City Clerk

City Clerk

Welcome to the office of the Elkhart City Clerk.

My staff and I are here to assist you and provide you with exceptional service. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Debra D. Barrett, CMC, IAMC
City Clerk

Hours of Operation.

City Clerk Office
Monday through Friday
8am — 5pm

Announcements.

Want to be notified of an upcoming hearing date regarding your case in the Elkhart City Court? Notification by text or email is now available through the Elkhart City Clerk’s Office! 

Call 574-522-5272 to sign up or for more information. You can also stop by the Elkhart City Clerk’s Office in person to sign up.

Welcome to the office of the Elkhart City Clerk.

My staff and I are here to assist you and provide you with exceptional service. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Debra D. Barrett, CMC, IAMC
City Clerk

Hours of Operation.

City Clerk Office
Monday through Friday
8am — 5pm

Court
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 9am
Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm

Announcements.

Want to be notified of an upcoming hearing date regarding your case? Notification by text or email is now available through the Elkhart City Clerk’s Office!

Call 574-522-5272 to sign up or for more information. You can also stop by the Clerk’s office in person to sign up.

229 S 2nd St. Elkhart, IN

574-522-5272

Staff.

229 S 2nd St. Elkhart, IN

574-522-5272

Staff.

Debra Barrett
Debra BarrettCity Clerk
Angela Oldroyd
Angela OldroydFirst Deputy Clerk
Debra Barrett
Debra BarrettCity Clerk
Angela Oldroyd
Angela OldroydFirst Deputy Clerk

Common Council Meetings

Common Council Meetings.

When the Elkhart Common Council is in Executive Session. Pursuant to I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1 these meetings are closed to the public. No final action will be taken by the Council and only the subject matter listed on the notice will be discussed. Also note, these meetings are not live-streamed, not recorded and no minutes are taken.

All public meetings are recorded.  Those recordings will be available 48 hours after the meeting. 

Meeting

Meeting Date

Meeting Time

Location

Agenda & Viewing Instructions

Minutes

Notices

Meeting Recording

Special Call Council Meeting

11/25/24

6pm

CityHall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

11/18/24

6pm

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Finance Committee Meeting

11/12/24

6pm

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

11/4/24

6pm

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

10/21/24

6pm

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Special Call Council Meeting

10/17/24

6pm

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

10/7/24

6pm - Please note the time change

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Finance Committee Of-The-Whole

9/21/24

9am

Lerner Theatre, 410 S. Main Street

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

9/16/24

7pm

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

9/9/24

7pm

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

8/19/24

7pm

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

8/5/24

7pm

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Special Call Meeting of the Common Council - Tax Abatements

7/29/24

6pm

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

7/15/24

7pm

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

 Meeting was canceled

Special Call Meeting of the Common Council - Tax Abatements

7/10/24

6pm

CityHall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

7/1/24

7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Tax Abatement Committee

6/26/24

6pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

6/17/24

7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Finance Committee

6/12/24

5:30pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers


Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

6/3/24

7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

5/20/24

7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

5/6/24

7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

4/15/24

7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Meeting was canceled

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

4/1/2024


7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

3/18/2024

7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

3/4/2024

7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

2/12/2024

7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

2/5/2024

7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Finance Committee 

2/1/2024

5:30pm

City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

1/22/2024

7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Regular Elkhart City Council Meeting

1/8/2024

7pm

City Hall 2nd Floor, Council Chambers

Election and Voter Information

If you live in Elkhart County, please return your completed voter registration application to the Elkhart County Voter Registration Office at 117 N. 2nd St., Goshen, IN 46526, prior to the registration deadline applicable to the current election. Contact Voter Registration at (574) 535-6775 if you have any questions. We cannot accept a voter registration form digitally signed or emailed or faxed to The Clerks office.

How to register to vote

The Elkhart County Clerk has voter registration forms available in both English and Spanish.

Election and Voter Information

If you live in Elkhart County, please return your completed voter registration application to the Elkhart County Voter Registration Office at 117 N. 2nd St., Goshen, IN 46526, prior to the registration deadline applicable to the current election. Contact Voter Registration at (574) 535-6775 if you have any questions. We cannot accept a voter registration form digitally signed or emailed or faxed to The Clerks office.

