Elkhart County Jail Inmate Search & Roster 2026

Elkhart County, Indiana · Current custody and family action guide

Elkhart County Booking Lookup: Find Custody, Bond, Visits and Court Dates

If someone was arrested in Elkhart County, the first question is usually simple—“Are they in jail?”—but the next steps are not. You may need the inmate ID for mail, the correct bond method, a video-visit appointment, the court date, or confirmation that the person was transferred.

This guide puts the important Elkhart County rules in one place. Use the live Indiana jail portal only when you need current custody data; the rest of the page explains what to do after the search, including bonds, visits, calls, voicemail, mail scanning, commissary deposits, court records, public-record requests, victim notifications, release checks and safety concerns.

Accuracy and identity warning: A jail listing is a custody record, not proof of guilt. Do not identify a person from a name alone. Confirm the inmate ID, date of birth, case information, or another reliable identifier before sending money, arranging a visit, or sharing information about the record.
Official custody search

Indiana County Jail Public Portal; select Elkhart County.

Jail phone

574-891-2100

Correctional Complex

26861 County Road 26, Elkhart, IN 46517.

Remote visits

9:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. daily; schedule 24 hours ahead.

Source review

Checked August 17, 2026 against official county/state information.

Start here

Choose the fastest route based on what you already know

1
I only know the name

Open the Indiana county-jail portal, select Elkhart County and begin with the last name. Verify the identity before taking another action.

2
I already found the inmate

Save the exact name, inmate ID, booking information, charge, bond information and case number before closing the search.

3
I need a court date

Move to Indiana MyCase. The jail roster answers custody questions; MyCase answers court, hearing and disposition questions.

Most useful rule: Do not repeatedly search the jail roster when your real question is about court. A person can have an active Elkhart County criminal case without being in county-jail custody.

Go directly to the problem you need to solve

The important rules are explained in this article. Outside links are reserved mainly for live searches, scheduling, deposits, notifications or records requests.

60-second lookup

How to run an Elkhart County Jail inmate search

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office directs the public to Indiana’s statewide county-jail public portal. The county provides its inmate information to that system but does not administer the statewide lookup website itself.

Open Indiana County Jail Public Access Use the portal only when you are ready to check current county custody.
Select Elkhart County A recent local arrest belongs in the county-jail search before you try the Indiana Department of Correction or federal inmate locator.
Search the last name Enter the person’s legal last name. If there is no match, try maiden names, hyphenated forms, suffix variations or another known legal spelling.
Verify the correct person Compare the identifiers displayed in the live record rather than assuming the first matching name is correct.
Save the inmate ID Elkhart County’s mail rules require the inmate name and ID on non-legal mail. Keep the ID available for other inmate-service transactions too.
Save the case number Use it in Indiana MyCase to find the criminal docket, hearings and disposition.
Call before spending money or traveling If the booking is recent, release appears possible, or the person’s location is unclear, call 574-891-2100 before posting bond or driving to the jail.

What to save after you find the correct inmate

A useful inmate search should lead directly to the next action. Before closing the live result, save the identifiers you may need for mail, money, court or bond questions.

Turn the inmate result into an action checklist
Information Why it matters Where you use it
Exact inmate name Prevents mail, deposit and account mistakes. Mail, JailATM, visitation and jail calls.
Inmate ID Required on Elkhart County non-legal inmate mail. Mailing address and inmate-service identification.
Booking information Helps distinguish current custody from an older case. Jail calls, bonds and public-record requests.
Charge Shows the allegation associated with the booking. Court search and attorney discussion.
Bond Shows whether a court has set a release amount. Cash-bond or surety-bond planning.
Case number More precise than a name for court research. Indiana MyCase and court questions.
Jail record ≠ criminal history: Current jail custody, a criminal court case, an incident report and a limited criminal history are different records. Elkhart County uses separate procedures for them.
Troubleshooting

