglary rates reduced by 36% and 2.5% respectively. Property crimes rates were marginally higher in 2017 compared to 2013. However, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft rates increased by 2.7% and 4.3% respectively while arson crime rate dropped by 60%.
Crime Records
The Record Division of Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department processes requests for criminal history reports. To obtain these records, complete and submit a Request for Adult Criminal History Form to the Record Division. This service costs $3 payable with cash, check, money order, and credit/debit card. If paying by check or money order, make it payable to Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office. Send the completed form and payment to:
Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department
Records Division
26861 C.R. 26
Elkhart, IN 46517
The records division of the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For a faster response, submit the completed Request for Adult Criminal History Form in person at the address provided above.
Incident and accident reports are also available from the Record Department of Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department. An incident report costs $3 while the fee for an accident report is $5. To order an incident or accident report, print and complete a Request for Public Records. Submit the request following the same steps as described above for ordering criminal history reports.
The Indiana Department of Correction maintains the Sex and Violent Offender Registry for all counties in the state. To find sex offenders living in Elkhart County, visit the Sex Offender Registry. The registry can be searched by offender name, city name, street address, and zip code.
The current schedule of charges at the records counter is:
Crash report - $12
Criminal incident report - $3
Fingerprint card - $10
Gun permit (four years) - $10, in addition to fees charged by the state
Gun permit (lifetime with current permit) - $40, in addition to fees charged by the state
Gun permit (lifetime without a current permit) - $50, in addition to fees charged by the state
Limited criminal history report - $3
Returned check fee - $20
Jail Information
The Elkhart County Jail is the only detention facility in the county. Its address is:
Elkhart County Correctional Complex
Correctional Services Department
26861 County Road 26
Elkhart, IN 46517
(574) 891-2100
Visitors can deposit money into inmate accounts at the kiosk located in the jail lobby. Cash and debit/credit cards are accepted for payment. The service attracts a $3.75 fee per transaction.
Inmates' accounts can also be funded online through Jail ATM. To use this platform, depositors must first sign up for online accounts using their email. Checks, credit, and debit cards are accepted for payment.
Inmate Records
The Corrections Division of the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office provides an Inmate Look-Up Tool for easy access to the facility’s inmate roster and records. To search for an inmate at the correction center, enter the last name of the individual into the search tool. This tool provides biographic details and criminal charges of inmates.
Court Records
In Elkhart County, the Circuit Court is the highest trial court. It hears cases from multiple locations. Listed below are the addresses and contact details of its various divisions:
Elkhart County Circuit Court
Goshen Courthouse
101 N Main Street
Room 204
Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: (574) 535-6430
Fax: (574) 535-6411
Elkhart County Circuit Court
Elkhart Courts Building
315 S 2nd Street
Elkhart, IN 46516
Phone: (574) 523-2233
Phone: (574) 523-2284 (Juvenile)
Elkhart County also has Superior and City Courts. Below are the addresses and contact information of these courts:
Elkhart County Superior Court 1 and 2
Elkhart Courts Building
315 S 2nd Street
Elkhart, IN 46516
Phone: (574) 523-2233
Elkhart County Superior Court 3
Goshen Courthouse
101 N Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: (574) 535-6437
Elkhart County Superior Court 4
Goshen Courthouse
101 N Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: (574) 535-6494
Phone: (574) 535-6407 (Traffic Tickets)
Elkhart County Superior Court 5
Elkhart Courts Building
315 S 2nd Street
Elkhart, IN 46516
Phone: (574) 523-2305
Elkhart County Superior Court 6
Elkhart Courts Building
315 S 2nd Street
Elkhart, IN 46516
Phone: (574) 523-2339
Elkhart City Court
229 S 2nd Street
Elkhart, IN 46516
Phone: (574) 522-5272
Fax: (574) 296-9811
Goshen City Court
111 E Jefferson Street
Room2
Goshen, IN 46528
Phone: (574) 533-9365
Fax: (574) 533-3235
Nappanee City Court
300 W Lincoln Street
P.O. Box 29
Nappanee, IN 46550
Phone: (574) 773-2112 ext. 2113
Fax: (574) 773-5878
The Elkhart County Clerk’s Office keeps records of the proceedings and judgments of the Circuit and Superior Courts. The Office provides copies of court records on request and charges $1 per page for these records. Cash, money orders, and debit/credit cards are accepted for payment. Fees can be conveniently paid online at www.paygov.us or in person at any of the court addresses provided above.
To obtain the records of the City Courts in the county, contact those courts directly by visiting or calling their courthouses.
Vital Records
Elkhart County divorce records are available from the County Clerk’s Office. To request copies of divorce records, visit any of the Circuit Court addresses provided above.
The Elkhart County Clerk’s Office also provides certified copies of marriage licenses and charges $2 for each copy. To obtain certified copies of a marriage license, contact the Clerk’s Office using the Circuit Court’s contact information provided above.
The Vital Records Section of the Elkhart County Department of Health keeps birth and death records from 1882 through the present. Birth and death certificates can be obtained from this office by filling appropriate forms and paying the required fees.
To order a birth certificate, download, print, and complete an Application for an Elkhart County Birth Certificate. To request a birth certificate of a relation, proof of relationship like the applicant’s birth certificate, must be included in the request as well as a copy of an identification document of the applicant. The fee for each certified copy of a birth certificate is $13 payable by cash, cashier’s check, money order, Visa card, MasterCard, or Discover card. The completed application and payment should be submitted to Vital Records Office at the following address:
Lincoln Center
608 Oakland Avenue
Elkhart, IN 46516-2116
Hours:
8:00am-4:50pm Mondays
8:00am-3:50pm Tuesday – Friday
Phone: (574) 523-2107
Fax: (574) 523-2162
The office is open on Monday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and from Tuesday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
The Vital Record Section of Elkhart County Department of Health also provides copies of death certificates. Initiate a death certificate request by submitting a Death Certificate Form. Submit the completed form, other required documents, and fee to the Vital Records Office address provided above. Each certified copy of a death certificate costs $13 while the fee for a non-certified copy is $6. Cash, cashier’s check, money order, Visa card, MasterCard, and Discover card are accepted for payment.
