Are Indiana Marriage Records Public?
Yes. Indiana allows public access to marriage records. The state has an online archives library accessible to interested members of the public. Inquirers may search the library and then use the information to access marriage records available in County Clerk Offices.
Family Court records can include marriage records and divorce records (which is the dissolution of marriage records). These records contain the personal information of those involved, and their maintenance is critical should anyone wish to make changes. Because of this, both marriage and divorce records can be more difficult to locate and obtain than other public records and may not be available through government sources or third-party public record websites.
How to Find Indiana Marriage Records
In Indiana, marriage records are official documents authorizing and recognizing marital unions contracted in the state. Generally, marriage records are considered a part of Indiana public records. Hence, individuals can inspect or copy public marriage records for a small fee. In Indiana, married couples receive two marriage records: the marriage license and the marriage certificate. Same-sex marriages are also legal in Indiana.
An Indiana marriage record will usually reveal the following information:
- Couple’s names
- Birthplace and date
- Address
- Religion
- Parents’ names, birth dates, and place
- Names of witnesses
- Marriage dates
- Divorce certificate in Indiana (if any of the couples have experienced the dissolution of marriage records)
According to the vital statistics collated by the Indiana Department of Health's Division of Vital Records, over 43,000 marriages occurred in Indiana in 2018. Individuals can get information on all these marriages from the appropriate record custodians.
How to Find Out if Someone is Married in Indiana
The best way to find out if someone is married in Indiana is to find their marriage license, marriage record, or relevant personal records. Interested persons can get an uncertified copy of a person’s marriage license from the Clerk of Court in the county where the marriage license was issued. However, if the county is not known, record seekers can find marriage records on the following websites:
- Indiana Courts’ Marriage License Public Lookup
- Indiana State Library’s Indiana Marriages Database through 1850
- Indiana State Library’s Indiana Marriages Database: 1958-2018
How to Check Marriage Status Online
Interested members of the public may check marriage status online by using the website of the Clerk of Court where the individual's marriage license was issued. Typically, the Court Clerk maintains a searchable database of court records accessible to members of the public. To use the database or its state alternative, Indiana Courts’ Marriage License Public Lookup, the inquirer will be required to have the following information:
- The subject's full name
- Their birth date
- Marriage license number
- License issuance and marriage dates
Interested persons may also check marriage status online using third-party aggregate sites.
What is Considered a Marriage Record in Indiana?
An Indiana marriage record comprises official documents that show that a marriage took place. It is a type of Indiana vital record that is open to the public. The Clerk of the county where a marriage took place issues the marriage record. The record contains information about the couple and details of the marriage.
Both government websites and organizations may offer divorce and marriage records. Similarly, third-party public record websites can also provide these types of records. But because third-party organizations are not operated or sponsored by the government, record availability may vary. Further, marriage and divorce records are considered highly private and are often sealed, meaning the availability of these types of records cannot be guaranteed.
Where to Find Free Indiana Marriage Records
Record seekers can find free Indiana marriage records at the Indiana State Library using the Search Indiana Legacy tool. To use this tool, record seekers must enter 'marriage' in the search box provided on the website. Afterward, they can choose the type of index appropriate for their query. However, a free marriage record search is mostly suitable for persons who are seeking to view the record alone. Inquirers interested in obtaining a certified copy bearing a raised seal will be required to query the relevant court clerk in person or via mail and pay the applicable fee in cash or via money order payable to the Clerk's Office.
How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Indiana
The first step to performing a name change after marriage in Indiana is obtaining a marriage certificate or court order. Next, parties must file their social security record with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Applicants should visit any SSA local office with a completed SS5 form, a photo ID, and a legal name change document. It typically takes two to three weeks to receive a new social security card from the SSA.
Other federal and state agencies must also be informed when couples change their name after marriage. One such agency is the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). According to state laws, individuals who change their name must notify the Indiana BMV within 30 days after updating the SSN data. It costs $9 to receive a new Indiana driver's license. Registrants must submit a certified copy of their marriage record and a valid photo ID.
What is Considered a Marriage Certificate in Indiana?
An Indiana marriage certificate is legal evidence that a couple has performed their wedding rites and the state officially recognizes the marriage. A marriage certificate is issued by the Clerk of the county where the marriage took place. It is different from a marriage license because it shows that a couple was authorized to marry and that the marriage has been solemnized. Online marriage certificates are not available in Indiana. Record seekers can only obtain physical copies of such records.