No Elkhart County inmate record found? Follow this order

The arrest just happened The person may still be in processing or may not yet appear in the public portal. Confirm the arresting agency and retry.
The last name may differ Try a maiden name, former surname, hyphenated name, suffix or alternate legal spelling.
You find a court case but no jail result The person may have bonded out, been released, or never entered current county custody. Use MyCase for the case status.
The person may be in state custody After sentencing or transfer, search the Indiana Department of Correction rather than the county-jail portal.
The case may be federal Federal custody belongs in the Federal Bureau of Prisons system, not Indiana’s county-jail portal.
You still cannot locate the person Call 574-891-2100 with the full name, DOB, arrest date, arresting agency and any inmate or case number.
Useful phone script “I am trying to confirm whether [full legal name], date of birth [date], is currently in Elkhart County custody. The arrest may have happened on [date] through [agency]. I have [inmate ID or case number, if known]. Can you confirm whether the person is still in county custody or was released or transferred?”

If the person left the county-jail system

Indiana state custody

The Indiana Department of Correction inmate search can be used when a person has moved to state custody after sentencing or transfer.

Search Indiana DOC
Federal custody

The Federal Bureau of Prisons locator searches federal inmate records from 1982 to the present.

Search federal custody

Elkhart County Correctional Complex address, phone and map

Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office & Correctional Complex
26861 County Road 26
Elkhart, IN 46517

Sheriff / Jail: 574-891-2100

Non-emergency: 574-533-4151

Elkhart County Judicial Center
1905 Reliance Road
Goshen, IN 46526

Directory: 574-538-3000

Hours: Monday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Do not confuse jail and court addresses: The Correctional Complex is on County Road 26 in Elkhart. The county Judicial Center is on Reliance Road in Goshen.

Before driving to the jail

Confirm the person is still in Elkhart County custody.
Write down the inmate ID and case number.
Know whether you need bond, visitation or another service.
Bring government ID when the service requires it.
Do not assume visitation is walk-in; appointments are required.
If posting bond, understand the 3–6 p.m. longer-wait warning.
Bond and release

Elkhart County cash bond vs surety bond: costs, ID and wait-time rules

Elkhart County publishes specific local bond procedures. First determine whether the court ordered a cash bond or a surety bond.

Elkhart County bond options explained
Bond type How it works Local rule
Cash bond The full court-imposed amount is paid. Post it at the jail lobby without an appointment; first come, first served.
Cash payment Bring the required amount and valid government identification. The inmate and person paying sign a receipt.
Credit-card cash bond Credit card may be used for the cash bond. A 10% fee is added to the bond payment.
Surety bond A bondsman facilitates release for 10% of the court-imposed bond amount. Corrections staff will not recommend a bondsman.

Cash-bond steps

Confirm the person can actually bond out Ask whether another case, warrant, hold or court restriction affects release.
Confirm the exact amount A cash bond requires the full amount set by the court.
Bring valid government ID The person paying the cash bond must present government-issued identification. The Sheriff’s rules recognize non-photo identification circumstances for religious reasons.
Go to the Correctional Complex lobby The address is 26861 County Road 26. No appointment is required.
Choose cash or credit card If using a credit card, remember the published 10% added fee.
Expect operational pauses Cash bonds are not processed during formal inmate counts and may also be slowed by feeding times and facility operations.
Keep the receipt The inmate and person paying sign the receipt. Keep your copy with the case and payment information.
Elkhart-specific timing tip: The Sheriff’s Office warns that cash bonds paid between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. can have a longer-than-normal wait. When timing is flexible, arriving outside that window may avoid one known source of delay.
Surety-bond tip: Corrections officers cannot recommend a bail-bond company. Questions concerning a bondsman’s business practices may be directed to the Indiana Department of Insurance investigations division at 317-233-9431.
Visit planner

Elkhart County Jail visitation: schedule, ID, limits and remote fees

Elkhart County uses video visitation for both on-site and remote visits. Registration, approval and advance scheduling are required.

On-site vs remote Elkhart County visits
Visit type Availability Limit / price What you need
On-site Can be scheduled on days the lobby is open, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. One on-site visit per inmate per day; weekly eligibility depends on classification. Approved visitor account, prescheduled appointment and accepted ID.
Remote 20 minutes Monday–Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. $6.95. Approved account and compatible camera/microphone device.
Remote 40 minutes Monday–Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. $13.90. Approved account and advance appointment.