How to register to vote

The Elkhart County Clerk has voter registration forms available in both English and Spanish.

117 N. 2ND ST. Goshen, IN

574-535-6775

117 N. 2ND ST. Goshen, IN

574-535-6775

City Clerk.

City Clerk.

.

Duties.

.

.

Elkhart City residents elect the City Clerk every four years at the same time as the Mayor and Common Council.  The primary responsibilities of the City Clerk:

  1. Serve as Clerk of the Elkhart City Court: Responsible to preserve and maintain all court records.
  2. Serve as Clerk of the City Council: Responsible to preserve and maintain all City Council records.
  3. Keeper of the City Seal.
  4. Maintains the Municipal Code.
  5. Clerk of the Ordinance Violations Bureau.
  6. Recording City Ordinances and Resolutions.
  7. Collect all fees, fines, penalties, and forfeitures as provided by law.
  8. Manage the docketing and processing of all infractions and misdemeanors filed in Elkhart City Court.
  9. Official Voter’s Registration Branch.

City Clerk Debra Barrett has served as Elkhart City Clerk since January 1, 2020. In 2022, Debra earned her IAMC certification  (Indiana Accredited Municipal Certification) with the Indiana League of Municipal Clerk-Treasurers. This certification denotes Debra’s continued dedication to the continuing education of municipal law, the responsibilities of serving the residents of the City of Elkhart as the City Clerk and the maintenance and preservation of public documents, just to name a few. Prior to that she held the position of First Deputy City Clerk and has a total of 16 years of service with the Elkhart City Clerk’s Office.

.

Code of Ordinances.

.

.

You can view the City’s Municipal Code of Ordinances here.

.

Government Offices.

Bureau of Motor Vehicles
888-692-6841
Website link icon

Birth and Death Records
Elkhart County Health Department
608 Oakland Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516
574-523-2283

Marriage License
Elkhart County Superior Court
315 S. Second St.
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-523-2233

Child Support Payments
Elkhart County Child Support
315 S. 2nd St
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-522-3074

Elkhart County Offices
Website link icon

.

FAQS.

.

.How can I pay my ticket? 

To pay by mail, please send payment by certified check, cashier’s check, or money order to the Elkhart City Clerk’s Office, 229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516. Please do not mail cash.  We cannot accept personal or business checks.

To pay in person, please bring a certified check, cashier’s check, money order, or cash to the Clerk’s office, 229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516. You may also pay by debit/credit card in person. We cannot accept personal or business checks.

You may pay by credit/debit card online here.  You will need your citation number or cause number to complete the payment transaction.

How can I find out what I owe?

Case information is available online at mycase.in.gov. This website is available 24 hours a day including weekends and holidays.  In the section that asks for the court, please select Elkhart County-Elkhart City Court.

We can also assist you by telephone at 574-522-5272. Please call during business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where are you located? 

The Elkhart City Clerk’s office is located on the third floor of the Elkhart City Municipal Building at 229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516.

When is my payment due?

The issuing officer wrote a court date on of your ticket. lf you are not required to attend your court date, and if you do not wish to contest the ticket in Court, you must pay your ticket on or before this court date.

You can also check on mycase.in.gov for due dates or contact our office for assistance at 574-522-5272 during regular business hours.

Do I have to appear in court?

If your ticket is a traffic infraction, you do not need to come to court. However, you do need to pay your fine by the designated court date.

If your ticket is considered a misdemeanor, you are required to appear in court on your court date.

If you are unsure, please contact the City Clerk’s office for more information 574-522-5272.

Can I request a trial?

Yes, you have the right to a trial at which the issuing Officer would be present. You may bring any witnesses or evidence to the trial.

If I appear for court, do I have to pay my fine that day? Can I set up a payment plan?

You do not have to pay the day you appear for court instead you will receive a “pay by date”.  You may make partial payments of at least $25.00 each transaction. If you do not have the full amount due paid by the pay by date, you will need to request more time to pay from the Judge. You can request more time to pay by either coming to court or you may submit your request in writing.

