Porter County Sheriff's Department

• How do I file a police report?

• How do I obtain a copy of a police or accident report?

• How do I obtain a gun permit?

• When can I be fingerprinted for a gun permit?

• How do I obtain a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check for my vehicle?

How do I file a police report?

If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911. If not, and if you live within county limits, call (219) 477-3000. Advise the dispatcher that you wish to file a police report. After the dispatcher obtains the necessary information, a police officer will then be dispatched to your location. If you choose, you can also file the report at the sheriff's department, located at 2755 State Road 49, Valparaiso. Either way, you can file a report twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.

How do I obtain a copy of a police or accident report?

You can obtain a copy of police report by either coming directly to the sheriff's department, located at 2755 State Road 49, Valparaiso or by requesting one via mail.

Our records department is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

To speed up the process of obtaining a police report, please provide at least two of the following identifiers:

name of subjects involved;

date and time of incident;

location of incident; and

type of incident.

PLEASE NOTE REGARDING ACCIDENT REPORTS: Accident reports are not available until five working days after a report is filed. Accident reports cost Five dollars ($5).  Checks may be made payable to "Porter County."

PLEASE NOTE REGARDING REQUESTING REPORTS VIA MAIL: Your request must have two of the identifiers as noted above. If you are requesting an accident report, please enclose a check for Five dollars ($5) made payable to "Porter County."

How do I obtain a gun permit?

You must be a resident of unincorporated Porter County, Indiana. Residents from cities within the county, such as Portage or Valparaiso, must obtain a permit from your city police department.

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 3:30pm.

Fees:

*A Portion of the local fee is refundable if a license is not issued. The entire state fee is refundable if no license is issued.

Processing:

Please have the above mentioned items with you when you arrive at the sheriff's department.

The application must be filled out at the Porter County Sheriff's Department. It may not be taken home.

You must present some form of picture identification such as a valid driver's license or state identification card.

A receipt will be issued for the fee paid to Porter County. The sheriff's department does not issue receipts for fees paid to the State of Indiana. The carbon copy from the money order is your only receipt.

When filling out the application, remember to press firmly. You will be making three (3) copies.

After you have completed the application, a clerk will notarize it for you and you will be fingerprinted.

The Porter County Sheriff's Department will then conduct a background check, process the application and forward the application to the State of Indiana Firearms Section.

The State of Indiana will mail the permit directly to you. This can take anywhere from four (4) to twelve (12) weeks.

Things to remember:

An Indiana handgun license is not recognized by most other states and may not allow you to legally carry a handgun outside the State of Indiana. You should always check with local authorities before transporting a handgun across state lines.

If you are ever stopped or approached by the police and you are carrying a handgun, advise the officer and show him/her your license to carry the handgun.

When can I be fingerprinted for a gun permit?

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 3:30pm

See also: How do I obtain a gun permit.

How do I obtain a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check for my vehicle?
or a Hull Identification Number (HIN) check for my boat?

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 are by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling (219) 477-3000. Normal VIN/HIN check hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Holidays excluded.

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

There is a five dollar ($5) fee for a VIN/HIN check, which the officer will collect at the time he or she completes the inspection. A receipt will be issued.