St. Joseph County Background Check
St. Joseph County background check records are available through the courthouse in South Bend, Indiana. This is one of the larger counties in the state, and its court system handles a high volume of criminal, civil, and traffic cases each year. The Clerk of Courts, Amy Rolfes, keeps all case files at the main courthouse. You can search St. Joseph County records through the statewide MyCase portal, the county police department records division, or in person at the clerk's office. The county also has a public records request portal for formal requests. A background check in St. Joseph County can tap into several different sources depending on what you need.
St. Joseph County Quick Facts
St. Joseph County Police Department
The St. Joseph County Police Department is led by Sheriff William Redman. He began his law enforcement career in 1994 and was elected sheriff in 2018. The department's main office is at 401 W. Sample St. in South Bend. Their mission is to provide quality police and public services and impartial enforcement of the law, while treating all people with fairness and respect.
The St. Joseph County Police Department website has contact info and details about their services. The department has several divisions that can help with a background check in St. Joseph County. The Records Division handles accident reports and can be reached at 574-245-6535. The Detective Bureau is at 574-235-9569. The Warrant Division is at 574-235-9756.
- Administration: 574-245-6540
- Jail Division: 574-245-6501
- Records Division: 574-245-6535
- Detective Bureau: 574-235-9569
- Non-Emergency Dispatch: 574-235-9611
Background checks through the St. Joseph County Police Department are conducted via US Mail. The department also handles handgun permits, incident reports, case reports, and crash reports. You can find more details at their contact page.
| Sheriff | William Redman |
|---|---|
| Admin Address |
401 W. Sample St. South Bend, IN 46601 |
| Police Post |
4141 Lathrop St. South Bend, IN 46628 |
| Phone | 574-245-6500 |
| Non-Emergency | 574-235-9611 |
Note: Background checks via the county police department must be submitted by US Mail.
Search St. Joseph County Records Online
The fastest way to run a background check in St. Joseph County is through the MyCase online portal. This statewide court records system covers all 92 Indiana counties. You can search by case number, party name, attorney name, or business name. Basic searches are free.
The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department website provides details on law enforcement services.
This site has info on contacting the department about records and other services in St. Joseph County.
St. Joseph County uses the Odyssey Case Management System, which feeds into MyCase. The data on MyCase is not the official court record and may have errors. For a verified background check in St. Joseph County, contact the clerk's office at 574-235-9635 or get records straight from the court. The county also has a public records request portal at stjosephcountyin.justfoia.com where you can submit and track requests.
The St. Joseph County court website shows details about the local court system.
Use this site to learn about the different court divisions and how cases are handled in St. Joseph County.
For a statewide criminal history check, use the Indiana State Police Criminal History portal. This costs $15 to $16.32 online. The mail-in option is $7.
St. Joseph County Court Records
Court records in St. Joseph County are public under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, found in Indiana Code 5-14-3. Most case files are open to anyone. The St. Joseph County court system has several divisions. The Circuit Court is at 101 S Main Street in South Bend. The Superior Court handles civil, misdemeanor, and felony cases at different locations. The Probate Court is at 1000 S. Michigan Street.
Clerk of Courts Amy Rolfes manages all records at 101 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601. You can reach the office at 574-235-9635. Some records are restricted. Juvenile cases, adoption files, mental health proceedings, and sealed records are off limits. If a record was expunged under Indiana Code 35-38-9, it will not show up in a background check.
Background Check Fees in St. Joseph County
A background check through the South Bend Police Records Bureau costs $7.00. Fingerprints cost $15.00 per card. Accident reports are $8.00. Handgun permits carry no charge. Court document copies from the clerk's office are $1.00 per page, with certified copies costing more.
The South Bend Police Records Bureau is at 701 W. Sample St. and is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. On city holidays, they are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On Saturdays, they are open only for impound releases from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. They are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
For legal help with records or court matters in St. Joseph County, the Indiana Supreme Court website has resources.
Cities in St. Joseph County
St. Joseph County includes South Bend, the county seat, along with Mishawaka, Osceola, Granger, and other communities. South Bend has a dedicated city page with more details about local background check resources.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with St. Joseph County. Cases are filed in the county where the event took place, so confirm the address before you search.