What is the penalty for missing a court date and not paying?

If you have a traffic infraction, there is a $25 late fee for all tickets not paid by the appearance date designated on your ticket. lf you fail to pay the fines or fail to  appear in Court,  the City Court will notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to suspend your driver’s license. 

Your unpaid case will then be submitted to a collection agency and additional fees will be added to your amount due.

The next notice you will receive will be from the BMV notifying you of the suspension of your driving privileges.

If your ticket is a misdemeanor, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

I got a notice from the BMV that my license is suspended. What do I need to do to get it reinstated?

If you Fail To Pay your ticket or Fail To Appear in Court, the Clerk’s office will notify the BMV to suspend your driving privileges. To find out how much you owe at this point, you can call the City Clerk’s office at 574-522-5272 or check online at mycase.in.gov.

You may pay in person or by mail. Once the City Court receives your payment, we will electronically submit the SR16, the Certification of Indiana Abstract of Court Record, reporting your payment to the BMV the next business day.  If you were suspended for Failure to Pay, it may take up to 10 working days to reinstate your license.

If I pay my ticket, will I get points on my driving record?

Please contact the BMV at 888-692-6841 regarding points and how many points are applied to each offense.

Do you have a diversion or deferral program?

The Prosecutor’s Office does have a diversion and a deferral program for misdemeanors and infractions. You should contact the deferral program coordinators at least three weeks before your first court appearance for information regarding their programs:

If you wish to avoid getting points on your license, and to see if you are eligible to enter into one of the following programs, you will have to contact The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office:

Infraction Deferral Program (infractions) 574-296-1836

Pre Trial Diversion Program (misdemeanors) 574-296-1888

Can I make partial payments on an ordinance violation or ambulance bill?

Yes. We can accept $25 monthly minimum payments on Ordinance Violations and Ambulance Bills. For questions concerning Ambulance bills and Ordinance Violations, please contact the City Legal Department at 574-294-5471.

What if my case is an Elkhart County Case?

You can find all case information at mycase.in.gov.  For more information on county court locations and contact information, please visit: https://elkhartcounty.com/en/#

.

Duties.

.

.

Elkhart City residents elect the City Clerk every four years at the same time as the Mayor and Common Council.  The primary responsibilities of the City Clerk:

  1. Serve as Clerk of the Elkhart City Court: Responsible to preserve and maintain all court records.
  2. Serve as Clerk of the City Council: Responsible to preserve and maintain all City Council records.
  3. Keeper of the City Seal.
  4. Maintains the Municipal Code.
  5. Clerk of the Ordinance Violations Bureau.
  6. Recording City Ordinances and Resolutions.
  7. Collect all fees, fines, penalties, and forfeitures as provided by law.
  8. Manage the docketing and processing of all infractions and misdemeanors filed in Elkhart City Court.
  9. Official Voter’s Registration Branch.

City Clerk Debra Barrett has served as Elkhart City Clerk since January 1, 2020. In 2022, Debra earned her IAMC certification  (Indiana Accredited Municipal Certification) with the Indiana League of Municipal Clerk-Treasurers. This certification denotes Debra’s continued dedication to the continuing education of municipal law, the responsibilities of serving the residents of the City of Elkhart as the City Clerk and the maintenance and preservation of public documents, just to name a few. Prior to that she held the position of First Deputy City Clerk and has a total of 16 years of service with the Elkhart City Clerk’s Office.

.

Code of Ordinances.

.

.

You can view the City’s Municipal Code of Ordinances here.

.

Government Offices.

.

Bureau of Motor Vehicles
888-692-6841
Website link icon

Birth and Death Records
Elkhart County Health Department
608 Oakland Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516
574-523-2283

Marriage License
Elkhart County Superior Court
315 S. Second St.
Elkhart, IN 46516
574523-2233

Child Support Payments
Elkhart County Child Support
315 S. 2nd St
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-522-3074

Elkhart County Offices
Website link icon

.