Visitor eligibility and identification

Visitors under 18

A parent or guardian must accompany a visitor under 18. Children cannot be left unsupervised.

Accepted ID

Accepted examples include government photo identification, passports and matricula consular identification. Non-photo identification may be accepted for religious reasons.

Booth capacity

One adult and one child at a time may use a visitation booth. Visitors can share the inmate’s allotted visit time.

On-site visit workflow

Register with the visitation system The visitor must have an approved account before scheduling.
Schedule at least 24 hours ahead Same-day walk-in visits should not be expected.
Report to the assigned booth Go to the correct booth at the scheduled start time.
The inmate must report too The Sheriff’s Office says it is the inmate’s responsibility to be present for the scheduled visit; officers no longer assign booths or call the inmate for you.

Rules that can prevent or end a visit

All visitors are subject to search.
Spandex and shorts are listed as unacceptable attire.
Clothing promoting alcohol, drugs, weapons or gangs is prohibited.
Some sports logos may be rejected if associated with gang activity.
Head coverings are permitted only for medical or religious reasons.
Do not use another person’s visitation account.
Do not expose yourself or display drugs during a remote session.
Do not discuss or plan criminal activity.
Attorney visits: Elkhart County states that remote attorney-client visits are not monitored or recorded.

Elkhart County Jail phone calls and voicemail

Outgoing inmate calls

Inmates have access to make outgoing calls. A recorded announcement tells the recipient that the call originates from the jail.

No normal incoming calls

You cannot directly call an inmate. The communication system provides a voicemail option.

When an inmate calls

  • The recipient may accept or refuse the call.
  • The system offers an option to stop receiving future inmate calls.
  • Ordinary inmate calls are monitored and recorded.
  • Statements made during recorded calls may become relevant to an investigation.
Legal-conversation warning: Never assume an ordinary inmate phone call is confidential. Attorneys should use approved confidential communication procedures.
Inmate account

How to send money to an Elkhart County Jail inmate

Inmate funds may be used for permitted expenses such as commissary, barber services, medical expenses, court fines or restitution. Verify the correct inmate before depositing.

Elkhart County inmate deposit methods
Method Payment type Fee / rule Practical detail
Jail lobby kiosk Cash, credit or debit card $3.75 convenience fee per transaction. Receipt provided; funds are made available immediately.
Large lobby deposit Cash/card The Sheriff says the fee is imposed for every $100 deposited. Review the transaction before confirming a large deposit.
JailATM online Credit/debit card Confirm the vendor’s current transaction charge before submitting. Create an account using an email address.
Money order Not accepted Not applicable. Do not mail a money order for an inmate account.
Confirm the inmate Copy the exact name and inmate ID from the current lookup.
Choose lobby or online deposit The lobby kiosk is useful when already at the correctional complex; JailATM allows a remote transaction.
Review the fee The published lobby-kiosk convenience charge is $3.75 per transaction.
Save the receipt Keep the inmate identity, date, amount and transaction confirmation.
Mail rules

Elkhart County inmate mail address, legal mail, photos and books

Personal mail and legal mail use completely different addresses. Ordinary non-legal mail is not delivered directly to the Elkhart jail building.

Non-legal personal mail
Elkhart County Jail
Inmate Name / Inmate ID
PO Box 16367
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Legal mail
Elkhart County Corrections Center
Inmate Name / Jail ID
26861 C.R. 26
Elkhart, IN 46517
The original personal letter is destroyed: Non-legal mail sent to the Arkansas processing center is scanned, electronically delivered to the inmate through a kiosk/tablet, and the original physical item is destroyed.

Rules for ordinary inmate mail

Clearly print the inmate’s name and ID on the outside.
Include your complete first and last name and full return address.
Do not use address labels or stickers.
Do not apply perfume or unknown substances.
Do not send Polaroids or greeting cards.
Do not use glitter, glue or tape.
Do not send tattoo instructions or designs.
Do not include contraband or security-risk material.

