Wells County Felony Records

Wells County felony records are maintained in Bluffton, the county seat, by the Wells County Clerk of Courts and the Wells County Sheriff's Office. You can search Wells County felony records through the Indiana MyCase portal, at the Wells County Courthouse, or by contacting the Clerk or Sheriff directly. The Wells County Clerk holds criminal case records going back to 1837. This page explains how to find felony records in Wells County and who to contact for help.

Wells County Clerk Felony Records

The Wells County Clerk of Courts is located at the Wells County Courthouse in Bluffton. Call (260) 824-6470 to reach the Clerk's office. The Clerk maintains civil and criminal records going back to 1837. This deep record history makes the Wells County Clerk's office one of the more comprehensive sources for historical felony case information in northeastern Indiana. For recent felony cases, MyCase is the fastest way to search online.

Copy fees at the Wells County Clerk's office are $1.00 per printout. Certified copies cost an additional $3.00 per document. Child support payment history is only available in person at the clerk's office and is not accessible online. For felony case records, the Clerk can provide case documents, certified copies, and Chronological Case Summaries. Bring photo ID and have the defendant's name or case number ready when you visit. The Wells County Superior Court details are at wellscounty.org/superior-court.

Note: Because Wells County records go back to 1837, older criminal records may exist only in paper form and must be requested in person at the Clerk's office. Call ahead for very old records to confirm availability and preparation time.

Search Wells County Felony Records Online

Indiana MyCase at public.courts.in.gov/mycase is the primary free online tool for Wells County felony case searches. Search by name or case number to find cases in the Wells County courts. Results show charges, case status, court dates, and final orders. Most final criminal orders are viewable without logging in. MyCase covers the digital portion of the Wells County court record, but older records that predate electronic filing must be accessed in person.

For a statewide felony history search, use the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History system at in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch. This covers felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests across Indiana for $15.70 per name-based search. It is the broadest single tool for Indiana felony history but does not include federal records or arrests from other states. For Wells County court information from the Indiana Judicial Branch, visit in.gov/courts/local/wells-county.

Bluffton also has a City Court that can be reached at (260) 824-3392. Information about the Bluffton City Court is at blufftonindiana.net/209/City-Court. City courts handle certain lower-level cases; felony cases go to the Wells County Circuit or Superior Court.

The Wells County Sheriff's Office at wellscounty.org/sheriffs-office provides law enforcement contacts and public safety resources for Wells County residents searching for criminal records information.

Wells County Sheriff Arrest Records

Sheriff Scott Holliday leads the Wells County Sheriff's Office at 1615 W. Western Avenue in Bluffton. Call (260) 824-3426 for the main office. The fax is (260) 824-6424. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Sheriff's Office holds arrest records for felony arrests made in Wells County. These records are created at the time of arrest and are separate from the court case files held by the Clerk.

Under IC 5-14-3-5, the Wells County Sheriff must make certain records public on request. Arrest logs showing offense dates, types, and locations are open to anyone who asks. You do not need to give a reason. For offenders moved to Indiana state prisons after a Wells County felony conviction, use the IDOC Offender Locator at offenderlocator.idoc.in.gov. The Indiana SAVIN service and VINE at vinelink.com both offer free custody change alerts. Call VINE at 866-959-8463 to register by phone.

Wells County Felony Court Process

Felony charges in Wells County are handled by the Circuit Court and Superior Court at the Wells County Courthouse in Bluffton. After arrest, the Prosecutor reviews the case and decides whether to file formal charges. Once charges are filed, the clerk tracks every step from first appearance through sentencing. All documents, orders, and the final judgment make up the official Wells County felony record. These are what you access through MyCase or the Clerk's office.

For felony cases that are older or not in the electronic system, you need to go to the Clerk's office in person. Given that Wells County records go back to 1837, older case materials may be stored in historical files that require some lead time to retrieve. Call the Clerk at (260) 824-6470 before visiting to find out what is available and how long it will take to pull the records. Bring photo ID and any details you have about the case.

Note: Indiana courts use mandatory e-filing for attorneys. Members of the public who want to file documents in a Wells County court must do so in person at the Clerk's office during regular business hours.

Wells County Felony Record Expungement

Indiana's expungement statute under IC 35-38-9 allows Wells County residents to petition the court to seal certain felony records. Court filing fees for expungement are waived under Indiana law. When a Wells County court grants a petition, the sealed records come off MyCase and the Indiana State Police criminal history database. They no longer show up in public searches. The petition is filed in the Wells County court that handled the original case.

Waiting periods depend on the offense. Arrests without convictions may qualify after one year in some cases. Less serious felony convictions typically require eight years. More serious felonies need ten years plus written approval from the Wells County Prosecutor. All fines, fees, and restitution must be paid in full before petitioning. Some offenses cannot be expunged in Indiana under any circumstances, including violent crimes and sex offenses listed in IC 35-38-9-8.5.

The Indiana Public Access Counselor at in.gov/pac can answer questions about whether a Wells County felony record is eligible for expungement and walk you through the process under Indiana law.

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