What You Need to Do to Get an Indiana Marriage License

To get married in Indiana, you and your partner must obtain a marriage license from the clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry. You do not need to be an Indiana resident, but you must explore in person together at the courthouse. The license costs between $18 and $20 depending on the county, and it becomes valid when ready after the clerk issues it — there is no waiting period in Indiana.

Once you have the license, you can marry the same day or any day within 60 days. A licensed officiant (judge, minister, or other authorized person) must sign the license during or when ready after the ceremony, and the officiant must return the signed license to the clerk within 10 days for it to become official.

Key Takeaways

  • Both partners must appear in person at the county clerk's office with valid photo ID and proof of age to receive a license.
  • Indiana has no waiting period, so you can marry on the same day you receive your license.
  • The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue, giving you a two-month window to hold your ceremony.
  • Your officiant must sign the license during the ceremony and return it to the clerk within 10 days, or your marriage will not be recorded.
  • If either partner was previously married, you will need to bring proof that the prior marriage ended (divorce decree or death certificate).

Documents to Bring to the Clerk's Office

Bring a valid photo ID for each partner — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. You must also bring proof of your date of birth. If your ID shows your birth date, you do not need a separate document. If it does not, bring a birth certificate or other official record.

If either partner was previously married, bring the final divorce decree or a certified copy of the death certificate of the former spouse. Indiana requires this to confirm the prior marriage legally ended. If you were divorced, the decree must show the date the divorce became final.

Bring the marriage license fee in cash or check — most county clerks do not accept credit cards. The exact amount varies by county, so call ahead to confirm. You do not need to bring witnesses; Indiana does not require them.

How to Find Your County Clerk and explore

Locate the clerk's office in the county where you want to marry. This is usually in the county courthouse, often called the "Recorder's Office" or "Clerk's Office." Search online for "[your county name] Indiana clerk marriage license" to find the office address, phone number, and hours. Many county clerks now list their marriage license fees and required documents on their websites.

Call ahead if you can. Some clerks allow you to schedule an appointment, which can shorten your wait time. Ask whether the office is open on the day you plan to visit — many close on weekends and some county offices have limited hours on Fridays.

Go to the clerk's office together with your documents and fee. The clerk will ask you both standard questions about your names, dates of birth, and whether either of you has been married before. Answer honestly; false information on the license can delay or invalidate your marriage. The clerk will fill out the license form, you will sign it, and you will receive your copy.

What Happens After You Receive Your License

Your license is valid when ready and remains valid for 60 days. You can marry anytime within that window. Schedule your ceremony with your officiant — a judge, minister, priest, rabbi, or other person authorized to perform marriages in Indiana.

Before the ceremony, give your officiant a copy of the license or let them know where to find it. During or right after the ceremony, your officiant will sign the license in the spaces marked for their signature and the date. The officiant must also print their name and credentials (for example, "Judge" or "Ordained Minister").

Your officiant has 10 days after the ceremony to return the signed license to the clerk's office. If the signed license does not reach the clerk within 10 days, your marriage will not be recorded in Indiana's vital records, even though you are legally married. Ask your officiant to confirm they have mailed or delivered the license before you leave the ceremony.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Invalidate Licenses

The most common error is the officiant failing to return the signed license to the clerk. This happens when the couple and officiant assume someone else will handle it. Confirm in writing with your officiant that they will return the license within 10 days, and ask them to send you a copy of the signed license or a receipt showing they mailed it.

Another frequent problem is bringing an expired or invalid ID. Your photo ID must be current and must show your face clearly. A learner's permit or temporary ID may not be accepted — call your county clerk to confirm what they will take.

Providing false information about a prior marriage also causes delays. If you say you have never been married but the clerk's records show otherwise, the license will be flagged. If you are unsure whether a prior marriage was legally dissolved, contact the court in the county where the divorce was filed and ask for a certified copy of the final decree.

Waiting until the last day of the 60-day window to marry can also create problems if your officiant is unavailable. Plan your ceremony with at least a few days of buffer time before your license expires.

What to Do If Your License Expires Before You Marry

If 60 days pass and you have not married, your license expires and is no longer valid. You must return to the clerk's office and explore for a new one. You will pay the fee again and go through the same process. There is no penalty for letting a license expire, but you cannot use the old one.

If you are close to the expiration date and your ceremony is scheduled but your officiant is delayed, contact the clerk's office when ready. Explain the situation and ask whether they can extend the license or issue a new one on the spot. Some clerks have discretion to help in these situations, though it is not may provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we have to marry in the county where we got the license?

No. You can obtain your license in any Indiana county, but you can marry anywhere — in another county, another state, or even outside the United States. The license is valid wherever you marry, as long as your officiant is authorized to perform marriages under Indiana law.

What if one of us is not an Indiana resident?

You do not have to be an Indiana resident to marry in Indiana. You can obtain your license in any county, even if you live out of state. Bring the same documents — valid photo ID and proof of age — regardless of where you live.

Can we get the license if one partner is under 18?

Indiana allows marriage at 16 and 17 with parental or judicial consent. If either partner is under 18, you will need written consent from a parent or guardian, or you must obtain a court order. Contact your county clerk for the specific forms and process in your county.

What if we lost our license before the ceremony?

Contact the clerk's office where you obtained it. They can issue a duplicate or replacement license for a small fee. Bring your ID and explain what happened. The new license will have a new expiration date 60 days from the date of issue.

Do we need witnesses to sign the license?

No. Indiana does not require witnesses on the marriage license. Only you, your partner, and your officiant need to sign it.