Content that may be rejected

  • Racy, pornographic or nude images.
  • Pictures or descriptions of illegal activity.
  • Firearm, explosive or other weapon material.
  • Drug- or biohazard-related material.
  • Threatening or violent content.
  • Security-related or criminal-planning information.

Legal mail

Legal correspondence goes directly to the Elkhart County Corrections Center. Letters are the accepted item. Attorney-client mail should be clearly marked and is opened in the inmate’s presence.

Attorney control number: Attorneys wishing to send privileged correspondence must obtain an attorney control number. Each request is connected with a single physical address and email address.

Magazines, newspapers and books

Publication rules before you order
Item How it must arrive Important Elkhart rule
Magazine / newspaper Directly from the publisher through USPS. Still subject to facility content screening.
Books Directly from an approved source. Maximum five books per shipment.
Amazon, Target or Walmart book shipment Do not use these retailers. The Sheriff’s rules state these packages are returned to sender.

Approved book sources currently listed

HarperCollins Publishers, Hamilton Books, Book Outlet, Simon & Schuster, ChristianBook, Sureshot Books, Artscroll and Nolo are among the sources currently identified by the Sheriff’s Office. Confirm custody before ordering because a transferred or released person cannot receive the shipment at Elkhart County.

Mail-service timing: Mail service is not provided on Sundays, holidays or during facility emergencies.
Court case

Find the criminal court date, case status and public defender

Elkhart County uses Indiana’s statewide Odyssey Case Management System. Public MyCase results can include criminal case information, defendant details, hearings, chronological events and dispositions.

Copy the case number from the jail information A case number is generally more precise than a name.
Open Indiana MyCase Search the defendant and narrow the result to Elkhart County.
Review the correct criminal court Elkhart County’s criminal jurisdiction includes Circuit Court and Superior Courts 1, 3 and 4 for criminal matters assigned under county rules.
Check the next scheduled event Review the court, date and case chronology.
Recheck before traveling Court schedules can change after the jail record was created.
Elkhart County Judicial Center
1905 Reliance Road
Goshen, IN 46526

574-538-3000

Monday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Elkhart County Probation

3rd floor, Judicial Center

574-538-3637

Elkhart County Public Defender

4th floor, Judicial Center

574-538-3800

Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney
301 S. Main St., Suite 100
Elkhart, IN 46516

574-296-1888

City court or county court? Check the paperwork first

Elkhart County also has city courts. If the paperwork specifically names Elkhart City Court, Goshen City Court or Nappanee City Court, use that court rather than assuming the county Judicial Center handles the immediate question.

Elkhart County-area city court contacts
Court Address Phone Published hours
Elkhart City Court 229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516 574-522-5272 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Goshen City Court 111 E. Jefferson St., Suite 2, Goshen, IN 46528 574-533-9365 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Nappanee City Court 300 W. Lincoln St., Nappanee, IN 46550 574-773-2112 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Beyond the live roster

Request Elkhart County booking, arrest, incident or criminal-history records

A live inmate lookup is designed for current custody. The Sheriff’s Records Division has separate procedures when you need historical booking information, arrest circumstances, a transfer date, bond information, an incident report or a limited criminal history.

Records Division hours

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

26861 C.R. 26, Elkhart, IN 46517.

Payment methods

Cash, checks, money orders and credit/debit cards. Checks and money orders should be payable to the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office.

Published fees

Criminal incident report $3; limited criminal history $3; crash report $12; fingerprint card $10.

Information the public-record form can request

Identifying information when legally releasable.
Charges underlying an arrest or summons.
Arrest time and location.
Investigating/arresting officer and agency.
Reason the person was placed in jail.
Date and time received into custody.
Date and time discharged or transferred.
Bond amount when fixed.

How to make a useful records request

Identify the person Provide the name and as many identifying details as you legitimately have.
Choose the record category Specify booking, criminal offense, incident, crash or another precise record.
Add the case or inmate number This helps Records locate the correct material.
Add the incident date and location Include them when known.
Request the specific information needed For example, ask for booking date, transfer date or bond amount rather than an undefined “full file.”
Choose inspection or copies Records may be inspected through the Records Division; copying or delivery fees may apply.

