Eviction in Allen County (Fort Wayne), Indiana
Where eviction cases are filed in Allen County (Fort Wayne), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Allen County (Fort Wayne)
- Eviction court
- Allen Superior Court - Small Claims Division — Superior court small claims division (eviction cases filed on the civil docket are divided among Superior Courts 1, 2, 3 and 9) Court page
- Filing fee
- Eviction on small claims docket: $97 (paper) or $87 (e-filed); eviction on civil docket: $157; sheriff service $28 per case before judgment; $10 per additional defendant on paper filings Clerk of the Allen Circuit and Superior Courts - Fee and Cost Information for Civil Cases (effective January 1, 2025)
- Notice before filing (state law)
- Not less than 10 days' notice to pay or vacate, unless the parties agreed otherwise or the tenant pays in full within the notice period. Indiana rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,113/month HUD
- Renter households
- 48,745 (31% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23
Where eviction cases are filed in Allen County (Fort Wayne)
Eviction cases in Allen County (Fort Wayne) are heard by the Allen Superior Court - Small Claims Division (Superior court small claims division (eviction cases filed on the civil docket are divided among Superior Courts 1, 2, 3 and 9)).
- Allen Superior Court - Small Claims Court — 1 West Superior Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 · website
- Clerk of the Allen Circuit and Superior Courts — Allen County Courthouse, 715 S. Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 (260-449-7245) · website
Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records
Every eviction case is set for an in-person Initial Hearing with the court's Small Claims Eviction Diversion Facilitator; the tenant must be served with the Notice of Claim at least 20 days before that hearing. Local rules require small claims parties to use the court's own forms.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Allen County (Fort Wayne)
Eviction on small claims docket: $97 (paper) or $87 (e-filed); eviction on civil docket: $157; sheriff service $28 per case before judgment; $10 per additional defendant on paper filings
The Clerk notes fees are typically revised each July 1; the statewide Indiana Trial Court Fee Manual (https://www.in.gov/courts/iocs/files/courtmgmt-pubs-trial-court-fee-manual.pdf) lists the same $97/$87 small claims totals. Cannot afford fees: ask the court to waive pre-payment.
How eviction cases work locally
| Eviction Diversion Program / Initial Hearing | At the Initial Hearing the facilitator may enter a dismissal, default or agreed judgment. If both sides appear they can agree to enter the court's Eviction Diversion Program (with status hearing dates); otherwise the case is set for trial before a magistrate. Dismissed eviction cases are sealed under IC 32-31-11. Source: Official source |
|---|
The Indiana eviction process
Indiana state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Allen County (Fort Wayne):
- Serve notice: 10-day notice to pay or vacate for nonpayment, or the applicable termination notice for periodic tenancies
- File a complaint for possession (and damages) in a court with jurisdiction, often the small claims docket
- Optional: file an affidavit for immediate possession; the court issues an order to show cause with a hearing no earlier than 5 business days after service
- Possession hearing; judgment for possession
- Separate damages hearing may follow for unpaid rent and damages
- Order/writ of possession executed by sheriff or other executing officer
Full Indiana eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Allen County (Fort Wayne)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Fort Wayne, IN HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $892 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $916 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,113 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,381 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,512 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Allen County (Fort Wayne): $1,021/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
HUD designates this area for Small Area FMRs (ZIP-code level) for Housing Choice Vouchers; figures shown are the metro-wide FY2026 FMRs.
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified. Indiana law bars local units from requiring landlords to accept Section 8 or similar housing vouchers (IC 36-1-3-8.5, https://iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_36/Article_1/Chapter_3.pdf) and generally preempts local regulation of rents, security deposits, screening, lease terms and landlord fees (IC 32-31-1-20, https://iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_32/Article_31/Chapter_1.pdf).
Eviction help in Allen County (Fort Wayne)
Free legal help
- Indiana Legal Services — Free civil legal aid for eligible low-income Hoosiers.
Other Indiana counties
- Eviction in Marion County (Indianapolis)
- Eviction in Lake County (Gary, Hammond)
- Eviction in Tippecanoe County (Lafayette, West Lafayette)
- Eviction in St. Joseph County (South Bend, Mishawaka)
- Eviction in Hamilton County (Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville)
- Eviction in Vanderburgh County (Evansville)
- Eviction in Monroe County (Bloomington)
Related
- Indiana landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Indiana
- Indiana eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Indiana (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Allen County (Fort Wayne)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Allen County (Fort Wayne)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Allen County (Fort Wayne)?
What is the fair market rent in Allen County (Fort Wayne)?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.