FAQS.

.

.How can I pay my ticket? 

To pay by mail, please send payment by certified check, cashier’s check, or money order to the Elkhart City Clerk’s Office, 229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516. Please do not mail cash.  We cannot accept personal or business checks.

To pay in person, please bring a certified check, cashier’s check, money order, or cash to the Clerk’s office, 229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516. You may also pay by debit/credit card in person. We cannot accept personal or business checks.

You may pay by credit/debit card online here.  You will need your citation number or cause number to complete the payment transaction.

How can I find out what I owe?

Case information is available online at mycase.in.gov. This website is available 24 hours a day including weekends and holidays.  In the section that asks for the court, please select Elkhart County-Elkhart City Court.

We can also assist you by telephone at 574-522-5272. Please call during business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where are you located? 

The Elkhart City Clerk’s office is located on the third floor of the Elkhart City Municipal Building at 229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516.

When is my payment due?

The issuing officer wrote a court date on of your ticket. lf you are not required to attend your court date, and if you do not wish to contest the ticket in Court, you must pay your ticket on or before this court date.

You can also check on mycase.in.gov for due dates or contact our office for assistance at 574-522-5272 during regular business hours.

Do I have to appear in court?

If your ticket is a traffic infraction, you do not need to come to court. However, you do need to pay your fine by the designated court date.

If your ticket is considered a misdemeanor, you are required to appear in court on your court date.

If you are unsure, please contact the City Clerk’s office for more information 574-522-5272.

Can I request a trial?

Yes, you have the right to a trial at which the issuing Officer would be present. You may bring any witnesses or evidence to the trial.

If I appear for court, do I have to pay my fine that day? Can I set up a payment plan?

You do not have to pay the day you appear for court instead you will receive a “pay by date”.  You may make partial payments of at least $25.00 each transaction. If you do not have the full amount due paid by the pay by date, you will need to request more time to pay from the Judge. You can request more time to pay by either coming to court or you may submit your request in writing.

What is the penalty for missing a court date and not paying?

If you have a traffic infraction, there is a $25 late fee for all tickets not paid by the appearance date designated on your ticket. lf you fail to pay the fines or fail to  appear in Court,  the City Court will notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to suspend your driver’s license. 

Your unpaid case will then be submitted to a collection agency and additional fees will be added to your amount due.

The next notice you will receive will be from the BMV notifying you of the suspension of your driving privileges.

If your ticket is a misdemeanor, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

I got a notice from the BMV that my license is suspended. What do I need to do to get it reinstated?

If you Fail To Pay your ticket or Fail To Appear in Court, the Clerk’s office will notify the BMV to suspend your driving privileges. To find out how much you owe at this point, you can call the City Clerk’s office at 574-522-5272 or check online at mycase.in.gov.

You may pay in person or by mail. Once the City Court receives your payment, we will electronically submit the SR16, the Certification of Indiana Abstract of Court Record, reporting your payment to the BMV the next business day.  If you were suspended for Failure to Pay, it may take up to 10 working days to reinstate your license.

If I pay my ticket, will I get points on my driving record?

Please contact the BMV at 888-692-6841 regarding points and how many points are applied to each offense.

Do you have a diversion or deferral program?

The Prosecutor’s Office does have a diversion and a deferral program for misdemeanors and infractions. You should contact the deferral program coordinators at least three weeks before your first court appearance for information regarding their programs:

If you wish to avoid getting points on your license, and to see if you are eligible to enter into one of the following programs, you will have to contact The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office:

Infraction Deferral Program (infractions) 574-296-1836

Pre Trial Diversion Program (misdemeanors) 574-296-1888

Can I make partial payments on an ordinance violation or ambulance bill?

Yes. We can accept $25 monthly minimum payments on Ordinance Violations and Ambulance Bills. For questions concerning Ambulance bills and Ordinance Violations, please contact the City Legal Department at 574-294-5471.

What if my case is an Elkhart County Case?

You can find all case information at mycase.in.gov.  For more information on county court locations and contact information, please visit: https://elkhartcounty.com/en/#