An Indiana marriage certificate includes information on the following:
- Couple’s names
- Wedding location
- Wedding date
- Names of the witnesses
- Name of the authorized officiant
All married couples in Indiana receive marriage certificates after the wedding.
How Do I Obtain a Copy of My Marriage Certificate in Indiana?
Copies of marriage certificates in Indiana are only available at the County Office where the marriage occurred. Interested persons can contact the Clerk’s Office in the specific county for certified copies of marriage certificates.
Information about Indiana marriages up to 2018 is available online at the Indiana State Library. If the county is unknown, visit the Indiana State Library’s website to search for the desired marriage certificate using the names of the married party. The result displayed includes the year of marriage and the county where the marriage ceremony occurred. A requester can contact the Clerk’s Office in the county displayed with this information. Each copy of a marriage certificate in Indiana costs $8.
Indiana does not allow requesters to place orders online for copies of marriage certificates.
What is Considered a Marriage License in Indiana?
An Indiana marriage license is a state-issued document that permits a consenting couple to marry. Applying for a marriage license is the first step a couple must take to marry legally in the state. A marriage license differs from a marriage certificate because the latter is only issued after the marriage has taken place. Couples that intend to get married can apply for marriage licenses, whether or not they are residents of the state.
Indiana Traditional Marriage Licenses
A traditional marriage license in Indiana gives a couple permission to marry. A County Clerk will issue a traditional marriage license as long as the applicants meet the state’s age requirements, appear to be of sound mind, and are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Applicants will not receive a marriage license if they have a living spouse, without first providing a divorce certificate in Indiana from the previous marriage. If the spouse is dead, the County Clerk will require a death certificate. Applicants can get married immediately they receive a marriage license as long as there is an authorized officiant and at least two witnesses.
Indiana Common Law Marriage Licenses
The Indiana General Assembly abolished common law marriages on January 1, 1958. While the state no longer recognizes common law marriages, they are not void if they were entered into before 1958. Regardless, Indiana recognizes a common law marriage if the marriage was entered into in a jurisdiction where such marriages are allowed.
Common law marriage licenses are not available in Indiana.
How Do I Get a Marriage License in Indiana?
To get a marriage license in Indiana, the couple must appear together at the office of the County Clerk where either party resides. For non-residents, the couple can choose their preferred county and visit the Clerk’s Office there. Applicants must solemnize their marriage in the same county where the marriage license was issued.
An applicant younger than 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian present to give consent. Indiana allows applicants younger than 17 to apply if they have a court order authorizing the union.
Applicants must also provide statements of facts clearly showing no legal reason why the marriage should not be solemnized. The applicants must also sign an acknowledgement that they have received information about sexually transmitted diseases and a list of sites where the couple may test for the HIV virus.
The applicants must provide valid IDs as proof of birth date. Acceptable IDs include:
- A valid driver’s license
- State-issued ID card that contains a date of birth
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
A marriage license application costs $18 if at least one of the applicants resides in Indiana. If both applicants are non-residents, the application costs $60. Applicants are also required to pay $2 for each copy. Some counties charge an additional $2 as a document fee. Most counties prefer applicants to pay these fees in charge, so a money order may not be acceptable.
The County Clerk will not issue a marriage license if one or both applicants appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Applicants must be of sound mind at the time of the application. The Clerk will not license applicants who are more closely related than second cousins. However, first cousins may receive marriage licenses if both applicants are at least 65 years old.
Sex or violent offenders will not receive marriage licenses unless they provide an affidavit that they have informed law enforcement authorities in the county where they reside and the county of conviction.
A marriage license is only valid for 60 days after issuance. If the marriage does not happen within 60 days, the couple must apply for a new license. The marriage license application process can begin online, but applicants must appear at the County Clerk’s Office to complete the process.
Two marriage certificates, clearly marked “Original” and “Duplicate” are attached to an Indiana marriage license. After the solemnization, the officiant must complete and file the duplicate with the County Clerk who issued it. This must be done not later than 30 days after the date of the solemnization. The original copy should be completed and returned to the couple.
Are Prenups Public Records in Indiana?
According to Indiana law, a prenuptial agreement is a legal contract created by two people before they get married. The contract outlines each person's financial rights and responsibilities during the marriage and what will happen to their assets if the marriage ends in divorce.
Prenuptial agreements are not public records, so only the people involved in the agreement will have access to it. However, if the agreement is used in a divorce case, it may be subpoenaed by the court and made available to the public.
