The Records Bureau is located in the front lobby of the South Bend Police Deaprtment, at 701 W Sample Street, South Bend.

Phone 574.235.9212

HOURS:
Monday-Friday 8:00-6:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-12:00Noon
Closed Sundays

The Records Bureau provides numerous services including:

• Copies of Accident Reports
• Handgun Permit Applications
• Case Report Synopsis (for named parties)
• Fingerprinting
• Employment Background Check Applications

Please contact us with any questions: 574-235-9212

Pricing for commonly requested Records Copies: Updated 4/2009, subject to change from listing.

Please note in some cirumstances, Police Records will require you request in advance by filling out a Access to Public Records Request form. The request will be reviewed and approved by the City Legal Deaprtment. Once this request is approved or denied, you will be notified in writing of the approval and you may then, with your approval letter, contact the Records Bureau for the requested item/copies.

IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN IMPOUNDED
Depending upon the reason for impound (Parking Violation/Expired or False Plates, OWI Arrest, Abandoned Vehicle, Suspended Driver, Lack of Insurance in Effect, etc) , you may need to provide the following information and bring with you the following before your vehicle will be signed for release:

• Current Legal Vehicle Owner
• VALID Licensed Driver (with Photo License present) to operate the vehicle
• Proof Of Proper and Current (not expired or out of date) Registration
• Proof of VALID Current Insurance in effect
• If recently purchased, a proper and valid Bill of Sale and/or Title

In some cases your vehicle may not be immediately availabe for release, as in the case with Auto Theft Recovery, Narcotics Investigations, Crash Investigations, or if being held for other Evidence purposes. You may request to be notified when your vehicle will be able to be released to you.

PLEASE NOTE. The vehicle owner is responsible for all towing, special handling charges, administrative fees, and storage fees that are encountered during the course of the vehicle impound. These fees are established annually by the with and with respective city- authorized impound/tow companies. We do not have any authority to refund or discount these rates.

Towing companies may charge additional fees to retrieve your vehicle and will not release your vehicle or the property contained within the vehicle until your vehicle is properly released and they are paid for gate/towing/stroage fees.

If you are found "not guilty" or not charged with any criminal or traffic charges in a given case, as long as the officer impounded your vehicle in accordance with State Law and Department Procedures, the outcome of any trial or case is irrelevant to the impounding of your vehicle or any fees/fines involved in getting your vehicle back.

Once your vehicle is ordered released, and the above criteria is met, you will then pay for a copy of the Impound Release Report to get your vehicle back. You will then take this to the towing companly yard where your vehicle was taken. You will be provided with this information at the time your vehicle is released. As noted, you must pay towing company their related fees after showing them a copy of the stamped release report prior to your vehicle being returned to you.

FINGERPRINTING
Fingerprinting as part of an employment screening by a prospective employer or for other background check history is completed in our front lobby, adjacent to records. The fee is $15.00. Fingerprinting is done between normal records office hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-6:00pm, Saturday: 9:00am-12:00 Noon, Closed Sundays

HANDGUN PERMITS
Handgun permit applications are available to South Bend City residents (three or four digit home addresses) . Cost for a standard, four year permit is $10.00, or $50.00 for a one time, lifetime permit application. No refund will be made if your application is denied by State Police review. If you live outside the city limits of South Bend contact the County Police or local department in the city/town in which you reside for more information.

VIN CHECKS
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check inspections are required for out of state purchased vehicles prior to being registered by IN BMV. BMV staff may refer you to the Police Department for this inspection prior to being issued a registration. The most common reasons the BMV requires a identification number check on you vehicle include: (1.) you purchased a vehicle with an out-of-state title; (2.) you moved to Indiana from out-of-state; (3.) you purchased a trailer without a VIN number; (4.) you built a new trailer; and/or (5.) you have an error on your title.

VIN/HIN  checks can be handled at the Police Department, for a fee of $5.00.

Normal VIN/HIN check hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and Saturdays from 9:00AM until 12 Noon. Holidays excluded.

For watercraft or undrivable vehicles, if an officer is required to come to your place of residence, work, etc., then an off site VIN check fee of $30.00 will apply. These fees must be paid in records prior to the inspection. You will be provided with a form and a reciept to show the inspecting officer as proof of purchase. Do NOT lose this reciept or you may have to re-purchase an additional inspection fee.

You must have the proper paperwork for the vehicle, including the title.

For a Salvage Title Inspection, these are done on designated days, and by appointment only at the Police Department. Call 574-235-9212 for information on this prior to arrival with your vehicle. No off site inspections for Salvage Titles will be performed.