Limited criminal history request

The Sheriff’s current limited-history form asks for requester information and subject details such as name, address, date of birth, sex and race, plus the legal purpose for the request. Unless an applicable no-fee rule applies, the form instructs the requester to include a $3 payment and submit the request to the Records Division at 26861 C.R. 26, Elkhart, IN 46517.

Use restriction: The Sheriff’s form warns that limited criminal-history information cannot be used for an unauthorized purpose or to unlawfully deny a civil right.
Safety and notification

Indiana SAVIN, Elkhart County Victim Assistance and protective orders

Custody-change notifications

Indiana SAVIN allows users to search for an offender and register for available notifications. Search may be performed with a complete or partial last name, offender identification number or case number.

Indiana SAVIN

1-866-891-0330

Use for available offender information and custody notification registration.

Elkhart County Victim Assistance

574-523-2237

Victim services are provided without a fee and can include case information, referrals and justice-system guidance.

Protective orders

Elkhart County Victim Assistance provides protective-order assistance for qualifying victims of domestic or family violence, stalking or sex offenses. The Prosecutor’s Office states that there is no filing fee. Call 574-523-2237 for paperwork and advocate assistance with electronic filing.

PREA: report sexual abuse or sexual misconduct in custody

Corrections Investigator

574-891-2357

Use for reports involving an Elkhart County Correctional Complex inmate.

South Bend Family Justice Center S-O-S

574-289-4357

The Sheriff’s PREA information states that inmates may call this 24-hour crisis line free from a jail phone.

Information that helps a PREA report

Names and locations of people involved.
Witness names or descriptions.
Booking number when available.
A brief factual description.
Date, time and location.
Contact details of others with relevant information.
Ways an inmate may report: The Sheriff’s PREA guidance includes the S-O-S hotline, jail kiosk, grievance process, telling a staff member or attorney, or asking a family member/friend to contact the appropriate outside office.

Medical, mental-health or inmate welfare concerns

The public inmate-service materials reviewed for this guide do not publish a dedicated family medical hotline, a detailed inmate medical fee schedule or a general grievance deadline. Rather than inventing a process, use the Sheriff’s main jail number and ask staff how to route the current concern.

Medical or welfare concern script “I am calling about an inmate welfare or medical concern involving [full name and inmate ID]. The concern is [brief factual description]. I understand protected medical information may not be released to me. I need to know the correct way to pass this information to correctional or medical staff.”
Emergency: If a person outside the jail is experiencing an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911. For sexual assault or sexual misconduct involving someone in custody, use the PREA reporting options above.

Veterans in Elkhart County custody

The Sheriff’s Office states that it works with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Outreach and Health Care for Re-Entry Veterans programs for veterans housed in the correctional facility.

Practical step: If the person in custody is a veteran, tell correctional staff or defense counsel and ask whether the Veterans Justice Outreach connection is appropriate. Do not assume veteran status or eligibility is automatically known.

Release and transfer: what families should realistically expect

Cash bond was paid Release still requires jail processing. Counts, meals and high-volume periods can delay inmate movement.
Bond was paid from 3–6 p.m. The Sheriff’s Office specifically identifies this period as one that can involve a longer wait.
A surety bond was used Keep the bondsman’s receipt and confirm that every case or hold has been addressed.
The jail result disappeared Check MyCase, Indiana SAVIN and, when appropriate, Indiana DOC. A missing county result can mean release or transfer.
Another jurisdiction has a hold Ask which agency controls the hold and which identifier you need when contacting that agency.
You need a pickup time The public jail information does not guarantee a fixed release time after bond. Call before sending someone to wait at the facility.

Work release and home detention are different from jail custody

Elkhart County Community Corrections operates alternatives such as work release and home detention for qualifying participants. Work release can permit approved employment, school or treatment while the participant resides in a controlled setting. Home detention uses electronic monitoring while the participant resides at home.

Elkhart County Community Corrections

574-534-2210

Eligibility is determined through the justice system. Ask the court, attorney or Community Corrections whether a particular case may qualify.

Elkhart County local tips that prevent common mistakes

Save the inmate ID immediately

The ID is required on ordinary inmate mail and helps prevent mistakes in other jail services.

