Wells County Criminal History
Wells County criminal history records are filed at the Clerk's Office and Sheriff's Office in Bluffton, Indiana. The county has around 28,500 residents in northeastern Indiana. Criminal cases go through the Wells County circuit court. You can search criminal history records by visiting the courthouse in Bluffton, calling the Clerk or Sheriff, or using the statewide MyCase portal online. The Indiana State Police also stores Wells County arrest data for felonies and Class A misdemeanors in its central database. Getting records from this county is a simple process whether you go in person or search from home.
Wells County Quick Facts
Wells County Clerk's Office
The Wells County Clerk's Office at 102 W Market St in Bluffton is where all criminal case records are filed and stored. The Clerk assigns case numbers, keeps the full case file, and collects fees and fines from criminal cases. If you need a copy of any criminal record that went through the Wells County courts, the Clerk's Office is where you start. They have records for current and past cases.
Visit in person with the full name of the person you are searching for. A case number speeds things up but the staff can search by name alone. Under IC 5-14-3, most criminal court records in Wells County are public. Anyone can request them. Records sealed or expunged under IC 35-38-9 will not be available for viewing. Wells County is a smaller county so the office handles a modest case volume. Wait times are generally short.
Call the Clerk at (260) 824-6470 ahead of your visit. Staff can often have records ready for you when you arrive at the courthouse in Bluffton.
| Address | 102 W Market St, Bluffton, IN 46714 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (260) 824-6470 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Wells County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Wells County Sheriff's Office is at 1615 S Main St in Bluffton. The Sheriff handles law enforcement for the county and keeps arrest records for everyone booked into the Wells County jail. Each arrest generates a record that includes charges, booking date, and personal details. Under IC 10-13-3, this arrest data gets reported to the Indiana State Police and becomes part of the statewide criminal history system.
Arrest records and court records are two separate things. The arrest record from the Wells County Sheriff shows that someone was taken into custody. The court record from the Clerk shows what happened with the charges. For a complete criminal history picture in Wells County, check both offices. Call the Sheriff at (260) 824-3400 for arrest record requests.
| Address | 1615 S Main St, Bluffton, IN 46714 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (260) 824-3400 |
Search Wells County Criminal History Online
You can search Wells County criminal history from home using two online tools. MyCase is free. The ISP search costs $15.70.
MyCase at public.courts.in.gov/mycase is a free portal for court records from Wells County and all 92 Indiana counties. Search by name or case number. The site shows charges, case status, and court dates. It runs on the Odyssey Case Management System, which connects Indiana's trial courts. Over 2 million cases a year move through Odyssey. MyCase is not an official court record and may have errors. For official copies, visit the Wells County Clerk's Office in Bluffton.
The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History search covers felonies and Class A misdemeanor arrests statewide. The cost is $15.70 by credit card or $15.00 for IN.gov subscribers. Results come as a PDF that expires 14 days after the search. Save or print your results right away. A "No Records Found" response counts as a completed search and you still get charged. How complete the data is for Wells County depends on how well local agencies have reported to the state system.
The ISP FAQ page covers common questions about the Limited Criminal History search, including fees and what data is available for counties like Wells County.
Criminal Record Laws for Wells County
Indiana statutes govern how criminal history records work in Wells County. IC 5-14-3, the Access to Public Records Act, gives anyone the right to ask for government records. Most criminal case files in Wells County are public under this law. The state's policy is that all people deserve full access to government information.
IC 10-13-3 specifically covers criminal history information. This law defines what counts as a criminal history record and sets rules for access and use. Under IC 10-13-3-27, detailed criminal histories can be accessed only in certain instances. Misuse of limited criminal history data is a Class A misdemeanor. These rules apply when you search Wells County records through the state system.
Expungement may be an option for some people with criminal records in Wells County. IC 35-38-9 lets certain people petition the court to seal their records. Not all crimes qualify. The petition goes to the court that handled the original Wells County case. If approved, the record is sealed from public view. Criminal history data remains in the ISP system until the person dies or reaches age 99 without criminal activity for 15 years.
State Resources for Wells County
The Indiana State Police CJIS Section serves as the central repository for criminal history data from all 92 Indiana counties, including Wells County. Contact them at 317-232-8262 or email CriminalHistory@isp.IN.gov. The office is at 100 N. Senate Avenue, Suite N340 in Indianapolis, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time.
The ISP criminal history services page explains both online and mail-in request options. For Wells County cases, the state database will show felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests that local law enforcement has reported. The Odyssey system ties Wells County courts to the statewide platform so case data flows to MyCase for public access.
Note: Smaller counties like Wells County may have gaps in older records that have not yet been digitized in the state system.
Cities in Wells County
Wells County includes Bluffton, Ossian, and several smaller towns. None of these communities reach the 25,000 population threshold for a separate page. All criminal cases in the county go through the Wells County court system in Bluffton.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Wells County in northeastern Indiana. Criminal cases are filed where the crime happened. Check the right county for the records you need.