Elkhart County Court

County Resources

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Elkhart County Court

The fourth Elkhart County Courthouse is set to open in September 2025, and will consolidate Circuit Court and Superior Court under the same roof. Until that opening, the current county courthouse has been in use since 1870. It underwent a major renovation in 1909. The other courthouse that houses most of the Superior Courts, was completed in 1994.

Locations

Elkhart County Circuit Court
Elkhart County Courthouse
101 North Main Street
Goshen, IN, 46526
574-535-6425

Elkhart County Superior Court 3
Elkhart County Courthouse
101 North Main Street
Goshen, IN, 46526
574-535-6440

Elkhart County Superior Court 4
Elkhart County Courthouse
101 North Main Street
Goshen, IN, 46526
574-535-6464

Elkhart County Superior Court 1
315 South Second Street
Elkhart, IN, 46516
574-523-2340

Elkhart County Superior Court 2
315 South Second Street
Elkhart, IN, 46516
574-523-2340

Elkhart County Superior Court 5
315 South Second Street
Elkhart, IN, 46516
574-523-2245

Elkhart County Superior Court 6
315 South Second Street
Elkhart, IN, 46516
574-523-2374

Juvenile Court
315 South Second Street
Elkhart, IN, 46516
(574) 523-2244

Elkhart Magistrate
315 South Second Street
Elkhart, IN, 46516
(574) 523-2380

Goshen Magistrate
Elkhart County Courthouse
101 North Main Street
Goshen, IN, 46526
(574) 535-6735

Elkhart City Court
229 South Second Street
Elkhart, IN, 46516
574-522-5272

Goshen City Court
111 East Jefferson Street, Suite 2
Goshen, IN, 46528
574-533-9365

Nappanee City Court
300 West Lincoln Street
Nappanee, IN, 46550
574-773-2112

United States District Court
Northern District of Indiana
South Bend Division
204 S. Main St.
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 246-8000

County Clerk of Courts

The County Clerk of Courts is an elected official who manages court information as an officer of the court. The Clerk sends notices for jury duty and maintains the Judgment Docket and records of judgment and orders.The Clerk is responsible for issuing court documents like protective orders, writs, and arrest warrants All new court cases are processed by the Clerk, and the Clerk is in charge of all court records.

In addition, the Clerk is a member of the Election Board, certifies copies of documents, and issues marriage licenses.

Christopher Anderson
County Clerk of Courts
Elkhart County
101 N. Main Street, # 204
Goshen, IN 46526
574-535-6430

United States District Court

Elkhart County is part of the Northern District of Indiana for the United States District Court. The South Bend division includes Elkhart, Cass, Kosciusko, Fulton, Miami, Marshall, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Pulaski, Wabash, and Starke Counties.

Holly A. Brady is the Chief Judge, and Chanda J. Berta is the Clerk of Court.

Circuit Court

Circuit Court judges are first appointed by the governor to serve a 2-year term, then are elected to 6-year terms. Judges must be lawyers admitted to practice in the state and must be residents of their circuit court district.

In Elkhart County, Circuit Court hears civil and criminal cases. It conducts grand jury proceedings and hears most felony criminal cases. Civil cases heard by the Circuit Court include tax matters and civil torts. Elkhart County is located in Judicial District 4. There are 26 judicial districts in Indiana.

Superior Court

Superior Court judges are first appointed by the governor to serve a 2-year term, then are elected to 6-year terms. Superior Court judges must reside in their judicial districts and must be admitted to practice law in Indiana.

In Elkhart County, Superior Court hears most sexual offense cases and domestic violence cases. Superior Court also hears cases for Drug Court, most criminal cases where the victim is a child, most drug possession cases, and juvenile delinquency cases. Mental health cases, probate matters, small claims, domestic relations cases, and most other civil cases are also heard in Superior Court.

Magistrates

Magistrates are often used in Elkhart County courts. To be a magistrate, one must be admitted to practice law in Indiana and have at least 5 years of experience as a lawyer. While serving as a magistrate, one cannot practice law.

Magistrates have the authority to administer oaths, officiate marriages, order subpoenas, and issue warrants. Magistrates can also conduct preliminary and pretrial hearings, receive a verdict from a jury, set bail, and enforce rules of the court.
Civil Court

Civil cases are those that are not criminal in nature and usually involve a financial or property dispute between two parties. Small Claims cases are handled in Superior Court. Examples of civil cases include probate, child support, divorce, mental health, malpractice, and contract disputes.

Criminal Court

Criminal court judges hear cases involving criminal offenses. Felony cases are serious crimes that can be punished by more than 1 year in prison, fines, or both. Misdemeanor cases are less serious crimes that can be punished by a maximum of 12 months in jail and/or fines.

Domestic Relations

The Domestic Relations Division is part of Civil Court and includes family court matters such as adoption, divorce, paternity determination, and guardianships. Custody cases, child support cases, grandparent visitation cases, and name changes are also handled by this division.

Drug Court

Drug Court is a specialized program for offenders who admit they have substance abuse problems. Long-term substance abuse treatment, random drug and alcohol testing, and court appearances are all mandatory. If successfully completed, non-violent felony charges may be dismissed.

Persons with a history of criminal charges may not be eligible for this program. The program lasts approximately 18 months.