Do not send personal letters to C.R. 26

Ordinary mail goes to the Arkansas scanning center. C.R. 26 is used for jail operations and legal mail.

Do not order books from Amazon

The Sheriff’s current publication rules say Amazon, Target and Walmart book packages are returned.

Schedule visits at least 24 hours early

A drive to the jail without a scheduled on-site visit can be wasted.

Avoid 3–6 p.m. for cash bond if possible

The Sheriff identifies this as a period when longer waits can occur.

Budget the card bond fee

A cash bond paid by credit card carries a 10% added fee.

Do not confuse deposit and bond fees

The inmate-account lobby kiosk lists a $3.75 transaction fee; the credit-card cash-bond fee is 10%.

Use MyCase after the inmate search

The jail portal shows custody; MyCase shows the criminal case chronology and court dates.

Use a records request for older booking details

The public-record form can request received, discharged or transferred dates, bond amount and arrest circumstances.

Final actions that must happen on an outside system

The article above contains the practical rules and procedures. These links remain because the live transaction itself—searching current custody, scheduling, depositing, checking a live case, registering an alert or submitting a records request—must happen on the responsible system.

SEARCH
Check current custody

Select Elkhart County and search the live Indiana county-jail database.

Open inmate lookup
VISIT
Schedule a visit

Use the jail communication provider to register and reserve an on-site or remote visit.

Open Securus
MONEY
Deposit funds online

Use JailATM when you do not want to use the lobby kiosk.

Open JailATM
COURT
Check the criminal case

Use MyCase for current case events, hearings and dispositions.

Open MyCase
ALERT
Register for custody alerts

Use Indiana SAVIN when you need notification rather than manual checking.

Open Indiana SAVIN
PDF
Request booking records

Use the Sheriff’s official form when the live roster does not provide the historical information you need.

Open records form

Official information reviewed for this guide

The substantive information above was incorporated from Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office inmate-service, visitation, bond, mail, deposit, PREA and Records materials; Elkhart County court and prosecutor information; Indiana MyCase; Indiana SAVIN; Indiana Department of Correction resources; and the Sheriff’s downloadable public-record forms.

Last source review: August 17, 2026. Custody, classification, court settings, bond amounts, visitation availability and third-party service availability may change. Recheck the live system when you are ready to perform the final transaction.

Elkhart County Jail inmate search FAQs

How do I search for an inmate in Elkhart County Jail?

Use the Indiana County Jail Public Portal, select Elkhart County and search by last name. Verify the correct person and save the inmate ID before taking another action.

What is the Elkhart County Jail phone number?

The Sheriff’s Office and Jail number is 574-891-2100. The non-emergency number is 574-533-4151.

Where is the Elkhart County Correctional Complex?

26861 County Road 26, Elkhart, IN 46517.

How far ahead must I schedule a visit?

Both on-site and remote visits require registration, approval and scheduling at least 24 hours in advance.

How much does remote video visitation cost?

Remote visits are currently listed at $6.95 for 20 minutes and $13.90 for 40 minutes. Remote visitation is available Monday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

How do cash bonds work?

A cash bond requires the full court-set amount and is posted at the jail lobby without an appointment on a first-come, first-served basis. Cash or credit card may be used, but a credit-card cash bond has a 10% added fee.

How do I send money to an inmate?

Use the jail lobby kiosk with cash, credit or debit card, or make an online deposit through JailATM. The lobby kiosk has a published $3.75 convenience fee per transaction. Money orders are no longer accepted for inmate accounts.

What is the inmate mailing address?

Non-legal mail goes to Elkhart County Jail, Inmate Name/Inmate ID, PO Box 16367, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Legal mail goes directly to Elkhart County Corrections Center, 26861 C.R. 26, Elkhart, IN 46517.

Can I call an inmate directly?

No. Inmates make outgoing calls and may receive voicemail through the communication provider. Ordinary inmate calls are monitored and recorded.

How do I find an inmate’s next court date?

Use Indiana MyCase. It provides public Elkhart County case information, court dates, chronological case events and dispositions.

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